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I grew up in Los Angeles and after finishing school I went to Singapore to learn about the world of luxury and watches. I had always wanted to see Switzerland, so in 2014 I applied for a luxury program in Lausanne and fell in love with the country from the first trip. I took the train everywhere: to school, to other cities, to the lakes… and I experienced my first real winter. I love the order, cleanliness and natural beauty here.
I now live in the small town of Neuchâtel, which reminds me of my hometown of Pasadena. There are lots of parks, everyone is walking, biking or hiking, and you can hear the birds singing. I love the village atmosphere. I live on Lake Neuchâtel in an apartment with a private beach, woods and a stream nearby. The only challenge has been the language; I studied German in high school, but in Neuchâtel they speak French. I have just enough words to get by, but I’m learning.
Although Geneva or Zurich would be more convenient for my work, the beauty and anonymity make the two-hour drive to the airport worth it. I have lived in Los Angeles, Singapore and Basel, but I prefer solitude, away from the hustle and bustle.
My seven-year-old daughter lives in Basel: I pick her up on Fridays and we go straight to the lake. She grew up in Basel, so I love seeing her go places on her own and swim with swans (very unusual!). She has also been skiing since she was three. Some areas have a more French Riviera feel, but there are also some very rural areas.
If you come to visit, there are two places to stay: the Beau Rivagewhere my parents check in when they come to visit, and the Hotel PalafitteThe first one is authentic and traditional, it’s like my Health – Everyone knows our names. The restaurant there – O’terroirs – is the place to see and be seen, and it’s a great place for meetings. As Neuchâtel is the quiet centre of the watch industry, I often have lunch there with Philippe Delhotal, creative director of Hermès watchThe Hôtel Palafitte is more contemporary. The “pavilions” were built in 2002 as part of the Swiss national exhibition Expo and 24 of them are on stilts jutting out into the lake, giving it a unique feel.
My daughter loves running around Neuchâtel Castle, a beautiful Gothic building on top of the hill, and visiting the surrounding old town. There are many galleries and art spaces here: Palace Gallery and Black box with white space These are two of the best. The last one is a modern house by the lake where they have an artist residency; it is a real centre of creative experimentation.
We consume a lot of pizza in our lives and Tony’s bar It’s one of my favorites. The only problem is that the hours are very un-American and erratic. We’re also obsessed with a pizza place inside the train station. L’Antidote lounge barwhich features a full DJ set and a dance floor. At the other end, DuPeyrou Hotel RestaurantAn old house with a beautiful French garden is very special. But in general, it is all about lake fish (fried pike or perch), which is the opposite of sophisticated. In summer, restaurants set up tables on terraces and you just eat fish and chips and swim. Many are in remote corners that are mainly accessible by boat.
Neuchâtel has its own wine, a rosé called Oeil de Perdrix, or “eye of the partridge,” which sounds like something your grandmother might drink. It has a very strong and distinctive flavor and you won’t find it anywhere else. And of course, this is the birthplace of chocolate: Walder It is considered one of the best in Switzerland. The watch and jewelry stores are also important. Michaud He specializes in modern watches (Rolex, Tag Heuer, Chopard), but also does repairs and the service is very pleasant. Curtit It is a vintage watch store, while The Company of 1916 is a major global reseller. In terms of excellent design, I like Menghini for contemporary furniture and lighting from brands such as Foscarini and Alessi.
The good thing about this place is that it will never change. People don’t leave from one generation to the next and there are no big changes. Most people think it’s a train stop on the way to Geneva or Lausanne, but when I say I live here, their eyes light up. If you know, you know…