Mines d’asphalte de La Presta
Show mine in the Val-de-Travers: guided tour through about one kilometre of tunnels, plus the Asphalt Story exhibition and the Jardin des Mineurs.
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About the museum
The La Presta asphalt mine was once a flagship of Neuchâtel industry and is today one of the most important visitor attractions in the Val-de-Travers. In 1711 the Greek physician Eirini d’Eyrinys recognised the first deposits on the northern anticline of the valley and, with his treatise on natural cement, laid the foundation for the modern use of the material. At first it was extracted by open-cast mining; when exactly mining began at La Presta on the southern slope is not certain (around 1830). In 1873 the mine passed to the English “Neuchâtel Asphalte Company Ltd.”, and around 1960 to the road-building group Tarmac.
From 1712 to 1986 the asphalt was mined by hand and later industrially; about two million tonnes came out of the mountain. The mine then opened to visitors. For the 25th anniversary of tourism, the spectacle “Les Indes noires” took place in 2012; in 2019 the Jardin des Mineurs opened, in 2020/21 the protected building was renovated, and in 2022 the Asphalt Story exhibition was inaugurated, showing in six playful stations how asphalt is formed and migrates.
Behind the site stand the Mines d’asphalte team and the Association culturelle des Mines d’asphalte de la Presta, who jointly plan the further development of the grounds; on average about 22,000 guests come each year. The grounds also include the Café des Mines, a boutique and several activities around the theme, such as a puzzle game in the valley.
Highlights
- Guided tour through about one kilometre of tunnels (8 °C, with helmet and lamp)
- Asphalt Story exhibition with six interactive stations
- Jardin des Mineurs with tablet and explorer bag
- Café des Mines with ham cooked in asphalt
- “La Presta Mines d’asphalte” railway stop right at the site
Permanent exhibitions
- Geführte Stollenbesichtigung – Tour with helmet and lamp through about one kilometre of galleries where the asphalt was mined.
- Asphalt Story – Exhibition with six interactive stations on the formation and migration of asphalt inside the earth.
- Jardin des Mineurs – Natural garden providing habitat for deer, herons and beavers, with an interactive trail using a tablet.
- Founded
- 1987
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 21 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 17.50Students and apprentices |
| Children & teens | CHF 15free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 15; children aged 0 to 5 free |
| Seniors | –No senior discount stated |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 17.50Students and apprentices |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 17.50 per personGroups of 10 or more (adults); students and apprentices CHF 14.50, children aged 6–15 CHF 11 |
| Families | CHF 602 adults and 2–3 children |
| Mini group (up to 9 people) | CHF 160Flat rate |
The price includes the guided tunnel tour as well as free access to Asphalt Story and the Jardin des Mineurs. Raiffeisen MemberPlus and Swiss Museum Pass: free admission (free online booking required). Discounts with Neuchâtel Tourist Card, Passeport Loisirs and Carte Culture, for individual visits only.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tunnel tour is possible by wheelchair (registration requested; 300 m path with a 4 m difference in height from the museum to the tunnel entrance); an electric wheelchair can be provided on request. Strollers can be taken along, but because of two narrow staircases a baby carrier is better. The café and seminar room are accessible; dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | CHF 60 · 2 adults and 2–3 children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Family ticket; in the Jardin des Mineurs families explore animals and plants with a tablet and explorer bag, plus a picnic area. Asphalt Story offers six playful stations.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
La Presta Mines d’asphalte · 1-min walk
Railway station “La Presta Mines d’asphalte” (request stop, 1 to 2 trains per hour), 1 minute’s walk away; request the stop by pressing the button.
By car
Free parking
Free parking for cars and coaches.
The site is located on the main road H10; on cycling and mountain bike routes (Route 7 Jura, Route 94, Route 412).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Café des Mines (restaurant) and Boutique des Mines on site; the café is open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. from April to 1 November, then Friday to Sunday or Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Seminar room and café for groups, corporate and family events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | During the tour a souvenir photo is taken, which can be bought at the exit (stored for 15 days). |
| Good to know | Tunnel tour with a guide only, about 90 minutes including a short introduction in the museum and about one kilometre of tunnel at a constant 8 °C; warm clothing and sturdy shoes recommended, helmet and lamp are provided. Asphalt Story and the Jardin des Mineurs each take about 1.5 hours. |
