PS La Suisse

Lake Geneva
Date entered service -- 1910
Major re-builds -- 1971 and 2009
Length -- 78.5m
Breadth -- 15.9m
Passenger capacity -- 1,200 (originally 1,500)
during the main season normally operates three anti-clockwise round trips from Lausanne round the Upper Lake
 
19th June 2022 As the amount of work required was found to be greater than initially advertised - she will not be available for the start of the Summer timetable
In consequence her Upper Lake sailings will be covered by her her sister PS Rhône from Sunday 19th June until further notice
22nd May 2022 First sailings of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Montreux on Sunday 22nd  May
After landing some of her passengers at Montreux pier,  the piston rod of her high pressure cylinder overheated on her return trip to Lausanne where she was immediately taken out of service for lengthy repairs leaving some of her sisters to cover her planned sailings
 
7th October 2021 Last sailings of the season
Following problems with her "bow-thruster" she was taken out of service after her usual double Châteaux-de-Chillon sailings 920-921-922-923 for repairs on Thursday 7th October and sister PS Simplon took over her booked sailings from the following day
Rather than trying to do a 'quick fix' it was subsequently decided to end her season and make an early start on her major winter overhaul
14th July 2021 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Wednesday 14th July after her normal summer timetabled sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205
18th April 2021 First tourist sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - her usual spring two round trips from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 18th April
17th April 2021 First sailings of the season
Operated the afternoon Evian-les-Baind ferry sailings 1111-1112-1113-1114-1115-1116-1117-1118-1119-1120-1121-1122 vice mv Léman on Saturday 17th April
6th April 2021  First planned sailings of the season 
Originally planned to operate the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service vice mv Léman on weekdays from Easter Tuesday 6th April to Friday 16th April..........
..........but this was cancelled and the overhaul of the ferry postponed
 
25th October 2020 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 25th October
1st August 2020 Originally advertised to operated a "Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne on Swiss National Day - Saturday 1st August,  but this had to be cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus precautions
22nd July 2020 Remained in dock for repairs on Wednesday 22nd July as well as the following day
Her sailings were quickly covered by the small mv Lavaux before the larger mv Lausanne was prepared for the Thursday
She returned to service on the Friday
14th July 2020 Originally advertised to operate a "Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Tuesday 14th July,  but this had to be cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus precautions
28th June 2020 Transferred to her 'traditional' summer three round trip sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205 between Lausanne and Le Bouveret commencing Sunday 28th June
26th June 2020 First public sailings of the delayed season
Eventually entered service and commenced a temporary post-coronavirus timetabled sailings 952-953-956-957-962-963-966-967 between Lausanne and Vevey La Tour on Friday 26th June
10th April 2020  First public sailings of the season 
Originally planned to operate two round trips from Lausanne to the Upper Lake on Good Friday 10th April  but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions
 
21st September 2019 Last sailings of the season
Owing to technical problems it was decided to place sister PS Montreux on theh autumn Upper Lake sailings Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 which she last operated on Sunday 21st October
16th July 2019 She remained in dock at Lausanne for two days of mid-season servicing on Tuesday 16th July and Wednesday 17th July - this was precaution before the very busy "Fête des Vignerons period" at Vevey
Do you have any further information ?
20th June 2019 Broke down at Lausanne on Thursday 20th June which unusually led to the cancellation of all her planned Upper Lake sailings rather than replacing her with another motor vessel
19th May 2019 Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Rolle on Sunday 19th May
14th April 2019 First public sailings of the season
Operated the two round trips from Lausanne to the Upper Lake on Sunday 14th April
 
21st October 2018 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 21st October
20th May 2018 Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Evian-les-Bains on Sunday 20th May
14th May 2018 Again remained in dock for further repairs on Monday 14th May as well as the following day - this time her sailings were covered by MPV Vevey
Do you have any further information about why ?
29th April 2018 Remained in dock for repairs on Sunday 29th April and all her sailings for the day were covered by the small mv Valais
Do you have any further information about why ?
28th April 2018 First public sailings of the season
Took over the spring two round trips from Lausanne to the Upper Lake from her sister PS Simplon on Saturday 28th April
 
29th October 2017 Last sailings of the season
Unusually remained in service for the first weekend of the winter timetable and operated sailings 1107-1108-1109-1110-930-931 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains followed by the weekly lunch cruise to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 29th October
22nd October 2017 "Traditional" last sailings of the autumn season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 22nd October
1st August 2017 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from Lausanne on Tuesday 1st August
14th July 2017 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Friday 14th July
21st May 2017 Annual Parade
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Cully on Sunday 21st May
14th April 2017 First timetabled cruise sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Good Friday 14th April
10th April 2017 First public sailings of the season
Operated all the mid-week Evian-les-Bains ferry sailings from Lausanne for several weeks commencing on Monday 10th April
9th April 2017 First sailings of the season
Operated a special sailing - from Lausanne to Le Bouveret in connection with a special steam train (hauled by Pacific loco 01 202) back to Rivaz/St-Saphorin on Sunday 9th April
 
