107 year-old Lake Geneva treasure to return year-round by 2017

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – The Belle Epoque steamboat “Italie”, much loved by fans of the century-old fleet on Lake Geneva, is starting a 16-month refurbishment. The makeover is an eloquent thumbs-up to efforts by a group, ABVL (Association des amis des bateaux à vapeur du Léman), to raise funds to maintain and restore the 7-strong fleet, says the CGN navigation company.

The group, which now has 20,000 members, has raised CHF10 million since 2008 for work on the boat and this year canton Vaud agreed to contribute CHF3 million to cover the bill.

When the “Italie” returns at the end of 2016 she will be ready to work year-round, along with the “Vevey”, also restored, in 2013. Both boats will have electric-diesel propulsion systems. The other five will continue to work the April-October season.

The “Italie” has a long and rich history, and it was her plight that may ultimately lead to saving the fleet. In 2005 the boat was retired and her fate was unknown – and debated for the next three years. The lake’s boats had not yet been declared historical monuments, a move that happened only in 2011. The navigation company did not have enough funds for the costly work to restore and save the boats.

The “Italie” began working the lake in 1908; by 2005 she had logged more than 3 million km, more than any other lake steamboat.

As a gesture of appreciation to the public, the CGN will open the doors of its naval yard for two days, 12 and 13 September, during European Heritage Days.