Highlights in the Neuchâtel Jura.

Tick-tock! This tour from Neuchâtel to the watchmaking strongholds of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle is time travel in a very real sense. Other highlights awaiting you include the underground mills and the highest waterfall in the Jura massif. Just hop on and off wherever you like. Tip: enjoy even more comfort in 1st class.

The image shows the route from Neuchâtel to Le Locle with five marked highlights along the way. — Image legend: The train journey from Neuchâtel to Le Locle takes just 40 minutes. There are plenty of exciting activities and sights to see along the route. Simply choose the ones that appeal to you the most – here are our five favourites.

The trip in pictures.

Image of Neuchâtel’s old town. — Image legend: 1st highlight: Before boarding the train, it’s well worth taking a walk through Neuchâtel’s historic old town.

Image of La Chaux-de-Fonds. — Image legend: From Neuchâtel, you can reach La Chaux-de-Fonds conveniently by train in just 27 minutes. This UNESCO World Heritage city, shaped by Le Corbusier, is a must for architecture and watch lovers.

Image of the International Clock-Making Museum. — Image legend: 2nd highlight: Just a few minutes’ walk from La Chaux-de-Fonds railway station is a true journey through time. Learn all about the history of timekeeping at the International Clock-Making Museum.

Image of Le Locle. — Image legend: Continue your journey from La Chaux-de-Fonds by train – it’s just nine minutes to the UNESCO World Heritage twin town of Le Locle. This charming industrial town in the middle of the Jura mountains may be small, but it packs a big punch – this town too is all about watchmaking.

Image of the Clock-Making Museum. — Image legend: 3rd highlight: A visit to the Château des Monts clock-making museum in Le Locle is well worth it. It’s an approx. 15-minute walk or a 6-minute bus ride from the train station.

Image of the Saut du Doubs waterfall. — Image legend: 4th highlight: Nature lovers will also get their fill on this tour. The train from Le Locle to Les Brenets takes just seven minutes. From here, a leisurely boat trip or an easy hike will take you to Saut du Doubs, the highest waterfall in the Jura massif.

Image of underground mills. — Image legend: 5th highlight: Alternatively, the Moulins underground mills are just three minutes away by bus from Le Locle. Here, you can take a fascinating walk into the earth’s interior.

Tour highlights at a glance.

Neuchâtel’s old town will charm you with its historic ambience and Mediterranean vibe. Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Neuchâtel, the old town offers a fascinating mix of medieval architecture and a lively atmosphere.

What’s waiting for you.

A historic ambience with plenty of cultural highlights, museums and galleries.
Culinary delights with local specialities – ideal for an enjoyable break.
Beautiful natural scenery – perfect for a walk along Lake Neuchâtel.

Getting there and useful information.

Take the train to Neuchâtel.
Duration of the excursion: as long as you like.
Partially barrier-free offers.

More about Neuchâtel

La Chaux-de-Fonds is an architectural gem in the heart of the Jura mountains – designed like clockwork and shaped by Le Corbusier. In this town, watchmaking, culture and sophistication are blended into a unique urban charm. A visit to the International Clock-Making Museum is a must.

What’s waiting for you.

Travel through the history of timekeeping with over 4,000 extraordinary exhibits – from sundials to atomic clocks.
Interactive and educational exhibitions on the development of watchmaking.
Family-friendly options with treasure hunts and workshops for children.

Getting there and useful information.

Travel from Neuchâtel to La Chaux-de-Fonds by train in 27 minutes. It’s a 5-minute walk from the train station.
Duration of museum visit: around 1.5 hours.
Pram and wheelchair accessible.

Go to the International Clock-Making Museum

Nestled in a grand 18th-century estate, the Château des Monts Watch Museum in Le Locle also offers a fascinating insight into the world of timekeeping.

What’s waiting for you.

500 years of watchmaking with astonishing exhibits, including magnificent pendulum clocks, delicate miniature automated machines and elaborate songbird clocks.
Live restorations of historical timepieces.
Interactive exhibitions and themed tours.
Idyllic location in a park with sundials and sculptures.

Getting there and useful information.

The train from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Le Locle takes nine minutes. From the train station, take a 6-minute bus journey to ‘Le Locle, Château des Monts’ or walk around 15 minutes on foot.
Duration of museum visit: around 1.5 hours.
Not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Discover the watch museum now

Perfect for hikes and boat trips. Les Brenets and the Saut du Doubs offer an unforgettable experience of nature in the heart of the Jura mountains.

What’s waiting for you.

Spectacular waterfall – at 27 metres, the highest in the Jura massif.
A leisurely boat trip on Lac des Brenets through impressive gorges with steep limestone cliffs and dense fir forests.
Alternatively, a fabulous hiking trail from Les Brenets to the waterfall.

Getting there and useful information.

The train journey from Le Locle to Les Brenets takes seven minutes. From there, it’s a 20-minute boat trip and about 10 minutes on foot. Alternatively, an approx. 50-minute hike from the station.
Duration of the excursion: as long as you like.
Not accessible for people with disabilities.

Go to Saut du Doubs

Travel into the earth’s interior to a time before electricity! The only known underground mills in Europe are here in Le Locle and they are an exceptional testimony to human ingenuity.

What’s waiting for you.

Remarkable 17th century engineering.
Fascinating technology 23 metres underground.
Educational museum with insights into the history of the mills and the use of hydropower.

Getting there and useful information.

Take the train to Le Locle, then travel three minutes by bus to ‘Le Locle, Moulins souterrain’.
Duration of the excursion: around 1.5 hours.
Warm clothes and good footwear are recommended in the cave.
Not accessible for disabled persons (numerous steps).

Go to the underground mills

A note about planning your journey.

To ensure that you can travel in comfort, we regularly carry out maintenance work on the SBB network. Please check the timetable on SBB.ch or SBB Mobile before starting your journey. It is continually updated and provides suggestions for the best connections.

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Highlights in the Neuchâtel Jura.

The trip in pictures.

Tour highlights at a glance.

What’s waiting for you.

Getting there and useful information.

What’s waiting for you.

Getting there and useful information.

What’s waiting for you.

Getting there and useful information.

What’s waiting for you.

Getting there and useful information.

What’s waiting for you.

Getting there and useful information.

A note about planning your journey.

In cooperation with:

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Highlights in the Neuchâtel Jura.

The trip in pictures.

Tour highlights at a glance.

1. Neuchâtel old town.

2. International Clock-Making Museum, La Chaux-de-Fonds.

3. Château des Monts Watch Museum, Le Locle.

4. Saut du Doubs, Les Brenets.

5. Underground mills, Le Locle.

A note about planning your journey.

In cooperation with:

Further content

Leisure Pass

Saver offers.

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