Neuchâtel retraces half a million years of human history in a single museum: The Laténium, which was inaugurated in 2001. Artefacts from Prehistoric, Celtic, Roman and Medieval times. Most of these finds come from the archaeological site, La Tène, which also gave the museum its name, and they are all displayed in chronological order. A journey back in time put together by simple, yet aesthetic, museography, and it continues in the Parc de la Découverte, in front of the Laténium building. Here, you discover the splendours from different excavations in the region, as they reveal themselves on large scale. You can find a monumental Gallo-Roman barge, 20 metres long and reconstructed in Bevaix, as well as a rebuilt Celtic bridge and lacustrine house. Artefacts that are clearly historical, dating back to a period between 2500 - 800AD!

The exceptional La Tène site also gave its name to the Celtic Civilisation of the 2nd Iron Age. If the site hasn't yet handed over all its secrets, the objects along the banks of and in the Neuchâtel Lake remind us that History doesn't start with the Romans. What's even more rewarding: the sophistication and ingenuity that emanate from these objects show that, contrary to certain ideas, the Celts didn't just have a very distinct liking for war, but they were also cultured and inventive. Another reason to come and visit this gallery and discover our ancient ancestors.

Informations et contact: www.latenium.ch

The Museum charges an entrance fee, but the Parc de la Découverte is free. A visit that you can combine with a walk along the lake, starting from the Nid-du-Crô pool, for example.
Photo: CCA