Neuchâtel is a french-speaking canton found in the northwestern part of the country, around Lake Neuchâtel. It was one of the first cantons to grant women the right to vote (1959) as well as to lower the voting right to 18 years old. It's majority Protestant but there's a sizeable Catholic minority (31% compared to 38% protestants) due to Portuguese and Italian immigrants.

It's mostly well known for its history in watch-making, its wines as well for being the birthplace of absinthe.