The home of my grandparents! How cuter of a place could they have chose 20+ years ago! My first day however, my Snapchat kept showing Boudry, and not Neuchâtel. I was confused that I’d been lied to this whole time, til I pulled up trusty Wikipedia, and learned, Boudry is one of the 6 districts within Neuchâtel! That explained so much! Neuchâtel, with all it’s beauty, is separated into districts that each carry history and culture of their own. On the French side of Switzerland, it was both quaint yet busy with locals taking walks, and tackling daily chores. Boudry however, creates a beautiful backdrop of reminders of the history and time.
Not to be creepy, but I watched this family across my window every morning as the little child with his big sister, both yelling and shrieking in French.
We all dream of walking around lost and out of touch with the rest of the world, and on my second or third day, I did just that. After a frustrating morning updating my phone, and trying to sync it to some sort of wifi, I decided to ditch all of it and go for a walk through Neuchâtel. As soon as I left the building, with google maps telling me I’d hit downtown in about 10 mins walking (lol, never in America), my phone shuts off and I was free. Google maps still works, but free.
And then I realized, my French sucks.
I never thought I’d be overwhelmed by history I couldn’t figure out nor find information on.
As ancient as this town is, I was happen to see familiar things like bad parking.
Switzerland reminds me of a childhood story I used to read, Heidi, about a girl who lived in the Alps with her grandfather. I remember about how she used to stare off the mountains and wonder what else was in the world. The story spirals in a different direction after that, but hey, this moment mattered!
Bumping into about 3 people total, I truly didn’t believe anyone really lived in this town.
Entrance to the downtown area of Boudry, Neuchatel.
Where the colors are magical. Fun fact: they call this place “houses of old Boudry” as if the rest of the town isn’t super old already.Fresh water fountains of Switzerland.
Here is where I decided to brave myself up and order my favorite drink in the world. A cup of tea. I walked up to the entrance as a sweet middle aged woman was flipping chairs, and something about how she approached me, she knew I wasn’t a local (because in my fairytale, all the people in small villages, know each other right!). In a sweet voice, she said ‘bonjour’, and waited for me to casually speak French. Surprising her when I followed up my ‘bonjour’ with “Hi, do you take visa? Dollars?’, she spoke French in a way that was so soothing (this is where I decided I do in fact, like French as a language), and she pointed me across the street and told me there was an ATM and would be able to find some Swiss Francs there. I nodded, super happy for my escape, thrilled I managed to not make my one and only interaction of the day a disaster, and walked all the way back home. It was truly the most enchanting, but unknown conversation I had.Lol, I almost got lost escaping though.
Tens of little children ran behind me when I took this photo, walking home as school had just gotten out. Turns out Neuchatel is actually a busy city, ya know, once kids are out.Fun fact: Neuchatel means “New Castle” in French, which is named after all the castles you can casually find around the city. They are usually inherited through generations till this day, and while some can be repurposed to venues or special monuments, some own fancy things like vineyards that make fancy Swiss wines.
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I had no idea this beautiful place existed! Thanks for introducing me to it! I think a lot of people think about Heidi when they hear Switzerland. I know my husband does. he makes fun of me because I didn’t watch the cartoons when I was growing up. I do not even know what cartoons he is referring to!
Those pictures are so beautiful. This makes me want to visit Switzerland. I have practiced my French since college though. I think I would be lost of someone started speaking French to me.
It’s really beautiful out there! Friends have recommended Switzerland for the longest time. It would be nice to go exploring and just enjoy what the place has to offer in terms of beautiful sights and more!
Your photos are beautiful! I totally want to go visit this place! I also read, or watched rather, Heidi when I was a kid, and had always wanted to visit such a place 🙂
I love that no matter where you go, there will always be people who can’t park.
Heidi is a fantastic story and that’s exactly what came to mind looking at your pictures!
Boudry looks like a fairy tale city to me. Such history too! Europe has such a unique look to it where as here in the USA everything is so generic and plain,
This place looks stunningly beautiful! I love little towns like this, and would love to visit more places, and take my kids so they can really experience different ways of living as well.
I can totally see how you would think of Heidi while being here. It does remind of the locations in the story so much. Getting lost sounds amazing, as long as you have some idea of where you are going, or at least how to get back.
I had a short 1 day trip into Switzerland 20 years ago and it is still a place I want to go back and spend more time. Thanks for all these pictures that take me back and remind me why I want to visit again.
I love to visit places rich in history like this. Boudry sounds like SUCH an amazing place to visit.
I had no idea this beautiful place existed! Thanks for introducing me to it! I think a lot of people think about Heidi when they hear Switzerland. I know my husband does. he makes fun of me because I didn’t watch the cartoons when I was growing up. I do not even know what cartoons he is referring to!
I didn’t even know there were cartoons!! I’m I’m not the only one that thinks of Heidi when it comes to Swiss haha!
I love the European style architecture and the landscape! Switzerland is such a beautiful country.
Isn’t it!
Looks like such a fun visit! I’d love to make it to Switzerland someday <3
Those pictures are so beautiful. This makes me want to visit Switzerland. I have practiced my French since college though. I think I would be lost of someone started speaking French to me.
It’s really beautiful out there! Friends have recommended Switzerland for the longest time. It would be nice to go exploring and just enjoy what the place has to offer in terms of beautiful sights and more!
So beautiful! I’d really love to visit Switzerland one day. A huge bonus is all the history!
Your photos are beautiful! I totally want to go visit this place! I also read, or watched rather, Heidi when I was a kid, and had always wanted to visit such a place 🙂
Thank youuuu ❤️
Love love love this post so much! Love the photos! Thanks for sharing! Lol at the bad parking! 😂
Thank you!!! 😂😂😂 right that made me die laughing
This is so beautiful! This is on my bucket list and would love to visit soon!
I love that no matter where you go, there will always be people who can’t park.
Heidi is a fantastic story and that’s exactly what came to mind looking at your pictures!
Aww thank you!!
What a charming, adorable little town! I can’t get over those colorful shutters on the houses, so cute! Loving all your photos!!
Thank you!!
Boudry looks like a fairy tale city to me. Such history too! Europe has such a unique look to it where as here in the USA everything is so generic and plain,
Right! That’s how I felt about it, these cities were built on centuries of history!
Thanks for educating me on such a cute little town. I wasn’t familiar with the location, but love the story you told about it.
Thank you!!!
This place looks stunningly beautiful! I love little towns like this, and would love to visit more places, and take my kids so they can really experience different ways of living as well.
I have a friend that loves visiting Switzerland more than any other vacation spot. This looks lovely and I’d love to plan a visit too!
Your photos are absolutely stunning. Switzerland is on my bucket list for quite sometime now. I so would like to go there next year!
Thank you!!!
I can totally see how you would think of Heidi while being here. It does remind of the locations in the story so much. Getting lost sounds amazing, as long as you have some idea of where you are going, or at least how to get back.
How gorgeous. I love beautiful historic places like this. I havent really travelled much myself but would love to some day and this looks amazing.
Wow, I’ve never been to Switzerland but it’s certainly on my list. These towns look so charming and beautiful. Thank you for sharing
oh my gosh, this place looks just like a dream, truly special. Will be on my travel list for sure.
I’ve never been to Switzerland! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the country. I love this story and your pictures!
I had a short 1 day trip into Switzerland 20 years ago and it is still a place I want to go back and spend more time. Thanks for all these pictures that take me back and remind me why I want to visit again.