CGN

Who they are

The Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman was founded in 1873, when three of the lake's shipping companies merged; its statutes date from 16 January of that year. The history of steam on Lake Geneva begins earlier: in 1823 the William Tell, Switzerland's first paddle steamer, was launched here. Today CGN is a group with two companies: CGN SA, which provides the public transport service and operates the whole fleet, and CGN Belle Epoque SA, a non-profit, which owns the historic boats and looks after their conservation. It has about 10,000 shareholders; the lakeside cantons and municipalities hold 57.3%, and the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais provide most of the investment to renew the fleet. The head office is in Lausanne-Ouchy, where it has its own shipyard.

The Belle Époque fleet

Its pride is eight paddle steamers from the Belle Époque, of the first decades of the 20th century, kept as close as possible to their original appearance: Montreux, Vevey, Italie, La Suisse, Savoie, Simplon, Helvétie and Rhône. CGN says it has the largest fleet of this type in the world by passenger capacity. Some are still steam-powered and others were converted to diesel. The steamer Rhône and the Savoie and the diesel Vevey and Italie sail all year; the steamers La Suisse and Montreux usually run from mid-April to mid-October. Alongside them are modern boats, from the 200-seaters of 2005 to 2008 to the Lausanne, with 1,500.

What it offers

Besides the scheduled lines, CGN links the Swiss shore with the French one: Geneva, Nyon, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Le Bouveret, Évian and Thonon, with the commuter lines N1 to N4. For visitors it offers circular cruises, dining cruises, departures for groups, private boat hire and cruises combined with visits on land. In winter it schedules special sailings, such as the Friday dinner off Geneva or the Sunday lunch on board.

Tickets and rules

The Swiss Travel Pass, the GA travelcard and the Swiss Half Fare Card are valid on all cruises except events. Children under 6 travel free and from 6 pay half; there is no discount for seniors or students. Tickets are bought online, at the ticket office or on board at no surcharge; seats are not numbered. Dogs pay a half-fare second-class ticket, and small ones in a bag go free. About ten bikes fit on each boat, for 15 francs a day, and it is best to let them know. Wheelchairs can usually board, depending on the boat and the occupancy, and all boats have an accessible toilet. Outside meal times, the dining room and the upper deck are first class. Cruise packages with a meal are not refunded except with a medical or death certificate.

Useful information

To disembark in France you need a valid national ID card or passport. The website is in French, German and English. Contact on +41 848 811 848; timetables and service notices are on its website.