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


Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman

CGN Page 2: Paddle Vessels - 1887-2004


This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN). An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. Below this is the Fleet List - Part 2 in chronological order. There is a table of individual ship histories on the CGN Header Page.

This is the second of two pages giving an overview of all Lake Geneva paddle steamers. Page 1 covers ships up to the France of 1882. The page division is based on the fact that Major Davel was the oldest steamer to survive into the modern colour postcard age. She was also the last Geneva steamer to be built by Escher Wyss of Zurich, all subsequent deliveries coming from Sulzer Brothers of Winterthur.


Ships on This Page:-
31: Major Davel (1889-1968)
32: Genève (1896- )
33: Lausanne (1900-19--)
34: Montreux (1904- )
35: Général Dufour (1905-19--)
36: Vevey (1907- )
37: Italie (1908- )
38: La Suisse (2) (1910- )
39: Valais (1913-2003)
40: Savoie (1914- )
41: Simplon (3) (1920- )
42: Helvétie (2) (1926- )
43: Rhône (3) (1927- )
E: Venoge (1905- ) Non-passenger vessel

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

Associated Pages:-
www.cgn.ch - Official CGN website
2008 Summer Timetable - 1MB PDF File - requires Adobe Reader
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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31: Major Davel (1889-1968)

Major Davel was the last Geneva steamer to be built by Escher Weiss of Zurich, being delivered in 1892. She pleased her owners with her speed of 25 km/hr combined with good fuel economy. Major Davel was the last half-saloon steamer built for the lake. In 1926 she received major revisions to her half-saloon, and a smoking saloon was added in front of the bridge. Major Davel was out of use during the Second War, returning to service in 1947. In the early 1960s, she operated in the Haut-Lac. It was decided in 1966 that she would be withdrawn, but ran a 75 Years anniversary cruise in 1967. Her navigation licence expired in February 1968. However, in 1969, Major Davel was sold for use as a club house in Port-Ripaille, where she was moved in 1970, stripped of her engines. The project fell through, and Major Davel was moved to Thonon, where she suffered badly due to vandalism. The town of Thonon became owners in 1975. Her condition deteriorated over the years, but attempts were made to save her in the late 1980s. An application to have her classed as an ancient monument (as happened to the funicular in nearby Evian) was lodged with the Ministry of Culture, and Major Davel was moved to the CGN yard in Ouchy in October 1989 to await a response. Unfortunately this was negative, so the last surviving half-saloon Geneva steamer was taken to Bouveret for demolition in 1990.

A complete history of Major Davel starts on this link.


Postcard of Major Davel at Geneva.


Postcard of Major Davel at Geneva.


Superb aerial colour postcard of Major Davel with yellow funnel, in her later years of CGN service.


Major Davel at Thonon-les-Bains.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1986.


Major Davel at Thonon-les-Bains.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1988.








32: Genève (1896- )

A complete history of Genève starts on this link.






Genève at Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004.


Genève at Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004.








33: Lausanne (1900-19--)

A complete history of Lausanne starts on this link.


Lausanne at Montreux, showing two-colour cream/white livery.


Lausanne as rebuilt as a diesel-electric ship.
Linda Color (Geneva) 8296.








34: Montreux (1904- )

Montreux are 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 is preceded by a lunch cruise to Evian between 12:30hrs and 13:55hrs. In the evenings she operates an evening dinner cruise to Yvoire via Morges and Rolle at 18:35hrs, returning at 22:07hrs. Additional staff and food are brought from the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel, which is of a very high standard, albeit pretty expensive at 68CHF for the buffet, and 90 CHF for the complete meal (the cruise costing another 37 CHF). The evening sailings were all well patronised during my visit in July/August 2004. Her itinerary had previously been carried out for many years by the amazing La Suisse (2), the only operational 70 metre Swiss paddle steamer in 2004.

A complete history of Montreux starts on this link.
Additional 2004 images of Montreux are available on this link.


Montreux in original condition, with two-colour livery and open-backed wheelhouse.


Montreux in later condition, with modified funnel and fixed upper-deck canopy.


Montreux at Ouchy with white "motorship" funnel, with earlier wheelhouse.
Editions Perrochet (Lausanne) 5271.


