Lake Biel

Bielersee (French: Lac de Bienne, also Lake Biel or Lake Bienne) is a lake in western Switzerland, resting below the Jura ridges between the cantons of Bern and Neuchâtel. With Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Murten it forms the Three Lakes Land, and the city of Biel/Bienne on its shore blends German and French culture.

Where is Lake Biel and what sets it apart?

The lake covers roughly 39 km² and reaches about 74 m at its deepest. The northern shore climbs steeply into the Jura; the southern shore is flat and opens onto the farmland of the Seeland. The language border runs through the area, so towns carry two names: Twann/Douanne, Ligerz/Gléresse, Erlach/Cerlier.

What can you see?

• St. Peter's Island (St. Petersinsel) – a wooded, vine-covered peninsula with a former monastery now serving as a restaurant and inn. Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed here for several weeks in 1765 and later called it one of the happiest periods of his life.
• The northern wine shore – Twann, Ligerz and La Neuveville are winegrowers' villages of stone houses, planted mainly with chasselas and pinot noir. A funicular from Ligerz climbs to Prägelz and a lake viewpoint.
• Pile-dwelling sites – the Sutz-Lattrigen shoreline preserves stilt-house remains from the Stone and Bronze Ages, part of the UNESCO Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.
• Biel/Bienne – a watchmaking city with an old town and a lakefront promenade.
• Erlach (Cerlier) – a medieval town with a hilltop castle, and the usual starting point for the island.

How do you get there?

Take a train to Biel/Bienne, which has direct services from Bern, Zurich and Lausanne. The railway follows the northern shore and stops at Twann, Ligerz and La Neuveville. Boats to St. Peter's Island leave from Biel and Erlach and are run by the BLS shipping company. You can also walk or cycle from Erlach along the Heidenweg causeway.

What to do on Lake Biel

Boat trips link most lakeside towns through the summer season. The wine trail between Biel and La Neuveville runs about 15 km through vineyards. Cyclists can follow the shore paths and the Aare canal. In summer, public lidos at Biel, Tüscherz and Erlach, plus sailing and paddleboarding, draw crowds.

When should you go?

June to September suits swimming and boat trips. In September and October the grape harvest brings wine festivals to the villages. Winter is quiet, and fog often sits over the water, but on clear days the ride up Chasseral (about 1,600 m) rewards you with views of the lake and the Alps.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bielersee the same as Biel? No. Bielersee is the lake; Biel/Bienne is the city on its northeastern shore.

Can you swim in the lake? Yes. The water is pleasant in summer and several towns operate official beaches and lidos.

How do you reach St. Peter's Island? By boat from Biel or Erlach, or on foot or by bike from Erlach, though access along the causeway depends on the water level.

Is the local wine worth trying? Yes. Vineyards on the northern shore produce white chasselas and red pinot noir, and many cellars in Twann and Ligerz welcome visitors.