Ships

Ships on Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is at the southwestern tip of Switzerland and also partly forms the border to France. Geneva itself lies at the southwest of the lake, where the river Rhone leaves the lake and flows towards France. The fleet of the shipping company there, the CGN, is unique due to the many Belle Epoque paddle steamers.

The oldest ship of the fleet is the steam ship Montreux from 1904. Here it travels on the lake close to the Chateau de Chillon. [Aug 2014].

Montreux particulars: Passengers: 560 pax. Length: 68.3 m Width: 14.50m Shipyard: Gebrüder Sulzer. The ship passes the castle of Chillon on its course to the landing bridge there. [Aug 2014].
The Vevey entered service in 1907. But she no longer is a steamship, as she was converted to diesel-electric propulsion in 1952. It makes operation more economical, but negatively influence passenger comfort and experience. The Vevey approaches the city of Vevey. [Aug 2014].
Vevey Particulars: Passengers: 560 pax. Length: 66.0m Width: 13.90m Shipyard: Gebrüder Sulzer. The Vevey has just departed from the landing bridge of Chillon and now curves in a wide arc back towards Lausanne. [Aug 2014].
This is a view of the Chateau de Chillon with the Swiss flag of the Vevey to one side. This impressive castle is one of the main attractions on Lake Geneva. Many visitors come here by ship. [Aug 2014].
The steamp ship La Suisse is the largest paddle steamer in Switzerland. It entered service in 1910. But because the salon on the main deck and the entire upper deck are reserved for first class passengers, not much space remains for second class passengers. This makes the paddle steamers of the CGN somewhat uncomfortable for ordinary folks. The La Suisse is underway near Montreux. [Aug 2014].
La Suisse Particulars: Passengers: 850 pax. Length: 73.80m Width: 15.90m Shipyard: Gebrüder Sulzer. The La Suisse near Montreux. The Chateau de Chillon can be seen in the background. There is also the ugly motorway, which is a blot on the nice shores of Lake Geneva. [Aug 2014].
The steam ship Rhone was built in 1923 as the last paddle steamer in Switzerland. The Rhone lies at the landing bridge in Geneva. [Jul 2015].
Rhone Particulars: Passengers: 600 pax. Length: 68.0 m Width: 14.30m Shipyard: Gebrüder Sulzer. The Rhone departs from the Bay of Geneva. In the background is the Jet d'Eau. [Jul 2015].
There are more paddle steamers and a whole row of motor ships on Lake Geneva, but unfortunately I hardly met any of them and do not have photos of them. [Jul 2015].
In Geneva these little ships operate as ferries in the bay. They are called mouette. This is the mouette Rouss'eau. [Jul 2015].