Belle Epoque Fleet
The only fleet of its type in the world!
CGN preserves and operates the most prestigious Belle Epoque fleet of the world. Its mission is to preserve this unique heritage.
As such, it strives to renovate and keep these units as close to their original appearance as possible.
A big thank you to the ABVL, the CGN’s main partner in the preservation of the Belle Epoque fleet
Belle Epoque - paddle steamboat
The last paddle steamer built entirely in Switzerland, it is equipped with a unique steam engine with automatic pressure lubrication, requiring covers over the crankshaft and eccentrics. These were originally in metal but were replaced 2011 by a Plexiglas model allowing passengers to see, as on the other boats, the rhythmic movements of the engine. After 3 years of renovation work from 2019 to 2022, the boat Belle Epoque “Rhône” sail once again on Lake Geneva!
- Commissioned
1927
- Capacity
600 pers.
- Length
68 m
- Catering
200 pers.
- Power
850 hp / 625 kW
- Route
Lausanne-Geneva
The Captain's recommendation
"Gather around the engine with its Plexiglas protective covers to see the workings of the engine parts lubricated under pressure, an example of the final development in this type of classic propulsion of paddle steamers!"
