Botanicals
Where the Green Fairy takes root
Wormwood, green anise and hyssop: the plants that make absinthe, and the hands that gather them.
A living heritage of history, botany and ritual.
From the Val-de-Travers, the birthplace of absinthe, a carefully chosen selection of authentic spirits — and a living museum.
The Shop
Absinthes, ritual & gourmet
A selection of authentic absinthes, spirits, accessories and gift sets, delivered to your door.
Discover the shopThe Museum
Visit, understand, taste
The absinthe interpretation centre: the trail, the garden, the bar and experiences in Môtiers.
Discover the museum
Right now at the Maison
The shop
Explore our collections
Our selection
Featured absinthes
The bar's choice · September 2026
The month's absinthe
La Valote MartinGrenouillarde 65%Couvet (NE) · Val-de-Travers · Switzerland
Absinthe La Grenouillarde is a traditional absinthe from the Val-de-Travers, crafted by the La Valote Martin distillery in Couvet. Rooted in the region’s long-standing distillation heritage, it reflects a style inspired by pre-prohibition absinthes, where balance, aromatic richness, and drinkability were essential.
Artisan partners
Our distillers
Tradition
The absinthe ritual
Two centuries of tradition distilled into a timeless ceremony
- The Dilution Ritual
- The Louche Effect
- The Ritual Steps
- The Distiller’s Craft
In Môtiers
Visit the absinthe museum
The Maison de l'Absinthe brings together a heritage building, a permanent trail, a botanical garden and a tasting bar. Explore it on your own or with a guide, at your own pace.
Not to be missed
Henry-Louis Pernod, a visionary
Thirteen bilingual panels, original objects, a portrait film and an animated map retrace the birth of Pernod Fils at Pontarlier in 1805 and the rise of a distillery that shaped the history of the aperitif.
See the exhibition
24th Absinthiades
The Absinthiades return to Pontarlier for their 24th edition, under the theme “Absinthe and the Artists.” Two days of tastings, exhibitions, talks, encounters and discoveries celebrating absinthe and its heritage.
See the eventAbsinthe up close
Immersive Days
Conceived as genuine journeys across a territory, the Immersive Days combine cultural visits, encounters with craftspeople, walks and tastings. They are offered on fixed dates or adapted to the season and the availability of our partners.
See this experience
Coming as a group
Groups & private hire
From ten people, we arrange the visit with you: the museum's capacity is limited, so we reserve the guide and the table around your programme. Choose a package and we will reply with a proposal.
Our heritage
The story of absinthe
Born in the misty valleys of the Swiss Jura in the late 18th century, absinthe is far more than a spirit — it is a cultural phenomenon that has shaped art, literature, and the very idea of bohemian creativity. From its origins as a medicinal elixir to its rise as the drink of choice for Parisian artists and writers, the Green Fairy has always stood apart.
The Val-de-Travers, a secluded valley straddling the Franco-Swiss border, is where it all began. Here, the unique combination of altitude, limestone springs, and wild botanicals — grande absinthe, petite absinthe, green anise, and fennel — created the terroir that gives authentic absinthe its unmistakable character.
Today, a new generation of distillers honours the ancestral recipes while bringing their own creativity to the craft.