I was busy packing my bags in London for my trip to Geneva when I heard a television presenter in the background mention Freddie Mercury’s time spent on Lake Geneva. It was around the time the time that the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, came out and the world had a renewed interest in the legendary singer. The show went on to mention the town of Montreux, Switzerland as a place Freddie fell in love with and spent much time in, particularly near the end of this life. After doing a quick search on the town, I realized it played an important part in not only Freddie Mercury’s life, but in the history of rock ‘n’ roll music globally. I decided to make an afternoon trip out to Montreux one afternoon while in Geneva, and could not have been more fascinated with the history I discovered.
History of Music in Montreux
Montreux is probably most famous for the Montreux Jazz Festival, which is held in the town every summer. The festival first began in 1967 and has welcomed many notable artists over the years including Arethra Franklin, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Adele and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
Also well-known is the Montreux Casino, which has a history as both a venue for the Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as a place of recording for many rock ‘n’ roll artists. Deep Purple’s song “Smoke on the Water” was actually inspired by a fire at the casino in 1971. On December 4th of that year, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention were playing a show at the casino, when a fan set off a flare gun that caught fire and the entire casino was burnt to the ground. Deep Purple was in Montreux recording at the time and the smoke over Lake Geneva inspired one of the most popular rock songs of all time.
Recording Music in Montreux
Montreux has long been a popular destination for recording music with artists such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop and AC/DC all having made music there. The Montreux Casino was rebuilt after the fire and was one of a number of spots the Rolling Stones parked their Mobile Studio, which is also referenced in “Smoke on the Water“.
In 1975, Mountain Studios was founded within the casino and in 1978 the band Queen first visited the studios to record their album Jazz. Montreux’s quiet surroundings were ideal for recording and gave the band members a lot more privacy than they had back in London. About a year after first recording in Montreux, Queen decided to purchase Mountain Studios and would go on to record seven albums there as well as their hit “Under Pressure” with David Bowie, who also spent time in the region.
Freddie Mercury in Montreux
Rumours say that initially, Freddie wasn’t overly fond of Montreux, as it was an extremely quiet town with not much to do. However, later in his life, particularly while battling his AIDS diagnosis, Montreux became a peaceful respite for the Queen frontman. Freddie is known to have said to his friend, “If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux.” Freddie was able to freely walk the streets of Montreux and enjoy life without the media attention he received in London. He loved the town so much that he ended up deciding to split his time between Montreux and London and eventually bought an apartment overlooking Lake Geneva. He also spent much time near the end of his life recording whatever he could at Mountain Studios.
Finding Freddie Mercury in Montreux Today
Today, Freddie’s presence can still be felt all over the town. A memorial statue was erected in dedication to him 1996 and every year fans travel from around the world to pay their respects. It’s quite moving to see his statue looking out over Lake Geneva, knowing it was a place he found peace in an unimaginably difficult time.
The town of Montreux also celebrates Freddie’s birthday with “Freddie Celebration Days” every year around the beginning of September. It’s an annual event that hosts several activities that honour the singer over the few days.
Queen: The Studio Experience
While in Montreux, I also recommend a visit to Queen: The Studio Experience, located inside the original Mountain Studios at Montreux Casino. The experience allows you to tour the studio, which Queen owned until 1993. The control room has largely been unchanged and you can even see the exact spot where Freddie stood to record his final song. The museum also has a number of Queen artifacts including costumes, instruments, lyrics and more and gives a great insight into both their music and their relationship with Montreux. Admission to the museum is free, with donations and any sales from merchandise going to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which supports the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide.
The Freddie Mercury Wall
Located outside of the casino is what’s known as “The Wall“. This is the original entrance to Mountain Studios and is adorned with messages and tributes to Freddie from fans around the world. Visitors are encouraged to sign The Wall and share on social media to further spread the word about the cause of the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
The Duck House
Another Queen-related site in Montreux is the Duck House. The lakeside property was featured on Queen’s album Made in Heaven, which was finalized and released in 1995 after Freddie’s death in 1991. The property itself is quite significant, as it had been used by many musicians, including Queen, during their time in Montreux. The house is located about 2 miles from the centre of town, and from peering over the fence you can see the famous boathouse from the album cover. The Duck House is also still available to rent as a vacation property.
Montreux is a fantastic vacation destination for those with an interest in rock ‘n’ roll music and is a real pilgrimage site for fans of Freddie Mercury. It’s incredible to explore the surroundings where so much great music was created, as well as experience the tranquility Freddie himself found there. Whether for an afternoon, or for a few days, Montreux is a great addition to your Swiss holiday. As Freddie once said, “I like to be surrounded by splendid things” and Montreux sure is a splendid place.
Key Information for Visiting Montreux, Switzerland
1. How do you get to Montreux?
The town of Montreux is located just over an hour’s drive from Geneva, on the other side of Lake Geneva. You can either drive, or take the train from Geneva which takes approximately one hour.
2. How much time do you need to visit Montreux?
Montreux is a great place for a day trip and I would recommend at least leaving yourself half a day to explore. If you have more time, you could easily spend a few days enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Lake Geneva.
3. What Freddie Mercury sites are there to see in Montreux?
Freddie Mercury adored Montreux and developed a close connection to the town during the time he spent there. There are a number of sites associated with Freddie to explore, including the Freddie Mercury Statue, Montreux Casino and Queen: The Studio Experience where you can visit the band’s recording studio.
4. Can you visit Montreux Casino?
Yes! Montreux Casino is open to the public and also houses Queen: The Studio Experience. Admission to the studio exhibition is free, with donations going to The Mercury Phoenix Trust.
5. What is the best time of year to visit Montreux?
I can imagine Montreux is beautiful at any time of the year, but with the warmer weather you’ll really be able to experience all Lake Geneva has to offer. If you’re looking to catch a musical event while you’re there, you can visit during the Montreux Jazz Festival held in the summer, or during Freddie Mercury’s birthday celebration held at the beginning of September each year.
6. What else is there to do around Lake Geneva?
Montreux is one of a few towns and cities located on Lake Geneva and each has an interesting history to explore. Close to Montreux is Vevey, where milk chocolate was invented in 1875 and is still home to Nestlé headquarters. You can also visit the beautiful city of Lausanne, which is where the International Olympic Committee is based. And of course, the city of Geneva is also a must-see as there are a number of historical things to do in this influential city. To learn more, check out 10 Historical Things to do in Geneva, Switzerland.