Formula 1 evening
Carrosserie Stamm
CLUB 41SWITZERLANDRegister
A FRIEND’S GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND
Your smoothest
journey to Neuchâtel.
Everything our international Club 41 friends need for a relaxed arrival—trains, tickets, weather and a few local secrets.
GENEVA → BASEL → ZURICH → NEUCHÂTEL • SEE YOU IN SWITZERLAND • GENEVA → BASEL → ZURICH → NEUCHÂTEL
A PERSONAL WELCOME
“It would be a tremendous pleasure to welcome as many international friends as possible to Switzerland.”
Dear friends from around the world, I am delighted that you are considering joining us in beautiful Neuchâtel. I hope this little guide makes your journey easy and enjoyable. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with me. I look forward to seeing you by the lake — until soon in Neuchâtel!
SamuelInternational Relations Officer
Club 41 Switzerland
Club 41 Switzerland
01MEET NEUCHÂTELVineyards, Jura hills
Vineyards, Jura hills
and a lake full of light.
Neuchâtel is wonderfully compact: a historic old town tumbles towards the lake, while vineyards and wooded Jura slopes begin just beyond the city.
02THE OFFICIAL AGM
A weekend made
for friendship.
The official programme brings together meetings, shared meals and memorable evenings — all in the heart of Neuchâtel.
Club meetings
Venue details to follow
Regional lunch
One table, many friendships
Gala evening
Waves rooftop at Hôtel Beaulac
Farewell brunch
One last moment together
FRIDAY NIGHT🏎️
Formula One Night
Friday night is all about Formula One!
Expect a relaxed and fun evening with a strong F1 theme — and yes, special, creative or slightly crazy outfits are definitely welcome. Drivers, mechanics, team bosses, grid crew… be creative!
Food will be simple, local and delicious. A butcher will be on site serving jambon à l’os, together with potato gratin and other good things.
The idea for Friday is simple: arrive, meet everyone, have fun and get the AGM weekend properly started.
SATURDAY MORNING🌍
AGM & International Programme
Saturday morning is, of course, AGM time.
We are organising the AGM so that the parts involving our international guests will take place at the beginning of the meeting. This means that once the international part is finished, we can continue with our own programme.
And we intend to do exactly that!
We’ll take our international guests into Neuchâtel, discover the city together and see where the day takes us. The idea is to keep this part flexible and spontaneous rather than organise every minute in advance.
More information — and spontaneous plans — will follow in the international chat.
SATURDAY NIGHT🥂
Black Tie, but Different
Saturday evening is our Gala Night, and the dress code is Black Tie.
But this will not be a traditional gala dinner with fixed seating plans, round tables and everyone staying in the same place all evening.
We’re trying something different.
Think of it as a large, elegant apéritif-style evening with Asian specialities, sushi and plenty of opportunities to move around, meet people and spend time with old and new friends.
So yes: dress for a Gala Night — but expect a much more social and dynamic evening.
Less sitting. More mingling. More encounters.
It’s a slightly different concept, but that’s part of the idea:
Adopt, Adapt, Improve.
OFFICIAL AGM HOTEL
Hôtel Beaulac
Quai Léopold-Robert 2, 2000 Neuchâtel
Please mention “AGM CLUB 41” when booking. The special AGM arrangement is available by contacting the hotel directly.
- 1Click the button
- 2Complete your details
- 3Send your email
- 4Receive confirmation
03EXPLORE NEUCHÂTEL
Choose your own
adventure.
There is no organised tour this year — but Neuchâtel and its surroundings are far too beautiful not to explore! If you have some extra time before or after the AGM, here are three very different ways to discover our region.
Adventure. History. Fantasy. Pick your favourite — or try all three! 🇨🇭
Creux du Van
The Grand Canyon of Switzerland
Ready for some fresh mountain air?
The Creux du Van is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular natural landmarks: a huge natural rock amphitheatre with cliffs rising around 200 metres above the valley.
From the top, enjoy breathtaking views across the Jura, the Swiss Plateau and — on a clear day — all the way to the Alps. Keep your eyes open: you might even meet some ibex along the way.
Take the train from Neuchâtel to Noiraigue and start the classic circular hike from there. The route climbs through the forest via the famous Sentier des 14 Contours before reaching the spectacular rim.
- Distance
- approx. 14 km
- Walking time
- approx. 4–5 hours
- Ascent
- approx. 600 m
- Difficulty
- Good physical condition required
- Equipment
- Hiking shoes strongly recommended
- Best season
- Spring to autumn
This is the most active of our three suggestions — but the view is absolutely worth the effort.
HOW TO GET THERE
Noiraigue railway station
2103 Noiraigue, Val-de-Travers
From Neuchâtel, take the train to Noiraigue and start the hike directly from the village. Public transport is strongly recommended.
Laténium
50,000 Years of History by the Lake
Travel through 50,000 years of history at Switzerland’s largest archaeological museum.
The Laténium stands directly on the beautiful shores of Lake Neuchâtel and tells the story of the people who lived in this region from prehistoric times onwards.
The famous nearby archaeological site of La Tène gave its name to an entire period of European Iron Age culture. Outside, explore the archaeological park with full-scale reconstructions and original remains in a wonderful lakeside setting.
It is an excellent choice for a relaxed half-day excursion.
