Neuchatel became property of the French Orleans-Longueville dynasty. After 1707 Neuchatel became property of the King of Prussia by inheritance. In 1815 it became a Swiss canton, yet retained connections with the Prussian ruler, which placed it in an odd situation. The area of Lake Neuchatel boasts scenic nature, a peaceful atmosphere, great food, and gentle waves. The lake is home to a lot of fish. It is connected to Lake Murten and Lake Biel via canals used by pleasure boats.

Sports and recreation
Sports and outdoor activities abound in the area, from skiing and walking to mountain biking. Most of the villages around the lake have bathing beaches. There are health clubs, theme parks, horse-riding grounds and schools, bowling halls, and two ski areas. In the winter you can go tobogganing on the Bob-lift Les Breuleux. Many visitors opt for a cycling tour from Lake Geneva to Lake Neuchatel. This magical region is shared between Switzerland and France. The panoramic views of the Jura, the High Alps, the Eiger and Mont Blanc will delight you. They are among the most magnificent in Europe. The tour begins above Lake Geneva, along the French border through a land of ridges, meadows and thick forests. A great feature of the tour is the regional gastronomy smoked meats, local wines, delicious cheeses and fresh trout. You will cycle along small quiet roads, through unspoiled countryside and quaint villages. Neuchatel's climate is generally mild by European standards. A boat tour on Neuchatel Lake is highly recommended. A popular choice is the tour from Lake Biel, available from June through September. The route includes Lake Biel, a canal stretch and part of Lake Neuchatel.

Wine
The Neuchatel lake region is like a universe all on its own, with rough terrains and serene gardens side by side. This diversity is reflected in the vast array of local wine flavors. The local winegrowers have successfully preserved the authentic character of their wines. They are heirs to more than two millenniums of history. The best-known Neuchatel wines are the rose Oeil-de-Perdrix and the white Non Filtr. Grape varieties include Chasselas, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, and Garanoir. The vineyards in this area cover almost 600 hectares.

Cities and towns in the area
The most famous and largest town on the shores of Lake Neuchatel is Neuchatel itself. Other towns on the northwestern shore are Grandson, Concise, Colombier and Marin-Epagnier. Neuchatel has a population of around 31 500. It is famous for its variety of fondue and its watchmaking industry. Despite its relatively low number of inhabitants the town has a number of excellent museums. These include the Museum of Archaeology, the Museum of Ethnography, the Art and History Museum and the Museum of Natural History, which offers fun interactive events and live performances. The Museum of Archaeology features permanent as well as temporary exhibits. Of the permanent ones the most notable are Yesterday and Medieval light. Yesterday is a display chronicling the history of the town, divided in eight sections on two levels. This fascinating collection of artefacts, which were discovered during land and underwater excavations from the 19th century to modern times, is well worth seeing. The first part of the display provides an introduction to the different facets of archaeology: man, time and nature. Pictures of humankinds ancestors are displayed alongside seven trenches with some of the most interesting objects in the museums collection. A menhir is also on display. Medieval lightis a journey from the Renaissance to early medieval times. The tour begins in a specially designed edifice with downward-sloping floors. It is divided into four sections, each lower than the other. You can observe the stonework of urban centers - the Collegiate Church and Neuchatel Castle respectively. The two buildings form one monumental whole. Construction of the church began in the 12th century. It transformed after the Reformation in 1530, and was extensively renovated in the 19th century. Originally it featured glazed, multicolored tiles. You can see the real building in Neuchatel, as well as the castle, which was originally the home of the Neuchatel lords. Today it is the seat of the local government. The building still preserves 12th century elements, such as the Romanesque gallery in the southwest faade.

The museum of art and history has an exhibit containing the very first android robots in the world, manufactured in the 1770s by Swiss watchmaker Pierre Jaquet-Droz. Other attractions in Neuchatel include the picturesque Old Town, the late-18th century Town Hall, the 16th century Fountain of Justice, the Market Square, and the Middle Age Prison Tower. The Old Town features charming old houses, defensive towers and mesmerizing 16th century fountains. This quarter extends from the Town Hall, which boasts a classical-style faade, to the site of the castle and collegiate church. 1700s dwellings encircle the Market Square, which hosts a lively public market three times a week. Neuchatel enjoys a scenic location between the gentle Chaumont Hill and the lake. The town has 5 km of docks. Alexander Dumas once said that it looked like it had been carved out of butter, and when you come here, you will understand why. Marin-Epagnier is best known for the village and resort area of La Tene, which falls within its communal boundaries. This pastoral village is not only charming in itself, but was also the site of an amazing archaeological discovery. The Iron Age La Tene culture was named after it when a large number of artifacts were found here in 1857. This culture developed during the late Iron Age period, succeeding the Hallstatt culture (early Iron Age pre-450 BC) without any cultural break. Towns on the southeastern shore of Lake Neuchatel include Yvonand, Estavayer-le-Lac, Chevroux, Champmartin, and Cudrefin. They are wonderfully scenic resort areas.