PS Montreux

Lake Geneva

Click for additional photos
following the re-build
Date entered service -- 1904
Major re-builds -- 1962 and 2001 #
Length -- 68.3m
Breadth -- 14.3m
Passenger capacity -- 750
# - the new steam engine built by DLM was the only one in the world controlled direct from the bridge
during the peak-season
normally operates an afternoon cruise from Lausanne to the Upper lake (Château de Chillon)
followed by an evening dinner cruise to Yvoire across the lake in France
 
19th June 2022 First timetabled sailings of the season
Operated the first of her new afternoon anti-clockwise cruise sailings 204-205 from Lausanne round the Upper Lake followed by her 'traditional' evening cruise sailings 487-488 to Yvoire on Sunday 19th June
22nd May 2022 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Montreux on Sunday 22nd May
 
5th September 2021 Last public sailings of the season
Operated an afternoon cruise from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon followed by an evening cruise to Yvoire (France) on Sunday 5th September
7th July 2021 Broke down on Wednesday 7th July resulting in her spending the day undertaking repairs at Ouchy Dock
Her afternoon sailings 906-907 to the Upper Lake along with her evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire were covered by mv Henry-Dunant,  as seen at Morges
She returned to service the following day operating her usual sailings 906-907-487-488
20th June 2021 First public sailings of the season
Operated an afternoon cruise from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon followed by an evening cruise to Yvoire (France) on Sunday 20th June
 
6th September 2020 Last sailing of the season
Operated her normal summer sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 6th September
2nd August 2020 Broke down on Sunday 2nd August resulting in her spending the day undertaking repairs at Ouchy Dock
Her afternoon sailings 906-907 to the Upper Lake were covered by mv Général-Guisan and her evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire were covered by the much smaller mv Lavaux,  as seen at Vevey and Morges respectively
She returned to service the following day operating her usual sailings 906-907-487-488
28th June 2020 First timetabled sailing of the season
Eventually returned to service at the start of the delayedsummer timetable and operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return commencing Sunday 28th June
24th May 2020  First public sailing of the season 
Orininally planned to take part in the annual pre-season naval parade on Sunday 24th May,  but this had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus precautions
 
20th October 2019 Last sailing of the season
Operated the usual two Autumn sailings 920-921-922-923 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake and return on Sunday 20th October
8th September 2019 In addition to her usual late season private charters,  she operated the majority of the Lausanne to the Upper Lake sailings vice her larger sister PS La Suisse commencing Sunday 8th September which includes the evening sailing to Vevey and Montreux
1st September 2019 Last advertised sailing of her traditional summer season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 1st September
18th July 2019 Fête des Vignerons
Owing to sisters PS La Suisse and PS Simplon both originally being chartered for the event, several motor vessels were planned to "step-up" to cover
In consequence PS Montreux was initially rostered to partially cover mv Général-Guisan and operate additional morning timetabled sailings 1203-1204-1245-1246-902-903 on Thursday 18th July
This would have seen her make rare calls (for her) at Thonon-les-Bains (twice),  Villeneuve,  Le Bouveret and St-Gingolph

However due to the late cancellation of one of the charters,  this rare situation was withdrawn
16th June 2019 First timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return commencing Sunday 16th June
19th May 2019 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Rolle on Sunday 19th May
 
2nd September 2018 Last timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 2nd September
12th July 2018 Broke down before her afternoon sailing 906 on Thursday 12th July resulting in her remaining in dock for four days indertaking repair
Her sailings were covered by the much smaller mv Henry-Dunant which was moved from "standby" at Geneva to cover
She returned to service on Monday 16th July operating her usual sailings 906-907-487-488
17th June 2018 First timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return commencing Sunday 17th June
20th May 2018 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Evian-les-Bains on Sunday 20th May
 
3rd September 2017 Last timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 3rd September
13th August 2017 Broke down after her afternoon sailings 906-907 resulting in her evening sailings 487-488 having to be covered by the much smaller mv Morges on Sunday 13th August
She returned to service the following morning after quick overnight repairs
18th June 2017 First timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return commencing Sunday 18th June
21st May 2017 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Cully on Sunday 21th May
 
