At the southern foot of the Jura, right on Lake Biel, Ligerz has preserved its character as a lakeside wine-growing village. Vineyards shape the village, with the late Gothic church, a local landmark, standing at its heart. Ligerz can thus be explored in different ways: along pilgrimage routes and through local history, through winegrowing and tastings, or along paths by the water.
Church, pilgrimage route and local history
The present-day church was built in the late Gothic style between 1522 and 1526. It stands among the vineyards opposite St. Peter’s Island, with views reaching as far as the Alps. The pilgrimage church lies on the Basel–Payerne Way of St. James and offers a pilgrim stamp. Historically, it is associated with relics from Rome and a special indulgence granted by 15 cardinals. A chapel dedicated to St. Michael in Ligerz was first mentioned in a document as early as 1261.
Those interested in the history of winegrowing will find a tangible point of reference at the «Hof» Viticulture Museum: it is housed in the former manor of the Lords of Ligerz. The carefully renovated house of the Lords of Ligerz has been open to the public since 1973. Guided tours of the village tell the story of the wine-growing village and winegrowing, past and present.
Winegrowing, tastings and regional cuisine
Around 30 winegrowing businesses shape Ligerz. Traditional and new organic grape varieties grow among the dry-stone walls surrounding the village. The Vinitour also leads through the vineyards on Lake Biel: it introduces regional grape varieties and winemakers, and includes wine tastings. On the tour, you visit three wineries and taste 13 wines in total. Details of the offer may vary depending on the date and participating wineries.
Wine can also be paired with village stories: guided tours explore how winegrowing has developed from past to present. Wine cellars may offer Treberwurst, a local sausage, alongside local wine. The Caveau restaurant serves seasonal menus made with fresh regional produce, as well as fresh fish from Lake Biel; check the latest details before visiting.
Routes by the lake and through the vineyards
The Vineyard Trail runs from Biel through the vineyards, past wine-growing villages such as Twann and Ligerz, to La Neuveville. Information boards along the trail share facts about viticulture, grape varieties and the region’s long winegrowing tradition. The pilgrimage route offers a different focus: it leads from Kleintwann through the vines to the church in Ligerz and onwards towards La Neuveville. If you would prefer to plan a guided descent, the scooter tour from Prêles to Ligerz is a fun way to discover the Lake Biel wine region.
The approximately two-kilometre-long fish trail runs directly along Lake Biel between Ligerz and Twann. Nine information and activity stations focus on fish and aquatic habitats. The trail is also suitable for older people, wheelchair users and pushchairs. Important for planning: the municipality currently advises that the fish trail is not passable along its entire length because of SBB construction work. Check the latest notice before planning your walk.
The «vinifuni» takes you from Ligerz up through the vineyards to Prêles. The route starts in the German-speaking municipality of Ligerz and ends in French-speaking Prêles. There, cycling and hiking tours on the Tessenberg and to the Chasseral provide starting points for further excursions.
Village character, landscape and getting there
The village of Ligerz is listed in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Heritage Sites of National Importance (ISOS). The northern shore of Lake Biel is also part of the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance (BLN). Across the wider vineyard area on Lake Biel, dry-stone walls shape the slopes: they prevent erosion and provide habitats for plants and animals such as lizards, wild bees and butterflies. Nature-friendly winegrowing around Ligerz also makes it possible to spot more threatened plants and animals—including birds, insects and reptiles—in the vineyards.
Ligerz can be reached by train, boat, on foot or by bicycle. If travelling by train or boat, it is worth checking the timetables. Public landing stages have seating, shady trees or sunny stretches of beach, where you can relax or swim in the lake. This lets you choose how to explore the village based on your interests, without combining the different routes and activities into a single excursion.
Discover more destinations: Jens, Täuffelen, Sutz-Lattrigen, Twann, Mörigen, Studen, Ipsach, Nidau.
Go to the main travel overview: Nidau.
