Île Saint-Pierre: the boat crossing from La Neuveville

An island on a child's scale in the middle of Lake Biel

Some outings stay with children for a long time, and taking a boat to an island is one of them. In the middle of Lake Biel, the Île Saint-Pierre is in fact a peninsula joined to the shore by a strip of land, but almost everyone arrives by water, and it is far better that way. From the landing stage at La Neuveville, the crossing leads to a place apart: beaches all around the shoreline, paths under the trees, a former Cluniac priory built in the 12th century, and not a single car. Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed here for two months in 1765 and drew famous pages from it: the children could not care less, but the parents appreciate it.

What your children will discover

They discover the boat first, the boarding, the deck, the wake. Then the island itself, which is explored on foot and lends itself to every kind of adventure: idyllic beaches spread all along the shore, shaded picnic areas, flat paths that circle the estate. You swim, you look for a corner of your own, you set off walking again. The most curious go into the buildings of the former priory and understand that such a peaceful place has had several lives: monastery, farm, writer's retreat.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

You spend the whole day here, without a watch. The absence of cars completely changes the atmosphere: children run ahead, families settle wherever they like, and the pace follows the boat timetable. The beaches are numerous and spread out, so you almost always find a quiet corner, even in summer. It is an outing that mixes swimming, easy walking and a little history, and it works just as well with toddlers as with teenagers.

Before you go

• Recommended age: all ages, the island is easy to explore on foot
• Duration: a full day
• Price: the crossing is charged, allow around CHF 30 return from La Neuveville without a half-fare travelcard; around CHF 22 from Gléresse
• Free for children: the crossing is announced as free for children on Saturdays, to be confirmed with the company
• Pushchair accessibility: flat paths on the island, boarding at the landing stage
• Transport: train to La Neuveville, then boat from the landing stage
• Best season: from late June to late August to combine swimming and walking

Tips from parents

• Check the boat timetable before setting off, and above all the last return: that is the one thing not to miss.
• Saturday is the best day for your budget if the free travel for children is confirmed by the company.
• Bring everything you need, the offering on the island is limited and island prices are never gentle.
• Take the train to La Neuveville: the outing becomes far simpler without a car to collect.
• Bring swimming costumes, towels and light walking shoes: the day alternates between beaches and paths.

Useful information

• Address: Île Saint-Pierre, Lake Biel; boarding at the La Neuveville landing stage
• Official website: https://www.lacdebienne.ch/
• Opening hours: according to the navigation company's timetable, main season from spring to autumn
• Access (transport): train to La Neuveville then boat; connections also from Gléresse, Cerlier and Neuchâtel via the Thielle canal

Why we recommend it

Because it is one of the rare outings in French-speaking Switzerland where the journey is part of the pleasure, and because a car-free island remains a rare playground of freedom for children. Beaches, picnic, easy walking, a little history: it all fits into one day, without ever having to choose between swimming and discovery.

In a nutshell

A car-free island in the middle of Lake Biel, with beaches and picnic areas, reached by boat from La Neuveville.