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Fantastic dinner cruise - CGN

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Cruised with CGN aboard the Italie paddle boat in mid-April 2023. I took a day (sightseeing) and... read more

We had a lovely experience travelling on the savoi boat. We initially got on the wrong boat and the... read more

Fantastic dinner cruise

Loved the dinner cruise in Geneva. Fab paddle steamer boat, lovely three course meal and pleasant staff. Views were lovely and seeing the lake during the day, sunset and evening was fab. Very romantic setting too. Thanks so much!

We caught the ferry to Yvoire, the medieval village that time seems to have forgotten. Even though the wind was quite severe, the ride was very smooth. Very comfortable seating and large windows which afforded a nice view of the shores of Lake Geneva. Disembarkation was very smooth, the ships kept a very tight schedule. Thoroughly enjoyed strolling through and shopping in the village. The narrow cobblestone lanes were so quaint. Enjoyed great lake perch for lunch. We rode the old, yet speedy paddleboard boat on the return trip to the heart of Geneva.

The boats stop at various locations on Lake Geneva, both in Switzerland and France. The boats are comfortable, the larger ones offer food and drinks, and this is an easy and relaxed way to see the area.

An optional excursion to our tour was this boat ride and visit to Yvoire for E67.oo about USD75.00 per person. We boarded the Savoie, a beautifully maintained old paddle boat and were amazed at being able to watch the pistons pumping away thrusting the paddles to move the ship. Then we sat down in the most beautifully decorated ship I've ever been on. We had a choice of beer, wine or soda during our trip and we could easily walk around and go up to the sun decks or use the restrooms which were very clean. We choose not to, we were there during the worst heat wave of 2019. I think it took about 1 and 1/2 hours to get to Yvoire where we disembarked to wander the village and sample crepes! an awesome day.

Fantastic trip on authentic steamwheeler from early 1900s. Great service and atmosphere. The dinner was ok, but the desserts where delicious. The duration was perfect for a dinner and for someone who want a quick but solid impression of the Lac Leman / Geneva lake. We travelled 1st class and can recommend it.

We took ’La Suisse’ from Vevey via Lausanne to Villeneuve then walked to Chateau du Chillon, 2 hour visit, walked to Montreux and finally returned to Vevey by bus 201. The paddle steamer is elegant and magnificent and provided a wonderful way to see the beauty of this area of Vaud and the Lakeside. Crew very friendly and we travelled on a weekday 11:35 departure so the ship only had 80 passengers leaving masses of choices for seating. Despite being a warm day we had to find a sheltered spot to sit down so take a light top to shelter you from the wind generated by the ships forward motion. The pictures show you how lovely this is needless to say all dockings arrived on time as per Swiss punctuality

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Lake Geneva Cruises

CGN SA Avenue de Rhodanie 17 Case postale 390 1001 Lausanne Phone  +41 (0)84 881 18 48 cgn.ch

Boat cruising on Central Europe’s largest inland lake every which way. Passengers can embark and disembark on the Swiss as well as the French side of the lake.

The Belle Époque boats have been navigating Central Europe’s largest inland lake for 140 years and offer fantastic cruises between France and Switzerland. The views from the boat extend from harbours and castles (Chillon, Morges, Rolle, Yvoire among others) over vineyards (Lavaux UNESCO and La Côte) to the snow-covered summits of the Swiss and Savoyan Alps. The boat landings are starting points for many exploration activities like city tours (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey).

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CGN SA Avenue de Rhodanie 17 Case postale 390 1001  Lausanne Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)84 881 18 48 [email protected] cgn.ch Show Route

CGN SA Avenue de Rhodanie 17 Case postale 390 1001 Lausanne Phone  +41 (0)84 881 18 48 cgn.ch Show Route

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Geneva Tour

Installez-vous à bord de l’un de nos bateaux et laissez-vous transporter sur la Rade à la découverte des rives genevoises et de leurs secrets. Notre audioguide vous contera l’histoire du Jardin Anglais, du Jet d’eau de Genève ou encore de l’horlogerie helvétique et vous révèlera quelques anecdotes étonnantes. Vous pourrez admirer au passage les parcs, les villas cossues, les monuments et autres Palais des Nations qui bordent le Petit-Lac.

L’audioguide « CGN Tours » est disponible !

