In the center of Lake Geneva lies an island so small it could fit on a café terrace, covering about 40 square meters. Known as the island of Peilz, it is considered the smallest and possibly the only natural island on the lake. Originally a simple rock, it was modified in 1797 with earth and a retaining wall, though the reasons for this transformation remain unclear. The island's surface area is sometimes reported to vary between 20 and 77 square meters, but 40 square meters is the most commonly accepted measurement. The island is dominated by a single plane tree, the only survivor of three planted in 1851. This tree now occupies the entire surface of the island, reaching 175 years in 2026. The tree's presence has made the land almost invisible under its foliage. The island's history is intertwined with legends and literary inspiration. Lord Byron, who stayed in the region in 1816, mentioned the island in his poem The Prisoner of Chillon. A romantic legend suggests the island was named Île de Paix (Island of Peace) in memory of a drowned young Englishman, a story that inspired Hans Christian Andersen's 1861 tale The Ice-Maiden. A persistent rumor claims the island was once owned by Queen Victoria, who returned it to avoid paying taxes. However, research in municipal and cantonal archives found no evidence of such a property transfer, and archivists note that such a donation would have been legally impossible as the island was never a Swiss federal property. The island of Peilz thus remains a unique blend of natural resilience, historical mystery, and literary influence.