Yverdon-les-Bains is a Swiss town on Lake Neuchâtel. You will love Yverdon because of the great old town, the thermal baths, as well as the great “Lake Neuchâtel Camping” at the beach side.
The Ultimate Yverdon-Les-Bains Guide
Text and pictures by Marc Gottwald
Yverdon-Les-Bains is a town located in Western Switzerland between the Jura, the hills of the Broye, and Lac Neuchâtel. The place is known as the center of tourism because of its grand spa resorts and thermal springs. However, the area of Yverdon is as well a natural paradise. The Town was awarded with the Wakker price in 2009 because of the way it communicated with other municipalities and the canton and how it improved areas in the old city.
In Yverdon, the Celtic Helvetic were the first to settle at about 2200 years ago, until when the Romans realized the place had a great significance.
Trip time! The place is popularly known for its spas and is a great place for vacations and travel in Switzerland. Get to discover the top attractions in this area. They include the lake, forests, museums, landmarks, hotels, and parks.
Top Attractions in Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon-les-Bains with it’s old town and the beautiful lake has many sights to see. Here I list some of the top attractions to visit:
1). Place Pestalozzi
For me the most beautiful place in Yverdon-les-Bains is the Pestalozzi place. Besides the beautiful buildings from the old town, the castle, the city hall and the church you see at this huge place the monument of Pestalozzi. Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi was a pedagogue and founded an education institute for boys first and followed with girls. He further developed Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s educational methods and is still greatly respected in here today. His teaching methods have influenced the way schools teach today in Switzerland.
2). Castle Grandson
Grandson Castle near Yverdon is a medieval castle close to the Lac Neuchâtel and was in use from the 11th to the 14th century. It’s the second largest castle of Switzerland! There is a museum in the castle which displays knights’ armour, the knights’ hall, Renaissance chairs as well as a torture chamber.
3). Maison d’Ailleurs
Maison d’Ailleurs is the only Science Fiction Museum in Switzerland. It is not only a museum but also a research centre in the field of science fiction, which is unique in the world. In total, the collection of the Maison d’Ailleurs is 130,000 exhibits. The museum exhibition is put together from a part of these pieces. It changes twice a year.
4). Grande Caricaie and the Yverdon-les-Bains Lakeshore Park
There are various possibilities to spend your time on the lake shores. One is to walk along the “Plage”, translated in English it means “the beach”. Here you can also take a swim in the summer or just relax. But the highlight is for sure the “Grande Caricaie” at the Lake Neuchatel.
The “Grande Caricaie” is the largest nature reserve in Switzerland which is based on the shores of a lake. It is situated between Yverdon-les-Bains and Estavayer-le-Lac. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the woodlands, the shallow areas and the wetlands. It has more than 10000 animal species and 800 plant species according to the official website of the nature reserve.
The trails, forests, and unusual landscapes in the Grand Caricaie are among the top-ranked places what visitors can explore near Yverdon-les-Bains. A bird-watching center from Pro Nature provide tourists with the most thrilling nature experiences with a lot of knowledge. It’s also a perfect excursion with families.
5). Thermal baths of Yverdon les Bains
It was not without reason that the Romans liked it so much in Yverdons-les-Bains. Because here they have built a relaxing spa from the thermal springs. The thermal centre of Yverdon is very popular and is famous for the healing effect of the water on the muscles, joints and respiratory tract. Those who would like to stay overnight at the destination can do so in the neighbouring four-star hotel “Grand Hôtel des Bains”. The thermal centre is known throughout Switzerland and has various swimming pools, hot springs, hammam, etc.
6). Shopping
For shopping at an art gallery, you can visit Artis, the most famous magic world of the art gallery, paintings, sculptures, and decorations by Sandra Sherrington. The art is beautiful and worth the price; the pieces give your home a whole different look. Gift and speciality shops such as Les Saveurs de Grand-Mere Sale are majorly for gourmate escapades. This place contains so many unique gourmet products.
7). Yverdon-les-Bains Hotels
In Yverdon les Bains, the hotels are a mixture between renaissance style and modern interior design. Of course there are much more hotels but we want to speak about the most important ones:
“Grand Hôtel des Bains”
The 4 star hotel “Grand Hôtel des Bains” is the most famous hotel in Yverdon-les-Bains because it is right next to the thermal springs and part of the thermal centre. The hotel is from the 18th century and has the well-known and popular “Belle Epoque” style. Here you feel like in the past with the comfort of today.
Hotel Du Theatre
The “Hotel Du Theatre” is a three star hotel in the city center of Yverdon-les-Bains. The building was built in the 19th century and is a historic heritage site. Therefore, it is very charming on the outside and has elements of the Belle Epoque, but inside it is top modern as it was renovated for two years until 2016.
Hotel La Prairie
The “Hotel La Prairie” is, with the other two accommodations, one of the best Hotels in Yverdon. Thanks to its good location, you can reach the thermal baths but also the train station and the city centre within a few minutes. It has in total 4 Stars and the rooms have been renovated in 2017 and 2018. In their restaurant you get mainly seasonal dishes.
8). Yverdon-Les-Bains Camping
On the Yverdon Plage you have a very beautiful Camping Site. It’s one of the most beautiful sites for the Lac Neuchâtel Camping. As the name “Plage” already mention it, the camping site is directly situated on the lake. This makes it the perfect place for vacations in summer.
In addition to the tent sites, there are also caravans and mobile homes to stay overnight or you can park your own campervan here. A big advantage, apart from the great location, is that there is wi-fi for guests throughout the whole camping area.
9). Restaurants Yverdon
While you are in Yverdon Les Bains, you will not be disappointed by the restaurants. The place has so many cozy restaurants with excellent customer services and the meals prepared are very delicious. Never mind if you have any dietary restrictions because most are vegetarian friendly, and there are often gluten-free options.
Top restaurants in Yverdon-Les-Bains include the following:
La Table de Mary
La Table de Mary is among the top recommended restaurants in Yverdon-les-Bains and has 16 of 20 Gault Millau points. This means it is a gourmet restaurant. The restaurant is located at the Route du Gymnase Cheseaux-Noreaz, in Yverdon. The food, the services, and everything that is offered at the La Table de Mary are of high quality.
Double R
Double R restaurant at the rue du College 4 is another great and popular restaurant. This restaurant has so many homemade and local products like for example the meat which comes from the regional farms around Yverdon. It has a cool American “Rock’N’Roll” atmosphere. The Double R is at the center of Yverdon-les-Bains and only a five minutes by walking from the train station. The place is perfect and with the best burgers in Yverdon.
L’Olivier d’Orient
L’Olivier d’Orient is located at the Rue des Moulins in Yverdon. The place is excellent due to the friendly staff and so many delicious foods for their guests. The dishes have a fair price. Special diets like vegetarian and vegan options, and Halal are available at L’Olivier d’Orient restaurant.
Top Destinations to see near Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon is not only a great place to visit the thermal spa or hotels, it is also a brilliant base for day trips. Because there are various natural wonders to be found nearby.
10). Creux du Van
With its huge rock arch, the Creux du Van is the Grand Canyon of Switzerland and a real natural wonder. Not only can you do great “Creux du Van hikes” here, but you can also enjoy restaurants and the great views. The Creux du Van is a top excursion destination from Yverdon les Bains and easy reachable by car.
11). Gorge de l’Areuse
The Areuse gorge or “Gorge de l’Areuse” is a spectacular gorge below the “Creux du Van” and also very easy reachable from Yverdon. You can either park your car at Champs-du-Moulin and walk 20 minutes or in Noiraigue and walk for 30 minutes till you reach the spectacular stone bridge. The Gorge is another highly recommended place to visit.
12). Dent de Vaulion
Also very close from Yverdon and with a perfect view over Lac de Joux, Lac Brenet as well as France is the mountain and viewpoint “Dent de Vaulion”. The mountain is located at almost 1500 metres and has a unique shape.
Conclusion
Having mentioned all these sites, places, and activities, Yverdon-Les-Bains at Lac Neuchâtel is a great destination for any visitors. Spend some days and explore the beauty of the destination with the thermal springs and the surrounding nature.