Téléchargez notre nouvelle application « CGN Tours » gratuite sur :

Visitez Genève autrement ! Grâce à cet audioguide disponible en quatre langues (français, allemand, anglais et chinois), découvrez les anecdotes et les secrets de Genève et de ses rives.

La CGN vous propose le téléchargement aux embarcadères de Genève Mont-Blanc et Jardin Anglais grâce à un accès Wi-Fi (sans surcoût de roaming data pour les visiteurs étrangers). Ensuite, l’application peut être utilisée hors connexion durant la croisière (Wi-Fi non disponible à bord).

Attention, Bellevue est un arrêt sur demande. Pour monter, téléphoner au +41 (0)848 811 848 au minimum 2 heures avant l'heure de départ. Pour descendre, les passagers s'adressent à l'équipage.

Samedi 14 mars 2020, en raison de la météo annoncée, la CGN vous propose 4 courses supplémentaires. Cliquez ici .

Fréquence :

• 2 départs par jour, tous les dimanches et jours fériés du 10.12.2023 au 19.04.2024
• 2 départs par jour, les vendredis, le 15.12.2023 et du 02.02.2024 au 19.04.2024

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Lake Geneva Winter and Christmas Season Boat Cruises

During the winter season, CGN pleasure boat cruises on Lac Léman are limited to ferry boats, fondue dinner cruises, and sailings on Sundays and national holidays including Christmas and New Year’s Day — departures are most common from Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, and Nyon.

Cruising on Lake Geneva has been popular with tourists in the Lac Léman region for well over a century. Many boats sail on Switzerland’s largest lake during summer but in winter cruises are limited to a few departures from Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, and Genève on Sunday and national holidays, fondue dinner cruises on Friday, and short ferry boat rides between Lausanne and Evian or Thonon, as well as Nyon to Yvoire. The winter season for boat cruises on Lake Geneva in Switzerland is from late October to mid-April, the high season is from late June to early September, and the shoulder season in between.

In 2023 (2024) , the only New Year’s Eve dinner cruise departs from Lausanne but lunchtime cruises are possible from Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, and others, every Sunday (including 24 and 31 December 2023), Christmas Day (25 December 2023), as well as 1 and 2 January 2024.

Winter Pleasure Cruises on Lake Geneva in Switzerland

Pleasure cruises on lake boats on Lac Léman during the winter season are fairly limited. Standard sightseeing boats cruise only on Sundays and national holidays during the CGN winter timetable period – end October to mid-April. (Note that there may be some gaps in the program, especially during the first months of the year.)

It is usually possible to embark or disembark at any port and the purchase of food and drinks is usually optional. On special cruises, lunch, dinner, or fondue are often included in the fare — reservations are usually essential.

Ferries operate on Lake Geneva year-round but in winter some routes are on weekdays only. Although the crossing from Lausanne to Evian takes just around half an hour (50 minutes to Thonon), it is often the only way to enjoy a boat cruise on winter days.

In winter, most boats cruising on Lac Léman are diesel-powered. However, the Belle Epoque Rhône steamboat is often used for departures from Geneva and the diesel-electric Italie paddlewheel boat often cruises on the upper lake area (Montreux, Vevey).

Lake Geneva Winter Pleasure Cruises from Genève

In winter, CGN offers the following cruises from Geneva:

• On Sundays, Fridays, and national holidays: two one-hour cruises in the afternoon from Geneva to Bellevue and back. Only drinks are served on these cruises. The boat only stops in Bellevue on demand.
• On Sundays and national holidays: A lunch-hour cruise from Genève to Nyon lasting around 80 minutes each way with stops possible in Versoix and Coppet. (Lunch is usually optional and restaurant seats are best reserved in advance.)
• On many Friday evenings: fondue dinner cruises departing around 19:30 — cheese or winegrower fondue is included in the price but drinks and dessert are extra.

In winter 2023, lunchtime cruises are also likely to be possible from Geneva additionally on Christmas Day (December 25) and on New Year’s Day (1 and 2 January 2024).

In winter, Lake Geneva boat cruises usually depart from Genève-Mont Blanc but sometimes Jardin d’Anglais is used.

Winter Cruises on Lake Geneva from Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, St Gingolph

On winter Sundays and national holidays, CGN boats depart on several cruises in the Upper Lake (Haut Lac) region of Lake Geneva. This part of Lac Léman is generally the most beautiful and is also easily accessible from many winter sports and ski resorts in the French and Swiss Alps. If arriving by train, Vevey and Montreux offer simpler connections with the boat than Lausanne.

