On the shores of Lake Biel, Neuenstadt brings together a medieval townscape and a landscape of vineyards, mountains and lakeside stretches. The town was founded in 1312. Towers, rows of houses, narrow lanes and fountains tell its story; trails, wine and the lake offer further ways to explore the surroundings.
Towers, houses and the town’s history
The Tour Rouge, north of the old town, is Neuenstadt’s clock tower. To the south, the Tour de Rive marks the entrance to the old town. A basilica was once planned for the Tour Carrée, but the project was abandoned as a result of the Reformation. Château du Schlossberg also features in the town’s history: it was built between 1283 and 1288 and served as the castellan’s residence until the 16th century. It was restored in 1884 and 1931. The château and gardens are not open to visitors.
Several historic houses vividly illustrate their former uses or design. The Maison des Dragons was built in 1757/1758 for the town clerk David François Chiffelle (Tschiffeli); its dragon-shaped gargoyles gave it its name. The façade of the Maison des Vignolans features coats of arms bearing pruning knives, vines and grapes as symbols of winegrowing. The two Fontaines du Banneret date from 1550 and were created by Laurent Péroud from Cressier in the canton of Neuchâtel.
The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in La Neuveville explores the history of the town and its inhabitants. Founded in 1875, the museum is housed in the former town hall, which dates from the 14th century. Exhibits include medieval town banners and cannons captured by soldiers from La Neuveville from the troops of Charles the Bold at the Battle of Murten in 1476. There are also Neolithic objects from lakeside settlements on Lake Biel and 18th-century Landolt tiled stoves in the local and guild rooms.
Sacred art and architecture also form part of the town’s historic character. The Blanche Eglise is the oldest place of worship in La Neuveville and contains frescoes from the second half of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century. The Catholic church of Notre Dame de L’Assomption has richly decorated stained-glass windows and an altar made of faceted plate glass by Isabelle Tabin Darbellay. At Rue du Collège No. 14, a house preserves an engraved plaque bearing the initials of Jesus and Mary, dating from around 1500.
Winegrowing and local traditions
Vineyards are as much a part of Neuenstadt’s character as its old town. The winegrowing region is suitable for Chasselas, Chardonnay and grape varieties from the Pinot family. The Vignoble de la ville de Berne grows Chasselas and Pinot noir according to BIOSUISSE guidelines; it stretches along Lake Biel between La Neuveville and Schafis. Around a dozen winegrowers open their cellars by arrangement for wine tastings or aperitifs. At Cave Auberson & fils, visits and wine tastings are part of the offer; the terrace in the vineyards affords views of the lake and La Neuveville. The Auberson family also offers aperitifs featuring regional products and wines from the estate.
La Cour de Berne is a historic place associated with wine. The building was constructed in 1631; monks vinified the harvest there and stored the wine until 1797. Today, La Cour de Berne serves as a cellar for wine tastings and receptions, and visitors can also see a large historic wine press there. The FĂŞte du Vin de La Neuveville carries on the wine tradition as a festival: it takes place every year on the second weekend in September. The event offers numerous local wines to taste and more than 30 culinary specialities.
Walking routes, the lake and outdoor activities
The approximately four-kilometre Balade de la Sorcière starts and ends at La Neuveville railway station; an information board there explains the circular route. The trail leads through forests and vineyards to a pavilion, with views of the Alps and Lake Biel. From the pavilion, the view extends over La Neuveville and Cerlier to Île Saint-Pierre. The botanical walk includes an educational card game explaining the seasonal wild plants used by the witch in her daily life.
Another route in the nearby area leads to the Chutes du Pilouvi. It runs between Lignières and La Neuveville alongside the Ruisseau de Vaux, through the Combe du Pilouvi gorge and past viewpoints overlooking the waterfalls. There is a picnic table halfway along the route. There are also trails through vineyards and dense forests, as well as lakeside paths, for walks around La Neuveville. The Chemin des Vignes nearby is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
In summer, Lake Biel offers stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, inflatable boat trips and fishing. La Neuveville is also a starting point for a boat trip to ĂŽle Saint-Pierre. Those who prefer to stay on shore have various options. Plage Saint-Joux is open to the public and has a picnic area and toilets, as well as a beach volleyball court, barbecue area, restaurant, shaded terrace, pump track, table tennis tables and stand-up paddleboard rental. Close to the historic centre, La Plage is a family-friendly beach with changing facilities, a playground, a shaded terrace and a restaurant.
For a different kind of relaxation, Sauna Etana combines a wood-fired sauna carriage with a relaxation dome and the option of swimming in the lake. The sauna carriage can accommodate up to twelve people. Alongside trails through vineyards and forests, there are also activities on and around the water.
Guided tours and circular routes
In “Tours et détours du guet,” a storyteller portrays La Neuveville’s former night watchman. The tour combines stories with a walk to the places where the events took place. It is offered in French and requires a reservation. A general guided tour of the old town lasts one hour; the combined museum and old town tour lasts 1.5 hours and must be booked through the tourist information office. The crime tour “Qui a tué le Lieutenant Jacquat?” also has a literary starting point: it follows an investigation based on Jacques Hirt’s novel “Le Fourmi-Lion.”
Those wishing to cover longer distances can consider two different routes. One circular route links La Neuveville with Le Landeron and crosses the cantonal borders between Bern and Neuchâtel. The Circuit des plus beaux villages from Büren an der Aare to La Neuveville is 27 kilometres long; another route with the same name starts in La Neuveville and ends in Le Landeron. The different distances and starting and finishing points give you specific options for choosing a tour to suit your preferred route.
Discover more destinations: Nods, Neuenstadt, Bern, Aarberg, Schwarzenburg, Konolfingen, Signau, Oberhasli.
Go to the main travel overview: Bern.
