The clustered village of Môtiers lies in the western Val de Travers, on the flat valley floor south of the Areuse and along the Bied stream in the Neuchâtel Jura. Its cultural attractions range from contemporary art by Australian Aboriginal artists to the region’s watchmaking history. There is also a marked trail through the village, a mountain waterfall about a ten-minute walk away and a challenging hike through gorges. Depending on your interests, you can explore Môtiers through its culture or its hiking trails.

Museums and history in Môtiers

The «La grange» Museum of Australian Aboriginal Art is housed in a former barn dating from 1721 and displays contemporary art by Australian Aboriginal artists. The Musée La Grange is part of the historic building complex of Château d’Ivernois. A former agricultural building was restored between 2003 and 2006 and converted into a museum.

The village’s origins appear to be linked to the founding of the Prieuré Saint-Pierre, first mentioned in 1107. Part of the Romanesque nave remains at the former Saint-Pierre church, and exterior arcades can be seen on the north side. The rectangular Gothic choir dates from 1514 to 1517. The surviving sections make it possible to compare Romanesque and Gothic architectural forms.

The Maison de l’Absinthe is dedicated to absinthe. Its permanent exhibition covers the product and its history, smuggling, and the science and physics of absinthe; an interactive presentation and a film complement the exhibition. The Val-de-Travers is considered the traditional region of origin of the «Green Fairy». At the Musée régional du Val-de-Travers – Musée des Mascarons, the permanent exhibition explores the region’s watchmaking history across about ten rooms. The museum is housed in a patrician house rebuilt in the mid-18th century. It takes its name from the masks carved into the keystones of the windows. The temporary exhibition focuses each time on a subject closely connected to the region.

The Musée Jean-Jacques Rousseau is in the house in Môtiers where Rousseau lived during his Neuchâtel exile from 1762 to 1765. Its exhibition presents about 200 original documents across eight sections. The museum is closed until the end of 2026; check its current visitor status for later dates. The Musée de l’automobile «Le Manège» displays around 30 historic cars built between 1897 and 1980. It is accessible by public transport via Môtiers SBB railway station.

Trails, waterfall and gorges

The Promenade de Jean-Jacques Rousseau is marked by 60 bronze stones set into the ground. It leads through the village from the temple to the waterfall known as the «Cascade de Rousseau». The Cascade de Môtiers is a mountain waterfall about a ten-minute walk from the village. A natural cave lies right beside it and is of interest to cavers.

For a longer hike, the 19-kilometre route passes through the Gorges de la Poëta-Raisse. It starts and ends in Môtiers and follows a succession of narrow gorges and waterfalls. The hike is strenuous and rather challenging. Check seasonal route information before setting out; its length and difficulty make it a different undertaking from the marked trail through the village.

Art and food and drink

Art Môtiers is an open-air exhibition of contemporary Swiss art in Môtiers; the event has been running since 1985. Editions take place at irregular intervals, and their dates vary. If you would like to make the exhibition the occasion for your trip, check the specific dates.

Mauler offers a film, a guided cellar tour and a sparkling wine tasting in the cellars of the Prieuré Saint-Pierre. At Jacot Haute Chocolaterie, you can taste chocolate on its own or paired with wines from the region. The 75-minute «Chocolatier» workshop lets you make your own chocolate bar and drinking chocolate from single-origin chocolate. Check the current options and booking conditions for tastings and workshops.

Discover more destinations: Boveresse, Saint-Sulpice Ne, Buttes, Fleurier, Travers Ne, La Côte-Aux-Fées, Couvet, Les Verrières.

See the overview of the wider travel area: Val-De-Travers.