Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) - Paddle steamers


Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman

CGN Page 6: The 2006/2007 Fleet


This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN). This page shows the operational 2006 fleet in photographs taken during July 2006 by Ian Boyle. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. Below this is the 2006 Fleet List in chronological order. There is a table of individual ship histories on the CGN Header Page.

2006 - A Year of Change
2006 saw radical changes to the Lake Geneva timetable, with the withdrawal of all full length sailings along the lake, being replaced by shorter more localised cruises. In addition, the Savoie made a welcome return to service, having undergone a major rebuilding (far more substantial than Simplon received following her accident). 2006 was also the first season for many decades that the Italie was not paddling the lake, having been retired for cost reasons in December 2005. Vevey was rumoured to join her in retirement at the end of 2006. However, she is still working in 2008 and may be the next vessel to be overhauled after La Suisse. Coppet joined the fleet in 2007, and is also shown on this page.

My thanks to Pascal Pouillot (CGN) for his assistance with this page.


Contact:- www.cgn.ch

Ships on this Page in Alphabetical Order:-
Chablais (1974- )
Col-Vert (1960- )
Coppet (2007- )
Général Guisan (1963- )
Grèbe (1960- )
Helvétie (2) (1926- )
Henry Dunant (1962- )
Italie (1908- )
La Suisse (2) (1910- )
Lausanne (2) (1991- )
Lavaux (2006- )
Léman (5) (1990- )
Montreux (1904- )
Morges (2005- )
Rhône (3) (1927- )
Savoie (1914- )
Simplon (3) (1920- )
Vevey (1907- )
Ville de Genève (1978- )

Ships on this Page in Chronological Order:-
34: Montreux (1904- )
36: Vevey (1907- )
37: Italie (1908- )
38: La Suisse (2) (1910- )
40: Savoie (1914- )
41: Simplon (3) (1920- )
42: Helvétie (2) (1926- )
43: Rhône (3) (1927- )
44: Col-Vert (1960- )
45: Grèbe (1960- )
47: Henry Dunant (1962- )
48: Général Guisan (1963- )
50: Chablais (1974- )
51: Ville de Genève (1978- )
52: Léman (5) (1990- )
53: Lausanne (2) (1991- )
54: Morges (2005- )
55: Lavaux (2006- )
56: Coppet (2007- )

Other CGN Pages:-
CGN Header Page
CGN - Page 1 - Paddle Steamers 1822-1886
CGN - Page 2 - Paddle Vessels 1887-2004
CGN - Page 3 - Screw Motor Vessels
CGN - Page 4 - The 2004 Fleet
CGN - Page 5 - The 2005 Fleet
CGN - Page 6 - The 2006 Fleet - this page!

Associated Pages:-
www.cgn.ch - Official CGN website
2008 Summer Timetable - 1MB PDF File - requires Adobe Reader
Société des Mouettes Genevoises - Geneva local ferries
2004 Holiday on Lake Geneva
2005 Weekend in Geneva
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

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34: Montreux (1904- )

Montreux was built in 1904 by Sulzer Brothers of Winterthur. She is 60 metres long and was fitted with a 2-cylinder compound engine of 1000hp, built by Sulzer. In 1962 she was fitted with an 8-cylinder diesel-electric installation of 1100hp, following boiler problems from 1958. She returned to service with a small white motorship funnel. In the winter of 1978-79, Montreux received major hull and superstructure repairs. In 1986, she reverted to a more traditional funnel, although it remained white. The diesel engine and generator equipment received a major service in 1989. In 2001 Montreux received a new 2-cylinder simple engine, and her accommodation was substantially rebuilt, incorporating the dining saloon panelling of the Valais, which had acted as a restaurant ship at Geneva since 1966 (Valais was then scrapped in 2003). The rebuilt accommodation is to a luxurious standard, and Montreux initially ran fairly limited "gastronomic cruises" in association with the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel in Ouchy. However, the unavailability of two major units of the fleet in 2004 (Savoie being rebuilt, and Simplon (3) receiving repairs following her boiler explosion), required that Montreux also took the afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac in the peak season, which leaves Ouchy at 14:15hrs for Evian, St Gingolph, Montreux and Vevey, returning to Ouchy at 18:10hrs. This was preceded by a lunch cruise to Evian between 12:30hrs and 13:55hrs. In the evenings she operated an evening dinner cruise to Yvoire via Morges and Rolle at 18:35hrs, returning at 22:07hrs. She connects at Yvoire with the evening cruise from Geneva, run by Vevey in 2005, providing the possibility of late journeys between Geneva and Lausanne (or vice versa). Her itinerary (but with less frequent evening cruises) had previously been carried out for many years by the La Suisse (2).

