Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel
Museum in the former home of Friedrich Dürrenmatt in Neuchâtel, showing his work as a writer and painter; building by Mario Botta.
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About the museum
The Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel is dedicated to the writer and painter Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990), who created plays, novels, paintings and drawings. The centre stands on a slope above the town in the green Ermitage valley and is part of the Swiss National Library. It opened in 2000.
The architect Mario Botta designed the museum around Dürrenmatt's former home. The grounds include his first house in Neuchâtel, the second villa with its studio, the swimming pool and the gardens. In the second villa, visitors can also see Dürrenmatt's study on Saturdays and Sundays.
The permanent exhibition was renewed in 2021. It presents Dürrenmatt's pictorial work in dialogue with his literary work, his biography and his relevance today. On level -2, an introductory film, biographical documents, radio play excerpts and a thematic wine wall introduce his life and work; a visible storage area invites visitors to open drawers themselves. On level -3, gouaches, drawings and prints hang on themes such as the Minotaur, the Tower of Babel and Atlas. Temporary exhibitions are added to this.
Highlights
- Building by Mario Botta around Dürrenmatt's home
- Permanent exhibition on Dürrenmatt as a writer and painter
- Visible storage with drawers you can open yourself
- Dürrenmatt's study in the second villa (Sat/Sun)
- Panoramic terrace with views of the lake and the Alps
Permanent exhibitions
- Friedrich Dürrenmatt – Schriftsteller und Maler – Permanent exhibition showing Dürrenmatt's pictorial work in conversation with his literary work, his biography and his relevance today; redesigned in 2021.
- Lieux de vie de Friedrich Dürrenmatt – The writer's living and working spaces on the grounds: first house, second villa with studio, swimming pool and gardens.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Schweizerische Nationalbibliothek
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5Children up to 16, students, apprentices, AHV pensioners, IV recipients, unemployed people and holders of the Neuchâtelroule |
| Children & teens | CHF 5Children up to 16 pay the reduced rate |
| Seniors | CHF 5AHV pensioners |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 5IV recipients |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 5Students and apprentices |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 5 per personPer person for groups of 10 or more |
Free admission: Free admission on the family Sundays “CDN en famille”, at exhibition openings and on public guided tours
Free admission for, among others, members of the ACDN association, with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen MemberPlus, Neuchâtel Tourist Card, CarteCulture Caritas, Swiss Travel System, Museum Card, and for members of AMS, ICOM and ASHHA.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All floors of the exhibition can be reached by lift; Dürrenmatt's study in the second villa is currently not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
On the family Sundays “CDN en famille” (free admission, no registration), adults take a guided tour while children aged 5 and over take part in a creative workshop. Workshops are available for school classes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Neuchâtel, Vallon de l’Ermitage · 10-min walk
Bus 109 (towards Trois-Chênes) to “Neuchâtel, Vallon de l’Ermitage”, then about a 10-minute walk uphill along the Chemin du Pertuis-du-Sault. Alternatives: bus 106 to “Fontaine-André” (10–15 minutes on foot through the Botanical Garden), bus 421 (less frequent) to “Vallon de l’Ermitage”, or the funicular (line 112) to “Plan” with about a 15-minute walk.
By car
Parking available
A limited number of parking spaces are located at the “Roche de l’Ermitage” above the town centre.
On foot from the railway station by three routes; the fastest (marked in yellow) takes about 20 minutes, the routes through the Botanical Garden 25–30 minutes. By car via Rue du Rocher, turn into Rue G.-A. Matile at the Ermitage chapel and then onto the Pertuis-du-Sault path.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
Cafeteria with a panoramic terrace and views of the lake and the Alps: drinks, sweet treats and small snacks. From Wednesday to Friday the cafeteria is unstaffed; free coffee and tea are then available on a self-service basis. The museum can be contacted for aperitifs and cocktail receptions.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for various audiences and workshops for schools; admission to Dürrenmatt's study is included in the ticket (no reservation needed). There is also a podcast and virtual tours. The exhibition rooms are air-conditioned to 20 °C. |
