In a bid to boost tourism in the region, a floating island is expected to be installed on Lake Neuchâtel. Organisations in four Swiss cantons have backed the project, which will be replicated on Lakes Biel / Bienne and Murten if it proves a success.

Huge artificial island to take to the waters of Lake Neuchâtel

According to a report from the local newspaper Arcinfo, a collection of companies and groups from Neuchâtel, Vaud, Bern and Fribourg have confirmed that they are planning to build a floating island on Lake Neuchâtel. As part of the project, visitors would take boat services from surrounding towns to the island, which will be used to host events and concerts.

Officials see the new venue as a way to boost tourist numbers in the “Three Lakes” region of Switzerland during the winter. Though a popular place to visit during the summer, visitor numbers to the area around Lakes Neuchâtel, Murten and Biel / Bienne drop once the bright boulevards and warm waters get cold and dark.

Neuchâtel fake island inspired by "the Monolith" of 2002

Though a massive floating venue seems radical, it is not a new idea for the region. In fact, a large metal cube called “the Monolith” took to the waters of Lake Murten as part of Expo.02 in 2002. The floating island was visited by several boatloads of passengers and contained a panorama of the Battle of Murten, when the Old Swiss Confederacy decisively defeated Charles the Bold of Burgundy in 1476.

If all goes well, the floating island will be installed during the winter of 2025. If the idea proves a success, it will be repeated in both Biel / Bienne and Murten.