2016 Spent all year in Ouchy dock undertakiong repairs to her boiler
 
8th August 2015 Last sailings of the season
Broke down after her evening sailings 487-488 on Saturday 8th August with further boiler problems and was taken out of service the following day for the remainder of the 2015 season
1st August 2015 Swiss National Day
Broke down with boiler problems before her afternoon sailings 906-907 which were covered by mv Général-Guisan
After quick repairs she was able to operate her evening sailings 487-488 on Saturday 1st August
21st June 2015 First timetabled sailing of the season
Operated sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 21st June
24th May 2015 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Rolle on Sunday 25th May
 
7th September 2014 Last sailings of the season
Operated the sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 7th September
22nd June 2014 First timetabled sailing of the season
Operated the sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 22nd June
25th May 2014 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Vevey on Sunday 25th May
 
8th September 2013 Last sailings of the season
Operated the sailings 906-907 from Lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the evening sailings 487-488 to Yvoire and return on Sunday 8th September
30th April 2013 First sailings of the season
Operated the 0640 ferry sailing 1212 from Thonon-les-Bains and the 1730 return sailing 1223 from Lausanne vice mv Général-Guisan on Tuesday 30th April
 
27th September 2012 Last sailings of the Season
Unusually operated relief sailings between Nyon and Yvoire followed by the evening Lausanne to Thonon-les-Bains commuter ferry run on Thursday 27th September
20th May 2012 First public sailing of the season
Returned to service after her major repairs and took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Morges on Sunday 20th May
 
August 2011
Following her withdrawal from service, the paddle steamer spent the remainder of summer 2011 moored on "death's row" - the outer harbour wall at Lausanne-Ouchy where so many of her older sisters spent their final days before being scrapped - alongside sister MPV Italie (also awaiting re-building)
Her afternoon sailing to the Upper lake was covered by a motor vessel and a modified version of her Evening Dinner Cruise was operated by PS La Suisse on limited dates
Photo: Margaret Smith - click on picture to enlarge
8th June 2011 After a private charter on Wednesday 8th June is was discovered her new superheater had failed thus causing in a complete boiler failure - ironically replacement parts which had only just been installed by the CGN the previous winter
The paddle steamer was taken out of service two days later for repairs
As it turned out, this was her final sailing of 2011
It was very fortunate the late decision was taken to return her sister PS Rhône to service in 2011 after all, so she was available to cover her first timetabled sailings on Sunday 12th June and some of her many planned charters
5th June 2011 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Rolle on Sunday 5th June
 
29th August 2010 Last sailings of the Season
Operated Upper Lake timetabled 204-205 followed by the evening dinner cruise from Lausanne to Rolle on Sunday 29th August
Peak Summer 2010 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
During the summer of 2010, operated the 1415 sailing from lausanne to the Upper Lake followed by the curtailed timetabled evening dinner cruise from Lausanne to Rolle and return commencing Sunday 4th July
20th June 2010 Made a rare public visit to Geveva by operating sailings 100-101 from Lausanne on Sunday 20th June vice mv Chablais which broke down earlier in the month and had to be permamently withdrawn from service
16th May 2010 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off-Morges on Sunday 24th May
 
6th September 2009 Last sailings of 2009
Operated the timetabled evening dinner cruise from Lausanne to Yvoire on and Sunday 6th September
Peak Summer 2009 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
During the summer of 2009, the paddle steamer only operated the timetabled evening dinner cruise from Lausanne to Yvoire and return commencing Sunday 28th June
24th May 2009 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off Rolle on Sunday 24th May
 
14th September 2008 Last sailings of 2008
Operated six 45 minute non-landing cruises from Lausanne-Ouchy on Sunday 14th September in connection with the "open day" at Ouchy works where progress of the major re-build of her sister PS La Suisse could be seen by the general public
The last day in service was considerably earlier than recent years as the 'traditional' Montreux Christmas Market Lunch Cruises will not operate this year
Peak Summer 2008 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
The paddle steamer operated timetabled sailings 1204-1205-204-205-405-406 between Sunday 29th June and Sunday 7th September
25th May 2008 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off Vevey on Sunday 25th May
 
