Things to see and do Aarau

The canton of Aargau is very green, offering no less than 1,600 km of trails and 1,000 km of cycle paths. It's a paradise for nature activities and green tourism. Take advantage of this wellness region to immerse yourself in the warm waters of the Zurzach Thermabald thermal springs. The tourist office will be happy to provide you with details of all the cultural discoveries and natural escapes on offer. A stopover to discover the castles is a must.

A small journey into Swiss pictorial art since the th century, with works by Caspar Wolf, Johann Heinrich Füssli, Arnold Böcklin and th century landscape designers. The extension, built in 2003 by Herzog architects and Meuron, houses a collection representative of the history of modern art, from the early twentieth century to the abstract art of post-war art and the artistic effervescence of the 1960 s to the present.

This museum, housed in a mégalithe tower that was part of the castle (th-xii), is a walk in local history (habitat, crafts, etc.). The refinement of its interiors contrasts sharply with its exterior aspect.

Also known as the Oberes Rathuas, this is the seat of the Government of Canton Aargau.

A little outside the historic heart, on Alpine Vorstadt, it is a rather pleasant th century construction of late Gothic style.

Aarau has preserved the vestiges of its historic past, including the charming Rue de la Halde, which dates back to the late Gothic period. This little street is surely the most typical of the old town, with a very homogeneous group of houses, including the former convent of St. Ursula women (^13th century). Further on, between two houses, an austere silhouette of exposed stone: the Turm Rore, another vestige of the fortifications. Strolling along the Halde is very pleasant, as the center is pedestrianized and only accessible by bicycle or public transport.

This construction of the end of the th century is topped by a baroque steeple (th) which does not harm its elegant sobriety. Inside, we admire the modern windows, especially by Hoffmann, and a baroque allegory of justice whose original is located in the museum of the City.

This gate of the old ramparts, flanked by a tower, dates back to the 13th century but was extensively modified in the 16th century. You will recognize it by its 15th century clock and its imposing size: at 61 m, it is the highest of its kind in Switzerland. Don't miss the picture of the Danse Macabre by the painter Felix Hoffmann on its southern side. The five lower floors of the tower were once used as prison cells, the warden's apartment was on the tenth floor, while the top floor houses a carillon consisting of eleven bells.