Saint-Blaise Ne combines a fountain trail with distinctive architectural history and excursions between Lake Neuchâtel and the Jura. The Balade des 12 Fontaines offers a clear route for a walk through the village: the family-friendly trail is 2 km long, has 64 m of ascent and is listed as taking 27 minutes. It starts and ends in Saint-Blaise and follows the Ruau. This gives you a specific time estimate and a clear cultural focus for planning your visit.
Fountain trail and local history
The twelve fountains on the route were built between 1642 and 2011. At the Port de St-Blaise stands the Fontaine Mario Botta. Its three large wheels symbolise the zeros in the village’s millennium; the millennium was celebrated in 2011. Along the Balade beside the Ruau, you can discover eleven other historic village fountains as well as the Fontaine. A visit to the Fontaine Mario Botta can be combined with the Sentier «La Balade des 12 Fontaines au fil du Ruau».
Buildings with contrasting features
The present-day Temple de Saint-Blaise dates from the 15th century. Its remarkable bell tower and stair tower were built from 1516 onwards by Claude Paton. As part of the 2022–2025 restoration campaign, the project at the Temple aimed to preserve its capacity to welcome visitors, modernise its technical facilities and respect the historic fabric.
The 1581 Maison de la Dîme offers a different architectural note: its hexagonal stair tower and richly decorated Renaissance gable façade distinguish it from the Temple, whose bell tower and stair tower are its defining features. Together, these buildings trace a timeline from the Temple’s construction in the 15th century, through the tower works begun in 1516, to the Maison of 1581.
The Chemin du Diable leads to the Vy d’Etra above present-day Saint-Blaise. The village’s history is therefore connected not only to the fountains beside the Ruau, but also to a route above the present-day settlement.
Between the Jura, the lake and scenic trails
Saint-Blaise lies on the southern foothills of the Jura and on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel; the village extends along both sides of the Le Ruau stream. The St-Blaise–Le Landeron hike passes through forests and vineyards at the foot of Chaumont and offers views of the Canal de la Thielle, the Three Lakes Region and the Bernese Alps. It offers a scenic focus distinct from the village’s fountain trail.
The Balade is clearly defined: 2 km, 64 m of ascent and 27 minutes. This makes it easy to plan for time, unlike the hike, whose highlights are the forests, vineyards and views. You can choose between a manageable walk in the village and a hike focused on the landscape.
Water activities on Lake Neuchâtel
The lake adds another dimension. Plage de Saint-Blaise offers an area sheltered from currents and sun for swimming and relaxing. There is also a windsurfing spot near Saint-Blaise on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. The lake caters to different interests: relaxing in the bathing area and windsurfing along the northern shore.
Discover more destinations: Enges, Cressier Ne, Thielle-Wavre, Neuchâtel
View the broader travel guide: Neuchâtel.