23rd October 2016 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 23rd October
1st August 2016 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from Lausanne on Monday 1st August
14th July 2016 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Thursday 14th July
17th April 2016 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 17th April
 
18th October 2015 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 18th October
1st August 2015 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from Lausanne on Saturday 1st August
14th July 2015 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Tuesday 14th July
19th April 2015 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921 - morning return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 19th April..........
..........then broke down on arrival at Lausanne and was taken out of service for the next five days
Her afternoon sailings 922-923 were covered by the small Navibus mv Gèneve
 
19th October 2014 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon - on Sunday 19th October
2nd August 2014 Broke down at Lausanne on Saturday 2nd August and all her sailings for the day were covered by mv Général-Guisan
Do you have any further information ?
1st August 2014 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from Lausanne on Friday 1st August
31st July 2014 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Thursday 31st July
14th July 2014 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Monday 14th July
18th April 2014 First sailings of the season
Opened the Upper Lake sailings and operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon on - Good Friday 18th April
 
29th November 2013 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer completed her extended season by operating the weekday peak-hour ferry sailings 1101-1102-1103-1104-1117-1118-1119-1120-1121-1122 between Lausanne and Evian-les-Bains vice the regular ferry mv Léman until conpletion of her annual overhaul on Friday 29th November
27th October 2013 Unusually operated the winter Sunday Lunch cruise sailings 1107-1108-1109-1110-930-931 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake on Sunday 27th October and each weekend until Sunday 17th November
28th October 2013 Returned to service and took-over the peak hour ferry sailings between Lausanne and Evian-les-Bains vice the regular ferry mv Léman to allow her annual overhaul between Monday 28th October and Friday 29th November
17th October 2013 Following technical problems on Thursday 17th October the paddle steamer remained at Lausanne and sunsequently retired to dock for repairs bringing her summer season to an abrupt end
1st August 2013 Operatd a " Fireworks Cruise" from Lausanne on Thursday 1st August
31st July 2013 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Wednesday 31st July
14th July 2013 Operated a " Fireworks Cruise" from the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains on Sunday 14th July
14th April 2013 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 - two return sailings from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon on - Sunday 14th April
 
28th October 2012 Last planned sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was unusually planned to operate on the first Sunday of the winter timetable - but sadly a storm forced the cancellation of all sailings on the lake that day
21st October 2012 Last actual sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated weekend sailings 920-921-922-923-1119-1120 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the final Evian-les-Bains ferry run of the day on Sunday 21st October
14th April 2012 delayed First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 920-921-922-923 on Saturday 14th April
6th April 2012 Owing to probmens on her pre-season trains, her Easter weekend timetabled sailings - originally planned to commence on Good Friday 6th April - were replaced by mv Géréral-Guisan
 
16th October 2011 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated weekend sailings 920-921-922-923-1119-1120 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the final Evian-les-Bains ferry run of the day on Sunday 16th October
30th June 2011 As a result of damage to PS Montreux resulting in her withdrawl from service for the early summer period, the paddle steamer is now planned to re-instate the evening dinner cruise from Lausanne on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only commencing Thursday 30th June
17th April 2011 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated weekend sailings 920-921-922-923 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake from the start of the Spring Timetable on Sunday 17th April
 
24th October 2010 The paddle steamer operated a special " Evening Dinner Fundraising Cruise" for the laid-up MPV Italie from Lausanne on Sunday 24th October
29th May 2010 The paddle steamer operated a series of special 100th Birthday Short Cruises" from Geneva on Saturday 29th May and from Lausanne on Sunday 30th May
25th April 2010 First public sailings of the season
The 100 year old the paddle steamer operated sailings 110-111 from Geneva vice the regular motor vessel for Swiss Navigation Day on Sunday 25th April
 
29th October 2009 The paddle steamer operated a special " Evening Dinner Fundraising Cruise" for the laid-up MPV Italie from Lausanne on Thursday 29th October
24th May 2009 Took part in the pre-season Naval Parade off-Rolle on Sunday 24th May
16th May 2009 First public sailings of the season
Following a couple of special sailings to mark her return to service for VIPs and ABVL supporters the paddle steamer operated a series of short publicity cruises from Lausanne on Saturday 16th May and Geneva on Sunday 17th May
 
Summer 2007 The large paddle steamer spent the whole summer season operating the curtailed 'Grand Race' sailings 100-103 from Geneva to Vevey and return from Sunday 27th May to Monday 17th September ......
 ......prior to entering dock for major 18 month re-build
5th May 2007 First sailings of the season
Entered service earlier than usual and replaced PS Savoie on sailings 320-321-302-303 on Saturday 5th May
 
