Location: Estavayer-le-Lac
Top Things to do in Estavayer-le-Lac
Top Restaurants in Estavayer-le-Lac
What to do and see in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland: The Best Places and Tips
Estavayer-le-Lac [estavaje l(ə) lak] (Arpitan: Thavalyi-le-Lé (help·info)) is a former municipality of the canton of Fribourg, situated on the south shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Estavayer-le-Lac is located between Yverdon and Bern. It is the capital of the district of Broye. The municipality of Font merged on 1 January 2012 into the municipality of Estavayer-le-Lac. On 1 January 2017 Bussy, Morens, Murist, Rueyres-les-Prés, Vernay and Vuissens merged into the new municipality of Estavayer.
Restaurants in Estavayer-le-Lac
1. The Chateau de Chenaux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By TwoSmallPotatoes - Germany
If you've already seen a bazillion Castles and only want to see the biggest and "best", Château de Chenaux might not be for you. If you like sites that are off the beaten track (ie, fewer tourists), that have their own charm, and that happen to be in or near the town of Estavayer-le-Lac, it's worth a visit.
The castle is in excellent condition, is surrounded by narrow, picturesque cobblestone streets with quaint buildings and friendly little shops, and is perched on a hill overlooking Lake Neuchâtel.
Construction on the castle began in 1284 by Peter of Estavayer and his brother, William. It was bought in the 1400s by Humbert of Savoy, who added extensively to the castle. It was named for the impressive ditches that run around the castle.
The castle is currently home to the local police station and is not officially operating as a tourist attraction. However, visitors are allowed in to the view the exterior grounds. To book a tour of the interior, it's best to call or stop by the tourism office in town, which is just a few blocks from the castle. There's no fee to view the exterior grounds but if you have questions about driving/parking or booking a full tour, it's best to check with the tourism office for current info.
If you have some time to take a walk in the area, I would recommend it rather than just driving to the castle and leaving. My husband and I ended up at the castle after parking at the Frog Museum (Le Musée des grenouilles). Since it was closed, we left our car there and walked down through town to the Route de la Plage, headed northeast on that, then turned left on Chemin des Loquettes and followed a nice paved trail along the lake until we got to a giant park (Plage communale). We continued our walking loop back to the castle south along Chemin de la Grande Gouille, and then west on Sous le Château. This last street runs in front of residential homes directly beneath the castle and offers nice views up at it. A very narrow long straight stairway cuts straight up the hill off of this street and spits you right out next to the castle. From this point, you can clearly see the castle just around a small corner on a narrow sidewalk. When you round the corner, you'll see the main walking entrance to the castle.
We had our little dog with us but kept her on leash at all times. A sign is clearly posted that you need to clean up after your dog and that it's a 50 chf fine if you don't.
If you can visit during the off season, I'd recommend it. Apart from a few employees leaving, we didn't see anyone else, though I'm guessing this castle sees far fewer visitors than many in Switzerland.
After wandering through the grounds of the castle (which are fairly small), we exited via the main entrance for employees along the Chemin du Donjon.
All told, this entire walking loop took less than 3 hours with about an hour of that spent taking photos of the castle itself and taking some time to enjoy the views.
2. Creux du Van
Overall Ratings
5 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By Baryla - Basel, Switzerland
Amazing hike taking you to a beautiful scenery. Hiked 2,5 h uphill then about 2km flat at the top then 2h downhill. Depending on the season, food options are limited so check ahead (we asked at the base station in Noiraigue, which is also where we parked our car). At the top there was a family of friendly mountain goats. Great hike with the added benefit that you can do a full loop. Highly recommended if you are in fairly good physical condition.
3. Plage de Saint-Aubin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By WatchFox - Bern, Switzerland
Geheim Tipp für Lokale und seit Jahren gut besucht von Einheimischen aber nicht von den Touristen, also so halten.
Eine kleine Buvette stillt Durst und kleinen Hunger.
4. Karting
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Paulo P - Vaud, Geneve, Switzerland
Excellent Karting indoor et outdoor, soit pour faire quelques tour en solo, comme de petites compétitions avec des amis.
