On a sunny Saturday in April 2026, the Compagnie générale de navigation (CGN) welcomed hundreds of visitors to its Lausanne-Ouchy shipyard for the first public open days since a turbulent 2025 season disrupted service on Lake Geneva.
The event, held on April 18 and 19 from 10:00 to 17:00, offered free access to workshops where specialists maintain the Belle Époque fleet, including the steamship “La Suisse,” whose partially dismantled engine drew particular attention. Visitors could also view ongoing work on the paddle steamer “Vevey,” featuring new paddle wheels and a refurbished upper deck, while mini-cruises aboard the motor vessel “Rhône” provided five daily 45-minute trips across the lake.
CGN administration president Benoît Gaillard acknowledged the previous year’s challenges, stating that 2025 had been “particularly capricious” for the Lausanne-based fleet due to technical and organizational disruptions that eroded public confidence. Despite this, he emphasized a “robust schedule” for the 2026 tourist season, signaling a return to regular operations.
However, the flagship vessel “La Suisse” will not participate in the upcoming naval parade, as confirmed by Le Dauphiné Libéré, with repairs expected to continue until 2027. This absence underscores the lingering impact of last year’s setbacks, even as the CGN seeks to rebuild trust through transparency and heritage engagement.
The open days served dual purposes: showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship required to preserve historic vessels and offering the public a tangible sign of recovery after a year marked by cancellations and delays. For families and lake enthusiasts, the event provided both education and recreation, blending industrial heritage with leisure on the water.
By inviting the public into the shipyard, the CGN aimed to demystify the maintenance process while highlighting the specialized skills needed to keep century-old steamships operational. The presence of Radio LFM journalists broadcasting live from the site between 10:00 and 13:00 further amplified the event’s reach, turning a local open day into a regional point of interest.
The juxtaposition of celebration and caution defined the weekend: while the Belle Époque fleet symbolized resilience and continuity, the ongoing absence of “La Suisse” served as a reminder that full recovery remains a work in progress. Officials avoided overpromising, instead focusing on verifiable progress and long-term preservation goals.
Why was the CGN holding open days at its Lausanne-Ouchy shipyard?
The CGN opened its shipyard to the public to showcase the preservation work on its Belle Époque fleet, promote transparency after a disruptive 2025 season, and reconnect with the community through heritage education and lake access.
Which vessels were highlighted during the event, and what work was visible?
The steamship “La Suisse” displayed its partially dismantled engine, the paddle steamer “Vevey” showed new paddle wheels and upper deck maintenance, and the motor vessel “Rhône” offered mini-cruises after a year-long steam engine overhaul.
When will the steamship “La Suisse” return to service?
According to Le Dauphiné Libéré, “La Suisse” is undergoing repairs expected to last until 2027, meaning it will not participate in the 2026 naval parade or resume passenger trips before then.
How did the CGN address public concerns following the difficult 2025 season?
Through open shipyard access, public mini-cruises, and statements from leadership acknowledging past disruptions while promoting a “robust” 2026 schedule, the CGN sought to rebuild trust by combining accountability with visible progress.