Postcard of Montreux.
This card shows the later modern wheelhouse.
The modern wheelhouse was replaced with a more traditional design when converted back to steam.
Published: As de Coeur LL2.
Photo: © S.Deschamps.


Postcard of Montreux at St Gingolph with white "steamer" funnel.
Editions Jaeger (Geneva) 6803.


Photograph of Montreux leaving Vevey, with yellow "steamer" funnel.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1995.


Postcard of Montreux as rebuilt as a steamship.
Editions Perrochet (Lausanne) 11797.



One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Montreux. The modern image shows her after receiving a new funnel (painted yellow in 1989), but still retaining diesel engines.



Photograph of Montreux arriving at Pully on her afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.


Photograph of Montreux arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy after her afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004.


Photograph of Montreux arriving at Ouchy at 18:10hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004.








35: Général Dufour (1905-1977)

Général Dufour was a sistership to Montreux, delivered the previous year. She was always considered to be be very heavy on fuel consumption, and in 1929 was made the reserve boat based at Geneva. The following year she received modifications to both her machinery and boilers, and the saloons were refurbished. She was withdrawn at the start of the Second War in 1939, due again to her high fuel consumption.


Général Dufour, in original two-tone cream/white livery, at Geneva (posted 1928).


Postcard of Général Dufour.
Scan: Reto Raeth


Général Dufour, in original two-tone cream/white livery, at Territet.


Général Dufour at Le Bouveret, with the Venoge trans-shipping freight from the railway.
Editions Pot.Franco-Suisse (Berne).


Général Dufour, a later postcard with enclosed upper deck.
Editions Yvon (Paris) 7102,


Général Dufour (left - partial view) Valais and La Suisse (background) at Geneva.


Général Dufour leaving Chillon.
Edition Karl Engelberger (Stnsstad) Nr.0001.








Venoge (1905- )

Venoge was built for CGN in 1905 for cargo services on the lake. She is of historic interest as being the first ship to be built powered by a Sulzer diesel engine. Her engine was recently replaced with a General Motors unit. Venoge is now based at Ouchy, and is used (mainly in the winter) on pier repair work.


Venoge, trans-shipping freight from the railway at Le Bouveret, with the Général Dufour.


Photograph of Venoge at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.
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Photograph of Venoge at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.
Click to open larger image in new window








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. Italie has long been associated with the daily return from Le Bouveret to Geneva and back, taking almost 12 hours. This is now called the "Rhône Express".

A complete history of Vevey starts at Vevey - Page 1
Additional 2004 images of Vevey are available at Vevey - Page 4
Additional 2005 images of Vevey are available at Vevey - Page 5


Perrochet postcard of Vevey as a motorship with small white funnel.
Click to open larger image in new window


One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Vevey.


Postcard of Vevey with yellow "steamer" funnel.
Editions Perrochet (Lausanne) 11746.


Photograph of Vevey arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004.


Photograph of Vevey reversing out of the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy, prior to the day's services.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photograph of Vevey leaving Villeneuve at 12:23hrs for Lausanne-Ouchy and Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photograph of Vevey arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy at 14:00hrs, dressed overall for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.








37: Italie (1908- )

Italie and sistership Vevey were built in 1908 and 1907. They are 60 metre steamers which were fitted with diesel-electric installations in 1958 and 1955, 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 is now called the "Rhône Express". 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. Italie was withdrawn at the end of 2005 for cost reasons.

A complete history of Italie starts on this link.
Additional 2004 images of Italie are available on this link.
Additional 2005 images of Italie are available on this link.


Post war postcard of Italie.
Click to open larger image in new window


One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Italie.


Postcard of Italie with yellow "steamer" funnel.
Editions Perrochet (Lausanne) 11747.


Postcard of Italie at Montreux.
Novy (Vevey) MX31.



Photograph of Italie leaving Rivaz.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photograph of Italie leaving Rolle at 12:22hrs, dressed for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.


Photograph of Italie arriving at Ouchy from Geneva at 18:00hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004.








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. In recent years, La Suisse (2) has been back on 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". For many years she had been used on the Ouchy-based lunchtime cruise to Evian and the afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac, both taken by the Montreux in 2004.

A complete history of La Suisse (2) starts on this link.
Additional 2004 images of La Suisse (2) are available on this link.


