Neuchâtel, Switzerland

While writing this, I realised that Neuchâtel is French for Newcastle, like the town in the UK. At just 33,000 residents, the Neuchâtel area is small enough to be quiet and large enough to be interesting. The Castle of Neuchâtel is a must-see as it is the centrepiece of the town, it is perched high up on a hill where you can get a panoramic view of the lake below. If you want an even better view, take the funicular up to Plan to see both the Castle and the lake.

On my way to the Castle, I walked past a little book store that had a variety of old 20th century texts and prints to pick up a Bible. The shopkeeper recommended a French-language Bible to me printed in 1948, designed by the pastor of a church in Neuchâtel. Naturally, I got excited and bought the Bible, it has a clear font with decorative items hanging around the start of every chapter as well as a laurel of red leaves around every page.

Come in August, you might be lucky enough to catch the Busking Festival with music dancing out of every street corner. There’s a choice of jazz with wine, French rock with beer, or classical string music with finger foods thanks to the variety of pop-up food stalls on the pedestrianised streets. If you fancy something a little quieter, then walk out to the lake…or over the lake on the pier head hanging over the water.

It really reminds me of the Chapelle de la Lorette in Freiburg because its a beautiful location on the top of a hill overlooking a cathedral on another hill in a majority French-speaking area. Except Neuchâtel is next to a huge lake with a view of the snowy alps in the background. I love watching sunset here because the white peaks reflect the changing colours of the sky.

Place Pury has an interesting display of three bronze bulls walking solemnly into the sunrise. While New York, Chicago, and Frankfurt to symbolise the optimism of the economy, these three bulls are just friends or maybe family members going out for a walk. These leisurely bulls pose a stark contrast with the fearsome bulls of the metropolises, providing an alternative line of thought to that of the busy city worker. Just by the lake beyond Place Pury, the Littorail is a nice little tramway that can take your mind off most everything with its calming views.

Another fantastic funicular ride can be found from the main train station down to the Neuchâtel University. This town has such a steep gradient that I’d recommend you walk on the way down and take the bus back up to the train station for your departure. It’s not worth the exercise.