0

Open from 10.00 to 17.00

  • Open from 10.00 to 17.00

Visits and workshops

Quentin Bacchus

School classes

The Laténium invites children of all ages to enter into a dialog with the past. Its cultural mediation team is composed mainly of archaeologists and archaeology students. This team tries to meet the specific expectations of each teacher, it adapts its programme to suit particular requests and it makes it possible to experience the past in a playful and educational manner.

  • Organise your guided visit according to the age and the knowledge of your pupils. You can explore the environments of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers, the villages of early farmers or Roman ruins. We can adapt the visit to suit the theme or the period of your choice.
  • The creative workshops enable children to experience actions of the past. The children manufacture an object by trying to reproduce ancient techniques and then take their creation away with them.
  • Our temporary exhibitions can be adapted to suit a school visit. Please consult our programme.
  • Teachers have free access to the exhibitions for a preparatory visit.
  • From spring to autumn the trip by ship from the port at Neuchâtel and the landing of Hauterive (located in the museum park) is free of charge.
  • Extend your visit to the museum with a walk in the archeological park. Have a picnic in the pile-dwelling. Enjoy the playground in the centre of the park facing the lake.

An archaeological birthday !

Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Laténium! Celebrate this special day by discovering an aspect of archaeology together with your friends. Medallion, mosaic, clay or painting, choose a workshop, which will be organised by a guide. Then enjoy a birthday cake in the Café du Laténium, where a table will be reserved for you. Finally, the archaeological park will offer children spaces to have fun!

Groups, companies and associations

The Laténium is a surprising place to hold your staff outings. Combine the discovery of the museum with a working session, an aperitif or a meal.

  • Follow the guide! The Laténium is the biggest archaeological museum in Switzerland. Archaeological park, temporary exhibition, regional collections: select your preferred theme from amongst all our offerings.
  • Organise a working session or a conference at the Laténium.
    A conference room and a meeting room are available for hire.
  • The Café du Laténium is committed to welcoming groups: café-croissant, meal or aperitif, at any time of the day.

Upcoming events

04 December 2025

"Une Suisse esclavagiste" - Autour d’un podcast qui met fin au mythe d’une Suisse sans faille

17h : Visite gratuite de l’exposition « L’île de sable » avec Marc-Antoine Kaeser, directeur du Laténium.

18h : Masterclasse « Une Suisse esclavagiste » – Autour d’un podcast qui met fin au mythe d’une Suisse sans faille
Expériences de Cyril Dépraz, journaliste et auteur.

Tout public, entrée libre.

Cette masterclasse se déroule dans le cadre du cycle “Le colonialisme et l’esclavage. Expériences en histoire publique“, organisé par l’Institut d’histoire de l’Université de Neuchâtel.

Time : From 17:00 to 19:30

From 04 October 2025 to 10 January 2027

L'île de Sable

La nouvelle exposition du Laténium plonge au cœur de l’esclavage colonial, au 18e siècle, et raconte une aventure terrible d’abandon et de survie au milieu de l’Océan indien. Contre la faim, la soif et les ravages des cyclones tropicaux, la force de vie, la solidarité et l’innovation technique ont fait échec à la déshumanisation du système esclavagiste. L’île de Sable montre que face aux silences des récits historiques, l’archéologie redonne une voix aux victimes de la traite négrière.

Time : From 10:00 to 17:00