From the Val-de-Travers, the birthplace of absinthe, a carefully chosen selection of authentic spirits — and a living museum.
A selection of authentic absinthes, spirits, accessories and gift sets, delivered to your door.
Discover the shopThe absinthe interpretation centre: the trail, the garden, the bar and experiences in Môtiers.
Discover the museum
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.
The bar's choice · October 2026
Two centuries of tradition distilled into a timeless ceremony
Wormwood, green anise and hyssop: the plants that make absinthe, and the hands that gather them.
In Môtiers
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
Our most recent gathering. New dates appear through the year.
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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 experienceFrom 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.
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.