Laténium — Parc et musée d’archéologie
Esplanade de l’Holocène, 2068 Hauterive
Museum: 10:00–17:00, Tuesday to Sunday
Archaeological park: free access, open year-round
HOW TO GET THERE
From Neuchâtel railway station, take the Fun’ambule funicular towards the university and lake, then bus 101 towards Marin. Get off at “Laténium”.
For a pleasant alternative, travel to St-Blaise-Lac railway station and walk approximately 20 minutes along the lakeshore.
La Tour du Fantastique
Step Into Another World
Right in the heart of Neuchâtel’s historic old town, a medieval tower and the city’s former prison have been transformed into something completely unexpected.
Welcome to the Tour du Fantastique, a new cultural attraction dedicated to fantasy art and imaginary worlds.
Its inaugural exhibition celebrates internationally renowned artist John Howe, famous for helping shape the visual universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Discover more than 250 drawings and paintings across four floors.
Before you leave, stop at the Café Fantastique and its spectacular terrace overlooking Lake Neuchâtel.
Rue J.-de-Hochberg 3
2000 Neuchâtel
Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00–18:00
Thursday: 10:00–20:00
Friday–Sunday: 10:00–18:00
Monday: Closed
HOW TO GET THERE
The tower is in Neuchâtel’s historic centre — approximately 15 minutes on foot from the railway station and 12 minutes from Place du Port.
It is close to Neuchâtel Castle and the Collégiale, making it easy to combine with an old-town walk.
THREE EXPERIENCES. ONE BEAUTIFUL REGION.
Whether you prefer hiking boots, ancient history or imaginary worlds — take some time to discover Neuchâtel. You might just want to stay a little longer. 🇨🇭
04YOUR JOURNEY
Three airports.
One easy destination.
Swiss public transport is designed to connect. Pick your arrival airport and we’ll show you the simple route to Neuchâtel.
GVANE
ESTIMATED JOURNEYaround 1 h 15–1 h 30
The simplest arrival: the station is directly beneath the terminal and direct services to Neuchâtel are available.
- 1
Follow the signs to the railway station inside the terminal.
- 2
Take a direct train to Neuchâtel when available; otherwise change at Genève-Cornavin or Lausanne.
- 3
Sit on the right after Lausanne for occasional lake views.
05TRAVEL SMART
Two apps.
Zero guesswork.
SBB
TRANSPORT · ESSENTIAL
SBB Mobile
Your timetable, platform updates and tickets for trains, buses, trams and boats—all in one place.
- Look for the % symbol for limited Supersaver fares
- Standard tickets give more flexibility after a flight
- Save the trip for live platform notifications
☼METEO
SWISS
SWISS
WEATHER · OFFICIAL
MeteoSwiss
Switzerland’s official local forecast, rain radar and weather-warning service.
- Add Neuchâtel to your saved locations
- Use the precipitation animation before going out
- Enable alerts for sudden weather changes
THE SAVER FARE RULE
Cheaper often means less flexible. A Supersaver Ticket is bound to the selected connection. After a flight, a regular ticket may be worth the peace of mind.
TIP 4106OCTOBER READY
Pack for four
seasons in one day.
Late October by Lake Neuchâtel can be crisp, mild, rainy — and occasionally all three before lunch. Layers are your best friend.
A light waterproof
A compact rain jacket beats a heavy umbrella on breezy lakefront walks.
Warm layers
Bring a sweater or fleece plus a scarf for cool mornings and evenings.
Comfortable shoes
Neuchâtel’s old town is beautiful, hilly and paved with historic stone.
Type J adapter
Swiss sockets differ from much of Europe. Slim 2-pin Type C plugs usually fit.
A small day bag
Useful for a bottle, extra layer and anything collected during the AGM.
Travel documents
Passport or ID, insurance details, booking confirmations and your return plan.
07GOOD TO KNOWSmall details.
Small details.
Big difference.
CURRENCY
Swiss francs · CHF
Cards are widely accepted; keep a little cash for small purchases.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
French
“Bonjour” and “merci” go a long way. English is common in travel settings.
POWER
230 V · Type J
Bring an adapter. Slim European Type C two-pin plugs also fit.
EMERGENCY
One number for help
112 works for general emergencies; ambulance 144, police 117, fire 118.
STAY CONNECTEDJoin the international
JOIN THEINTERNATIONALJoin the international
guests’ WhatsApp group.
Join us for practical updates, last-minute information, spontaneous plans and easy conversation between our international guests before and during the AGM weekend.
CHAT↗
08FAQ
You may be
wondering…
Practical answers from friends who know their way around.
Usually not. Seat reservations are uncommon on domestic Swiss trains. Simply board with a valid ticket and choose a free seat.
A standard point-to-point ticket offers flexibility if your flight is late. If your arrival time is predictable, a train-specific Supersaver Ticket can cost less. Always check the conditions before buying.
Yes. Neuchâtel is the French name and the one used on most signs and timetables; Neuenburg is the German name.
Yes, especially at airports, stations and hotels. In Neuchâtel the local language is French—a friendly bonjour is always appreciated.
Cards are widely accepted, but a small amount of Swiss francs is useful for minor purchases. Switzerland uses CHF, not the euro.
For a standard ticket, take the next suitable service. Supersaver Tickets are tied to a specific connection, so check the SBB app or ask railway staff if disruption caused the missed connection.
READY WHEN YOU ARELet the journey
Let the journey
be part of the story.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Neuchâtel — by the lake, among friends, in the heart of Switzerland.