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Château de Neuchâtel

Castles & palaces ·Neuchâtel
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#6Castles & palaces in SwitzerlandTravelers' Choice
  • Visit: about 2 h
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About

Château de Neuchâtel is a castle and former palace on a rocky spur in central Neuchâtel, beside the collegiate church and overlooking the city.

Menu & prices

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More photos 4

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Château de Neuchâtel — Castle and collegiate church seen from the old town

Château de Neuchâtel — Castle and collegiate church seen from the old townChâteau de Neuchâtel — Castle courtyard illuminated at nightChâteau de Neuchâtel — Castle wall with heraldic paintings and stoneworkChâteau de Neuchâtel — Historic stone arch bridge along the castle fortifications

Why go

  • Surviving Romanesque fireplaces, windows and openwork, rare examples of palace architecture in Switzerland.
  • Twelve cantonal flags on the south gallery façade recall the cantons’ occupation of the county from 1512 to 1529.
  • The castle has been a regional seat of power since the 11th century and still houses the cantonal government.

Don't miss

  • Staircase archA large supporting arch partly remains from the monumental outdoor staircase that led to the great hall.By the former great hall
  • Ceremonial entrance portalThe western entrance portal was built between 1496 and 1498.Western entrance
  • Heraldic paintingsPainted coats of arms appear in the Salle Marie de Savoie and Salle des Etats.Salle Marie de Savoie and Salle des Etats
  • Loggia vault and ceilingThe ribbed vault and Gothic ceiling bear the arms of Philippe de Hochberg and Marie de Savoie.Loggia beside the Romanesque section

Know before you go

  • The castle can be visited on guided tours.
  • The castle remains a working cantonal government and administration building.

What's inside

  • The governor’s official apartment occupied the south wing.
  • The former great hall became an audience and ceremonial room in the mid-14th century. A tiled stove heated it, and it still hosts Tribunal Cantonal sessions.

Tips for your visit

  • Look for the missing canton among the gallery’s flags: Appenzell is absent, having joined the Confederation in 1513.

Interesting facts2

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  1. 1905

    The castle was protected as a historic monument in 1905.

    Château de Neuchâtel - Wikipedia

  2. Older building sections survive in the keep and prison tower.

    Schloss Neuenburg (Schweiz) - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

After serving as a residence for the Fribourg and Hochberg lords, the castle became the seat of a governor when Neuchâtel’s rulers moved elsewhere. The room that served as a seat of justice for nearly a millennium still hosts sessions of the Tribunal Cantonal.

  1. Shortly before 1011The fortress was probably built for Rodolphe III to help control routes into his kingdom.
  2. 1011A written record describes Neuchâtel as a royal residence in Rodolphe III’s donation to his wife Irmengarde.
  3. 1214The neighbouring town received its charter.
  4. 1395–1503The castle was the usual residence of lords from the houses of Fribourg and Hochberg.
  5. 1450A fire that devastated the city reached the castle hill. Many Romanesque buildings were rebuilt in the following years.
Show all
  1. 16th centuryNeuchâtel’s rulers lived elsewhere and were represented at the castle by a governor.
  2. 1707Neuchâtel became the personal possession of Frédéric Ier, king of Prussia.
  3. 1848On 1 March, republicans seized the castle and established a provisional government there.
  4. 1856On 3 September, Ludwig August von Pourtalès and the Regiment de Meuron attacked to restore royal rule, but failed.
  5. 1905–1934A major restoration included archaeological work. The south courtyard was removed to make room for archive spaces.
  6. 1980sThe exterior walls were replastered and painted white, with ochre-yellow surrounds.
  7. 2009The Romanesque remains were treated to distinguish the earlier structure from the rest of the castle.

Tours and audio guides

Guided tours
Tours are led by young guides Tickets can be reserved through the castle’s own website

How to get there

  • On footFrom the city centre, follow Rue du Château to Rue du Château 1, 2000 Neuchâtel.

Sources: Château de Neuchâtel - Wikipedia · Château de Neuchâtel - Wikipedia (part 2) · Neuchatel - Wikivoyage (see) · Service de la chancellerie | ne.ch · Cartes, plans et géodonnées | ne.ch · Schloss Neuenburg (Schweiz) - Wikipedia · Castello di Neuchâtel - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Rue du Chateau 1, Neuchâtel, 2000

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

When did Neuchâtel come under the king of Prussia?

In 1707, Neuchâtel became the personal possession of Frédéric Ier, king of Prussia.

What changed under Napoleon?

In 1806, Prussia ceded the principality to Napoleon Bonaparte, who gave it to Louis Alexandre Berthier.

Was royal rule challenged after the republic?

Yes. On 3 September 1856, Ludwig August von Pourtalès and the Regiment de Meuron attacked the castle in a failed attempt to restore royal rule.

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