An exceptional shipyard in Ouchy
A preserved historical heritage
Since 1888, the Compagnie Générale de Navigation shipyard has occupied a strategic location in the port of Ouchy, Lausanne. Previously located in Morges, where ten steamships were built between 1856 and 1886, this industrial facility, unique in Switzerland, now represents the beating heart of the preservation of the Belle Époque fleet.
The shipyard has essential infrastructure, including a dry dock for hull work, and seven specialized workshops where ancestral skills are perpetuated. Carpenters, shipwrights, mechanics, electricians, and welders work there daily, combining traditional techniques and modern technologies to breathe new life into these giants of Lake Geneva.
Rare professions and unique skills
Restoring century-old boats requires specialized skills that have become rare. This work is carried out jointly by the CGN shipyard teams and external craftsmen who contribute their expertise in specific areas. Working on original steam engines, maintaining paddle wheels that have completed over one hundred million revolutions, or restoring precious woodwork while respecting its original design demands highly specialized technical skills. This complementarity between in-house expertise and artisanal skills allows the authenticity of these vessels to be preserved while meeting current safety and reliability requirements.
The construction site regularly opens its doors to the public during open days, allowing visitors to discover these little-known trades and understand the scale of the work accomplished. These events are very successful, demonstrating the public's deep attachment to this heritage.
The restoration methodology
The rigorous heritage approach
Every renovation begins with a crucial phase of historical research.Lake Geneva Heritage AssociationAn indispensable partner in these projects, [Company Name] conducts in-depth investigations in the archives to reconstruct the original state of the ships. This research allows for the faithful recreation of the decor, the fittings, and even the smallest details that contribute to the authenticity of these vessels.
For the renovation of " La Suisse Between 2007 and 2009, this research notably led to the rediscovery and recreation of the wooden figureheads and stern figures covered in gold leaf, as well as the historic rescue boat. This level of precision illustrates the teams' ambition: not simply to renovate, but to truly restore the boats to their original splendor.
A delicate balance between authenticity and modernization
The major challenge of any restoration is to preserve the heritage authenticity while ensuring passenger safety and comfort according to current standards. While the lounges with their period woodwork are meticulously preserved, below deck, the modernization is complete. During the renovation of the " Italie "In 2015-2016, the boat thus accommodated the equivalent of an Airbus A320 in electronics and cables, while retaining its Belle Époque appearance.
This duality is present in all the projects. The three generator sets, the three-ton electrical panels, and the modern propulsion systems coexist with the century-old structures. The craftsmen must constantly demonstrate ingenuity to integrate this contemporary equipment without compromising the historical aesthetics of the ships.
Major renovations: case studies
« La Suisse ": the European flagship project
The renovation of " La Suisse The project, carried out between October 2007 and May 2009, represents the largest restoration project of a historic ship in Europe at that time. With an estimated budget of 15 million Swiss francs, this monumental undertaking mobilized dozens of craftsmen for more than eighteen months.
The first-class lounge, a true masterpiece of Belle Époque art, received meticulous attention. The exquisite woodwork, sculpted ornaments, and lighting fixtures were restored to the highest standards, under the supervision of the curator of monuments and sites for the canton of Vaud. The result is so spectacular that the ship is now hailed as "the most beautiful steamship in the world."
The " Savoie " : pioneer of modernization
The " Savoie " occupies a special place in the history of renovations. In 1966-1967, when the CGN was considering decommissioning several steamships, the decision was made to renovate this vessel while retaining its steam propulsion. This choice marked a historic turning point: for the first time, the company affirmed its commitment to preserving this heritage rather than sacrificing it on the altar of immediate profitability.
The complete renovation carried out between 2004 and 2006, at a cost of 10,2 million francs, was exemplary. Only 50% of the structure and the original steam engine were preserved; everything else was entirely rebuilt. The " Savoie " became the first historic boat in Switzerland equipped with a bow thruster, an innovation that greatly facilitates maneuvering. This technology has since been systematically installed during every renovation.
L' " Italie ": rebirth after a decade of waiting
The story of the »Italie This illustrates the financial difficulties associated with these restorations. Decommissioned in 2005 after having continuously operated the Le Bouveret-Geneva trans-Lake Geneva route for forty-seven years, the boat remained docked for ten long years due to a lack of funding. It was only in May 2015, thanks to the financial support of the "Association of Friends of Lake Geneva Steamships" and the Canton of Vaud, that the work could finally begin.
The renovation, completed in November 2016, benefited from the experience gained during the restoration of its twin, the "Vevey", in 2012. The two boats being identical to the centimeter, the teams were able to capitalize on the technical solutions developed previously, in particular for the elements manufactured by specialized companies in Loire-Atlantique.
