Lac de Pérolles

Lac de Pérolles is a reservoir on the Sarine (German: Saane) river right beside the centre of Fribourg, in western Switzerland. It covers about 0.35 square kilometres and sits between wooded slopes and sandstone cliffs, so a short walk from the railway station puts you in what feels like a wild river valley.

How did the lake come to exist?

The Maigrauge Dam holds the water back. It was built in the early 1870s, with the works running roughly from 1870 to 1872. In 1910 the dam was raised by 2.5 metres, and between 2000 and 2004 it was fully renovated. The reservoir drains a catchment of around 1,250 square kilometres, and the dam has a gated spillway. The lake still feeds hydroelectric generation together with the Oelberg power station, and it helps regulate the flow of the Sarine.

What will you see at the lake?

Nature is the main draw. Reed beds line the shore, molasse cliffs rise above the water, and slope and floodplain forests cover the valley sides. The area is a floodplain of national importance for breeding, wintering and migrating birds, so bring binoculars. The Cistercian Maigrauge Abbey stands nearby on the banks of the Sarine.

How do you get there?

From Fribourg station, follow Boulevard de Pérolles, then Chemin Guillaume-Ritter, and continue on the Sentier Ritter, which descends through forest to the dam. The walk is mostly downhill. Beyond the dam you can take Chemin de l'Abbaye or the Maigrauge promenade along the river towards the Pont de la Motta and the Old Town. One walking-guide site puts the full loop around the lake at about 8.6 km, or just under three hours.

When should you visit?

The walk works all year. Spring and autumn are best for birdwatching, the forest keeps things cool in summer, and low winter sun lights up the cliffs. Wear shoes with good grip, because paths can be damp and steep.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Lac de Pérolles? No. It is a working power reservoir and a protected natural area, so people come for walking and birdwatching rather than bathing.

Is the lake far from Fribourg station? No. You can walk to the dam from the station along the Sentier Ritter, and the route runs mostly downhill.

How was the lake created? Damming the Sarine with the Maigrauge Dam, built in the 1870s and raised in 1910, created it.

Is it a good spot for birdwatchers? Yes. The area is recognised as a floodplain of national importance for birds, and the reeds and forests on its banks give them shelter throughout the year.