Who are we?
CGN owns the world's biggest fleet, (in terms of passengers capacity), on Belle Epoque ships. These ships have been sailing you on one of the most beautiful Central Europe lakes for 135 years, with their paddle wheels rhythm.
They offer you dream-cruises, between Switzerland and France, from Geneva to Montreux, through Evian and Lausanne.
Enjoy the typical dishes offered by our caterers on board, gazing at the lake's magic, switching from morning mists to romantic sunsets. Cradled by the waves lapping, the seagulls calls and the effort of the steam-machines.
You'll admire the piers and their castles, (Chillon, Rolle, Yvoire, etc.), hillsides with their vineyards and the snowy peaks of the swiss and french Alps.
CGN is also an efficient carrier allowing hundreds of frontier workers to go from France to Switzerland, or vice versa, on a daily basis.
On these lines, CGN offers modern boats, fast and efficient, year round, and ensures more than 30 daily roundtrips between the two shores.
Every cruise is an enchantment, and our passengers never get tired of the constant changing landscapes offered by the Leman lake.
Our crews will do every possible thing to take care of you, and will do their best to make your cruise unforgettable, thanks to the particular attention put on security, kindness and efficiency.
To all of you: Welcome on board!
The board of Directors
| Kurt Oesch
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Chairman of the board
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| Patrick Pettmann*
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Vice Chairman
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| Jean Jacques Schwaab*
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Lawyer
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| Bertrand Cardis
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Graduate EPFL engineer
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| Daniel Brélaz*
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Lausanne trustee
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| François Bryand
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Fbexpertises
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| Rémi Walbaum
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Operational and Administrative Manager of the Lausanne Hotel School (EHL)
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| Jean Denais
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Maire of the City of Thonon-les-Bains
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| Philippe Thuner
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ARH Chairman
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| Michel Joye
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Director of Lausanne region public transportation
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| Antoine Lattion*
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Monthey district prefect
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| Rosemarie Antille*
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Monthey district sub-prefect
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| Cédric Alber*
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Personnal assistant to the Mayor of Geneva
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| Yves de Siebenthal
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SIG Director
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* Governments Delegates
Leadership
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Luc-Antoine Baehni
General Manager since 2000
EPFZ Graduate engineer, MBA-HEC graduate, he has a wide knowledge in management and public relations. CATERPILLAR OVERSEAS SA field representative in Spain and Scandinavia, (1985 - 1990), he then held several positions at HOLCIM, the cement world-leader, (1991 - 2000). Among these he held the position of Sales Manager, marketing and logistician for HOLCIM Switzerland, Austria and Southern Germany, as well as Management Committee member.
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Kathia Mettan
Commercial Director since May 2008
After a Tourism Manager diploma, (Ecole Suisse de Tourisme de Sierre), she started her career at LES DIABLERETS TOURIST OFFICE, (1998 - 1999). Then, she worked for LAUSANNE TOURISM as a Marketing Assistant, (1999 - 2000). In 2000, she joined the Company as Groups Office Manager before becoming Assistant Sales Manager, Special Events Cruises Manager, and Public Relations Manager.
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Olivier Dénéréaz
Operating Manager since 2001
After a Radio Electronics apprenticeship at BILLAUD Radio Television in Crissier, he joined the Company in 1984. He held several positions in the navigation field and at our shipyard.
His professional carreer in the Company allowed him to acquire the necessary experience to lead the Operating Department. After some coaching and management courses, he also obtained several certificates in these fields.
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Michael Gaberthuel
CFO (chief financial officer) since October 1st, 2007
HEC graduate in Business Management, he first held the position of credit analyst for CREDIT SUISSE (1992 - 1996); then, the one of TETRA PAK Finance Manager (1996 - 2001). He also worked for the CRANS MONTANA AMINONA SA ski lifts, as a Finance & Administration Manager (2001 - 2007).
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Patrick Jordan
Human Resources Manager since September 1st, 2004
After a graduation in economic and social sciences, he chose a more technical domain as a surveyor. He started a Human Resources activity in 1994 at ROMANDE ENERGIE. Its continuing education intensified until he obtained a Master in Human Resources. Before joining the Company, he held the position of Human Resources Manager for GROUPE MUTUEL in Martigny from 2001 Throough 2004.