Summer 2006 The large paddle steamer spent the whole summer season operating the curtailed 'Grand Race' sailings 100-907 from Geneva to Vevey and return from Ascension Thursday 25th May to Sunday 24th September
21st May 2006 First public sailings of the season
Took part in the pre-season Naval Parade on Sunday 21st May
 
2nd October 2005 Last sailings of the season
Operated two special sailings from Geneva to Nyon at 1100 and 1435 on Sunday 2nd October
13th August 2005 Fêtes de Genève
Operated an evening fireworks cruise (as an extension of her regular sailing 5) from several Little Lake piers to Geneva on Saturday 13th August
4th August 2005 60th Anniversary of the ONU
Operated an evening fireworks cruise (as an extension of her regular sailing 5) from several Little Lake piers to Geneva on Thursday 4th August
22nd May 2005 Operated the last season of daily "Grand Races" from Geneva to St-Gingolph and return from Sunday 22nd May to Sunday 25th September
24th April 2005 First public sailings of the season
Operated sailings 32-33 1230 from Lausanne to St-Gingolph and 1525 return vice the smaller PS Rhône on Sunday 24th April (Swiss Navigation Day)
 
26th September 2004 Last sailings of the season
Operated four afternoon 50 minute mini-cruises from Geneva on Sunday 26th September
20th September 2004 Last timetabled sailings of the season
Operated the Rhône Express full-length sailings 2-5 on Monday 20th September
16th May 2004 Operated the first full-length round-trip sailings 2-5 from Geneva to St-Gingolph and return on Sunday 16th May
This paddle steamer covers the largest daily mileage on any of the lakes, matched only by MPV Italie which operates a similar round trip from the other end of the lake
25th April 2004 First public sailings of the season
Operated sailings 32-33 1230 from Lausanne to St-Gingolph and 1535 return vice mv Général-Guisan on Sunday 25th April (Swiss Navigation Day)
 
22nd September 2003 Last sailings of the season
Operated the Rhône Express full-length sailings 64-155 on Monday 22nd September
30th August 2003 Cancelled - see following item
Planned to operated an evening love boat cruise from Montreux at 1900 on Saturday 30th August
29th August 2003 The paddle steamer failed to stop whilst entering Ouchy dock on the evening of Friday 29th August and hit a wall causing damage to her bow
She was immediately withdrawn from service
Repairs were completed to enable operation of private charter sailings vice PS Simplon on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September
29th May to
3rd June 2003
"G8 Summit" at Evian-les-Bains
The only steam driven paddle steamer in public service during this period - planned to operate a modified version of her daily full-length sailings 64-155, operating mainly along the Swiss Coast with unusual additional calls at Nernier, Rolle, St-Prex, Morges and St-Sulpice
3rd May 2003 First sailings of the season
Operated a special Inauguration Cruise from Lausanne depart 0910, Nyon depart 1110 and Rolle depart 1210 on Saturday 3rd May to mark the reinstatement of the Figurehead
 
16th September 2002 Last sailings of the season
Operated Rhone Express full-length sailings 64-155 on Monday 16th September
5th May 2002 Operated three short 45 minute afternoon cruises from Geneva on Sunday 5th May
28th April 2002 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 80a-110-134-91b on Sunday 28th April as a result of the accident to MPV Vevey on Friday 12th April
The paddle steamer apparantly broke down (twice ?) with about 500 passengers on board, but was able to procede after minor repairs
Can YOU supply any further information ?
 
17th September 2001 Last timetabled sailing of 2001 on Monday 17th September   1500 "Rhône Express" St-Gingolph to Geneva
20th May 2001 First timetabled sailing of 2001 on Sunday 20th May   0900 "Rhône Express" Geneva to St-Gingolph
19th May 2001 Return to service of PS Montreux after major rebuild
First public sailing of 2001 on Saturday 19th May   "Steamer Parade"
9th April 2001 The paddle steamer broke down off Morges on the way to operate a pre-season charter sailing from Geneva on Monday 9th April
See news page for further details
 
25th September 2000 Last public sailings of the season
Operated timetabled sailings 64-155 on Monday 25th September vice mv Chablais - 1230 from Lausanne to St-Gingolph and 1500 return
18th September 2000 Last "Rhône Express" sailings of 2000 onMonday 18th September   0900 Geneva to St-Gingolph and 1500 return
28th May 2000 First public sailing of 2000 on Sunday 28th May 0900 "Rhône Express" Geneva to St-Gingolph
 
31st December 1999 Special Millennium Eve cruise from Lausanne
3rd July 1999 The paddle steamer broke down off St-Prex on the
return leg of the evening cruise from Lausanne to
Yvoire on Saturday 3rd July
See news page for further details
 
27th September 1998 Last public sailing of the season on Sunday
27th September
  sailing 901 vice mv Lausanne
1200 "brunch cruise" from Lausanne


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Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 17th June 2022   e-mail   (c)1999-2022 John B Bird