Ne pas oublier de réserver à l'avance
5. Musee Romain de Vallon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By aPoa - Neuchatel, Switzerland
Niché sur le flanc d'une colline à 6 km d'un autre site romain (Avenches), les restes d'une ancienne villa romaine ont été découverts.
Un petit musée a été construit sur ces ruines. L’élément marquant est sans conteste les deux mosaïques préservées qui ornaient le sol de deux des pièces de cette ancienne demeure. Elles sont exceptionnellement conservées. La précision des motifs géométriques, la dynamique des illustrations et l'ingéniosité de ces œuvres d'arts fonctionnels méritent le détour.
Ces mosaïques démontrent une technique, une connaissance et une maîtrise artistique impressionnante. On peut utiliser sans hésiter le terme de "durable"... dans le travail effectué à l'époque,,, car la qualité des couleurs et des matériaux ainsi que l'état général de conservation de ces mosaïques semblent presque n'avoir pas subi le poids des millénaires...
A tel point que l'on peut voir le drame qui s'est produit à l'époque... scories provenant de meubles en bois, coloration rouge de certaines pierres calcaires originellement jaunes, flaques de bronze figées... autant d'indices désignant l'incendie qui a détruit cette villa.
Le musée montre quelques objets de la vie quotidienne de l'époque trouvés sur le site.
Ce petit musée permet ainsi un coup d’œil indiscret sur la vie du propriétaire romain des lieux, ces goûts, la manière dont il accueillait ces hôtes à l'époque... La visite n'est pas très longue mais vaut sincèrement le détour et est accessible à tous... Parfait pour une visite en famille.
6. Gorges de l'Areuse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By rhstd - Baselland
Took a train to Boudry and walked through this beautiful gorge to Noiraigues. This took us 3.5 hours with lots of stops on the way to take photos. We chose this way as having knee problems its easier to walk up hill. Most people do the walk in the other direction. This is a beautiful gorge. As it rained the day before it was wet and slippery in places.There is a restaurant at Champ du Moulin and also a railway station if you only want to do a shorter walk.There is only one train an hour and this is a different line than the one which stops at Boudry. So if you've parked your car either in Boudry or Noiraigue. Its advisable to plan how to return to your car.
7. Eglise de Concise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Cosmin C - Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania
We live in Concise for 1 year now. The tranquility and peace is why we enjoy the most. The place where everyone says hello and politeness has a good home. In the middle of the 800 people village is the church. Going inside and admiring the architecture is in tone with the surroundings. Try and visit this special place.
8. Alphasurf SA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
9. Clin d'Ailes Military Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 2plus2gva - Geneva, Switzerland
This small museum is located at Payerne military aerodrome, the principal active base of the Swiss Air Force. It displays several historic aircraft that were formerly in service with the force: a Vampire DH100, Vampire DH115 Trainer, Venom DH112, Hunter Mk.58, Hunter TMk.68 Trainer, Mirage III-S, Mirage III-RS, and Alouette II and III helicopters. There are also displays of associated items such as missiles, bombs, instruments, cameras, radio and radar equipment; as well as flight simulators ranging from a Link Trainer and PC simulators, to a full working SIMIR Mirage III simulator and one for NORAS guided missiles. There is a cinema, a display of model aircraft, a mock-up of a small wartime squadron command centre, and a 3D model of the present Swiss airspace zones.
Although much smaller than the Swiss Air Force Museum at Dübendorf, Clin d'Ailes has interesting exhibits that are well presented. And there is a large Terrace giving an excellent view of the F/A-18 and helicopter operations on the airbase. On certain dates, visitors with deep pockets can have a 40-50 minute flight with a fighter pilot in a 2-seater Mirage III-DS that has received a civil matriculation to take a passenger.
Don't miss the separate room on the first floor of the museum dedicated to the four space Missions undertaken by Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier between 1992 and 1999.
Parking is no problem at the museum, there is a cafeteria, and quite comprehensive audio guides to the exhibits are included in the admission charge.
The museum is not signposted from afar, and at present the marker is not accurately placed on the Google map. So before setting out for it check the location (just north-west of the centre of the main runway of the airbase), and follow the yellow signs with a black aircraft symbol until you reach the ones mentioning the museum itself. Watch out for a Vampire DH100 on a raised support in front of the building.
10. Lac de Neuchatel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
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