The Compagnie générale de navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) is an emblematic company that has shaped river transport in the Lake Geneva region since it was founded in 1873. History and practical information about this company, which plays a key role in Swiss transport.
History of CGN
CGN came into being following the merger of three shipping companies in 1873.
The Société du bateau à vapeur sur le lac Léman, the Compagnie genevoise des vapeurs réunis and the Compagnie de l’Helvétie decided to join forces to create a company capable of meeting the growing demand for transport on Lake Geneva.
Over the years, the CGN fleet has grown considerably, from eight vessels at the time of the merger in 1873 to a total of nineteen today.
Some of these ships are particularly famous, such as the Aigle*, inaugurated in 1837 and upgraded several times over the years, and the Helvétie*, commissioned in 1926. These boats are living witnesses to a bygone era when steamships reigned supreme on Lake Geneva.
CGN developed around luxury tourism in the last century, but it has gone through a number of crises, depending on international events: wars, world wars, oil crises, and so on.
It is thanks to the intervention of the public authorities that the private company has been able to maintain its activity, in particular with an increased offer of daily transport.
Today, CGN is run by two separate companies, one for transport and the other for the conservation of the boats from the Belle Epoque.
- Belle Epoque boat “La Suisse” on video
CGN on Lake Geneva
Since its inception, CGN has offered a variety of services to meet the needs of locals and tourists alike. In addition to regular public transport between the various towns on the lake, the company also offers themed cruises, allowing passengers to discover the beauty of Lake Geneva while enjoying a unique experience on board the magnificent Belle Époque boats.
CGN plays a major economic and cultural role in the Lake Geneva region. By providing a link between the main towns on the lake, it contributes to the development of tourism and encourages exchanges of all kinds.
What’s more, its historic ships are true ambassadors of Swiss heritage, bearing witness to the importance of maritime transport on Lake Geneva for almost two centuries.
With 19 boats and a capacity of over 1,000 passengers, CGN is the largest shipping company operating on an inland lake.
CGN destinations
Over the years, the destinations served by CGN have diversified, to the delight of its 2.5 million annual passengers (2019 figure), whether local, Swiss or international.
Montreux, Nyon, Villeneuve, Le Bouveret, Thonon, Evian… travel without a car, connecting with trains and buses, on the lake between Savoie, Geneva and Vaud, or enjoy an express cruise!
The CGN offer helps you organise your mobility around Lake Geneva while minimising your carbon impact thanks to public river transport.
Today, the company provides crossings between several Swiss towns such as Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey and Morges, as well as French towns such as Évian-les-Bains and Yvoire. In this way, it plays an active part in the cross-border economy and strengthens the links between the two countries.
CGN and tourism
To attract more visitors and diversify its activities, CGN regularly organises special events on board its ships, such as gastronomic cruises or open-air concerts.
The Compagnie du Lac Léman is also forging partnerships with other tourism operators, such as the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and local tourist offices, to offer combined packages and facilitate access to its services.
Maps of routes and stops on Lake Geneva
Looking for your line, your CGN landing stage? Here are 2 maps to help you plan your cruise and your journey.
Simplified map of regular routes
Regular routes N1, N2, N3 and N4, from one side of Lake Geneva to the other, between Switzerland and France:
Map of ports, marinas and landing stages
And for more details, here is the interactive map of CGN’s towns, ports, landing stages and boat stops around Lake Geneva, regular lines and seasonal tourist lines:
Itineraries and timetables CGN
Timetables and connections vary with the seasons, with special adaptations in the event of storms. Here are the general timetables as a guide and the direct link to the CGN website for a precise consultation according to your itinerary.
Timetables
- Main CGN timetables for regular routes N1, N2, N3 and N4 :
Reader, instructions for use (French)
- Timetable lines N1 and N2
From 25 April to 31 May and from 22 September to 11 October 2026
From 1st June to 21 September 2026
- Timetable lines N3 and N4
From 25 April to 31 May and from 22 September to 11 October 2026
From 1st June to 21 September 2026
- Seasonal timetable between Lausanne and Saint-Gingolph via Montreux and Château-de-Chillon :
From 25 April to 31 May and from 22 September to 11 October 2026
From 1st June to 21 September 2026
- Seasonal timetable between Geneva and Lausanne via Yvoire and Nyon.
From 25 April to 31 May and from 22 September to 11 October 2026
From 1st June to 21 September 2026
All CGN timetables
For more information, visit the official CGN website to check timetables, plan your route, and view fares and offers between Switzerland and France on the shores of Lake Geneva or Lake Léman, depending on your preference:
Other maps along the Rhône
Looking for other maps of the Rhône Valley? Go to the dedicated section:
Travel+
- Presentation of thegroup and thefleet
- History of CGN,official website
- The boats Aigle 1, 2 and 3, OurHistory
- The boat Helvetie,Wikipedia
- Léman Express Trains (LEX)
- Destination: Rhône Valley
- Rhône and Mediterranean flood warning system
- Map of river tourism on the Rhône
- Territories, towns, and villages crossed by the Rhône
- Map of the Rhône River and its tributaries
- By bike: ViaRhôna and Route du Rhône
- Where to stay along the Rhône River?
- IGN maps: Rhône Valley