Dwight Peck's personal website

Lake steamers and other boats on Lake Geneva (lac Léman)

A collection of occasional photos of the wonderful boats on Lake Geneva


La Suisse

The Belle Epoque steamer La Suisse leaving Evian docks, 26 June 2005 -- built in 1910 and, at 78 meters long, nearly the biggest of the Lake Geneva Belle Epoque fleet. It's 16 meters across at its widest point.

La Suisse has got to be one of the most beautiful ships ever built. It was last renovated in 1971 and seems to be okay for a while. The transcendentally beautiful fleet of Lake Geneva "Belle Epoque" steamers are presently being renovated and fundraising, always difficult, is continuing.

La Suisse, pulling out of Rolle on the noontime run, August 2006

La Suisse, gliding between Rolle shore and the Ile de la Harpe.

La Suisse bound for elsewhere, August 2006

La Suisse may be the loveliest boat ever built.

La Suisse, scootching its formidable momentum in towards the dock at Rolle, 6 August 2007

La Suisse picking up the luncheon crowd in Rolle. Talk about pleasant symmetries!

La Suisse parading before my lunch bench on the lakeside at Rolle, 6 August 2007, with the Ile de la Harpe behind. Two fabulous jambon/fromage sandwiches from our favorite patisserie on the Grand Rue, the International Herald Tribune, and a beautiful steamship passing right in front of us. It's hard to absorb so much wonderfulness. Note the Amis des Bateaux à Vapeur du Léman booster-banner (Friends of the Lake Geneva steamships).

La Suisse heads out for the wider lunchtime world.

The ducks are splendidly unperturbed.

See you tomorrow, same place, precisely the same time.

Photos of a cruise on board La Suisse in 2012

La Suisse passing the Château de Chillon, October 2012


Feedback and suggestions are welcome if positive, resented if negative, . All rights reserved, all wrongs avenged. Posted 31 October 2007, last modified 28 November 2012.


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