I was in Switzerland just a little over a week ago for the first time ever, I was actually going there for the Rolling Stones concert in Lausanne which is a city 25 km from Montreux. I have to say that as I drove towards Montreux along the Lac Leman the feeling is just amazing, there is really something special about that area. To my surprise the hotel was just right next to the Casino and Mountain Studios, well what's left of it, it was great to see the Freddie statue, funny feeling really after seing it in so many photos, on tv, etc, and of course the Duck House for which I rented a little motor boat to get closer to it. Being in Montreux just for 3 days was a real magical experience and now I understand why Freddie fell in love with this place, I have as well and can't wait to go back, it has something special, enchanting to it, the lake, the moutains, the swans, the peace and silence. If you have never been there, this is to encourage you to go, if you are looking for breath taking views and peace this is the place. Now 'A Winter's Tale' makes much more sense to me. If you already have been to Montreux, what was your experience like?
Agreed - Montreux is a place of extraordinary beauty - except for that ugly statue that ruins the view of the lake side :)
I was there in 2002 in order to meet Richard Orchard who was travelling in Europe. It was fun to visist the Mountain studio and to meet David Richards who was the most patient guy and answered all our questions. He liked Richard's Bowie shirt, D.R. has also produced various Bowie albums in Montreux. We had booked the so-called "Freddie tour" which included a "Freddie rose" we were supposed to lay down at the statue (but we kept it in our car),the visit in the studio and a boat trip to the "Duck house" which was quite embarrassing because the boat came very close to what is after all a private property and we felt like stupid paparazzi. Apart from that the lake is amazingly beautiful with the water, the mountains and the sky shining in all kinds of blue shades in the sun.
Bring a lot of money because Montreux is not only one of the most beautiful places in Europe,it's also one of the most expensive ones.
One thing is still sticking in my mind: Freddie was full of cobwebs, I only saw that on my photos at home:)