NEUCHATEL
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Neuchatel is a canton of watchmakers and lakeside towns: a tranquil atmosphere, a history of watchmaking, and French culture. A place where elegant charm meets Mediterranean flair.
NEUCHATEL: ICONIC LANDMARKS
The lake and the ancient town create the atmosphere of a tranquil French canton.
Neuchatel is located on the western edge of the country, on Lake Neuchatel — the largest body of water entirely within Switzerland. The canton stretches from the smooth lakeshore to the folds of the Jura Mountains , where clockwork has been ticking for centuries.
The capital, Neuchatel, is built of warm yellow stone, earning it the nickname "the city carved from butter ." Narrow streets rise from the embankment to the castle and collegiate church, creating a rare, unbroken historical space. The lake is more than just a backdrop — its light reflects off the facades, changing the city's hues throughout the day.
The north of the canton is home to the world of watchmaking. La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle grew up as workshop towns, with streets laid out to maximize light. This unusual geometry, created for the precision work of watchmakers, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and makes the region instantly recognizable.
Neuchatel connects two distinct landscapes — the tranquil lakefront and the rugged plateaux of the Jura. Between vineyards and watchmaking workshops, the canton maintains a rare sense of unhurried precision, as if time moves a little differently here.
NEUCHATEL: COAT OF ARMS' HISTORY
The region's symbolism is associated with its historical rulers and more.
Neuchatel was first mentioned in 1032 in the will of Rudolph III of Burgundy. The name literally means "New Castle" — in German, Neunburg. But the settlement on the lake is much older: pile dwellings, Romans, Alemanni, and Franks — all left their mark. The castle was renovated, owners changed, but the lake remained.
Since the 12th century, the Burgundian Counts of Neunburg have ruled here. Their coat of arms — a golden shield with a red vertical and three silver chevrons — would become the basis for all future symbolism. After the dynasty's extinction, power passed to various distant relatives, who suddenly appeared in large numbers, and then, through marriage, to the House of France.
The city did not live in isolation: as early as 1406, it entered into an "eternal union" with Bern, and later with other Swiss lands. In the 16th century, the famous French and Swiss reformer Guillaume Farel preached here, and the Reformation quickly changed the religious landscape. Neuchatel became Protestant, adding another layer to its distinctive identity: the French language, Burgundian roots, and Swiss ties.
After the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), Neuchatel was recognized as an independent principality. Then, in 1707, when another ruling line died out, fifteen candidates laid claim to the throne of Neuchatel. In a fair and transparent election, Frederick I, King of Prussia, won. Thus, the French-speaking region became a possession of Berlin. The relationship was unique: the Prussian king confirmed local liberties and governed from a distance. In 1815, Neuchatel joined the Swiss Confederation as the 21st canton, but simultaneously remained under Prussian rule. Thus, Neuchâtel became the first and only canton with a monarchy among the republican cantons. This "not-like-other" status lasted for more than 30 years.
In 1848, an uprising broke out in Neuchatel. Republicans occupied the city and, accordingly, proclaimed a republic . The constitution was adopted by a majority vote. The Prussian king limited himself to protesting and expressing concern. Later, supporters of the monarchy attempted revenge, and another war seemed imminent, but passions gradually cooled, and in 1857, the Prussian king finally renounced his rights to Neuchatel. From that moment on, the canton became fully Swiss — not by grace, but by choice. The French language and close ties with neighboring cantons only strengthened this identity.
That same year, 1848, a new coat of arms and flag for the canton were adopted — a conscious break with its Prussian past. Green symbolized freedom and independence; white and red were borrowed from the old city coat of arms. A white Swiss cross appeared in the upper right corner — a sign of voluntary entry into the Confederation. The city retained the old coat of arms, a golden shield with a red stripe and three silver chevrons. In the 19th century, both versions even coexisted on seals. In 1954, the canton attempted to reinstate the "retro" symbols, but a referendum voted against it.
It turned out beautifully: the city preserves the memory of the counts, under whom life was generally good, and the canton preserves its freedom. And above all, the calm coolness of the lake, which, by and large, doesn't care who's in power today.
NEUCHATEL: FUN FACTS
Of why Neuchâtel has an almost Italian feel.
If you glance at the flag of the canton of Neuchatel, you might momentarily think you're seeing pizza being served, people gesticulating wildly, and heatedly arguing about football somewhere nearby. Green, white, and red— almost like Italy. Coincidence? Yes. But a very telling one. The Italian tricolor emerged as a revolutionary symbol of freedom in the late 18th century. And Neuchâtel chose the same colors several decades later — when it finally decided: enough of being a principality under someone else's crown and time to become a republic within Switzerland.
The visual effect is almost Mediterranean: the French-speaking, northern canton suddenly appears slightly further south than it appears on the map. Sometimes, tourists do get confused and often ask how to get to the Colosseum. But this is simply a rare case of Alpine restraint accidentally wearing an Italian costume.
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