16th December 2007 Last sailings of 2007
Operated the 'traditional' Montreux Christmas Market Lunch Cruises at 1200 from Lausanne on Sundays 16th and 23rd December
26th August 2007 Broke down at Ouchy dock on Sunday 26th August and her sailings 711-712-1201-1202-211-403-404 were covered by mv Henry-Dunant for the next three days - see also news page
July and August 2007 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
The paddle steamer operated timetabled sailings 711-712-1201-1202-211-403-404 between Sunday 1st July and Sunday 9th September
20th May 2007 First public sailings of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off Morges on Sunday 20th May
 
10th December 2006
Last sailings of 2006
Operated the 'traditional' Montreux Christmas Market Lunch Cruise on Sunday 10th December at 1200 from Lausanne and again on the following Sunday before retiring to Ouchy dock
9th September 2006
Journées européennes du Patrimoine
Operated three two-hour cruises from Lausanne to Vevey on Saturday 9th September and again on Sunday 10th September
On the Sunday alone the paddle steamer carried 2092 passengers !
See also special photo feature
July and August 2006 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
The paddle steamer operated timetabled sailings 711-712-1201-1202-211-403-404 between Sunday 2nd July and Sunday 3rd September
21st May 2006 First public sailings of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off Rolle on Sunday 21st May
 
11th and 18th December 2005 Last sailings of 2005
Operated two special Montreux Christmas Market Lunch Cruises from Lausanne depart 1200 on Sundays 11th and 18th December
7th September 2005 Broke down at Ouchy dock on Wednesday 7th September during her Late Summer Charter period
Basically her charters and the special sailings for the next few days including the Journées du patrimoine special sailings were covered by PS Rhône
July and August 2005 Peak-Summer timetabled sailings
The paddle steamer is operating timetabled sailings 309-310-901-53-54 between Saturday 2nd July and Sunday 4th September
15th May 2005 Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade off Morges on Whit Sunday 15th May
14th May 2005 First public sailings of the season
Operated six special one hour cruises from Morges for just SF5 on Whit Saturday 14th May
 
18th December 2004
 ** CANCELLED ** 
Originally planned to operate a special evening Dinner Cruise from Montreux depart 1830 to view the illuminated Château de Chillon on Saturday 18th December
5th December 2004 Last sailings of 2004
Operated three special Montreux Christmas Market Lunch Cruises from Lausanne depart 1200 including a short afternoon non-landing "mini-cruise" from Montreux depart 1410 on Sunday 5th December and again on the following two Sundays
   note - the earlier departure of the mini-cruise compared with last year was to enable the paddle steamer to clear the pier for the new timetabled sailing 39 by MPV Vevey at 1412-15 (from 12th December) followed by the arrival of mv Chablais at 1425
11th September 2004 Europäischer Tag des Denkmals - Saturday 11th September
In connection with the above and the CGN Ouchy works open day, the paddle steamer operated seven 30 minute non-landing cruises from Lausanne on Saturday 11th September - depart 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600
This arrangement was repeated the following day (Sunday 12th September)
29th August 2004 Last timetabled sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated timetabled sailings 309-310-201-53-54 on Sunday 29th August
30th May 2004
As part of her 100th birthday celebrations the paddle steamer operated a special public lunch cruise on Whit Sunday 30th May departing Vevey at 1145 and Montreux at 1220
9th May 2004 First public sailing of the season
Took part in the annual pre-season naval parade on Sunday 9th May
2004 100 years old in 2004
The paddle steamer mainly operated private charter sailings for most of the year, except for the period between Sunday 27th June and Sunday 29th August when she was be rostered to timetabled sailings 309-310-201-53-54
 
21st December 2003 Last sailings of 2003
Operated the last of three Sunday special Montreux Christmas Market Brunch Cruises from Lausanne also a short non-landing "mini-cruise" from Montreux on Sunday 21st December
7th December 2003 Operated the first of three Sunday special Montreux Christmas Market Brunch Cruises from Lausanne also a short non-landing "mini-cruise" from Montreux on Sunday 7th December - see photo feature
10th August 2003 Broke down at Morges whilst operating sailing 173 on Sunday 10th August
Following repairs at the pier, the paddle steamer returned non-stop to Lausanne at approximately 2130 (roughly in the path of sailing 218)
See news page for further details
29th June 2003 The paddle steamer operated timetabled sailings 65-76-195-173-218 on Sunday 29th June and continued every day until Sunday 31st August
29th May
to 3rd June 2003
"G8 Summit" at Evian-les-Bains
Operated special ferry sailings from Lausanne for VIPs attending the conference
11th May 2003
First public sailing of the season
Took part in the five paddle steamer pre-season 130 years of the CGN naval parade on Sunday 11th May departing Lausanne at 1200
2003 The paddle-steamer mainly operated private charter sailings from 22nd February to the end of the year
 
