d'Ivernois Castle (Môtiers)

The origins of the estate date back to the mid-16th century, when it was the residence of Claude Baillod, the then castellan of Val-de-Travers. In 1617, Prince Henry II of Orléans-Longueville was received here during his journey to the Principality of Neuchâtel. A transformation occurred from 1720, when the Parisian banker Abraham d'Ivernois acquired the property. He commissioned the architect Antoine Favre from Couvet to rebuild it according to plans by the Parisian architect Aubry. Completed in 1724, the new stately home was inspired by the French Hôtel particulier, with a courtyard at the front and a garden at the back. The château hosted numerous personalities, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who lived in Môtiers from 1762 to 1765. Between 2002 and 2006, the château underwent renovation by the Burkhardt-Felder Arts et Culture Foundation.

Château d'Ivernois is located in Môtiers, a village in the Val-de-Travers district in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 739 meters above sea level.

Today, Château d'Ivernois houses a museum. The former barn from 1721 showcases masterpieces of Australian Aboriginal art, while the riding hall from 1876 displays a collection of rare automobiles. The château is recognized as a building of national importance and is accessible to visitors.