In 2006, Montreux adjusted her schedule to run four cruises daily (711/712, 1201/1202, 1202/211 & 403/404) retaining the lunch cruise to Evian (Ouchy dep: 12:30) and the evening Croisière Gastronomique to Yvoire (Ouchy dep: 18:25). The afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac has been replaced by a short Belles Rives Lausannoises cruise to Morges (Ouchy dep: 14:05) and a Riviera Express cruise to Villeneuve (Ouchy dep: 15:25) calling just at Montreux outwards and Chillon and Montreux inwards. The introduction of these express runs is a new feature for 2006, others being run by Rhône (3), although I recall Helvétie (2) ran similar express trips along the whole lake in the 1950s or 1960s.

Additional 2005 images of Montreux are available on this link. Montreux arriving at Yvoire on her evening cruise from Lausanne-Ouchy. Seen from Savoie. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Montreux arriving at Yvoire on her evening cruise from Lausanne-Ouchy.
Seen from Savoie. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Montreux leaving Yvoire on her evening cruise from Lausanne-Ouchy.Seen from Savoie. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. 36: Vevey (1907- )

Vevey and sistership Italie were built in 1907 and 1908. They are 60 metre steamers which were fitted with diesel-electric installations in 1955 and 1958, subsequently proving to be very economical units in the fleet. Vevey ran the Ouchy-Evian ferry service for much of the year until replaced by Léman (5) in 1991. On this service she maintained two crews and operated for about 20 hours each day. In the peak season of 2005, Vevey worked short cruises from Geneva, consisting of a lunch cruise, plus afternoon and evening cruises to Yvoire.

In 2006, Vevey ran a series of circuits around the Haut-Lac Supérieur, replacing the Chablais, which had sometimes been very crowded in recent years. Vevey may be withdrawn at the end of the 2006 season as a cost-saving measure.

Additional 2005 images of Vevey are available on this link.


Vevey at Montreux. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Vevey at Montreux. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Vevey at Montreux. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Vevey at Vevey. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Vevey at Vevey. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. 37: Italie (1908- )

Vevey and sistership Italie were built in 1907 and 1908. They are 60 metre steamers which were fitted with diesel-electric installations in 1955 and 1958, subsequently proving to be very economical units in the fleet. Italie has long been associated with the daily return from Le Bouveret to Geneva and back, taking almost 12 hours. This service will cease at the end of the 2005 season, replaced by shorter runs. Furthermore, Italie will be withdrawn as a cost-saving measure.

Our early holidays on Lake Geneva were at Montreux and Vevey, and we travelled on Italie a lot since she was the first departure for Ouchy, and last return each day. Italie became a firm favourite in the CGN fleet, despite her (very smooth) diesel engine. It is a tragedy that such a beautiful ship needs to be withdrawn for cost reasons. It is planned that Vevey will also be withdrawn at the end of the 2006 season.

In 2006 Italie remained laid up at Ouchy.

Additional 2005 images of Italie are available on this link.


