Latest news from Montreux

Following the statue’s temporary relocation due to the Montreux Jazz Festival, the plinth has been completely restored. The surrounding area has also been refurbished with new paving stones, to create a more harmonious, elegant look that blends in better with the surroundings of the Montreux quays.

These improvements restore this iconic site to its former glory; it is visited every year by thousands of fans from all over the world who come to pay tribute to Freddie Mercury and discover his unique connection with Montreux.

The works were also marked by a highly symbolic moment, with the presence of Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s former personal assistant. He was in Montreux for the unveiling of the commemorative plaques on the statue – a powerful gesture in the run-up to a particularly significant year for fans of Queen and Freddie Mercury.

With its renovated plinth, new layout and commemorative plaques, the statue of Freddie Mercury is now ready to welcome visitors in the best possible conditions. More than ever, it remains one of Montreux’s must-see attractions, as well as a key stop on the Freddie Tours.

We look forward to helping visitors discover or rediscover this unique site, by sharing the story of Freddie Mercury in Montreux, his attachment to the town, and the many memories he left behind here.

In May, Montreux will host unique events marked by the exceptional presence of Terry Giddings, who will attend all scheduled dates in 2026. For many years Freddie Mercury’s driver and bodyguard, Terry was part of Freddie’s closest circle for a long time.

Alongside him, Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant for more than ten years, will also share his memories, his perspective and his anecdotes. Their joint presence brings together two privileged witnesses of Freddie’s daily life, close friends who can still today share an authentic view of the artist.

Terry Giddings’ participation is offered at no additional cost for all these events. As availability is limited for these exceptional occasions in Montreux, early booking is strongly recommended.

Informations : Freddie Afternoon, Freddie Evening, Freddie Evening (Plus), Freddie Evening (VIP)

A big thank you to the Freddie Mercury Hotel for their valued support.

This temporary move, made necessary by the organisation of the Montreux Jazz Festival, will not be repeated in future years. The festival will now be based at the 2m2c, which means that the statue can remain permanently in its place.

These essential works, aimed at ensuring visitor safety and preserving the site’s aesthetics, include the complete replacement of wooden planks and repairs to the underlying metal structure.

Rather than leaving the statue amid a construction site, the municipality decided to move it a few months earlier than originally planned. The relocation, initially scheduled during the Montreux Jazz Festival, was brought forward to facilitate the progress of the work and ensure visitors can continue to admire the statue in the best possible conditions.

As in the previous edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2024, the statue has been temporarily installed in the Rouvenaz Gardens, just a few metres from its original location.

It should be noted that the Montreux Jazz Festival will be held “off-site” again this year, due to the renovation of the 2m2c convention center, which would have necessitated a temporary relocation of the statue in any case.

The statue will return to its iconic spot near a fully renovated pier at the end of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in late July 2025.

A heartfelt thank you to visitors and Freddie Mercury fans for their understanding and patience during this essential renovation period, aimed at preserving this symbolic site.

Residents and visitors to Montreux can now once again admire this musical icon in all its splendour in its original location. Take the opportunity to come and see it and celebrate Freddie Mercury's legacy!

To make space for the big stage that will be set up on the lake, but above all to be able to leave the statue accessible at all times to the many people who have come to Montreux to admire it, the statue has been moved temporarily to the Gardens of La Rouvenaz, just a few metres from its original location. This is a unique opportunity to photograph it from a new angle. The statue will be returned to its original location at the bottom of the Market Square as soon as the works dismantling the Montreux Jazz Festival are completed at the end of July. Many thanks to the Borlaz et Fils company in Montreux, as well as to the Commune de Montreux and the Montreux Jazz Festival, for taking such good care of this statue!

This temporary relocation is necessary to allow the installation of the Montreux Jazz Festival's main stage, which also has to be relocated due to the renovation work at the 2m2c. Don't worry, the statue will be put back in its original position as soon as the Montreux Jazz Festival has been completed. Please note that the quays in the area of the statue will be temporarily closed to the public from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., from 5 to 20 July, during the festival period.

This achievement will now enable visitors and music fans to discover the story of David Richards, highlighting his importance to Montreux's musical and cultural heritage.

Indeed, thanks to his remarkable work not only with the British band Queen, for whom he worked on their six studio albums in Montreux, but also with renowned artists such as David Bowie and Nile Rodgers, as well as his significant contribution to the Montreux Jazz Festival, David Richards has left an indelible mark on the history of music. For 38 years, he recorded the Montreux Jazz Festival concerts, enriching the collection of audio archives that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Through his talent and dedication, Richards left his mark on the history of music on the international stage.

This project was realised by the Montreux Celebration association, with the generous support of the "Fondation Casino Barrière de Montreux" and the "Fondation pour l'équipement touristique de la ville de Montreux" (FET).

The main stage will be set up on the lake at the Market Square in Montreux. This modification will require the temporary relocation of the Freddie Mercury statue during the few weeks of this 58th edition. This unique situation will be an opportunity to admire this emblematic statue from a new perspective. We will keep you informed of its new location as soon as possible.

Many people come to write a short message or dedication in tribute to their late singer. So much so that the place is beginning to look like the Queen Tribute Wall at the former Mountain Studios, which is now covered in signatures.

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.

While the name David Richards will always be associated with the British band Queen and David Bowie, his many artistic collaborations make him a key figure in the history of music. In addition to his work at Mountain Studios, which he became the owner of in 1993, David Richards recorded Montreux Jazz Festival concerts for 38 years, contributing to the collection of audio archives that have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage since 2013.

The creation of the bust, based on an idea by Christophe Farin, was entrusted by the Montreux Celebration association to Montreux artist BERNARD BAVAUD, whose magnificent bronze portraits, striking in their resemblance and sensitivity, such as those of Igor Stravinsky, Nabokov and Miles Davis, will defy time in the heart of the unique city of Montreux.

The bust will be on display for three months in the Queen Studio Experience  (free museum in the Montreux casino) before being permanently installed in the casino gardens.

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

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

These wooden barriers have rapidly become a new medium for dedications and messages for the many fans and admirers of Freddie Mercury who come to Montreux. 

The Queen Tribute Wall, the wall of the Mountain Studio which now houses the permanent exhibition Queen: The Studio Experience inside Montreux Casino, has also been covered in them for many years.

Photo © www.andybjphotography.ch

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

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

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.

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 !

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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.

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