Post-WW2 card of La Suisse, with yellow funnel.


Post-WW2 card of La Suisse at Geneva, with yellow funnel.



One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of La Suisse.


Photograph of La Suisse (2) arriving at Villeneuve at 15:50hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photograph of La Suisse (2) leaving Nyon at 19:35hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004.


Photograph of La Suisse (2) arriving at Vevey at 16:10hrs from St Gingolph, dressed overall for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.


Photograph of La Suisse (2) at her overnight berth in Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004.







39: Valais (1913-2003)

Valais was delivered in 1913, and a sister Savoie (3) was delivered the following year. From 1966, she was used as a restaurant and CGN office at Geneva-Jardin Anglais. Her engines and boilers were removed. The panelling from her dining saloon was used in the restoration of Montreux in 2001, and Valais was scrapped in 2003.


Valais at Montreux.


Valais at Chillon, with yellow funnel.


Valais at Nyon, with yellow funnel.


Valais, Général Dufour (left - partial view) and La Suisse (background) at Geneva, plus an enlarged view of Valais.




Vevey and Valais at Geneva, when Valais was in use as an office, floating pier and restaurant ship.
Editions Le Lignon (Geneva) 1219.








40: Savoie (1914- )

Savoie (3) was delivered in 1914, a sister to the Valais delivered the previous year. She was out of service in 2004, undergoing a major restoration, due for completion in 2006.

A complete history of Savoie starts on this link.


One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Savoie.



Postcard of Savoie.


Postcard of Savoie.


Post-WW2 card of Savoie at Montreux, with yellow funnel.


Postcard of Savoie at Geneva.


Postcard of Savoie at Lausanne-Ouchy.


Photograph of Savoie arriving at Evian-les-Bains, showing the modifications made prior to the 1995 season. These included a new wheelhouse and ventilator arrangement, plus the removal of the door into the "smoking saloon". I have not seen a postcard of Savoie in this condition, prior to receiving the wider black funnel top (more photos are available on this link).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1995.


Postcard of Savoie with deeper black funnel band. This is the only postcard I have found showing Savoie in her 1995-2003 condition (more photos are available on this link). No doubt her appearance will change again when she re-enters service in 2006.








41: Simplon (3) (1920- )

Simplon is the largest working paddle steamer on the Swiss lakes. Completed in 1920, she is 70m long and could originally 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.

A complete history of Simplon (3) begins on this link.
Additional 2005 images of Simplon (3) are available on this link.


Postcard of Simplon (3) at Montreux.


Postcard showing an impressive line-up at Ouchy (left-right):- La Suisse, Montreux, Savoie and Simplon (3).


PS Simplon at Lausanne-Ouchy on 30th June 2003, with deep black funnel band.
Photo: © Georges Pop.


Simplon and Vevey in the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004.


Simplon (3) at Vevey.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2005.


Simplon (3) leaving Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th July 2005.








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 such 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.

A complete history of Helvétie (2) begins on this link.
Additional 2004 images of Helvétie (2) are available on this link.


Post-WW2 postcard of Helvétie (2) with yellow funnel.


Post-WW2 postcard of Helvétie (2) at Evian-les-Bains, with yellow funnel.
One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Helvétie (2). Helvétie (2) in the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004. 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, with Vevey. This requires overnight stops in either Ouchy and Geneva, running alternately Geneva-Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy, then Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy-Geneva.
A complete history of Rhône begins on this link. Additional 2004 images of Rhône are available on this link. Post-WW2 postcard of Rhône with yellow funnel. Postcard of Rhône, with modern wheelhouse. One of a series of eight postcards showing each of the surviving paddle vessels, issued in 1998 for the 125th Anniversary of CGN. This one shows both historic and modern images of Rhône. Photograph of Rhône approaching Château de Chillon, viewed from La Suisse (2). Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004. Photograph of Rhône leaving Montreux. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004. Photograph of Rhône returning to CGN's yard at Ouchy at the end of her day's services. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004. Photograph of Rhône reversing out of the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy, prior to the day's services. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004. CGN Header Page - CGN - Page 1 - CGN - Page 2 - CGN - Page 3 - CGN - Page 4 - CGN - Page 5 Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page �1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved Free Web Counter Times viewed since 30/7/2007: