CGN: Savoie

The Savoie (1914) is famous for its elegance and rightly considered to be one of the jewels in the Belle Epoque fleet which have been plying the lake’s deep-blue waters for 100 years. It was entirely renovated in 2006, retaining its original steam engine, but fitted with a new, particularly cost-efficient  boiler. I was fortunate to get a ride on this beautiful boat back to Geneva after my visit to Yvoire, a medieval town on the French side of the lake.

A beautiful old boat full of curves: its wooden ceilings painted white, smooth worn wooden decks, the colour of steel where the varnish has been worn away by the constant passage of thousands of feet. 1st class tickets only are allowed on the upper deck where royal blue deckchairs face the mountain views. Benches here have plump foam cushions to make them more comfortable.

Tables in the restaurant are set with white cloths and linen, silver cutlery and sparkling glasses, anthuriums (flamingo flower) with red spathes is the flower of choice. I presume this is for the evening dinner cruise ‘The Chef’s Table’ and I am almost tempted to stay.

Tall feathery palms stand guard by the curved banister of the stairway sweeping up to the upper deck

where its glitzy bar is just waiting for the cocktail hour to begin.

What a beauty! A truly wonderful and nostalgic way to end to my day.

~wander.essence~ Photography

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

28 thoughts on “CGN: Savoie”

  1. Wow, what a beauty! I do like old boats. 🙂
    Speaking of anthuriums with red spathes, I’m quite excited because after a year of too much sun, too little sun, too much water, too little water, my indoor anthurium has gone from looking far from healthy to being green and shiny and pushing out flowers (“spathes” I guess)! woo hoo.

      1. Probably afraid I’d turn it into mulch if it didn’t shape up. 😉 AND I came back to find that my orchid has not one but two flower spikes, woo hoo.

  2. I have boat envy! 🙂 🙂 Unusual for you because you’re not often drawn to boats, but this is beautifully done, Jude. The photos so crisp and yet so inviting. What time’s the next one?

    1. I love anything from the early 20th century and especially things with style and these boats have that. I was so lucky to have this boat for the return journey so I made the most of it, prowling the decks for photos. Luckily it wasn’t very busy either. I actually do like boats, but have had bad experiences being on board them! Been plagued with motion sickness since very small 😦

  3. A look back to an age of elegance and quality. There is something sedate and classy about such paddle-steamers. I can imagine Poirot on that boat.
    Best wishes, Pete. x

    1. She is a very elegant boat Pete, you are quite right. And yes Poirot and ladies wearing coats with fur collars would have been right at home.

    1. Ah, yes. The beautiful time between two very horrific periods of war. I suspect it wasn’t beautiful for everyone though.

    1. Departure from Geneva Jardin Anglais at 19:00 every evening until the 22nd September.

      “The team of Philippe Chevrier on board the “Savoie” elaborates a refined and subtle cuisine which honors the charms of former days of this majestic Belle Epoque boat. Refined dishes featuring beef and lobster. The price includes the cruise and the 4 courses menu (drinks not included).”

      CHF 129.-
      £101
      AUS$ 177.70

      Tempting but expensive!!

  8. Wow, Jude, these are fabulous photos. I love the black and white ones, and the close ups of the ropes and the deck chairs. It really takes you back to a more elegant time, doesn’t it? This trip to Geneva really yielded a lot for you. Thanks for sharing. My next photo post isn’t until September 6, so I’ll link it to that. 🙂

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