The following cruise routings are possible on Sundays and most national holidays in winter:

Haut Lac — Best Lake Geneva Cruise Area:

• Usually, three cruises per Sunday complete the full circle of the upper lake area between Vevey and Montreux / Chillon / St. Gingolph / Le Bouveret ( not calling in Lausanne). It is possible to board at any stop and do the full circle if desired — the cruise number may change en-route but it is usually not necessary to change boats. 
• These classical circular cruises take in some of the best scenery in the Lac Léman region: the vineyards of the Lavaux , Chateau de Chillon , and the snow-covered Alpine peaks permanently in the background. Stops usually include Vevey-Marché, Vevey-La Tour, Clarens, Montreux, Territet, Chateau de Chillon, Villeneuve, Le Bouveret, and St Gingolph.
• A full circle takes around two hours while the Vevey to Chillon part of the route is just less than an hour.
• Lunch is usually optional.
• The recently restored diesel-electric Italie paddleboat is often used on this route.

From Lausanne:

• From Lausanne, a classical lunchtime cruise on Sundays is the only option, other than passenger ferries and special dinner cruises.
• The boat departs from Lausanne around 12:30 and cruises past the beautiful vineyards of the Lavaux , Montreux, and  Chateau de Chillon to Villeneuve. It leaves Villeneuve just after 14:00 to return to Lausanne by 16:00.
• Lausanne to Villeneuve takes around 100 minutes in each direction.
• This cruise boat departs from Lausanne-Ouchy and stops en route at Pully, Lutry, Cully, Vevey-Marché, and Montreux (at Chateau de Chillon only en route to Lausanne).
• Lunch is offered on departures from Lausanne and Vevey but snacks are optional on cruises towards Lausanne.

In winter 2023, lunchtime cruises are also likely to be possible from Lausanne and the Upper Lake (e.g. Vevey or Montreux) additionally on Christmas Day (December 25) and on New Year’s Day (1 and 2 January 2024) — advance reservations are essential.

Lunch is served during lunchtime cruises and smaller snacks for afternoon departures. Lunch is usually optional and charged separately. Restaurant reservations are sensible for lunch but tables are usually free for enjoying coffee or snacks outside lunch hours.

Fondue Dinner Cruises from Lausanne

On most Friday evenings, fondue cruises are possible from Lausanne. The boat departs from Lausanne-Ouchy at 19:15 and returns at 21:45. It is also possible to disembark at Morges at 21:15 — a shorter walk to the train station than Lausanne. A cheese or a winegrower fondue is included in the price but drinks and dessert are extra.

Passenger Ferry Boats on Lake Geneva during Winter

Passenger ferry boats operate on Lac Léman as part of the public transportation network in the Lake Geneva region and thus continue to sail during the winter. Apart from the Mouette water buses in Genève, these ferries are often the only way to cruise on Lake Geneva during winter.

Three passenger ferry routes are available on Lake Geneva:

• Lausanne – Evian (20 – 35 minutes)
• Lausanne – Thonon (27 – 50 minutes)
• Nyon – Yvoire (20 minutes)

During winter, most of the routes have only ferry services on weekdays. The schedule is very limited – often only with services during peak commute times, which can be very inconvenient for tourists so double-check schedules before setting out.

The Lausanne-Evian-les-Bains route is the busiest, with boats departing every day, even during winter. These ferries are a good cruising option in winter when no other boats are on the lake. A special deal for breakfast is often available from Lausanne where passengers enjoy a light breakfast on a cruise to Evian and back without leaving the boat in France.

No car ferries operate on Lake Geneva — it is a long, slow drive to much of the French side of the lake.

More on Lake Geneva Pleasure Boats and Cruises:

• Pleasure Boats and Ferries on Lake Geneva
• Lake Geneva Boat Cruises in Spring
• Passenger Ferries on Lake Geneva
• Book Cruises at GYG or at CGN
• Passenger Ferries and Cruises from Lausanne to Evian and Thonon
• Savings Tickets for CGN Lake Geneva Boat Cruises
• Summer Lake Geneva Boat Excursions and Day Cruises
• Spring & Autumn Cruises on Lake Geneva
• Winter and Christmas Cruises on Lake Geneva
• Pleasure Boat Excursions to Yvoire
• See the Historic Paddle Steamers at the Parade Navale
• New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruises on Lake Geneva

Home » All Lake Geneva Boats & Ferries » Lake Geneva Winter and Christmas Season Boat Cruises

CGN Tours 4+

• 5.0 • 1 Rating

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Description.

