Val-de-Travers

Another perfect morning in Switzerland. 

After, perhaps, the best night’s sleep so far, we ventured back into Couvet to visit the Absinthe shop we saw last night on our walk. Later we drove a little further down the Val-de-Travers to the Mines d’Asphalte where for hundreds of years asphalt was mined. Next we stopped at Noiraigue for a beautiful walk through les Gorges de l’Areuse. 

The home of absinthe is traditionally in Couvet. For hundreds of years this was the centre of the absinthe industry. In the 18th century a doctor first produced a recipe for the distilling of absinthe for medicinal purposes. It later became popular in France after it was given to French troops in the 19th century to combat malaria. On returning home the troops sought it further, and it became widely used by all class. The very highly alcoholic drink was very much part of the bohemian life style with famous artists in Paris. By the early 20th century it was banned in most countries across the world. It wasn’t until March 2005 that the ban was lifted in Switzerland where they now are attempting  to regain all the markets they previous had a hundred years earlier!

The very generous proprietor gave us a very good brief history of the drink and its importance to the people of the late 18th century. The story of it being banned is interesting - vested interest from the wine industry were lobbying back in 1912 for it to be banned. Not a lot has changed over the years - with vested interests, I mean!

Shortly after leaving Couvet we arrived at the Mines d’Asphalte where for centuries the miners extracted the rock form of asphalt which paved the streets of cities like Paris and London. As we approached the area, the very distinctive smells of asphalt was detectable. We were fascinated to see that meats were being cured with the heat of  asphalt, and then found the asphated cured ham was on the menu in the restaurant.

The highlight of the day was the walk through les Gorges de l’Areuse, this being at the foothills of where we were yesterday at Creux du Van. 

A little tired after this long walk but time and energy was still found to make the delicious Welsh cakes by the other member of the party!

A little later we returned to Neuchâtel for the evening. Much warmer out of the valley and down by the lake. These are some of the views as we emerged from the Val du Travers.