The finest beaches on Lake Neuchâtel as a family: where to swim with children?

Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake entirely within Switzerland. It is also the one with the most genuine sandy beaches, nearly all of them free — a real contrast with the pebble shores of Lake Geneva.

Its great particularity for families: on many beaches, the water stays shallow for tens of metres. The youngest can paddle for ages without ever getting out of their depth. Here is our selection, organised shore by shore to help you choose depending on where you live.

Why Lake Neuchâtel is ideal with children

Three very concrete reasons:

• Sand, not pebbles. The southern shore in particular lines up genuine fine-sand beaches: Cudrefin, Chevroux, Gletterens, Cheyres, Portalban.
• Water that deepens very gradually. On several beaches, you walk a hundred metres before the water reaches your waist. That is reassuring with children who are just starting out.
• It’s free. Unlike the big paying complexes, almost all the beaches on Lake Neuchâtel are municipal and free to access.

One point to watch, however: most of these beaches are not supervised. There is no lifeguard, and it is up to you to keep children in sight.

Southern shore: the big sandy beaches

This is the “holiday beach” shore, with sand, space and very shallow water. It also borders the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve, which explains the unspoilt setting.

• Cudrefin beach (VD) — a large stretch of sand, shallow water and a playground, a stone’s throw from the Grande Cariçaie. One of the safest bets on the lake with young children.
• Portalban beach (FR) — fine sand, a lawn, a playground and a kiosk: the most complete beach on the southern shore.
• Chevroux beach (VD) — a small free sandy beach next to the harbour, with natural shade and a barbecue available.
• Gletterens beach (FR) — fine sand and shallow water, in the middle of nature.
• Cheyres beach (FR) — fine sand between the small harbour and a protected natural area, a few minutes from the station.
• La Nouvelle Plage in Estavayer-le-Lac (FR) — a beach, barbecues, a playground and the longest cable wakeboard park in Switzerland. The right address when you have both little ones and teenagers. Right next door, the beach playground extends the day.

Northern Neuchâtel shore: the local families’ classics

• Paradis Plage in Colombier — the largest stretch of sand on the northern shore. Swimming, shaded lawns and play areas: the great classic for a proper beach day.
• La Tène beach in Marin — our number one recommendation with the youngest: the water stays shallow for more than a hundred metres.
• La Ramée beach — right next door, a large stretch of sand and lawn with a playground and shady corners, free of charge.
• Hauterive beach — a big lawn, a gravel beach, a play area and a raft, a stone’s throw from the Laténium. The beach playground and its boat-castle are worth the detour on their own.
• Monruz beach — east of Neuchâtel, a small, discreet and free cove for a quiet afternoon.
• Jeunes-Rives beach and Falaises beach — the two options in the city of Neuchâtel, reachable without a car.

Towards La Béroche and Boudry: quieter

• Chez-le-Bart beach — swimming, a large playground and a beach volleyball court. A good compromise when children are different ages.
• Boudry beach — at the mouth of the Areuse, lawn and gravel in a family-friendly, free setting.
• Saint-Aubin-Sauges beach — a simple stop on the western shore.

Around Grandson, Yverdon and Yvonand: the south-western tip

• Bellerive beach in Grandson — a shaded lawn, a kiosk and a play area. Quiet, away from the crowds.
• Corcelettes beach (Les Pins) — a lawn lined with pine trees with direct access to the water: unbeatable for a shaded picnic in high summer.
• Onnens beach — free and quiet, among the woods between Grandson and Yverdon.
• Port des Filles beach in Concise — a genuine village beach, no frills.
• Yverdon-les-Bains beach and the sandy beaches of Yvonand — the big beaches at the southern tip, easy to reach by train.

And Lake Morat, just next door?

Linked to Lake Neuchâtel by the Broye canal, Lake Morat is smaller, warmer and often calmer. An excellent alternative on busy days:

• Morat beach (Pantschau) — a big lawn and a playground a stone’s throw from the medieval old town.
• Praz beach at Mont-Vully and Môtier beach — at the foot of the vineyards, with shallow water near the shore.
• Meyriez beach, Montilier beach and Obélisque beach — three free options around Morat.
• Faoug beach and the small beach at Vallamand — on the Vaud side, sand, grass and peace and quiet.

Which beach for which age?

• With a baby or toddler (0–3 years): La Tène in Marin or Cudrefin, for shallow water over a long distance. See also our 0–3 ideas.
• Between 3 and 5: beaches with a playground — Portalban, La Ramée, Chez-le-Bart, Hauterive. Our 3–5 ideas.
• Between 6 and 9: Paradis Plage in Colombier for the space, Corcelettes for the shade. Our 6–9 ideas.
• From 10: Estavayer-le-Lac for the cable wakeboard park, or a pedalo outing. Our 10–12 ideas.

Our practical tips

• Arrive early on scorching weekends. The car parks on the southern shore are small and fill up before 11am.
• Take the train when you can. Cheyres, Estavayer, Yverdon, Neuchâtel and Marin are within walking distance of the station: that settles the parking question.
• Bring water shoes for the gravel beaches on the northern shore.
• Watch out for the bise. The lake gets rough quickly: in a north-easterly wind, the southern shore is more sheltered.
• Swimming is generally not supervised. Keep children in sight, even where the water is shallow.
• Check the water quality after heavy rain: the cantons publish regular tests in season.

To go further

If you are looking towards Lake Geneva instead, see our finest beaches on Lake Geneva as a family. And for days when the lake is too cold or too rough, head for our outdoor pools and our water parks. Find also all the activities in the canton of Neuchâtel.

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