Cruises in Switzerland
Switzerland is not only a country of mountains,
but also a country of lakes
For a century, paddlewheel boats have proudly crisscrossed Swiss lakes. More than just means of transport, they constitute real elements of heritage. This is the largest fleet of Belle Epoque steam boats in the world which, on 8 lakes, allow you to take cruises full of charm and nostalgia.
Switzerland is not only a country of mountains, but also a country of lakes. Indeed, who can remain indifferent to the sight of a majestic steamboat whose powerful paddle wheels churn the waters of an idyllic lake to great boiling?
The most impressive fleet is that of Lake Geneva with 8 Belle Epoque boats including 5 steamboats, followed by that of Lake Lucerne with 5 steamboats.
You can also sail at full steam on the lakes of Neuchâtel (1), Brienz (1), Thun (2), Zurich (2), Constance (1) as well as on the lake of Greifen (1), where the here is the smallest steamboat in Switzerland.
In addition, you can sail on 18 lakes in Switzerland on various types of motorboats and on 2 rivers which are the Aare between Biel and Solothurn, the Rhine between Basel and Frauenfeld and again from Schaffhausen to Stein-am-Rhein on the Lake Constance.
You have the choice between 21 Belle Epoque paddle boats,
18 are steamboats.
Charter
Several of these boats are rented for events. There is also the option of renting a lounge on a public cruise.
One of the most romantic ways to say « I do » is to be married by a captain on a Belle Epoque boat, surrounded by breathtaking wine landscapes and mountains.
Lake Geneva
A unique Belle Époque fleet in the world, classified as a historic monument.
It has 8 paddle boats, including 5 steam and 3 diesel/electric.
It was built at the initiative of the United States consul in France, Edward Church (Boston 1775 – 1838), a businessman and diplomat passionate about the invention of his compatriot and friend Robert Fulton: the first promoter of navigation by steamboat on the Hudson (1807). Arriving in Geneva in December 1822, Edward Church noted that on Lake Geneva no steamboats circulated, he was surprised to see this “free, enlightened, ingenious nation, placed in the center of Europe, remain until now private of this benefit of sciences and arts », while according to him more than five hundred steamboats already exist in the world. With the agreement of the Vaud and Geneva governments to operate a line, he built the first steamboat on Lake Geneva, the « Guillaume Tell », put into service between Geneva and Ouchy on May 28, 1823.
The Guillaume Tell in Ouchy / Lausanne (on the left the Castle tower and opposite the current Hôtel d’Angle and in the background the Lausanne Cathedral. The Beau-Rivage Palace hotel is not yet built).
A gigantic liquid mirror located between the French Savoy Alps and the Vaudois Alps, Lake Geneva or Geneva Lake is the largest inland lake in Western Europe. The sunny north shore of the canton of Vaud with the vineyards of Lavaux, listed as UNESCO world heritage sites, invites you to relax, discover and enjoy.
Other beautiful destinations around Lake Geneva
Chillon Castle
in Montreux
Lausanne
Geneva
Evian
And don't miss the ascent of Rocher-de-Naye on the cogwheel train for the best view of Lake Geneva.
Lake of Neuchâtel,
Bienne and Morat
Of the 7 boats that sail on the lakes of Neuchâtel, Murten and Bienne, all linked by a canal, only one is Belle Epoque, paddle wheel and steam.
A boat tour allows you to familiarize yourself with the beautiful shores and a series of villages and small towns that are worth a visit. The famous destination of Lake Biel is Saint-Pierre Island – a poetically beautiful corner of land where Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed.
From the city of Neuchâtel, don’t miss the excursion to the heart of the world of watchmaking factories and automatons, which is La Chaux-de-Fonds, famous city where Le Corbusier, Louis Chevrolet and Blaise Cendrars are born. There, you will head to the International Watchmaking Museum, the most important museum specialized in watchmaking in the world.
Other beautiful destinations around Lake of Neuchâtel
Saint-Pierre Island
La Chaux-de-Fonds
International Watchmaking Museum
Lakes Thun and Brienz
A total of three steamships opperate on the two lakes: The “Blümlisalp” and “Spiez” steamships on Lake Thun and the “Lötschberg” on Lake Brienz.
On the side, with the famous Hotel Giessbach which can be reached by an old funicular.
The Spiez steamboat is not part of the regular races due to its size, but it can be rented exclusively.
A cruise can be combined with excursions such as that to the Swiss Museum of Rural Habitat in Ballenberg
And don’t miss the ascent to the Rothorn summit
by steam train.
Lake of 4 Cantons
The Lake Lucerne shipping company operates nearly 20 boats,
including 5 paddle-wheel steamers.
Lucerne is the ideal starting point for cruises on Lake Lucerne. They are often combined with train and cable car ascents of famous mountains such as the Pilatus, the Rigi and the Stanserhorn or to take the Gotthard Express panoramic train from Flüelen to Ticino or Italy.
Around Lake of the 4 Cantons
Lucerne
The Pilatus
The Stanserhorn
Gotthard Panorama Express
Ride to the top of Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains, aboard Europe’s oldest mountain railway.
Lake Zurich
The Lake Zurich navigation company operates nearly 17 boats, including 2 paddle-wheel steam boats,
which are very popular for business outings.
Lake Greifen
Close to the city of Zurich is the charming Lake Greifen, all of whose shores are protected. In 1895, the steamship Greif was built by Escher Wyss, who was then the largest ship manufacturer in Switzerland. It is the only coal-fired propeller steamship operating in public passenger shipping in Switzerland today.
Lake Constance
Currently, only 1 Belle Epoque boat sails on the lake, the “Hohentwiel”.
Situated in front of the northern edge of the Alps, Lake Constance is the third largest inland lake in Europe.
On 11 January 1913, he was launched as the seventh steamship of the Royal Württemberg State Railways. Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin celebrated his birthday on it, and William II of Württemberg invited the King of Saxony on board for a beautiful excursion.
Today, traveling with the “Hohentwiel” is like being transported to a different time. For those who would like to spend unforgettable hours on Lake Constance, the Hohenwiel offers a wealth of trips from April to October. What is likely the most beautiful location on Lake Constance can of course also be chartered – for private and corporate events.
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