Boudry Beach, family swimming at the mouth of the Areuse

A Free Beach at the Mouth of the Areuse

The beach of Boudry is one of those discreet lakeside spots that families from the Neuchâtel Littoral gladly share. It is located at the mouth of the Areuse, where the river descending from the famous gorges meets Lake Neuchâtel. People come here for a quiet afternoon, a picnic on the grass, and a few swims, all without an entrance fee. The setting is simple: grass, gravel, the lake's water, and a view of the shore. It's exactly the kind of place where you can lay down your towel for the day and where children alternate between the water's edge and improvised games on the lawn.

What Your Children Will Discover

Here, there are no giant slides or attractions: discovery happens at the pace of the lake. Children splash at the water's edge, search for pebbles, observe ducks and lake birds, and enjoy the mouth of the Areuse, a small natural theater where the river mingles with the lake. The large lawn provides space to run, play ball, or set up a beach game. It's an ideal outing to let the youngest experience the simple pleasure of a day by the water, immersed in the natural beauty of the Romandy region.

What to Do There and the Atmosphere on Site

The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood beach: family-friendly, relaxed, without excessive crowds. You spread your towel on the grass or gravel, swim, sunbathe, and share a snack. The refreshment stand allows you to grab a drink or an ice cream without having planned everything, and the showers are welcome after swimming. Many families come with a picnic and an umbrella to settle in for the day. It's a place where you can breathe, perfect for combining parents' relaxation with children's freedom.

Before You Go

• Recommended Age: from 2 years old with constant supervision at the water's edge; suitable for the whole family
• Duration: half a day to a full day
• Price: free (open access to the beach)
• Reservation: none, open access
• Stroller/PRM Accessibility: to be confirmed on site
• Transport: parking on site; public transport access to be confirmed
• What to Bring: swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, water shoes (gravel), picnic, umbrella
• Ideal Season: summer, in good weather

Parents' Tips

• Keep young children within reach: swimming is not systematically supervised (to be confirmed on site).
• Water shoes prevent injuries on gravel areas.
• At the very mouth of the Areuse, water quality may occasionally be reported as unfavorable for swimming; check the signs and prefer the lake area.
• Arrive early on beautiful summer weekends to secure space on the lawn and in the parking lot.
• Bring shade (umbrella): the beach is open.

Useful Information

• Address: Route du lac, 2017 Boudry (Neuchâtel)
• Official Website: municipality of Boudry, www.boudry.ch
• Hours: open access; check with the municipality for the refreshment stand and opening season
• Access: parking on site; mouth of the Areuse, south shore of Lake Neuchâtel

Looking for more outings? Find all our activities in Boudry.

Why We Recommend It

Because it's a simple, free, and natural outing, perfect for a summer day without complicated planning. The beach of Boudry ticks all the right boxes for families: open access, grass to settle on, the lake's water within reach, and a calming setting at the mouth of the Areuse. Ideal to combine with a walk in the gorges of the same name for a complete day on the Neuchâtel Littoral.

In Two Words

A free and family-friendly municipal beach by Lake Neuchâtel, at the mouth of the Areuse: lawn, swimming, and picnicking for a day in nature with simplicity.