The area of Le Cerneux-Péquignot follows the French-Swiss border along wooded ridges that reach 1,285 m. The village lies between 1,043 and 1,285 m above sea level, in the Jura Mountains near the Vallée de La Brévine and on the border with France. Local history, buildings and seasonal activities give a trip here a range of possible focuses.
Village centre, churches and local history
In the old village centre, gardens, open spaces, passageways, steps, and dry-stone walls and low walls shape the character of the place. A notable date in local history is 1639: Swedish bands killed people in Le Cerneux-Péquignot, looted and burned the village. Only two of its 58 houses survived.
The Church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation was originally built as a chapel in 1690, with the permission of the prior of Morteau in neighbouring France. The church houses a remarkable Baroque high altar. A new organ by Manufacture d’Orgues de St-Martin SA was installed in 1995; it has eight stops, one manual and a pedal.
The Chapelle de Bétod was built in 1773 or 1776. It houses a statue of the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln and four carved, painted panels depicting the Passion of Christ. The Vierge de Gardot monument also reflects the area’s border location: it was erected near the international border in 1866. The surrounding garden is among the historic parks and gardens of the Canton of Neuchâtel.
Winter activities and trails
Winter offerings in the area include cross-country ski trails near typical Jura farmhouses, a small ski lift with a floodlit downhill run, and a toboggan run for children in Bas-du-Cerneux. There is a 4.5 km groomed trail for walks in the snow. The options offer different ways to spend time outdoors in winter: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, walking and tobogganing.
A winter hike from Le Cerneux-Péquignot leads through fir-tree landscapes and areas dotted with individual farmhouses, all the way to the French-Swiss border. Snow and trail conditions can vary; check them before setting out. There are also numerous marked hiking trails in the village, where trail conditions can likewise change.
Summer trails and the wider region
The wider region has marked trails for hiking, cycling and mountain biking in summer. It is helpful to distinguish between the two areas when planning: the many marked hiking trails are in the village, while the summer trails and landscapes mentioned here are in the wider region.
The region includes picturesque valleys, lakes such as Lac des Taillères, and significant geological formations. The Creux du Van is also nearby: a rocky cirque offering panoramic views and wildlife such as ibex and chamois. Alongside the village’s local history and churches, visitors can also choose to explore the landscapes of the wider region.
Cheese, spirits and wine
The Distillerie La Sapinière in Le Cerneux-Péquignot produces and sells absinthe, gentian schnapps and fruit brandies. If you are planning a visit, check whether visits are possible before travelling, as information about the distillery may change. In Bétod, In Vino Veritas offers wine tastings by appointment. Arrange a time in advance; these offers may also change.
At the Fromagerie du Cerneux-Péquignot, visitors can discover and buy cheese directly from the cheese dairy. Sales arrangements may change, so enquire in advance if you plan to make a purchase. Olivier Baudois of the Fromagerie du Cerneux-Péquignot received the 2024 Gruyère-neuchâtelois award.
When to travel and how to find a holiday apartment
When looking for a holiday apartment, the time of year can be a useful starting point: local activities take centre stage in winter, while cycling and mountain-biking trails are located in the wider region and are suited to summer. Also consider whether you want your stay to focus on village history and buildings or on trails and landscapes. This can help you choose more clearly between a focus on the village and one on the region.
Discover more destinations: Les Brenets, La Brévine, Les Ponts-De-Martel, Brot-Plamboz, Le Locle
Go to the main travel overview: Le Locle.
