Absinthe the Green Fairy

Val de Travers

The Val de Travers extends from Neuenburgersee through the Jura to the border with France. The villages in the watch industry dominated the valley are rather modest. And yet the valley is rich in attractions.

Môtiers: The compact medieval core of the village is arranged crosswise to Talverlauf and stands out for its broad and inviting-looking Dorfstrasse. Old wells and renovated building facades intact village round out the picture. Are particularly proud of the locals but to the fact that here in the 18th Century, the poet Jean-Jacques Rousseau, for three years, has found asylum. Môtiers offers some impressive sights, such as the "Hôtel des six Communes", the castle and the «Musée Rousseau». In Môtiers is the headquarters of the House KUEBLER.

A little further down in the valley are the Asphalt Mines of Couvet. Although asphalt is no longer exploited, but in the miles of aisles herumgeführt tourists. The ever-constant temperature of 8 ° C in summer is a welcome cooling. The restaurant at the entrance to the mine, are specialties offered, on a hot bitumen - a byproduct of asphalt - will be cooked.

Scenic highlight is the Areuseschlucht. At this point, intersects the small river a whole chain of law before he pours in Neuchâtel. Huge rock formations are the impressive result. At the lower exit of the gorge, the landscape changes abruptly. The Jura hears how to cut. Green meadows and below against Neuenburgersee groomed vineyards dominate the scene at once. Typical, decorated with flowers Winegrower villages are displayed in sequence. The contrast to the previously rather barren Val de Travers could not be greater.
The Val-de-Travers is always worth a visit.