Current technical challenges
Rebuilding the paddle wheels
Long considered indestructible, paddle wheels are beginning to show signs of wear after more than a century of intensive use. These massive and complex components, which have completed over one hundred million revolutions, now need to be replaced. The "Vevey" had to be taken out of service when defects were detected in its wheels.
The original paddle wheels, key components of Belle Époque boat propulsion, are complex metal structures over 4 meters in diameter, combining casting, forging, and hot riveting. These historical processes, now rare in Switzerland, must be respected to preserve the authenticity of this boat, a listed historical monument.
CGN entrusted NRCtech with the complete management of the project. NRCtech mobilized a network of specialized partners capable of manufacturing the paddle wheel parts while respecting the manufacturing processes, dimensions, and shapes of the original parts.
The hubs, the central parts of the wheels, were cast in Germany through the company Gietech in Olpe, and are machined by Bunorm AG, in Aarwangen in the canton of Bern.
The metal construction of the wheels, made with hot riveting assembly, as well as the painting and finishing work will be carried out by a specialist company located in German-speaking Switzerland.
The wheels will then be delivered and installed on the boat at the CGN shipyard in Lausanne-Ouchy.
A shipyard under pressure
The major current constraint lies in the shipyard's limited capacity. Only one boat can be dry-docked at a time, yet several vessels simultaneously require significant renovations. By 2025, four Belle Époque boats were out of service, drastically reducing the tourist offerings on Lake Geneva.
Faced with this situation, CGN is considering a major shipyard expansion project, including the construction of a second dry dock, a floating dock, and the modernization of the workshops. The cost of this project is estimated at "several tens of millions" of francs. This infrastructure would allow for faster turnaround times and proactive maintenance planning, rather than having to react to emergencies.
Century-old machines on their last legs
The original steam engines, although remarkably well preserved, require increasingly frequent maintenance. On the "Rhône," two defective piston rings were discovered when one of the pistons was removed, a task that could not be completed during the 2021 overhaul due to time constraints. These parts must be rebored, an operation that corrects the wear that deforms the metal, restoring it to a perfectly cylindrical shape.
Every intervention on these century-old mechanisms requires specialized expertise. Mechanics must understand the workings of machines designed according to principles and technologies of another era, while also applying modern repair techniques when necessary.
Funding: an ongoing challenge
A public-private partnership model
The complete restoration of a Belle Époque boat currently costs between 20 and 30 million Swiss francs. To date, six out of eight boats have been renovated for a total of approximately 110 million francs. This funding is based on an original public-private partnership model, which is the strength of this preservation project. The costs of restoring Belle Époque boats have increased with each project, due in particular to stricter safety standards, the increasing complexity of onboard technical systems, and rising costs of materials and specialized labor. Added to this is the scarcity of the necessary expertise, which requires the involvement of both the shipyard's teams and highly qualified external craftsmen.
The three lakeside cantons – Vaud (37% of the shares), Geneva (15%), and Valais (4,11%) – bear a significant portion of the costs. The "Association of Friends of Lake Geneva Steamships," which, through its Pro Vapore Foundation, holds 22% of the CGN's capital, contributed 40 million Swiss francs thanks to donations from its 20,000 private donors and 4,000 active members. This public mobilization demonstrates the deep attachment to this heritage.
An ambitious 15-year strategic plan
CGN recently presented a "2025-2040 strategic plan" which includes a total investment exceeding 600 million francs. This ambitious program includes not only the ongoing renovation of the Belle Époque fleet, but also the acquisition of new, modern vessels and the expansion of the shipyard.
This colossal sum obviously raises the question of financing. The Vaud authorities have already indicated that they cannot shoulder these investments alone. Increased participation from France, the beneficiary of the cross-border connections, is considered essential. Negotiations on cost-sharing among the various partners represent a major political challenge for the years to come.
Conclusion
The restoration of the Belle Époque boats on Lake Geneva represents much more than a simple heritage conservation project. It is an exceptional human and technical adventure that mobilizes dozens of highly qualified professionals, requires considerable investment, and demands a long-term vision.
Each renovation presents a unique challenge, combining historical research, artisanal expertise, engineering prowess, and modern regulatory constraints. The specialized employees of the Ouchy shipyard and their external partners perpetuate rare skills, passing down from generation to generation the techniques necessary to keep these irreplaceable witnesses to the golden age of Lake Geneva navigation alive.
The challenges are numerous: century-old paddle wheels to rebuild, steam engines to overhaul, shipyard infrastructure to develop, and considerable funding to raise. But the determination of public and private stakeholders, combined with the public's deep attachment to this heritage, allows us to look to the future with confidence.
Thanks to these monumental efforts, the Belle Époque boats will continue to sail on Lake Geneva for future generations, carrying with them the elegance and refinement of a bygone era. Each restoration is a victory against time, an act of faith in the value of this exceptional heritage, and an investment in the tourism appeal of the Lake Geneva region.
