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About this place
Auvernier Castle (Château d'Auvernier) sits in the lakeside village of Auvernier on Lake Neuchâtel, part of the Milvignes municipality in the canton of Neuchâtel since 2013. It is a sixteenth-century manor listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, and it still operates as a winegrowing estate.
What kind of building is it?
More a gentleman's residence than a fortress. Swiss press accounts date its construction to 1559, by Blaise Junod. Two small turrets give it character, one of them pentagonal. The garden holds lime trees and two chestnuts planted around the middle of the 18th century.
Who owned it?
Pierre Chambrier bought the château in 1603, together with its wine cellars and the vineyards next to it. The estate then passed down the generations, largely through daughters, linking the Chambrier, de Montmollin and Grosjean families; local reporting counts fourteen generations of vintners. In 1988 the property was taken over by Thierry Grosjean, who went on to enlarge the vineyards.
What can you see in Auvernier?
The castle itself is privately owned and part of a working wine business, so check the estate's tasting and visit options before you go. The village rewards a stroll anyway: an old core of winegrowers' houses, a small harbour and a beach on the lake. Vineyards climb the slopes above the water, and on clear days the view reaches the Alps.
How do you get there?
Auvernier lies between Neuchâtel and Colombier, on the railway and the lakeshore road. From Neuchâtel it is a few minutes by train or car, and the village is easily explored on foot.
When to visit
Late spring to early autumn is best. The beach and harbour are at their liveliest in summer, while September and October bring the grape harvest and the most colourful vineyards.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Auvernier Castle? It is a privately owned wine estate. Access is set by the owners, so confirm tasting dates in advance.
When was it built? In 1559 according to available sources, and it has been in the hands of related families since the Chambrier purchase of 1603.
Which municipality is it in? Milvignes, formed in 2013 from Auvernier, Bôle and Colombier.
Is it a protected monument? Yes. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
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