Along with its history-soaked and highly picturesque Old Town (in summer, don't miss the Saturday morning market bursting with local produce), lakeside Estavayer is a haven for walkers, cyclists, boaters, and water-sports enthusiasts. In addition, it is a beloved base for nature lovers who head here to enjoy Grande Cariçaie, one of Europe's premier nature reserves, along the southern flank of Lac de Neuchâtel.
The tiny town can still be navigated using a map drawn in 1599. It has retained much of its medieval architecture, from the arcades of the town center to the gracious, multitowered medieval Château de Chenaux, which now houses its government offices.