Official audio guide for the CGN boat cruises A different way to visit lake Geneva! With this audio guide you’ll discover the stories and secrets of Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux and the unique shores of the Lavaux.

Version 3.0.0

Includes new content, anecdotes and facts about the fleet.

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**required for tour audio**.

App is good, my biggest complaint is that its necessity for the tour was not made more obvious. There should be a clear sign that says «Téléchargez notre app!»/“Download our app!”, conspicuously in the office and on board, so that the instructions are clear. (We figured it out and downloaded the app partway up the first shore, and had an enjoyable cruise following.)

App Privacy

The developer, Texetera , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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Getting Ready for Watches and Wonders Geneva

What do you pack? How many watches do you bring? Everyone from first-time invitees to veterans agree that this trade show requires planning.

By Alexandra Cheney

Some refer to it simply as “the Geneva show.” Others default to an older iteration of the watch fair, calling it S.I.H.H. (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie).

But everyone, from first-time invitee to seasoned collector, seems to agree on one thing: Preparing for a week of debuts, appointments and conversations — otherwise known as Watches and Wonders Geneva — takes months.

The first four days of the show, from April 9–12, are strictly by invitation only. So the initial effort has to be convincing one of the 54 brands exhibiting this year to register you. The alternative is attending during the three public days, April 13–15, which require a ticket (an adult pays 70 Swiss francs, or $78, for Saturday or Sunday admission, or 50 Swiss francs, or $55, for Monday admission; ticket packages and discounts are available.)

Here, a group of collectors, ranging from show newbies to veterans, weigh in on preparations, including must-take items and best practices at the fair.

Packing Essentials

“A bag without a wheel is a death sentence,” said Cameron Barr, 38, the founder and chief executive of Craft + Tailored, a Los Angeles watch retailer. “I always take Rimowa bags, because in every major city in the world there are service centers.”

And as he was scheduled to arrive in Geneva April 7 for a nine-day stay, that bag was to contain: under eye cream from Baxter Finley (to combat the effects of jet lag); Baudoin & Lange loafers (“with an elegant rubber sole,” he noted); a couple of suits by Mark Cho, co-founder of the Armoury; and, of course, his own personal loupe.

Mr. Barr said he has “learned some lessons” that he intends to put into practice in this, his second year at the show.

First, he plans on “getting into the country and get into the time zone and my flow,” because Geneva is nine hours ahead of Los Angeles. He aims to spend that time going to museums, meeting with brands that are not attending Watches and Wonders, and personally delivering two watches — a Rolex Daytona and a Rolex Explorer II with a cream dial — to clients.

As for his own wrist, he intends to bring four to six of his timepieces — likely including his Tudor Snowflake, a Breguet Pebble (or “Cushion Case”) in white gold, an 1989 Franck Muller Master Calendar and a Cartier Baignoire — and he does not disdain double wristing, or placing a watch on each wrist. “I have yet to put one on my ankle, but if it’s an interesting piece that I want to show somebody,” he said, allowing his voice to trail off speculatively.

What Not to Wear

As the name and format of Watches and Wonders Geneva has changed and expanded, so has the dress code and list of events.

“I remember the first year we went, it was either a black, navy blue or gray suit with a white or blue shirt and a tie,” said Gary Getz, 68, a member of the NorCal 6, the name of a well-known group that started with six watch collectors who were living in Northern California at the time. “God forbid you wear brown. That was 14 years ago.”

Jeff Kingston, 77, another NorCal 6 member and a show attendee since 2003, said with some pride that he has never packed a suit or sport coat, but instead wears a “nice shirt” each day.

And as for the all-important question of what to wear on your wrist, Mr. Kingston said,“it’s folly to think you have to wear the brand you’re meeting with in a multibrand show. It’s silly to chase that.”

Yet Mr. Barr of Craft + Tailored acknowledged, “I’ll be looking at everyone’s wrists the way a cobbler looks at people’s shoes.”

That said, he cautioned showgoers that, while watch spotting can be just as entertaining as the novelties themselves, “I feel like there could be pressure for someone attending this mecca for watches event to overthink what they put on their wrist. I never succumb to that. It’s always, what am I feeling today? Elegant? Funky? It’s a flow feel.”