22nd December 2002 Laat sailing of the season
Operated the third Sunday Christmas Market Brunch Cruise from Lausanne on Sunday 22nd December
8th December 2002 Operated the first of three Sunday Christmas Market Brunch Cruises from Lausanne on Sunday 8th December
This was the first time the new steam engine was controlled directly from the bridge in public service,  without the need for an engineer
1st September 2002 Last timetabled sailings of the season
Operated the regular Lausanned based sailings 65-76-95-173-218 on Sunday 1st September
11th July 2002 Broke down off-Rolle with generator problems whilst operating sailing 218 on Thursday 11th July and passengers were transferred to MPV Vevey (which was operating a private charter sailing) to continue their journey to Lausanne
See news page for further details
30th June 2002 The paddle steamer returned to daily timetabled service on Sunday 30th June for the peak-season
21st/22nd June 2002 First timetabled sailings of the season
The paddle steamer UNUSUALLY operated the Weekend Late Night Ferry Service between Lausanne and Evian-les-Bains on the nights of Friday/Saturday 21st/22nd June and Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd June
12th May 2002 First public sailing of the season
The paddle steamer took part in the six steamer pre-season publicity parade on Sunday 12th May
2002 The paddle steamer mainly operated private charter sailings until 6th January and again from 11th March to 22nd December
 
1st December 2001 Last public sailing of the season
Operated a special evening Scottish Whisky Dinner cruise from Geneva at 2100 on
Saturday 1st December
23rd November 2001 Operated a special public evening Scottish Whisky Dinner cruise from Lausanne at 2100 on Friday 23rd  November
Autumn and
Winter 2001
The paddle steamer had a large number of private charter sailings
31st August 2001 Last timetabled sailings of the season on Friday 31st August -- 1820 evening cruise from Lausanne to Yvoire and 2010 return
1st July 2001 First timetabled sailing of the season on Sunday 1st July - 1230 lunch cruise from Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains and 1315 return
29th June 2001 The day started early with a 0700 Shareholders AGM special from Lausanne to Geneva
The paddle steamer then operated two special short free cruises for the public from Geneva (at 1010 and 1055) followed by a 1215 lunch cruise before the return AGM Shareholders special sailing left Geneva for Lausanne at 1525 on Friday 29th June
20th May 2001 Operated six special short free cruises for the public from Lausanne (at 0910, 0955 and 1040) and from Montreux (at 1610, 1700 and 1750) on Sunday 20th  May
19th May 2001 Operated her maiden voyage as "PS" Montreux for invited guests only on Saturday 19th May commemorated by a naval parade with the other four paddle steamers - see photo feature
This followed the major re-build during the previous two and a half years which included the installation of a new steam engine and boiler to replace the diesel-electric motor installed for the 1962 season
 
Autumn 1998 Withdrawn from service for major re-build, including re-conversion to steam power - see also special feature
4th October 1998
Final sailing of MPV Montreux
On Sunday 4th October operated sailings 33-50-64-155 - ending up with the 1500 St-Gingolph to Lausanne

Click here for official CGN poster
Summer 1998 Normally operated the "2 day roster" alternating with MPV Vevey
  day one - 1015 Lausanne to Geneva via St-Gingolph
  day two - 1030 Geneva to Lausanne via St-Gingolph
 
Summer 1983 Normally operated the "Two Day roster" alternating with MPV Vevey
  day one - 0930 Lausanne to Geneva followed by
                  1430 Geneva to Yvoire and return
  day two - 1045 Geneva to Lausanne via St-Gingolph
 


Return to PS Fleet Summary Page
Return to PS Fleet Details Page
Return to Lake Geneva Current Timetables Index
Return to Lake Geneva Archive Timetables Index
Return to Paddle Steamer Timetables Index
Restore Frames



Can you help?

Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich Last Updated 24th June 2022   e-mail   (c)1999-2022 John B Bird