Lake Geneva Lac Léman

Its maximum depth is about 310 m/1,017ft. The lake, which the River Rhône enters at one end and leaves at the other, extends in a flat arc 72km/45mi long from east to west, with a maximum width of 14km/ 9mi.While the French southern shore of the lake (department of Haute-Savoie) is only thinly populated, with Evian and Thonon as its largest towns, the sunny northern shore in the canton of Vaud, with the vine-growing areas of Lavaux and La Côte, is the Swiss equivalent of the Riviera, a popular holiday and tourist region.Regular steamer services between places on the lake, run by the Compagnie Genérale de Navigation sur le Lac Léman (CGN: head office Lausanne-Ouchy, branch office in Geneva at Le Bateau, Jardin Anglais); many round trips and cruises (evening trips with dancing on board); shuttle services and round trips in port and on the Petit Lac by the "Mouettes Genevoises"; short round trips on the motor-launches "Elma" and "Star of Geneva". A particular attraction is "Neptune", the last cargo-carrying sailing vessel on the lake, which can be chartered. Built in 1904 (length 24 m/78ft, width 8.5 m/28ft, weight 20 tons) it was used to transport stone blocks from Meillerie and gravel from Bouveret/Vieux Rhône to Geneva until 1968. Since 1976 it has been used for excursions.The shipping company of Lake Geneva (CGN) has the largest paddle-wheel fleet in Western Europe, (four steam ships and four with diesel-electric motors). Special Attractions: Whole day cruises, for example with a visit to Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Evian, Chillon Castle and Yvoire; midday cruises; firework cruises; cruises with special entertainment and a program changing each year.