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Eric Soret
Technical Director since 2001
He first held the position of deck and machinery officer, on several types of ships for the Merchant Navy and for the National French Navy. (1976 - 1982). He then obtained the DESMM, (Diplôme des Etudes Supérieures de la Marine Marchande). He trained as an Audit Qualité ISO 9000 (1995). From 1982 through 1998, he held the position of Branch Manager of the BUREAU VERITAS in Malaysia, Vietnam, Portugal and Middle East, (Dubai), and the position of Main Expert as well. Between 1999 and 2000, he also obtained an MBA at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Lyon.
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Who are we?
CGN owns the world's biggest fleet, (in terms of passengers capacity), on Belle Epoque ships. These ships have been sailing you on one of the most beautiful Central Europe lakes for 135 years, with their paddle wheels rhythm.
They offer you dream-cruises, between Switzerland and France, from Geneva to Montreux, through Evian and Lausanne.
Enjoy the typical dishes offered by our caterers on board, gazing at the lake's magic, switching from morning mists to romantic sunsets. Cradled by the waves lapping, the seagulls calls and the effort of the steam-machines.
You'll admire the piers and their castles, (Chillon, Rolle, Yvoire, etc.), hillsides with their vineyards and the snowy peaks of the swiss and french Alps.
CGN is also an efficient carrier allowing hundreds of frontier workers to go from France to Switzerland, or vice versa, on a daily basis.
On these lines, CGN offers modern boats, fast and efficient, year round, and ensures until 90 crossings per day between the two shores.
Every cruise is an enchantment, and our passengers never get tired of the constant changing landscapes offered by the Leman lake.
Our crews will do every possible thing to take care of you, and will do their best to make your cruise unforgettable, thanks to the particular attention put on security, kindness and efficiency.
To all of you: Welcome on board!
Purpose and structure of the Company
Purpose of the Company
CGN's Articles of Association lay down three tasks:
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| Public transportation
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CGN's mission is to transport people on the lake in an economical
and convenient manner.
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| Tourism development
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Regular service of the landing points on Lake Geneva, means that
the Company is helping to make the cantons bordering on the lake,
more attractive to tourists.
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| Heritage mission
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The Company is tasked with maintaining the world's largest fleet
of "BELLE EPOQUE" vessels, in terms of passenger capacity.
This means that it is the guardian of a unique industrial heritage,
with an increasingly significant museographical responsibility.
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Structure of the Company
CGN is a public company, (Société Anonyme, S.A.). It has about 10'000 shareholders from both the public and private sectors. The public shareholders, (the Federal Government, cantons and municipalities bordering on the lake), have a decisive influence on the Company's development. Indeed, the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais pay for the bulk of the investments necessary to renovate and maintain the fleet, and balance the Company's non-paying services by way of a management contract.
Structure
CGN is a public company (société anonyme, SA). It has about 10,000 shareholders from both the public and private sectors. The public shareholders (the Federal Government, cantons and municipalities bordering on the lake) have a decisive influence on the company's development. Indeed, the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais pay for the bulk of the investments necessary to renovate the fleet and balance the company's non-paying services by way of a management contract.
The annual report, annex and minutes are available for downloading in PDF form:
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Annual report
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Appendix
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Minutes (in French)
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| 2009
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| 2008
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| 2007
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| 2006
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| 2005
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| 2004
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| 2003
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| 2002
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Print copies may also be requested by telephone on ++41(0) 848 811 848.
Vision and Strategy
CGN represents a very concrete link between the Swiss and French shores of Lake Geneva.
To continue to manage its three missions, CGN needs to invest almost CHF 80 million over the next ten years. The bulk of this sum will be spent on renovating the "Belle Epoque" fleet.
Indeed, apart from the 'Montreux', which was renovated recently , all of the other vessels are in urgent need of major work. The other two missions have not been forgotten, with a plan to invest in two small profitable vessels.
Thought will also need to be given to improving the public transport connections between Lausanne and Evian and between Nyon and Yvoire ... possibly one day in the form of a high-speed launch!
CGN is currently working in close co-operation with the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais on a draft law that will guarantee the future of our magnificent fleet.
This is a good project, and we encourage CGN enthusiasts to write to their parliamentary representatives and newspapers in support of our efforts to maintain our heritage.
