When people think of Neuchâtel, they picture lakeside strolls, café terraces and cobbled streets. But just a few minutes uphill, another side of the city appears: La Coudre, a quiet neighbourhood perched between woodland, former vineyards and hillside paths that lead up to the Jura.
La Coudre doesn’t pretend to be a tourist destination – and that’s precisely what makes it appealing. It’s close, calm, and just enough off the radar to feel like a break from the city.
Hôtel Beaulac Neuchâtel welcomes you for an unforgettable stay in the Neuchâtel region. Book now!
📍 Address: Hôtel Beaulac, Esplanade Léopold-Robert 2, 2000 Neuchâtel
📞 Reservations: +41 32 723 11 11
🌐 Website: beaulac.ch
From hazel trees to Roman roads – a local history
The name “La Coudre” comes from the hazel trees that once covered this part of the hillside. For centuries, the area was planted with vines and fruit trees, often cultivated by the nearby abbey of Fontaine-André. You can still spot remnants of that rural past – old stone walls, terraced gardens, and buildings like the Restaurant La Grappe, housed in a structure dating back to 1607.
La Coudre also lies along the route of the ancient Vy d’Etraz, a Roman road that once linked Yverdon to Solothurn via the northern lakeshore. This stretch of land has been part of regional life for over 2,000 years – even if today, it feels quietly residential.
The Chaumont funicular – 13 minutes to a whole new view
One of La Coudre’s highlights is the funicular railway to Chaumont. In just 13 minutes, you’re lifted over 570 metres up the hillside. At the top, the view opens wide over the Three-Lakes Region – Neuchâtel, Biel/Bienne and Murten – and, on clear days, right across to the Alps.
Once there, you’ll find a panoramic tower (CHF 1), a large playground, scenic walks and a mountain restaurant. It’s a popular outing for families, nature lovers, or anyone who wants to enjoy the view without a long hike.
Note: From 3 March to 4 April 2025, a minibus will replace the funicular while it undergoes maintenance.
A lived-in district with a quiet pulse
La Coudre isn’t just for visitors. It’s a neighbourhood where people live, study and enjoy the outdoors. There are schools here, including the International School of Neuchâtel, and good bus connections (Line 107) to the city centre.
Architecture enthusiasts might stop by the modernist La Coudre church, built in the 1950s – simple, elegant, and filled with light. And if you’re staying in town, La Coudre is close enough for a morning walk, a half-day outing, or a quick ride up the funicular.
Hôtel Beaulac – for a relaxed stay close to everything
Located just a short ride from La Coudre, right on the lakefront, Hôtel Beaulac offers the best of both worlds: quiet comfort and easy access to everything Neuchâtel has to offer.
You can set off in the morning to explore the hills, and return in the evening to enjoy a drink on the terrace by the water. The rooms are spacious and modern, the service warm and discreet, and the location hard to beat.
📍 Hôtel Beaulac – Esplanade Léopold-Robert 2, 2000 Neuchâtel
📞 Reservations: +41 32 723 11 11
🌐 beaulac.ch
