Estavayer-le-Lac

Estavayer-le-Lac is a municipality in the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. It is located on the south shore of Lake Neuchâtel and is known for its picturesque medieval town. The town is also famous for its unique Frog Museum, which houses a collection of stuffed frogs in various scenes of everyday life in the 19th century.

History

Estavayer-le-Lac was founded in the 11th century by the Counts of Neuchâtel. The town was originally a fishing village, but it quickly developed into a thriving trade center due to its strategic location on the lake and its proximity to the Jura Mountains. In the 13th century, the town was granted a charter by the Counts of Savoy, which allowed it to become an independent city-state.

Geography

Estavayer-le-Lac is located in the Broye region of the Canton of Fribourg. The town is situated on the south shore of Lake Neuchâtel, the largest lake entirely in Switzerland. The municipality includes the villages of Font, Rueyres-les-Prés, Vuissens, and Surpierre.

Attractions

The town's main attraction is its well-preserved medieval town center, which includes the Castle of Estavayer, the Collegiate Church of Saint-Laurent, and several historic houses. The Frog Museum, or Musée des grenouilles, is another popular tourist destination. The museum houses a collection of over 100 stuffed frogs, which were collected by a local schoolteacher in the 19th century.

Healthcare

Estavayer-le-Lac is served by the Hôpital Intercantonal de la Broye (HIB), which provides a range of medical services to the local community. The hospital is part of the Fribourg Hospital Network, which includes several other hospitals and clinics in the canton.