Italie at Ouchy. Seen from La Suisse (2). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2005. Italie at Ouchy. Seen from La Suisse (2). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2005. 38: La Suisse (2) (1910- )

La Suisse (2) was the first of the trio of 70 metre steamers built for Lake Geneva. She was delivered in 1910, and carries 1200 passengers. She was always easily identifiable from the later giants, Simplon (3) and Helvétie (2), by having her boiler ahead of the paddlewheels. Adjusting the boiler's position on the later steamers provided a more spacious internal layout, allowing more passengers to be carried. For many years La Suisse (2) had been used on the Ouchy-based lunchtime cruise to Evian and the afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac, both taken by the Montreux in 2005. In more recent years, La Suisse (2) has returned to the early morning departure from Geneva to St Gingolph and back, a round trip of nearly 12 hours. This is now called the "Rhône Express". 2005 was the last year of this service along the complete length of Lake Geneva.

In 2006 La Suisse leaves Geneva Mont-Blanc at 10:00hrs, and proceeds only as far as Vevey, returning the Geneva Mont-Blanc at 19:35hrs (100/907). She no longer visits Evian, following the Swiss shore throughout apart from a deviation to Nernier and Yvoire both ways. At the end of the 2007 season, La Suisse was withdrawn for major overhaul, and will not sail in 2008.

Additional 2005 images of La Suisse (2) are available on this link.


La Suisse (2) approaching Geneva at the end of her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Seen from Savoie. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. La Suisse (2) approaching Geneva at the end of her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. La Suisse (2) arriving at Lausanne Ouchy on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. La Suisse (2) arriving at Lausanne Ouchy on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. La Suisse (2) between Rolle and Yvoire on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Seen from Simplon (3) Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. La Suisse (2) between Rolle and Yvoire on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Seen from Simplon (3) Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. La Suisse (2) between Rolle and Yvoire on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Seen from Simplon (3) Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. La Suisse (2) between Rolle and Yvoire on her Geneva-Vevey-Geneva circuit (Lignes 1/9). Seen from Simplon (3) Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 40: Savoie (1914- )

Savoie did not sail in 2005, since she was undergoing major reconstruction work. She completed her substantial rebuild in 2006 and re-entered daily service in 2006. It was a far more extensive update than Simplon received last year, and Savoie returned as a virtually new ship, along the lines of the rebuild given to the Montreux. She took over the Geneva cruise roster run previously by Vevey in 2005, and by Simplon in May/June this year. This consists of a lunch cruise (320/321) at 12:20hrs (return 14:00hrs), a return cruise to Yvoire between 14:15hrs-17:55hrs (310/311), and the evening Croisière Gastronomique (340/305), again to Yvoire (where a connection is made with Montreux, allowing evening trips to be made between Geneva and Ouchy or return). All cruises leave from Geneva Jardin Anglais.


Savoie at Geneva Jardin Anglais prior to evening cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Savoie at Yvoire with Montreux and Chablais. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Savoie leaving Geneva on her evening cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Savoie leaving Geneva on her evening cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Savoie at Geneva after her lunch cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Savoie at Geneva after her lunch cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Savoie at Geneva after her lunch cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Savoie at Geneva after her lunch cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Savoie leaving Geneva on her afternoon cruise. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 41: Simplon (3) (1920- )

Simplon, the largest working paddle steamer on the Swiss lakes. Completed in 1920, although started before the First War, she is 70m long and can carry 1500 passengers. A 1400hp 2-Cylinder compound steam engine can drive her at 29.5kph. In recent years she has mainly been used as reserve ship, based at Lausanne-Ouchy, but saw greater use whilst the diesel paddler Montreux was rebuilt with new steam engines. In August 2003, she suffered an engine room pipe burst, but returned to service in July 2005, running opposite Rhône (3) in the peak summer on the two-day roster.

