Chargé pour Soleure: Wine, Water and History

Join a wine barrel from the Domaine de Soleure on its journey down the Aare from Biel to Solothurn.

The Bielersee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (BSG) takes you from Biel/Bienne to Büren an der Aare. A wine barrel from the Domaine de Soleure is also on board. During the leisurely boat ride through the picturesque river landscape of the Aare, the day begins in a relaxed atmosphere with coffee and croissants.

The first stop on this journey of discovery is the historic town and former customs post of Büren an der Aare. The wine barrel from Domaine de Soleure will disembark from the BSG ship along with you. At the pier, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the wine you’ve brought along straight from the barrel.

Afterward, an exciting guided tour of the town awaits you, led by an expert guide. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of this historic town and hear stories about times past as well as modern-day events.

Afterward, you’ll have the option to enjoy a Baroque-inspired meal at the restaurant “Il Grano” on the banks of the Aare or spend your lunch break on your own at one of the local restaurants.

At 1:55 p.m., the BSG continues its journey toward Solothurn, along with the wine barrel from Domaine de Soleure, which will once again be brought on board. During the leisurely cruise through the idyllic Aare landscape, guests can look forward to an enjoyable wine tasting featuring five selected wines from the Domaine de Soleure. Accompanied by a delicious aperitif, this stretch of the river becomes an atmospheric experience full of enjoyment and regional wine culture.

Upon arrival in Solothurn, an engaging guided tour provides fascinating insights into the history of wine in the city of Solothurn and the significance of the term “Chargé pour Soleure.” In the past, the patricians of Solothurn owned vineyards on Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel and had the wine barrels transported to Solothurn. The tour explains how the wine reached the city back then, what role it played in everyday life, and why even the sick in the hospital were served wine daily.

The tour ends at 4:30 p.m. at the Aaresteg near the Landhaus, where you can witness up close the ceremonial arrival of the wine barrel from the Domaine de Soleure on a pontoon. Guests dressed in Baroque attire create an impressive atmosphere and bring the history of Solothurn to life. Once the barrel has been unloaded, you can taste the wine straight from the barrel. Against the picturesque backdrop of the Aaremüürli along the Landhausquai, the various restaurants and bars invite you to enjoy a delightful end to the evening.

Departure from the BSG Schiffländte in Biel/Bienne

You can reach the BSG Schiffländte in just over 10 minutes from the train station in Biel/Bienne if you know your way around and walk briskly. In this case, you can take the IR 55 from the main train station in Solothurn, which departs Solothurn at 8:26 a.m. and arrives in Biel/Bienne at 8:44 a.m.

If you’re not very familiar with Biel/Bienne and want to be sure you don’t miss the boat, we recommend taking the IC 5, which departs Solothurn at 7:59 a.m. and arrives in Biel/Bienne at 8:14 a.m.

Meet in front of the boat at 8:45 a.m.

It’s also possible to book just the first leg from Biel or just the second leg from Büren an der Aare.