Switzerland

La Ferme Stähli ; 24 Hours Among the Buffalo

June 19, 2023

Written by Ben

La Ferme Stähli invites you to spend twenty-four hours among buffalo cows, local produce and elderflowers.

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La Ferme Stähli ; A Stay in the Val-de-Travers

The Violon Apartment

The stay begins with the discovery of the poetically named “Violon” apartment. This charming one-and-a-half-room home has a kitchen and a bathroom with a bathtub. It also includes a dining area, a large bed and a small bed. A sofa, a balcony and a television complete the whole. Bags dropped off, it is off to the buffalo farm, five minutes away by car.

Violon apartment at La Ferme Stähli Bedroom of the holiday apartment Balcony overlooking the Val-de-Travers

A Buffalo Farm

La Ferme Stähli ; Pioneers in French-Speaking Switzerland

Under a bright sun, farm life is discovered on a tour among the famous buffalo cows. The first ones were imported from Italy in 1999. The Stähli brothers are thus pioneers, the first breeders of these animals in French-speaking Switzerland. The herd now numbers several hundred head. A buffalo weighs between three hundred and nine hundred kilos. A buffalo cow’s pregnancy lasts about ten to eleven months. After this first encounter, it is time for lunch. As the apartments have a kitchen, each guest organises their meals as they wish.

Buffalo cows at La Ferme Stähli Herd of buffalo in the Val-de-Travers Buffalo cow in the barn Buffalo in the meadow

La Ferme Stähli ; Local Produce and Passion

In the early afternoon, it is off to the farm shop. Trust reigns at the Stählis’, as the shop is self-service. It offers a range of local produce and a few souvenirs. Buffalo milk soaps, syrups and jams complete the offer, all homemade. The lavender syrup is a real favourite.

Self-service farm shop Local produce from the Val-de-Travers Homemade syrups and jams

Milking and Buffalo Calves

Then back to the farm to give the buffalo calves a drink and hear their surprising little cries. Wearing the right outfit, you can discover how milking works. The reward for this episode: a good glass of buffalo milk. The day ends quietly over a few glasses of elderflower drink.

Buffalo calves at the farm Milking the buffalo cows

The next day, after breakfast, a last visit lets you watch the buffalo and a bull in their habitat. On these surprising animals’ programme: mud baths, strolls in the meadows and a few original poses. Thus end twenty-four charming hours in the heart of the Val-de-Travers. In the canton, the Domaine de Bel-Air (in French) in Le Landeron offers another encounter with animals. To further discover the region, the article on Yverdon-les-Bains (in French) offers more getaway ideas.

Buffalo taking a mud bath Buffalo bull in its habitat Buffalo in the Val-de-Travers meadows Landscape around the farm Elderflowers at La Ferme Stähli