Until the Savoie returned in July, Simplon took her three daily cruises (320/321, 310/311, 340/305). She then took up her main summer roster of a single return (101/304) from Lausanne-Ouchy (dep: 10:35hrs) to Geneva via the Swiss shore (ie: missing Evian), apart from a diversion to Yvoire and Nernier. On reaching Yvoire on her return leg, she does an extra ferry return back Nyon (882/886 returning traffic from Yvoire to Nyon is very heavy at this time). She then proceeds again for Ouchy arriving at 19:25hrs. This trip effectively replaces part of Italie's marathon daily journey of previous years, her Le Bouveret-Ouchy section not being covered by other units. This reduces the scope of Montreux and Vevey as steamer holiday centres, with no early morning connection to Ouchy. I have to admit that Italie was little used until Ouchy, even in the 1980s.

Additional 2005 images of Simplon (3) are available on this link.


Simplon (3) leaving Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Simplon (3) leaving Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Simplon (3) leaving Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Simplon (3) leaving Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Seen from La Suisse (2) Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) arriving at Geneva, with Savoie leaving. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) at Geneva Mont-Blanc. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) leaving St Prex Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) leaving St Prex. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Simplon (3) leaving St Prex. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 42: Helvétie (2) (1926- )

Helvétie (2) was built in 1926, the last of Lake Geneva's trio of 70 metre steamers. In 2004, Helvétie (2) was laid up at Lausanne-Ouchy awaiting a decision on replacement of her twin diesel engines, which had been removed from the Danube paddle tug Goliath. Unlike the other diesel-electric conversions by CGN, this arrangement was not a success. Initially used after conversion on the daily Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva run, she was soon consigned to use on evening dinner cruises from Geneva to Yvoire a couple of times a week. Unlike the other conversions, noise and vibration are considerable at speed, although she did seem to be extremely fast when required to make up for delays. Her original steam engines are located in a museum at Nyon, and there were suggestions that they might be restored to her, although this now seems most unlikely.


Helvétie (2) (left) laid up at the CGN yard, Lausanne-Ouchy, with Italie (centre). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006.

Helvétie (2) (left) laid up at the CGN yard, Lausanne-Ouchy, with Italie (centre). Lausanne (2) (right) and Henry Dunant (between Helvétie (2) and Italie) were reserve boats, and both were in service on charters on the Sunday we were there. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006.

43: Rhône (3) (1927- )

Rhône was built in 1927, the last paddle steamer built for CGN. Her 2-cylinder compound engine has hydraulically-driven valves and an automatic lubrication system which requires enclosed cranks. She previously worked the daily Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva service opposite Italie, but now works one of the two-day rosters with Henry Dunant or, in peak season in 2005, with Simplon (3). This requires overnight stops in either Ouchy and Geneva, running alternately Geneva-Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy, then Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy-Geneva.

Additional 2005 images of Rhône are available on this link.


Rhône arriving at Vevey from St Gingolph. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône arriving at Vevey from St Gingolph. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône arriving at Vevey from St Gingolph. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône at Lausanne-Ouchy with Henry Dunant. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône leaving Lausanne-Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône leaving Lausanne-Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône leaving Lausanne-Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Rhône leaving Lausanne-Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. 44: Col-Vert (1960- )

In 2005, Col-Vert operated short cruises out of Geneva. In 2006 she replaced Grèbe on ferry trips from Yvoire to Thonon.

A complete history of Col-Vert starts on this link.
Additional images of Col-Vert in 2005.


Col-Vert at Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Col-Vert at Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. 45: Grèbe
(CGN: 1960-2006)
(Mouettes Genevoises: 2006- )

In 2005, Grèbe operated short ferry trips around Yvoire and Nyon. In 2006 Grèbe was replaced by the new Lavaux. She passed to the Société des Mouettes Genevoises and runs short trips from Geneva.
A complete history of Grèbe starts on this link. Additional images of Grèbe in 2005. Grèbe at Geneva, still undergoing conversion by her new owners.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th July 2006. 47: Henry Dunant (1962- )

During the peak summer of 2005 (mid-July to Mid-August), Henry Dunant was kept as the spare and charter boat at Geneva. Outside this period, she operated one of the two-day rosters with the Rhône (3), but was displaced by the Simplon during the short height of the season.

