As a vessel type, the “Neuchâtel” is the last half-saloon steamboat in Switzerland, the last river and lake steamboat in the country, and also the last remaining steamboat in the Jura lakes region. The vessel is built particularly low so that it can pass under all bridges of the Zihl and Broye canals. For this purpose, its funnel can be folded down and its ventilators are removable.
Built by Escher-Wyss in Zurich to carry 550 passengers, the "Neuchâtel" has a length of 46 m at the waterline and a displacement of 153 t. During 57 years of activity, she covered 194'657 km (annual average 3415 km).
The steamer "Neuchâtel" was launched on May 9, 1912, just in time for a triumphal race, carrying singers with the official banner from Le Landeron, the cantonal border, to Neuchâtel. But the largest steamer in the Jura lakes was built to fulfill a dream: it was to restore navigation on the Biel-Yverdon tourist route after a fifty-year interruption.
With the advent of the railroad, navigation had been reduced to the utilitarian services from Neuchâtel to Estavayer and Murten. In 1913, the "Neuchâtel" inaugurated the daily service from Biel to Neuchâtel, while an identical boat, the "Fribourg", provided the connection to Yverdon. Unfortunately, this attractive offer was short-lived: it ended the following year already, because of the war. Since then, the two large steamers have been sailing mainly on beautiful summer Sundays. In 1954, the "Neuchâtel" began a new life with the installation of oil burners.
Carrying capacity: 300 persons
Length: 46m
Largest width: 11m
Displacement: 153 T
Max. Speed: 23 km/h (at 56 rpm)
LNM Navigation SA
Quai du Port 1
CP 3128
2001 Neuchâtel
