Maison de l'Absinthe · Val-de-Travers

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.

Explore the shop 
The Museum

Visit, understand, taste

The absinthe interpretation centre: the trail, the garden, the bar and experiences in Môtiers.

Discover the museum 
Maison de l'Absinthe
The Reference for Swiss Absinthe

Maison de l'Absinthe

Maison de l'Absinthe curates exclusively absinthes produced in the Val-de-Travers — where absinthe was first distilled and where its original tradition endures.

Rooted in its birthplace, as a museum we safeguard the authenticity and savoir-faire that continue to shape true absinthe. Maison de l'Absinthe curates a highly selective collection of Swiss absinthes that preserve the original continuity of Absinthe.

In the press The World’s Largest Absinthe Fountain

The Ritual

The Absinthe Ritual

Four centuries of tradition distilled into a timeless ceremony

  1. The Dilution Ritual
  2. The Louche Effect
  3. The Ritual Steps
  4. The Distiller’s Craft
Two glasses of absinthe on stone steps beside a fountain, mid-ritual, water still dripping through the slotted spoons resting on their rims.
Botanicals

Where the Green Fairy takes root

Wormwood, green anise and hyssop: the plants that make absinthe, and the hands that gather them.

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.
Explore the museum 
Museum gallery in blue light: original Pernod absinthe posters, framed prints and archive photographs along the wall
What's on

What's happening at the museum

The Pernod exhibition entrance: a wall reading "Pernod, naissance de l'apéritif" beside a chronological frieze, visitors inside
Exhibitions ·

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.

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24èmes Absinthiades
Festivals & regional events · – · Théâtre Bernard Blier, Rue de la Halle, 25300 Pontarlier, France

24èmes Absinthiades

Les Absinthiades reviennent à Pontarlier pour leur 24e édition, placée sous le thème « L’Absinthe et les Artistes ». Deux jours de dégustations, expositions, conférences, rencontres et découvertes autour de l’absinthe et de son patrimoine.

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Our Promise

Why Maison de l'Absinthe

More than a shop, a house dedicated to authentic absinthe.

At the Source

Based in the Val-de-Travers, the historical cradle of absinthe, where the Green Fairy was born in the 18th century.

A Curated Collection

Every bottle is hand-selected from independent distillers who honour traditional methods and local botanicals.

Shipping across Switzerland

We deliver across Switzerland with careful packaging designed to protect every precious bottle.

Authentic & Traditional

Each absinthe carries its story — from copper alembic distillation to the artisan's signature on every label.

Experiences

Experiences at the museum

Absinthe diabolisation exhibition room with vintage prohibition-era posters and display cases

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.

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Two absinthe glasses beside a drip fountain at the Maison de l'Absinthe tasting bar

Visits & Tastings

The Maison de l'Absinthe can be explored alone or with a guide. You can then extend your experience across our various spaces.

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Absinthe distillateur working beside copper alembics during a production demonstration

Workshops & Know-How

These hands-on workshops and experiences pass on regional expertise, while introducing you to passionate people, to understand absinthe in its contemporary uses.

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Coming as a group

Groups & private hire

From ten people upward the visit is arranged with us: the museum has a limited capacity, and we hold the guide and the table according to your programme. Choose a package and we 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.