Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel sits on a slope between its lake and the first ridge of the Jura, and the two give you completely different training grounds within fifteen minutes of each other. The lakeside is flat, long and sheltered. Turn inland and you are climbing through vineyards into forest almost immediately, with gradients that carry on far longer than anyone expects the first time.

The town is compact and studenty, with a university and a strong local sports culture, which means facilities are good relative to the population. Weekday evenings fill up fastest. It is also the easiest of our towns to reach from the Bernese side, if you are coming across for a session.