Reformed French church (former St. Catherine's Chapel) with rectory

The French Church (Französische Kirche) in Murten is a late Gothic Reformed church in the north-eastern corner of the old town of Murten (French: Morat), in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It occupies the site where St. Catherine's Chapel was re-established after the destruction of the Burgundian Wars, and it forms an ensemble with a rectory listed in the Swiss heritage inventory.

What is the history of the church?

In 1239 a hospital for the poor was founded on the southern edge of Murten, with a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine. It stood near where the railway station is today. During the defensive preparations of 1475 and 1476, ahead of the siege by Charles the Bold, the chapel was pulled down so it could not shelter attackers. After the Battle of Murten in 1476 it was rebuilt inside the town walls, and work on the present late Gothic building began in 1481.

The church has long served the town's French-speaking community, which explains the name. Today it hosts Reformed congregation services.

What can you see inside and around it?

The church is small, with seating for roughly 150, and the interior feels intimate. Above the entrance hangs a plaque honouring the reformer Guillaume (Wilhelm) Farel, who preached the Reformation in Murten in 1530. For anyone tracing Protestant history in Switzerland, that plaque is the main reason to stop.

The building sits in a quiet part of the old town, away from the main shopping street. Pair the visit with a walk along Murten's medieval ramparts, which can be followed around the whole town, and with views over Lake Murten.

How do you get to the French Church?

The address is Französische Kirchgasse 16, 3280 Murten. From the railway station it is a short walk into the old town, then north-east through the lanes. Murten has its own railway station right beside the old town, so the train is the easiest way to arrive.

When should you visit?

It is a working place of worship, so the interior can be closed outside services and parish events. The parish office (kirche-murten.ch) can confirm access. The exterior can be seen year-round, and late spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons for exploring the old town.

Is it the same as the German Church?

No. Murten has two Reformed churches, one French and one German, in different parts of town. Check the address before you set off.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a working church? Yes, it is a parish place of worship, so access depends on service times.

When was the building constructed? Construction began in 1481 in the late Gothic style, on a new site inside the walls that replaced the earlier St. Catherine's Chapel.

What does the plaque above the door commemorate? The reformer Guillaume Farel and his activity in Murten in 1530.

How many people does it hold? About 150.

Who do you ask about opening hours? The Murten parish office: [email protected] or +41 26 672 37 00.