Jürgensen Tower

Jürgensen Tower (Tour Jürgensen) is a small lookout tower near Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It stands in the forest on Caroline hill above the village of Les Brenets and dates from the 1870s. From its top platform you can see Lac des Brenets and the Doubs valley, and the structure also serves as a funerary monument.

What is the Jürgensen Tower?

The tower is a neo-medieval structure about 14 metres tall, hidden among trees. It was built by the Jürgensen family, watchmakers of Danish origin tied to Le Locle. The best known of them, Jules Jürgensen (1808–1877), ran his own watch manufactory in Le Locle and, once wealthy, bought the Le Châtelard estate in Les Brenets. The sources we found do not say whose grave lies at the tower.

What can you see from the top?

A spiral staircase of 66 steps leads to the viewing platform. From there the panorama takes in the Lac des Brenets area, the Doubs valley and the wooded ridges of the Jura. The tower rises above the canopy, so the view opens in every direction.

How do you get there?

You cannot drive up to the door. A forest path leads to the tower, and the walk usually takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on where you start. Popular options include walks from Les Brenets and loops that pair the tower with the Roche Moron rock, starting at the Col des Roches pass. Le Locle is a few kilometres away and makes a convenient base. Together with La Chaux-de-Fonds, it is a UNESCO-listed watchmaking town.

When should you go?

Entry is free and the tower is open all year. Visibility is best on clear days from late spring to early autumn, when paths are dry. Snow lies in the Jura in winter, so bring proper footwear. Morning and late afternoon give the best light for photos.

What else fits into the same trip?

Pair the tower with a stroll by Lac des Brenets and a boat trip along the Doubs to the Saut du Doubs waterfall, or explore Le Locle, a watchmakers' town where the industry is still active. The tower visit itself takes a few dozen minutes, so plan 1.5 to 2 hours for the whole outing including the walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. Entry is free and the tower is open year-round.

How many steps are there? The spiral staircase has 66 steps, and the tower is roughly 14 metres high.

Can I drive to the tower? No. The last stretch is a 10 to 20 minute walk along a forest path.

Who built it? The Jürgensen family, watchmakers of Danish origin from Le Locle, in the 1870s.

Is it only a viewpoint? No. It is a panoramic tower that also works as a funerary monument.