Knowledge & culture

Val-de-Travers

A journey between myth and reality – nature, culture and absinthe

On a journey through Val-de-Travers, you will discover the diversity of this region. During a day-long excursion, you can immerse yourself in cultural treasures, wonder at the unspoilt nature or enjoy countless kilometres of cross-country skiing pistes. Anyone who enjoys hiking can explore Val-de-Travers in winter with snowshoes. Not least, there are a host of regional specialities that guarantee a culinary finale. Probably the most famous is absinthe, also known as the green fairy.

BLS takes you to various excursion destinations.

Offer

Once you have arrived at the Asphalt Mines, it's time to explore the underground tunnels. During the journey into the mountain, you will learn how the miners extracted the asphalt over the course of around three centuries, thereby creating a maze of tunnels stretching over 100 kilometres in total length. Then you can try the house speciality – ham cooked in asphalt. The guided tours of the Asphalt Mines are offered in German, French, English and Italian.

Having arrived in the pretty village of Môtiers in the heart of Val-de-Travers, you can discover the Absinthe House and learn all of the Green Fairy’s secrets through an interactive exhibition and tastings of local absinthes. When booked in advance, you can also enjoy a cooking workshop. If you still have time, walk into the village to visit some of its many other museums (only open on weekends).

If you want to discover all that Val-de-Travers has to offer, we suggest you stay overnight in a hotel, B&B or on a campsite – there are plenty of options across the valley. This will enable you to take an additional excursion to the Creux du Van or La Robella amusement park, or to explore one of the stunning hiking trails.

Find out more about the wide variety of attractions on offer in Val-de-Travers at: www.myvaldetravers.ch

Opening times

The Absinthe House

Mon    Closed
Tue–Sat    10.00–18.00 hours
Sun           10.00–17.00 hours
Company holidays: from 1 January to 28 February 2024

Asphalt Mines – guided tours

1 April to 1 November
daily at 10.30 and 14.00 hours

2 November to 31 March
Thu–Sun at 14.00 hours

Café des Mines

1 April to 1 November
daily 09.30–17.00 hours

2 November to 31 March
Thu–Sun 11.00–16.30 hours

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

Asphalt Mines

CHF 21.00 Adults
CHF 17.50 Students, trainees
CHF 15.00 Children (aged 6-15.99)
CHF 60.00 Students, trainees (2 adults + 2-3 children)

Asphalt Mines groups from 9 people

CHF 17.50 Adults
CHF 14.50 Students, trainees
CHF 11.00 Children (aged 6-15.99)
CHF 150.00 Mini-group max. 8 people

Absinthe House

	Entry exhibition	+ 1 tasting	+ 3 tastings
Adults	CHF 15.00	CHF 20.00	CHF 22.00
Reduced (AHV, AI, apprentice, students)	CHF 12.00	CHF 17.00	CHF 19.00
Children (6–18 years)	free of charge
Groups (from 10 persons)
Adults	CHF 12.00	CHF 17.00	CHF 19.00
Children	free of charge
Guided tours	CHF 100.00 flat rate + group rate

Additional fares and personalised offers are available at www.myvaldetravers.ch

Combined offers (exhibition entry + 1 or 3 tastings) are also available.

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

Children

Interactive adventure trail in the asphalt mines and in Môtiers
Indoor swimming pool in Couvet and outdoor swimming pool in Boveresse
La Robella Amusement Park

Food and drink

As well as a variety of picnic areas around the Asphalt Mines, there are also plenty of places to get a bite to eat in Môtiers and the surrounding area.