Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Museum · Val-de-Travers, Neuchâtel
Absinthe House (Maison de l'Absinthe)
Museum dedicated to the history of absinthe, opened in 2014 in Môtiers in the former judicial building where clandestine distillers were tried during the prohibition.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Absinthe House (Maison de l'Absinthe)
The Maison de l'Absinthe occupies the former Hôtel de district of Môtiers on the Grande Rue. The building was originally a residence at the end of the 18th century and later housed the gendarmerie and a courtroom. There the valley's clandestine distillers were tried during the years when the drink was prohibited in Switzerland.
The project was created by the municipality of Val-de-Travers and by a foundation to preserve the memory of the drink and the region, and the space opened in 2014. The exhibition covers the wormwood plant, distillation, the drink's fame at the end of the 19th century, the prohibition and the distillers' clandestine life until legalization.
The visit uses interactive resources and period objects such as bottles, perforated spoons and water fountains used to dilute the drink. Temporary exhibitions address episodes linked to the absinthe trade.
On the ground floor there is a tasting area, and the village of Môtiers, with old houses and a small regional museum, can be explored on foot.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour and a half.
Best time
At any time of year; there is one weekly closure day and, in winter, the visit may depend on booking. Confirm opening hours before you go.
How to get there
On the Grande Rue in central Môtiers, a few minutes' walk from the train station.
Tip
Notice the building: the room that once housed the courtroom helps to understand the impact of the prohibition on valley life.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Absinthe House (Maison de l'Absinthe)
What is the Maison de l'Absinthe?
A museum dedicated to the history of absinthe in the Val-de-Travers, opened in 2014 in the old courthouse of Môtiers.
Why is the Maison de l'Absinthe located in a former courthouse?
Because it was there that clandestine distillers were tried during the prohibition of the spirit in Switzerland.
Is the Maison de l'Absinthe open year-round?
It is open most of the year, but in winter it may operate only by reservation. Confirm before you go.