Switzerland: Association of Friends of Lake Geneva Steamers Joins Europa Nostra

The Association of Friends of Lake Geneva Steamers (ABVL) became a Member Organisation of Europa Nostra in July 2014. Saving and promoting the world’s largest Belle Époque fleet, composed of eight unique paddle steamers dating from the early 20th century, is the mission of this non-profit association based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Created in 2002, today it counts on some 3,000 active members and 20,000 donators.

The historic fleet, which is owned by the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN), was classified as national heritage in 2011. Through various activities of fund-raising, lobbying and raising public awareness, the Association made a vital contribution to the restoration of 6 out of the 8 classified boats, namely the La Suisse, the Simplon, the Montreux, the Savoie, the Rhône and the Vevey. Some were completely renovated, others were partially restored. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of the Association – as well as to the vital commitment and contributions of the Lake Geneva Heritage Museum in Nyon, the public authorities and the owners themselves – the 6 boats can now be enjoyed again, and for many years to come, journeying between France and Switzerland and providing their passengers with an unrivalled experience, recapturing the serenity of less frenetic times.

“Now our priority is financing the renovation of the boat Italie, which we hope will start this autumn. It will be followed in a couple of years by the restoration of the Helvétie, the other boat still decommissioned”, explained Maurice Decoppet, President of the ABVL and the CGN Belle Époque subsidiary company.

The outstanding conservation of the Belle Époque Steamers on Lake Geneva won a Europa Nostra Award in 2014. The Jury also recognised the key role played by the Association in recovering these “highly distinctive living, floating museums”.

“We are very proud to have won a Europa Nostra Award in 2014 and we expect that it will boost our fundraising efforts in the upcoming years. It is also a great honour for us to have been accepted as a Member Organisation of Europa Nostra by its Board and thus contribute to strengthen the voice of cultural and natural heritage in Europe.”

In Switzerland, Europa Nostra has 13 member and associate organisations, with Patrimoine Suisse being a founding member organisation. We seek to strongly engage with and further enlarge our network of members, associates, benefactors, partners and supports in Switzerland and all over Europe. Together we can save and promote our shared cultural heritage. JOIN US