The Three Lakes region brings together Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Biel and Lake Murten at the foot of the Jura, north-east of Lausanne, and it is reached from Geneva Airport by motorway without crossing any border; Lausanne, on the way, is 61 km or about 45 minutes from GVA. It is a quieter alternative to Switzerland's famous lakes, with vineyards, a medieval walled town and a bilingual character, and AirportsTransfers.ch can take you there for a stay or a long day out.
- The lakes: Neuchâtel, Biel/Bienne and Murten/Morat, linked by canals
- Highlights: Neuchâtel old town, Murten's ramparts, St Peter's Island
- Wine: Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Œil-de-Perdrix rosé
- Languages: French and German meet here, Biel is officially bilingual
- Character: calm, uncrowded, easy to explore by boat and car
Neuchâtel: the yellow-stone town
Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake entirely within Switzerland, and its main town sits on the northern shore below the slopes of the Jura. Neuchâtel is built largely of a warm, yellow limestone, which gave rise to the old description of the town as made of butter. Its hilltop castle and the Collegiate Church form a striking group above the old town, where fountains, squares and lanes lead down to the lake. The town is known for its watchmaking heritage, its university and its museums, including a museum of art and history with celebrated eighteenth-century automata. Along the lake, the promenade and the port are pleasant for an evening walk, and the vineyards rising behind the town are a reminder that wine is part of daily life here.
Vineyards along the lakes
The northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and the slopes above Lake Biel are lined with vineyards. Around Neuchâtel, villages such as Auvernier and Cortaillod produce Chasselas, often served unfiltered in its first months, Pinot Noir, and a pale rosé called Œil-de-Perdrix, a speciality of the region. On the northern shore of Lake Biel, the wine villages of Ligerz, Twann and Schernelz cling to steep terraces between the water and the forest, with narrow lanes, old winegrowers' houses and small cellars offering tastings. A vineyard path links them, with views over the lake and St Peter's Island. Because the cellars are spread out along winding lanes, a chauffeur is the comfortable way to enjoy a tasting day without anyone needing to drive.
Medieval Murten and its ramparts
Murten, or Morat in French, sits on the shore of the smallest of the three lakes and is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Switzerland. Its ring of walls is almost complete, and visitors can walk along the covered wall walk, with views over the brown-tiled rooftops to the lake and, on clear days, the Alps. The main street is lined with arcades, fountains and old houses, and the castle overlooks the water. The town is associated with the Battle of Murten in the fifteenth century, a famous episode in Swiss history. Murten is bilingual, with French and German both spoken, and its lakefront is ideal for a relaxed lunch. In summer, boats link it to Neuchâtel and the other lakes via the canals.
Lake Biel and St Peter's Island
Lake Biel stretches between the watchmaking city of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland's largest officially bilingual town, and the small town of La Neuveville. Its best-known feature is St Peter's Island, actually a long peninsula since the water levels were lowered by a major regulation project in the nineteenth century. The philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed there and wrote warmly about it, and the former monastery on the island now offers hospitality. It can be reached by boat or on foot along a narrow causeway from Erlach. The Three Lakes are connected by canals, so a boat journey from Neuchâtel to Murten or Biel is possible in season, offering a slow and peaceful way to move between them.
Visiting with AirportsTransfers.ch
The Three Lakes region is spread out, with villages that are not always well served by public transport, so a car makes visits easier. AirportsTransfers.ch offers transfers from Geneva Airport to any hotel in the region, as well as chauffeur services by the hour, from two hours, for vineyard and town tours. Book online, see the fixed price per vehicle and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you are arriving by air, your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you in arrivals with a name sign and waits at no extra charge in case of delay. Sedans suit couples and business travellers, a Mercedes V-Class welcomes up to seven passengers, and child seats are available on request. Reach the team at +41 78 346 56 77 at any time.
