We had a rare weekend at home this past week so we decided to take a short road trip to Neuchâtel for the day. We read they were having their annual grape harvest festival, so we were expecting booths with wine tastings, cheese and maybe some meats to snack on. Little did we realize their festival was actually a city-wide street fair filled with temporary bars blaring music and carnival rides. There was (wet) confetti all over the ground and roaming bands dressed in matching Halloween-like costumes.
We were able to take a tour of the Neuchatel Castle. Originally built at the end of the 10th century, today it houses the canton administrative offices. We happened to be in town on the last weekend of free tours so we had a nearly private tour of the place (it was the two of us and one other Latin traveler).
Next door to the castle is the Collegiate Church of Neuchatel. Inside there is a monument to Neuchatel Counts from the mid 1400's, consisting of 15 life size statues in Gothic style - the only one of its kind outside of Italy (sounds more impressive than it really is).
Unfortunately it rained most of the day, so we weren't able to take advantage of the lakeside location or nearby wine region. That may have to wait for a sunnier day.
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