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Montreux – a small resort town in Switzerland’s French-speaking Vaud district – is known for its annual jazz festivals and as the birthplace of hits by Queen, Deep Purple and David Bowie
A strikingly beautiful slice of Europe is often overlooked by travellers, despite its sweeping grandeur and snow-capped mountains.
Montreux – a small resort town in Switzerland’s French-speaking Vaud district – offers just as much beauty as it does a thriving arts and culture hub. The annual Jazz Festival is famous worldwide, as is the stunning area’s reputation as the birthplace for hits by Queen, Deep Purple and David Bowie. This July, the Montreux Jazz Festival will host lakeside performances from much-loved stars, including Tyla, Raye and Paolo Nutini.
When I first landed in Montreux as a teenager, I had just missed the hustle and bustle of the jazz festival. It was during the late summer that I found the town resumes to a slow-paced, quiet patch with high-end luxury boutiques lining its high-street, and glimpses of lake waters and mountain tops beckoning at every corner.
It made me realise Montreux is the ideal destination if you want nothing more than to take slow, picturesque walks along the promenade, and to relax. It’s no wonder Freddie Mercury once said of the town: “If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux.”
The rock-legend fell in love with Montreux in the 70s, and made one of its lakeside apartments his home until a few weeks before his death in 1991. Today, a statue of the musician sits along the promenade to honour his presence in the area. The town has since remained a playground for Queen lovers.
The “Queen Studio Experience”, a museum tucked away in Casino Barrière, is free to visit, and houses a shrine to the band, complete with a replica of Mountain Studios. Inside its dark and hollowed rooms, I watched short films about the band’s legacy in Montreux, the seven albums written and produced at the casino, and the endless memorabilia left over, including costumes worn by Mercury.
Montreux is a place of real splendour and indulgence, but that does not come cheap. Prices are similar to London, if not higher. If there is one reason why the town is not always at the top of holidaymakers’ bucket lists, it is probably this. Flights to its nearest airport in Geneva typically hover around the £150 mark. But a train to Montreux station, which offers breathtaking views along the shores of the lake, will only set you back around £30.
Hotels on the other hand are sure to be your biggest expense. A favourite is the five-star Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, boasting a classic Belle Époque exterior and largely considered ‘The Pearl of the Swiss Riviera’. A room here is certainly on the pricier side, starting at £350 per night.
But each time I visit Montreux, I find new ways to enjoy the Riviera without breaking the bank. There are countless hiking trails weaved into its Old Town, with cobbled paths and steep staircases leading to panoramic views over the cityscape. Being in the area feels like you have entered a fairytale village from the minds of the Brothers Grimm, with colourful storybook homes, small boutiques and bakeries dotted along the cobblestones.
Château de Chillon offers another affordable activity along Lac Léman. Known to be the most visited historical building in all of Switzerland, the medieval castle sits on the very edge of the lake and appears to be floating on the surface, with endless views across the rugged mountain tops. At just £13 a ticket, you can explore extravagant rooms built for the House of Savoy.
Right now, you can get a return flight with EasyJet from London Luton Airport to Geneva from just £92.
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