In 2006, Henry Dunant was kept as spare boat at Lausanne Ouchy, but operated a charter on the Sunday I was there.

Additional images of Henry Dunant are available on this link.
Henry Dunant in the CGN yard at Lausanne Ouchy as spare ship. Visible on the larger image between Helvétie (2) and Italie. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. 48: Général Guisan (1963- )
In 2005, Général Guisan operated a morning return trip to Geneva from Ouchy, followed by three evening returns to Evian, Evian/Thonon and Evian. The Thonon trip is marketed as a dinner cruise.

In 2006 she again operated local trips out of Ouchy. Additional 2005 images of Général Guisan are available on this link. Général Guisan arriving at Lausanne Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Général Guisan at Lausanne Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. Général Guisan arriving at Lausanne Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd July 2006. 50: Chablais (1974- )
For many years, Chablais has operated on a circular route around the Haut-Lac Supérieur, between Le Bouveret-St Gingolph-Vevey-Montreux-Villeneuve-Le Bouveret and intermediate piers. She completed 5 circuits each day in 2005. Her blue livery is sponsored by an ice-cream company, and has changed since 2004. She was frequently very busy on this service.

In 2006 she replaced the Ville de Genève on ferry runs from Yvoire and Nyon, her place being taken by the larger Vevey on the Haut-Lac Supérieur. Additional 2005 images of Chablais are available on this link. Chablais arriving at Yvoire. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. 51: Ville de Genève (1978- )
In 2005 Ville de Genève operated a series of ferry runs in the Nyon/Yvoire area. During the peak summer of 2004, Ville de Genève had been kept as the spare and charter boat at Ouchy (replaced by Lausanne in 2005). For many years she had operated the lunch and evening cruises out of Geneva, and is luxuriously appointed for charter work.

In 2006 Ville de Genève was maintained as spare and charter boat at Geneva, and is regularly used by corporate customers and groups. Additional 2005 images of Ville de Genève are available on this link. Ville de Genève on a Sunday charter. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 52: Léman (5) (1990- )
Léman (5) operates most of the ferry services between Evian and Ouchy. Many French people commute to Lausanne for work, and there is busy return traffic on market days in Evian. Léman (5) is easily the easily attractive CGN vessel to travel on, with functional plastic seating, little open deck space, and no difference between classes. Whilst accepting the need for a warm enclosed ferry in winter, surely some of the side panels could have been made removable during the hot summer months. Additional images of Léman (5) are available on this link. No images taken in 2006 53: Lausanne (2) (1991- )

Lausanne (2) is an impressively large ship with three full decks. In peak summer she runs three cruises out of Geneva each day, those at lunchtime and the evening being marketed as gastronomic cruises with excellent food served on the top deck. When first built, she was tried on the Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva "Rhône Express". In 2004 she ran the Geneva lunch and evening cruises, but in the peak season of 2005, these were taken by the Vevey.

In 2006 Lausanne (2) is spare and charter boat based at Lausanne Ouchy, but sees regular use on corporate and group charters. Additional images of Lausanne (2) are available on this link. Lausanne (2) on a Sunday charter. She is a very elegant motorship and makes a spectacular site at speed. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 54: Morges (2005- ) Morges at Yvoire Photo: © Marika 55: Lavaux (2006- ) Lavaux at Geneva. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 21st July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2006. 56: Coppet (2007- ) Coppet at Yvoire Photo: © Marika Coppet at Yvoire Photo: © Marika Coppet at Yvoire Photo: © Marika Coppet at Yvoire Photo: © Marika Coppet at Yvoire Photo: © Marika CGN Header Page - CGN - Page 1 - CGN - Page 2 - CGN - Page 3 - CGN - Page 4 - CGN - Page 5 - CGN - Page 6 Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards Top of Page - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards �1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved Free Web Counter Times viewed since 09/01/2008: