Estavayer-le-Lac is a little medieval town on the south-east bank of Lake Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Estavayer was settled in prehistoric times, colonised by the Romans, plundered by barbarians, coveted by barons...
In Estavayer you can see many signs of its rich history: the Savoy castle from the 12th century, the Gothic abbey church and the cobbled streets.

But another feature you cannot help noticing, arriving to Estavayer, is the liking which the little town inhabitants seem to have for frogs.

The nature reserve of "Grande Cariçaie" – one of Europe's finest nature reserves – extends all the way along the south bank of Lake Neuchâtel, where Estavayer is set.
This damp habitat is home to 1000 plants and 10,000 species of animal, about a third of all the flora to be found in Switzerland and a quarter of all species of animal known in Switzerland.
And, of course it’s a paradise for frogs.

In Estavayer there is also a little and very peculiar museum where visitors can admire an unusual old collection...of frogs.

In 1850, a Napoleonic guard’s officer developed a fascination with frogs and started collecting them as a hobby.
He extracted the innards through their mouths and refilled them with sand before putting them into displays.

So we can see his 108 frogs all portrayed in scenes from everyday life.

This gallery is dedicated to Steve Mockford, Canadian biologist and photographer