“You know the movie ‘Midnight in Paris,’ ” Allen Soong asked during a video call from Turks and Caicos, where he was on a watch trip in early March, “Owen Wilson’s character is exactly how I feel going into Watches and Wonders. Like I’m wandering into a group of people who are so passionate; they are the great artists of the day. All these watchmakers and collectors, debating each other and joking around, and me enjoying them in their prime.”

Mr. Soong, 55, has been attending the Geneva trade event since 2009 and has an interest in early watches from the Grönefelds , Vianney Halter and Ludovic Ballouard, to name a few.

He also is one of the NorCal 6. And that crew’s secret? A shared spreadsheet of appointments, meals, logistics and events that goes back to 2010 and ensures the men can maximize their time, both as a squad and individually.

“Watches and Wonders is very much a team sport,” said Michael Hickcox, 50, another member who has been attending the trade show, on and off, since 1998, in part thanks to his godfather, Mike Dunn, a renowned collector. “It’s really daunting the first year. Even just getting your orientation, but people are super generous. Sometimes it’s hard to make your own appointments, but it’s easy to make friends.“

“People take the show for granted a little now because international travel is more common and the internet brought people together,” added Mr. Hickcox, who now lives in London. “But because of the forums and now Instagram, there are so many people who don’t see watches in person anymore. But seeing them in person is a different experience. You end up loving something you hated in photos, disliking something you loved in photos.”

Although the doors open at 8:30 a.m. at Palexpo, the massive convention center in Geneva where the event takes place over 75,000 square meters, each of the NorCal 6 members has his own daily schedule.

Mr. Getz has maintained the same opening day routine year after year. “I go through the gate, turn left, see what the big watch is and grab a beer and pretzel at the Lange booth. It’s a superstitious thing for them and I indulge.” (A. Lange & Söhne always has a big debut, and the brand traditionally considers that the more beer and pretzels it serves, the more successful the fair will be.)

Bart Carey, 61, a crew member who has been coming for the past 13 years, always takes a morning run around Lake Geneva (weather permitting). An ophthalmologist who has gone from vintage Rolexes and Patek Philippe complications to more recent pieces from Kari Voutilainen and Rexhep Rexhepi, Mr. Carey made sure to mention that “a must after most days” is a round (or two) of Negronis at the Leopard Bar in the lakefront Hotel d’Angleterre.

And Mr. Kingston, who lives most of the year in Sun Valley, Idaho, made a point of mentioning he intends to step outside Palexpo to see what some non-exhibiting watch brands are doing around the city. For instance, some of the independent brands plan to show their models at the Beau Rivage hotel, while others will invite collectors and enthusiasts into their factories for tours.

Sumei Shum, an avid collector who is a newcomer to Watches and Wonders, has her own plan: a yoga practice each morning. The 55-year-old Singapore resident said she will be packing her travel yoga mat and mini-humidifier for her eight-day visit. And she looks forward to picking up an Armin Strom timepiece that has been waiting for her arrival, one of what is likely a handful of watches she will travel with during her stay in Switzerland.

Although it will be her first year at the fair, she already has reached an important realization: “How do you not double book? It is impossible. I can plan all I want but I also want to get caught up in the fervor of things happening and people I will meet. I have a schedule but I don’t want to be too stuck on it.”

After the show, Ms. Shum plans on heading into the nearby Crans-Montana region to do some hiking. “It’s always nice to plan a vacation post-watch event. With so much adrenaline pumping, having some down time to enjoy the fresh air is a must.”

“Remember to eat,” Mr. Getz said. “It sounds crazy, but have a plan in mind to get away from the show and consume in a different way.”

Although they have never met, Mr. Barr echoed Mr. Getz, nearly word-for-word: “In Geneva, reservations are easy to cancel, but hard to get.” (The 2023 show drew 43,000 visitors and 5,400 retailers, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.)

Ms. Shum said she would like to make a dinner reservation at F.P. Journe Le Restaurant , the 52-seat spot that the independent watchmaker François-Paul Journe opened in November.

As for Mr. Kingston, he said that he likes the show, but loves the final supper.

“We all want to see the important brands and important indies, but year after year, the one thing that’s a constant for us, the one thing I really enjoy is the NorCal 6 closing dinner,” he said, adding, “It’s just the gang, no other events. It’s wonderful to express your own taste and have the keener eyes disagree. It informs your own appreciation and understanding because at the end of the day, a watch is more than just a thing on your wrist.”