Ships

Ships on Lakes Murten and Neuchatel

Lakes Murten and Neuchatel are connected by the Broye Canal. Lake Neuchatel in turn is connected through the Zihl Canal with Lake Biel. That's why two companies operate ships on Lakes Murten and Neuchatel: the LNM (Navigation Lacs de Neuchatel et Morat) based in Neuchatel; and the BSG (Bielersee-Schifffahrts-Gesellschaft) based in Biel. I did not spend much time on these lakes, so that there are only very few photos.

The oldest ship of the LNM is the paddle steamer Neuchâtel, which was built in 1912 by Escher Wyss in Zürich. The ship was taken out of service in 1969 and then served as a restaurant. After a long overhaul it entered service again in 2013. Here it is in the port of Neuchâtel, the city that gives the ship its name. [May 2025].

Unfortunately the Neuchâtel was not in service that day. Neuchâtel particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 48.60m Width: 11.20m. [May 2025].
The steam ship Fribourg is on firm ground in Portalban, where it serves as restaurant. It is the sister ship of the Neuchâtel and was built by Escher Wyss in 1913. The Fribourg was taken out of service in 1965 and since then has stood in Portalban. [May 2025].
The oldest ship on the lakes is the steam boat Sirius, which was built 1909 in Hamburg-Harburg as the motor boat Monte Brè for Lake Lugano. From 1912 to 1917 it then was on the Lac de Joux, then on Lake Hallwil, finally there getting the name MS Hallwil. The hull of the ship was then used to build the steamer Sirius. The steam engine on the ship was built in England in 1885. The steam boat first operated on Lake Zurich, but was brought to Lake Murten in 2007. [Sep 2014].
Here is the Sirius in the port of Murten, together with the motor boat Escapade. Sirius particulars: Passengers: 12 pax. Length: 11.30m Width: 2.80m. Draft: 1.00m. Since 2022 the steam boat Sirius belongs to the Dampfschiff SIRIUS AG and is available for charter. [May 2025].
The Murten also has had a varied background. The motor ship was built 1925 in Stralsund as the MS Hindenburg and worked under various names on the lake of Schwerin. From 1950 to 1989 it carried the name Sowjetfreundschaft - Soviet friendship. In 2012 the ship came to Heidelberg, where it was used on the river Neckar. Finally in 2016 it arrived on Lake Murten. Murten particulars: Passengers: 60 pax. Length: 21.30m Width: 4.40m. Draft: 1.25m. The Murten belongs to the Olagomio AG and is available for charter. [May 2025].
The medieval city of Murten perches on top of a hill near the lake. Below it is the port with a breakwater. [Aug 2015].
The motor ship Ville D'Estavayer, operated by LNM, approaches Cudrefin on Lake Neuchatel. It was built in 1961 at the Bodanwerft in Kressbronn, Germany. The ship later received a new bridge. [Sep 2014].
Ville D'Estavayer particulars: Passengers: 240 pax. Length: 32.00m Width: 7.50m. The Ville D'Estavayer passes another ship on the Broye Canal and its crew and passengers wave enthusiastically. [May 2025].
The Ville D'Yverdon of the LNM sits at the wharf in the Port of Murten. The ship was built by Schiffswerft Linz AG in Austria in 1965. [May 2025].
The Ville D'Yverdon departs aft from Vallamand on Lake Murten, before turning and heading towards Murten again. Ville D'Yverdon particulars: Passengers: 560 pax. Length: 49.07m Width: 9.00m. Draft: 1.30m. [Aug 2015].
This is the entrance to the Broye Canal from Lake Murten, here seen from the bow of the motor vessel Ville D'Yverdon. [May 2025].
The view from the aft deck of the Ville D'Yverdon on the exit from the Broye Canal to Lake Neuchatel. [May 2025].
The Ville D'Yverdon departs the wharf in Neuchâtel travelling aft. The classic building in the background is the former Post Hotel, which stands directly by the port. [May 2025].
The Ville D'Yverdon leaves the Port of Neuchâtel in reverse to continue its three-lake voyage to Biel. [May 2025].
The Ville de Neuchatel of the LNM was built in 1972 by the Schiffswerft Linz in Austria. Here the ship approaches Neuchâtel. In the background are the mountains of the Gruyère region. [May 2025].
The Ville de Neuchatel departs from Portalban on Lake Neuchâtel. Ville de Neuchatel particulars: Passengers: 520 pax. Length: 48.2m Width: 9.00m. [May 2025].
The Ville de Neuchatel travels towards Portalban. On this day it was used for voyages from Neuchâtel towards the nearby villages on Lake Neuchâtel. [May 2025].
The Ville de Neuchatel arrives in Portalban. Even though it was a sunny day, Lake Neuchâtel was still quite cold and not really comfortable for swimming. In Portalban there is a large, artificial sandy beach and in summer this is a busy place. [May 2025].
The motor ship Petersinsel, operated by the BSG, is berthed at Murten at the start of its cruise across the three lakes to Biel. The Petersinsel was built in 1976 by Schiffswerft Linz in Austria. [Sep 2014].
View from the stern of the Petersinsel as it travels along the Broye ship canal. Petersinsel particulars: Passengers: 700 pax. Length: 53.15m Width: 10.50m. [Sep 2014].
The Petersinsel departs La Sauge on the Broye Canal. Note how the mast is folded down so that the ship can pass under the bridges that cross the canal. [Sep 2014].
The motor vessel Fribourg of the LNM was built in 1995 by the Meidericher Schiffswerft in Duisburg, Germany. Here the Fribourg arrives at the Port of Neuchâtel. [May 2025].
The Fribourg travels along the shore of Neuchâtel. Fribourg particulars: Passengers: 560 pax. Length: 53.30m Width: 9.13m. [May 2025].