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1907

Vevey

Twin of the "Italie" It has the best-preserved first-class lounge in the fleet.
Supporting the Belle Époque Fleet
Length
66 meters
Power
540 kW
Capacity
560 people
Propulsion
Diesel-electric
His history

A century-long life on Lake Geneva

1905 - 1907

The birth

Commissioned in 1905 by the CGN from the Sulzer Frères workshops in Winterthur, the "Vevey" was launched during the Belle Époque, a golden age for navigation on Lake Geneva. Designed as a sister ship to the "Italie" It was intended to bolster the fleet to meet the growing tourist demand. Commissioned in 1907, it proudly displayed its white funnel highlighted by a black band and carried 1000 passengers with its elegant steam propulsion.
1907 - 1952

The golden age of steam

The "Vevey" quickly established itself as one of the most active boats in the fleet. It tirelessly crisscrossed Lake Geneva, racking up kilometers and crossings. Its first-class lounge, crafted from chestnut wood and featuring finely chased bronze fittings, appealed to an elegant clientele. Surviving two world wars without major damage, it continued its service steadily, gradually becoming the most-used boat in the entire CGN fleet.
1953 - 1955

The diesel-electric revolution

Faced with intensive use since its commissioning, the CGN decided in 1952 to motorize the "Vevey." This bold transformation began at the end of 1953: the original steam engine was replaced by an innovative diesel-electric system. The funnel was shortened and the smoking room on the upper deck was removed. Returned to service in 1955, the "Vevey" became the first Belle Époque vessel to abandon steam power, paving the way for modern and economical navigation.
1969

The Lutry incident

On July 16, 1969, a strong south wind pushed the "Vevey" against the Lutry seawall. Immobilized in a precarious position, it was its sister ship, the "Italie" who comes to his aid and gets him out of this predicament. This incident demonstrates the solidarity between the ships of the fleet and serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned vessels can fall victim to the whims of Lake Geneva.
1974 - 1989

Successive modernizations

An electrical failure immobilized the ship in 1974. The following year, the decks and superstructures were rebuilt, and a modern electro-hydroelectric steering system was installed. In 1987, a new funnel, built according to the original plans, replaced the old one. Finally, in 1989, the magnificent first-class lounge underwent a complete refurbishment, restoring it to its former glory.
2010 - 2012

The stoppage and the ranking

On October 1, 2010, after more than a century of uninterrupted service and nearly 3 million kilometers traveled, the "Vevey" temporarily ceased sailing. In 2011, it received the ultimate recognition: it was listed as a "Historic Monument" by the canton of Vaud, alongside seven other Belle Époque boats. This protection guarantees its complete preservation. Starting in mid-2012, a major and extensive renovation began.
2012 - 2013

The technological renaissance

The ship is largely dismantled for structural restoration. The 1955 diesel-electric engines are being replaced by a state-of-the-art system: three diesel generators powering two asynchronous electric motors, complete with particulate filters—a world first for a historic vessel. The equivalent of the wiring for an Airbus A320 is being installed. A telescopic carbon fiber funnel, designed by the Décision SA shipyard, is replacing the old one.
2013

The triumphant return

On November 18, 2013, after 100,000 hours of work and an investment of 13 million Swiss francs, the "Vevey" officially returned to service. The Belle Époque interiors and decor were meticulously restored, and the smoking room on the upper deck was recreated exactly as it was originally. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology within a century-old hull, it became the first Belle Époque vessel capable of sailing year-round, summer and winter.
2018

The slackline case

One afternoon in August 2018, the "Vevey" experienced an unusual incident: at the Eaux-Vives landing stage in Geneva, a slackline strap, improperly removed, was trailing in the water. It became entangled in a paddle wheel and damaged the axle. Discovered near Nyon, the damage forced the boat to make slow progress towards Yvoire. After repairs at the shipyard, the "Vevey" resumed service a few days later.
2018 - Today

The fleet champion

With nearly 3 million kilometers on the odometer, the "Vevey" holds, along with its twin, the "Italie" the absolute navigation record for the CGN fleet. Sailing year-round thanks to its modern diesel-electric propulsion, it notably operates the famous "fondue cruises" during the off-season. A perfect blend of Belle Époque heritage and technological innovation, it continues to enchant passengers, embodying the success of a respectful and visionary restoration.

"Vevey" The pioneer of modernity

A true symbol of the technological evolution of the Belle Époque fleet, the "Vevey" was commissioned in 1907 by the prestigious Sulzer shipyards of Winterthur. Sister ship of the "Italie" captivates with its understated elegance and its first-class lounge in inlaid chestnut wood, enhanced with finely chased bronze fittings. A pioneer at heart, in 1955 it became the first Belle Époque vessel to adopt diesel-electric propulsion, allowing year-round navigation on Lake Geneva. Having sailed over 3 million kilometers, the "Vevey" underwent a spectacular renaissance between 2012 and 2013. This masterful renovation brilliantly combines respect for heritage with cutting-edge technology, making it a unique vessel where the spirit of 1907 meets 2011st-century innovation. Classified as a "Historic Monument" since XNUMX, this exceptional ship fascinates with its ability to blend tradition and modernity.

