Boat Cruises from Biel/Bienne

ABOVE: Erlach Castle, Bielersee (Lake Biel/Bienne)..

The bilingual city of Biel/Bienne makes a fine jumping-off point for cruises on the Bielersee (Lac de Bienne), Lac de Neuchâtel, and the Murtensee (Lac de Morat). Swiss lake steamers ply a variety of routes that are listed in the Swiss Official Timetable. The main sailing season is June through September, with some boats running on a limited schedule from early April until late October. Not all boats stop at every village along the way, so check schedules carefully if you intend to disembark between major ports.

All boats have snack bars, and some have restaurants. (Restaurant reservations are advised for breakfast, lunch, and dinner sailings.)

Most boats carry a limited number of bicycles for a small fee.

Biel/Bienne - Erlach (Bielersee cruise)

Some of the boats on this route continue to Murten or Neuchâtel, but most finish their journey at Erlach on Lake Biel/Bienne. (See photo above.) The Bielersee is a relatively small lake with beaches on the southern shore, wine villages on the northern hillsides, and walking paths that make it easy to combine boat travel with leisurely hikes.

If you're a bird and wildlife buff, allow time for a visit to the nature preserve of St. Petersinsel or Île St-Pierre (St. Peter's Island). You can visit the restored inn (a former monastery) where Jean-Jacques Rousseau took a break from civilization for two months in 1765.

Another option is a roundtrip cruise. The 9:50 breakfast boat reaches Erlach at 11:05 a.m., then turns around and returns to Biel at 12:15 p.m. The 7:10 evening boat stops briefly in Erlach at 8:25 p.m., then arrives back in Biel/Bienne at 10:15 p.m.

Biel/Bienne - Neuchâtel

Every day but Monday from June through September, boats leave Biel/Bienne at 11:20 a.m. and 4:50 p.m., reaching Neuchâtel at 1:28 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. respectively.

Departures from Neuchâtel are at 2:05 p.m. and 3:40 p.m., arriving in Biel/Bienne at 4:35 p.m. and 6 p.m.

This itinerary includes the 15-km (9-mile) length of Lake Biel, a stretch of canal, and a small portion of Lake Neuchâtel.

Continued on page 2

Photo: Aztech Corp.

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