Lac des Taillères lies three kilometres west of the village of La Brévine. Fir trees line its southern shore, while pastureland stretches along the northern shore. What you can do at the lake varies with the seasons: in summer, visitors can swim; in severe winter cold, they can ice skate on its frozen surface. You can reach the lake by car, on foot, by bicycle or on cross-country skis. If you are looking for accommodation in La Brévine, you could first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on winter activities, the lake or the village’s history.
Winter Trails and Cross-Country Skiing
The Chemin des Taillères No. 803 is an 11-kilometre winter hiking route. It starts and ends in La Brévine and follows the shore of Lac des Taillères. If you would rather go snowshoeing, the La Brévine–Châteleu route offers a 4-kilometre alternative. It crosses the French-Swiss border and offers open views of the Vallée de La Brévine, the distant Alps and the Val Morteau to the north. Visibility and snow conditions depend on the season; check them before setting out.
In winter, the Vallée de La Brévine regularly has groomed cross-country ski trails of varying lengths for skiers of all ability levels. Sibéria Sport in La Brévine offers cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals; check availability before your trip. The trail distances make it easy to choose an option: the 4-kilometre snowshoe route versus the 11-kilometre winter hiking route. The options therefore differ both in activity and distance.
Walks with Stories
La Brévine au temps passé is a 3-kilometre circular walk in La Brévine. Residents’ memories and anecdotes tell the story of village life in the past and the activities of the time. Panels with QR codes also provide access to films about the present and past lives of the valley’s residents. It is a way to learn about local history through stories and films.
The Balade forestière et contes offers a different kind of walk: QR codes along the forest trail provide information about 24 native tree species, some of which are accompanied by stories to read or listen to. There is no internet access along the route. Download the content in advance from arbresetcontes.ch so it is available along the way.
The border landscape can also be explored through its cultural history. The Sentier des bornes runs along the French-Swiss border, passes boundary stones dating from 1766 and 1819, and reaches an altitude of 1,173 metres. The Vy aux Moines, meanwhile, is a medieval route: monks from Môtiers created it to reach the canons of Montebenoît. Today, the route is signposted in both directions for hikers and mountain bikers.
Lake, Village and Regional Specialities
For cycling, the Défi de La Brévine is a gently hilly, 21.4-kilometre circular route through three villages around the valley. This adds a bike ride to the hiking and winter routes as another way to explore the area.
In the village, the Temple de La Brévine adds a historical landmark: it was built in 1604. Its bell tower is illuminated by five projectors after nightfall; in warm conditions the light appears red, and in cold conditions, blue. The temperature-dependent lighting makes the tower a striking sight in the evening, while keeping the historic building distinct from its present-day lighting installation.
Regional specialities include Fondue Chaux-des-Taillères, made by a cheese dairy in the valley. It is served in a special bread called «Chaux-des-Taillères», with bacon cubes, shallots and Neuchâtel white wine. The annual Fête du Froid adds events, sports, competitions, performances and food to the calendar. Check event dates when planning your trip. Les Ateliers du Bûcheron offers axe throwing, traditional sawing and archery; as the offer may change, it is advisable to check in advance.
Discover more destinations: Les Brenets, Le Cerneux-Péquignot, Brot-Plamboz, Le Locle, Les Ponts-De-Martel.
Back to the main travel overview: Le Locle.