These Iconic Details That Make the Legend

The first-class lounge

A preserved jewel of the chestnut tree

The "Vevey" shares with the "Simplon" the unique privilege of having preserved its original first-class lounge intact, including its furnishings. This bright lounge, paneled in inlaid chestnut wood and enhanced with chased bronze fittings, testifies to the refinement of the Belle Époque. Carefully restored in 2012-2013 thanks to research by the Lake Geneva Heritage Association, it now offers passengers the authentic experience of travel at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

Belle Époque lighting

Restored brilliance from 1907

In 2012-2013, the ABVL funded the installation of authentic Belle Époque light fixtures aboard the "Vevey". These carefully selected lamps restored the interior spaces to their original atmosphere, bathing the chestnut woodwork and bronze fittings in a warm light. These light fixtures, true gems from the early XNUMXth century, helped recreate the elegant ambiance of cruises of yesteryear while utilizing modern, energy-efficient lighting technologies.

The reconstructed smoking room

Witness found from the original era

During the diesel-electric engine conversion of 1953-1955, the smoking room on the upper deck, a separate area in front of the funnel reserved for smokers, disappeared. In 2012-2013, as part of a general refurbishment, the CGN decided to reconstruct this "old smoking room" according to the original plans. This heritage restoration allows passengers to rediscover a space typical of the Belle Époque, where gentlemen would gather to smoke while admiring the panorama of Lake Geneva.

These Iconic Details That Make the Legend

The first-class lounge

A preserved jewel of the chestnut tree

The "Vevey" shares with the "Simplon" the unique privilege of having preserved its original first-class lounge intact, including its furnishings. This bright lounge, paneled in inlaid chestnut wood and enhanced with chased bronze fittings, testifies to the refinement of the Belle Époque. Carefully restored in 2012-2013 thanks to research by the Lake Geneva Heritage Association, it now offers passengers the authentic experience of travel at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

Belle Époque lighting

Restored brilliance from 1907

In 2012-2013, the ABVL funded the installation of authentic Belle Époque light fixtures aboard the "Vevey". These carefully selected lamps restored the interior spaces to their original atmosphere, bathing the chestnut woodwork and bronze fittings in a warm light. These light fixtures, true gems from the early XNUMXth century, helped recreate the elegant ambiance of cruises of yesteryear while utilizing modern, energy-efficient lighting technologies.

The reconstructed smoking room

Witness found from the original era

During the diesel-electric engine conversion of 1953-1955, the smoking room on the upper deck, a separate area in front of the funnel reserved for smokers, disappeared. In 2012-2013, as part of a general refurbishment, the CGN decided to reconstruct this "old smoking room" according to the original plans. This heritage restoration allows passengers to rediscover a space typical of the Belle Époque, where gentlemen would gather to smoke while admiring the panorama of Lake Geneva.

The revival of a heritage

The technological challenge

The eight boats in the CGN's Belle Époque fleet possess a unique heritage and tourism value. The renovation of each one requires specialized expertise, both technical and in terms of heritage preservation. This translates to a cost of between 20 and 30 million Swiss francs per boat for a complete renovation.
Between mid-2012 and November 2013, the "Vevey" boat underwent a complete restoration of exceptional ambition: to combine absolute respect for its Belle Époque authenticity with the integration of the most advanced technologies of the 21st century.
The boat was largely dismantled to allow for a complete structural restoration. The diesel-electric engines, dating from 1955, were replaced by a revolutionary system: three diesel generators powering two asynchronous electric motors with electronic synchronization of the paddle wheels. A world first for a historic vessel, particulate filters were installed. The equivalent of the wiring for an Airbus A320 was deployed to modernize the entire electrical and electronic system. Under the supervision of the Lake Geneva Heritage Association, the interiors and decor were meticulously restored, the upper deck smoking room was recreated as it was originally, and a telescopic carbon fiber funnel was installed.
The main stages of the project were as follows: dry docking, dismantling of interior furniture, partial dismantling of the structure, complete replacement of the propulsion system, installation of new wiring and electronic systems, restoration of woodwork and decorations, installation of the telescopic chimney and finally recommissioning after 100,000 hours of work.

Innovation and Heritage Preservation

Beyond the aesthetic aspect, this renovation incorporates major technical innovations: complete replacement of the diesel-electric propulsion system with electronic synchronization of the paddle wheels, installation of particulate filters (a world first for a historic ship), and a complete modernization of the electrical and electronic system equivalent to that of an Airbus A320. These interventions, invisible to passengers, guarantee the ship's longevity for decades to come while preserving its Belle Époque authenticity and reducing its environmental impact.

Supporting the Belle Époque Fleet
The boats
Helvétie
Simplon
Savoie
Vevey
Italie
Rhone
La Suisse
Montreux

The Belle Époque Fleet

Heritage & Know-how

Navigation & Schedule