Introduction to Murten

18km (11 miles) N of Fribourg; 30km (19 miles) W of Bern

Of the many ancient towns in Switzerland, we find Murten to be one of the most idyllic and beautifully preserved. The town sits on what is called the "language demarcation line," and its residents speak either French or German, and quite often both. Lying on the southern side of the lake Murtensee, known in French as Lac de Morat, Murten forms a gateway into French-speaking Switzerland.