Things to do in Fribourg, Neuchâtel & The Jura
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Commune Libre du Neubourg et Alentours
Neuchâtel's so-called Commune Libre du Neubourg et Alentours - a good mate of Paris' Montmartre (a self-declared free commune since 1920) - boils down to a good excuse to party. Founded in 1979, it embraces a trio of Old Town streets - Rue de Neubourg, Rue des Fausses-Brayes and colourfully frescoed Rue des Chavannes, otherwise dubbed Rue des Peintres (Painters' St).
It has the free-thinking motto 'voir d'un œil sentir de l'autre' (look with one eye, feel with the other) scribed as a footnote on the unofficial street sign pinned up next to the official one.
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Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
This meseum is notable for three clockwork androids made between 1764 and 1774 by watchmaker Jaquet Droz. The Writer can be programmed to dip his pen in an inkpot and write up to 40 characters, while the Musician plays up to five tunes on a real organ. The Draughtsman is the simplest, with a repertoire of six drawings. The androids are activated on the first Sunday of the month at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
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Famiglia Leccese
Never was there a slice of Italy – Lecce in southern Italy to be precise – outside of Italy so authentic as this earthy, friendly, brilliant and bellissimo Italian-run joint. With an entrance resembling a private apartment, it is impossible to find unless you’re local and know about it. Look for the fairy lights behind Claude Cordey Motos.
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Pinte de Pierre-à-Bot
It is a short drive from the town centre but worth it. Built in 1928 as the town's golf clubhouse, the green was moved in the 1970s and the clubhouse turned into a restaurant - famed for its 20 fondues including ones with Guinness, champagne, curry and 1000 herbs. Fondue Neuchâteloise is a mix of local Gruyère, garlic and kirsch.
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La Maison du Prussie
This one-time brewery in a grand old house, enclosed by woods and cradled by the impetuous babbling of a nearby brook, is a treat – and it has great rooms too. Hop aboard Cormondrèche-bound bus 1 from Place Pury, alight at Beauregard and head down the stairs to your right following the signs.
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Église Collégiale
Inside the largely Gothic Église Collégiale a mix of Romanesque elements (notably the triple apse) looms large. Facing the main entrance is a statue of Guillaume Farel, who brought the Reformation to town, following which the cathedral was obliged to swap sides.
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Marine Service Loisirs
Marine Service Loisirs rents motor boats (Sfr5 to Sfr70 per hour), pedalos (Sfr25 to Sfr35 per hour) and two- or four-seated pedal-powered buggies (Sfr25 to Sfr35 per hour) and bicycles (Sfr25/38 per half-/full day) to cruise along the silky-smooth quays.
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Café du Jura
Food is cooked to fill and despite meaty mains such as tripes à la Neuchâteloise (Neuchâtel-style tripe) and tête et langue de veau (calf head and tongue), vegetarians are well catered for at this bistro.
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Chauffage Compris
This retro bar with a decorative tiled entrance that translates as ‘heating and kitchen equipment’ is one cool place to loiter. Be here for morning coffee, evening aperitif, night-owl drink or laid-back weekend brunch (Sfr10).
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Hôtel DuPeyrou
DuPeyrou presides like a mini-Versailles over manicured gardens. Built between 1765 and 1770, it regales with gastronomic dining in an 18th-century ambience. Come autumn, its game dishes are not to be missed.
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Château
Behind the Église Collégiale is the 15th-century Château with a pretty courtyard for wandering. Summertime guided tours (45 minutes) allow you to poke your nose around the castle's innards.
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RhuBARbe Café
Armchairs and sofas to lounge on beneath wooden beams adds instant appeal to this 2nd-floor hang-out. Light snacks to compliment the drink menu include French croques monsieurs and Mexican nachos.
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Paradox
Paradox is a trio of trendy, steely spaces: À l’Étage (1st-floor bar), Para (club with entrance at Rue des Terreaux 7) and Dox (entrance at Rue de Chavannes 19).
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Le Bistrot du Concert
One of those great all-round addresses, this industrial-styled bar with busy pavement terrace has a soulful spirit, zinc bar and family-friendly menu chalked on the blackboard.
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Tour des Prisons
Heading uphill along Rue du Château, walk through the medieval city gate to view the Tour des Prisons. Scale it for lake and Alpine views.
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Raf Club
Lots of noise emanates from the Raf Club, a grungy cellar bar with dart board and overwhelming pub feel.
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Maison des Halles
Gourmands plump for tasty Maison des Halles inside a turreted 16th-century mansion. Cuisine is French.
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Electric Train
An Electric Train ferries tired/tiny feet around the main sights, which takes around 45 minutes.
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Bar King
Buzzing venue for bands, concerts, fringe theatre, jazz and various other gigs.
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Fontaine de la Justice
A fanciful gold-leafed fountain topped with a maiden representing Justice.
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Fontaine du Banneret
A fanciful gold-leafed fountain topped with a banner-wielding knight.
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Neuchâtel Roule
Neuchâtel Roule, with a seasonal portside kiosk, rents bicycles.
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