Laténium, Parc et Musée d’archéologie de Neuchâtel

About the museum

The Laténium takes its name from the site of La Tène, discovered in 1857 and excavated from 1907 to 1918; around 4,500 well-preserved objects of iron, bronze, wood and ceramic came to light, mostly dating from the 3rd century BC, which gave their name to the Celtic culture of the second Iron Age. Further finds came from the Jura Waters Correction (1868–1882), the Cotencher cave with Neanderthal remains (1916–1918) and, since 1964, the construction of the A5 motorway with around 500,000 finds.

These finds awakened the desire for an archaeological museum. The Laténium was founded by Neuchâtel professor Michel Egloff and opened on 7 September 2001; before that, the cantonal archaeological museum had been housed in Neuchâtel from 1952 to 2000. In 2003 the museum received the Council of Europe Museum Prize, and in 2018 the UISPP medal for outreach in archaeology.

The museum lies on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel in Hauterive, where three archaeological sites from the Bronze Age, Neolithic and Late Palaeolithic were discovered in the 1980s. The permanent exhibition, covering 2,200 square metres, leads backwards through time in eight stages, from the Renaissance and the Middle Ages via the Romans, Celts and lake dwellers to the campsites of Palaeolithic hunters. The archaeological park in front of the building is freely accessible at all times.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Here … between the Mediterranean and the North Sea” covering 2,200 m²
• Finds from the Celtic site of La Tène
• Dugout canoes and Roman boats from Lake Neuchâtel
• Lake dweller and Neanderthal finds
• Archaeological park on the lakeshore, freely accessible at all times
• Café du Laténium with terrace and view of the Alps

Permanent exhibitions

• Hier … entre Méditerranée et Mer du Nord (Dauerausstellung) – 50,000 years of regional history in eight stages over 2,200 m², from the Renaissance back to the hunters of the Palaeolithic.
• Archäologiepark – The freely accessible open-air area on the lakeshore, which can be visited at any time.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Kanton Neuenburg

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month

The archaeological park is free. Older third-party pages still quote earlier prices (CHF 9).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to museums.ch fully wheelchair accessible; the museum is a label partner of “Kultur inklusiv” and a partner of KulturLegi.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

museums.ch recognises the museum as child- and family-friendly; museums.ch gives no further details of the offers.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located west of the harbour of Hauterive on the lakeshore.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café du Laténium with terrace and view of the Alpine chain; museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit