Navigation :

Latest news from Montreux

"Right Place, Right Time" by Peter Freestone

"Right Place, Right Time" by Peter Freestone

Peter Freestone has just released his autobiography, "Right Place, Right Time", which takes you on a journey through his life as Freddie Mercury's personal assistant and friend for over a decade.

From his humble beginnings in South London to working with one of the biggest rock stars of all time, this book tells the tale of how he made the right choices at the right time to create a life that was beyond his wildest dreams.

Peter offers a limited edition, signed and numbered by hand.

Information

New multimedia audio guides for Freddie Tours

New multimedia audio guides for Freddie Tours

After months of development, brand new multimedia audio guides are now available during the Freddie Tours. 

Participants can now enjoy a bigger, brighter and higher resolution screen to discover the many exclusive photos presented throughout the visit.

New audio content has also been added to further enhance the experience during Freddie Tours in Montreux. 

Did you know?

Freddie Tours features more than 460 photos & images, many of them exclusive, as well as 60 audio tracks of explanations, stories, anecdotes and authenticity available in 6 languages.

Info & reservations

The Spanish language is now available.

The Spanish language is now available.

These guided tours in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury in Montreux are now available in 6 languages: French, English (with the voice of Peter Freestone), German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. 

Many thanks to Carlos Moreno Crespo who lent his voice to make the various recordings that are now available on the Freddie Tours multimedia audio guides.

Info & booking

Dates for the 2023 season

Dates for the 2023 season

The Freddie Tours dates for the beginning of 2023 are now online. In high season, up to 3 Freddie Tours are offered daily.

Several tours are already fully booked, so if you are planning a stay in Montreux, don't wait to book your tour in advance. Special cancellation policy applies. If you have a reservation and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation prevents you from participating, please contact us before your Freddie Tour. We will provide a free cancellation and a full refund of your booking.

Freddie Tour - Booking

A new costume at Queen: The Studio Experience

A new costume at Queen: The Studio Experience

Have you noticed it? Since a few days a new costume, which can be seen in the video clip "It's a Hard Life by Queen", is on display at "Queen: The Studio Experience" in Montreux.

The permanent exhibition is located inside the Montreux Casino and is open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm.

Admission is free, thanks to the Mercury Phoenix Trust.

Decoration of the statue for the 30th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's passing.

Decoration of the statue for the 30th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's passing.

On this very special day, all the money paid by Freddie Tours participants was used to decorate the statue and pay tribute to Freddie Mercury.

The rest of the money will be donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Founded by the remaining members of Queen after his death, this foundation is dedicated to the fight against AIDS.

So a heartfelt thank you to the 20 people who took part in this Freddie Tour today, 24 November 2021, which marked 30 years since the legendary singer's death.

Thanks also to Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for 12 years, who gave us a nice surprise today. A video conference was organised and participants were able to chat with him for a few minutes during this Freddie Tour.

The Show Must Go on !

Discover our guided tours

Podcasts made in Montreux with Peter Freestone

Podcasts made in Montreux with Peter Freestone

A team from the Netherlands, accompanied by Freddie Tours, made a series of podcasts in Montreux with Peter Freestone.

Freddie Tours organised a tailor-made programme for their stay in the city. A private boat trip, a visit to the Queen: The Studio Experience as well as the many places of interest in Montreux allowed them to discover the strong connection Freddie Mercury had with the town.

Here you can find the results of the interviews with Peter:

https://www.nporadio5.nl/podcasts/de-laatste-dagen-van

Discover our tailor-made offers

Re-opening on July 2, 2021

Re-opening on July 2, 2021

After many months of being closed due to COVID-19, Queen: The Studio Experience re-opens its doors.

Visitors will be able to enjoy it from 2 July at the following times :

  • Monday to Sunday from 9am to 9pm

We remind you that the entrance is free.

www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com

Restoration of the Freddie Mercury statue plaques

Restoration of the Freddie Mercury statue plaques

The Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux has been given a new facelift today. Discover the result which is really wonderful!

One week after a cleaning of the base, the various explanatory plates on the base of the statue were restored and thoroughly cleaned. A beeswax treatment was also applied. A big thank you to the company Clément Borlat & fils, who were commissioned by the Commune of Montreux to carry out this restoration.

Activity for the Easter holidays

Activity for the Easter holidays

Come and stay in the Montreux-Vevey area and enjoy the Freddie Tours at 50% off with the Montreux Riviera Card. 

The Montreux Riviera Card is given to you free of charge on arrival at your hotel, holiday flat, private clinic or campsite and entitles you to numerous advantages.

Information & reservations

Cleaning the base of the Freddie Mercury statue

Cleaning the base of the Freddie Mercury statue

Today, 23 March 2021, the statue of Freddie Mercury on the shores of Lake Montreux underwent a complete cleaning in the early hours of the morning.

A big thank you to the municipality of Montreux and the company Clément Borlat & fils, who, under the impulse of Montreux Celebration, proceeded today, March 23, 2021, to this cleaning.

A high pressure spray of chalk powder mixed with water was used to clean the base of the statue and remove dirt and various traces of wear.

Within a few days, the various information plates on the front and back will be polished and a water-repellent product will be applied. Finally a complete cleaning of the bronze of the statue will be carried out.

We will keep you informed of the progress of the work.

Shooting of a documentary in Montreux with Peter Freestone

Shooting of a documentary in Montreux with Peter Freestone

Freddie Tours accompanied a Spanish crew filming a documentary on Freddie Mercury in Montreux with Peter Freestone.

The first day was spent at the Fairmont Montreux Palace, where we were given access to their beautiful hotel. On the second day, after a visit to the Chalets of Claude Nobs, the whole team went to the lake and to the statue to admire a beautiful sunset. 

You will of course be informed once the documentary will be released.

A Sahara-coloured sky covers Montreux!

A Sahara-coloured sky covers Montreux!

Today a warm wind has carried sand from the desert giving an ochre colour to the atmosphere and offering a spectacular view to the statue of Freddie Mercury.

About 60 to 200 million tonnes of dust have risen several kilometres into the air due to the weather conditions and warm temperatures, before being carried to Switzerland by southerly winds. Known to meteorologists, this relatively rare phenomenon is harmless to humans. It is linked to a strong air flow from the south which brings spring temperatures and a high concentration of Saharan dust suspended in the atmosphere. This sand came mainly from north-west African states: Algeria, Mauritania and Mali.

Freddie Mercury in the Snow!

Freddie Mercury in the Snow!

While waiting to resume the Freddie Tours interrupted momentarily because of COVID-19, here are some winter pictures of Montreux.

A light layer of snow covering the statue of Freddie Mercury fell in Montreux between 25 and 27 January 2021. A true "Winter's Tale" as Freddie referred to it in his famous song taken from the album "Made in Heaven".

New closure until further notice

New closure until further notice

Queen: The Studio Experience has been closed to the public since November 4, 2020 and for the second time this year. No reopening date has been announced yet.

Indeed, due to the sanitary directives imposed by the state of Vaud in the fight against COVID-19, the Casino de Montreux which hosts the permanent exhibition Queen: The Studio Experience has been forced to close until further notice.

Freddie Tours will keep you informed as soon as a reopening date will be announced.

Peter Freestone audio recording for Freddie Tours

Peter Freestone audio recording for Freddie Tours

We have just finished recording the English version with Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for over 10 years.

Many thanks to the Conatus Studio and Vladimir Cochet for the excellent work.

In addition to the many photos and videos, it is Peter Freestone himself that you will hear on the audioguides of the English version during the guided tour and who will give you explanations, stories and anecdotes.

We look forward to welcoming you in Montreux from August 1st, 2020 for the long-awaited launch of the Freddie Tours.

Montreux Riviera Card

Montreux Riviera Card

Special offer from June 6 to December 31, 2020. The Freddie Tour and Freddie Tours (Extended) are offered to all holders of a valid Montreux Riviera Card.

The Montreux Riviera Card is offered for each night in the Montreux-Vevey area. It is automatically given to you on arrival at your hotel, holiday apartment or private clinic and gives you many advantages. Reservation required.

More information about the Montreux Riviera Card.

"Queen: The Studio Experience" Reopening

"Queen: The Studio Experience" Reopening

After approximately 3 months of closure, the Montreux Casino announces that the doors of the museum will be reopened to the public on Monday 15 June 2020.

As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, the Swiss Government declares the closure of all public institutions in Switzerland on 16 March 2020. The Montreux Casino and its museum, Queen The Studio Experience, were then forced to close their doors for an indefinite period.

This space, which was formerly the Mountain Studio, is the recording place of the band Queen in Montreux and now houses a faithful reconstruction of the place where Freddie Mercury and Queen recorded many albums.

The exhibition is free and open every day of the year from 10am to 10pm.

The Freddie Mercury statue and COVID-19

The Freddie Mercury statue and COVID-19

Since 16 March 2020 the Swiss authorities have imposed a lockdown on the population and banned all public events and gatherings in order to prevent the spreading of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

A mask with a sign "Stay home" was installed by someone later on the statue as a wink and in support of the medical staff who are working hard during this difficult period.

4 days later, on 20 March 2020, gatherings of more than 5 people were banned throughout Switzerland. These measures had a direct effect on the statue of Freddie Mercury. Indeed, since 8 April, just before the long Easter weekend, the Montreux authorities decided to install barriers, in order to close the access to the pontoon in front of the statue and thus avoid all gatherings.

The statue of Freddie Mercury in Montreux is therefore now confined until further notice.

On 19 may 2020, the fences installed in the early hours of the Coronavirus crisis around the Freddie Mercury statue were removed by the Montreux authorities. Little by little life returns to normal in Montreux and many curious people were around the statue this day to admire it.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation

Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation

In view of the Coronavirus situation and the unique measures taken in Europe and Switzerland, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all Freddie Tours.

Indeed, gatherings of more than 5 people are now forbidden in Switzerland, which makes it impossible to hold these guided visits.

New dates will be announced depending on the decisions of the Swiss authorities and the improvement of the situation related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

On behalf of Peter Freestone and the Freddie Tours team, we thank you for your understanding and remain at your disposal for all your questions.


Discover our offers


Other topics that might be interesting for you