Steam on the Water — Sauna de Vevey

The Sauna de Vevey is the second location of the Steam on the Water cooperative, which has been running a public winter sauna at Plage de la Maladaire in La Tour-de-Peilz since 2019. At Petit Port Eiffel, on the western edge of Vevey next to the Piscine de Corseaux-Plage, now stands the 2018 roulotte sauna: a custom-built, wood-fired sauna wagon with a large glass front that was in use at the Maladaire for five seasons.

Next to it stands a geodesic dome eight metres in diameter, also wood-heated — serving as both reception and relaxation room, with a view across the lake. The fire is tended exclusively by the hosts, and there are Aufguss ceremonies. Cooling off happens directly in Lake Geneva; there are deliberately no warm showers here, only lake water. Wheelchair users can enter the dome step-free and reach the sauna via a ramp with a gradient of less than 6 % — the team asks for brief advance notice by e-mail.

Each place is booked individually online, and a session lasts a maximum of two hours. Herbal tea and flavoured water are included in the admission — bring your own cup or water bottle, as well as two large terry towels (no microfibre), swimwear for the lake, sandals and a padlock for the lockers. The 10-visit card is also valid at the Maladaire, which additionally offers massages, towel hire and a private barrel sauna for families.