(From Vevey-Marché (lac) we caught a ferry boat to the Castle of Chillon which is at the far side of Montreux)
Taking a ferry on Lac Leman is the best way to view the beautiful houses and architecture along the shoreline.
Floral displays on every one of the ferry terminals.
Freddie Mercury
Hotel Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
Hôtel Eden Palace Au Lac
A glimpse of the hotels in Montreux and the famous statue of Queen singer, Freddie Mercury.
“If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux”, said Freddie Mercury (1946-1991). As well as living in Montreux, he also recorded six albums there with Queen, including “Made in Heaven”. In memory of his presence, Freddie Mercury’s bronze statue has stood on the lakeside promenade since 1996.
And a unique way to arrive at our destination.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Truly lovely Jude. Well presented with fabulous photos. It is the same with the rivers around here. Some of the better houses an only be seen from the river.
All I know of Montreux is that a flare from a Frank Zappa show started a fire and it could be seen across the lake where Deep Purple were staying. There was born Smoke on the Water.
Ah, yes. That famous riff 😊
Same goes for Sydney harbour and the millionaire mansions.
Yes, I guess most waterways would have a goodly amount of flash houses
Well, even though it’s in France, I’ve never been here. This post tells me I’ve missed out.
Switzerland Margaret. Though France is on the opposite side of the lake. When I au paired in Geneva we used to drive into France to buy Evian water as it was cheaper there.
Ah! So you’ve been a Swiss au pair too. I hated every second. I was treated as a maid rather than an au pair and it was a rude shock after Italy.
Wasn’t my happiest period that’s for sure, but I did learn a lot about cooking as I had to make the main meal every day. I much preferred being a hotel cashier in Norway.
Ah! You’d have handled lots of money there, even if you couldn’t use it yourself.
Actually mostly vouchers as most of the trade was with cruise ships. But it was good fun.
A modest little place, Jude. How can it be 25 years since Freddie died? He had such presence and the legend burns bright. What year were these taken? They’ve weathered well.
I wasn’t a Queen fan, but no denying the man had a great voice. This was September 2009. So long ago yet it seems like yesterday.
🤗🩵
Freddie is similarly remembered in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The lake and the surrounding properties are so attractive, though funnily enough I’ve only ever seen it in winter when its colour is steely grey.
That makes sense. Same statue? It was grey on this day because of the fog.
Similar but different as I recall. And a big restaurant on the waterfront called Mercury’s.
Nothing like cashing in on a name.
Thanks for a delightful Virtual Tour, Jude 😊
Nothing like a gentle cruise along the shore Sue.
And then there’s Byron.
Thanks Steve. Chillon next week.
A lovely boat ride, somewhere I’ve always fancied visiting 🙂 I especially like that last shot of the Château de Chillon, very atmospheric!
It is lovely on that lake. I went from Geneva to Yvoire on the French side by ferry and it was a fabulous journey. More of Chillon next week.
I look forward to it!
Fascinating – and some lovely buildings. I’ve never been there, so it’s great to have a chance to experience it vicariously.
Some of those buildings are out of a fairy tale! Must be wonderful to have views over to the Alps on the other side.
Lucky people!
I spent a miserable six weeks on the shores of Lac Leman when I was 18. It was a student exchange programme and I was supposed to go to a skiing resort but they pared me with a girl in Thonon-les-Bains (next to Evian). There was nothing to do in January and the school of my partner would not let me sit in on classes. I spent a lot of time with her mother, and otherwise walking along the deserted shore. My skis were used once when an older brother took pity on my and took up a mountain one Sunday. — what might have been!
That sounds grim. I was an au pair in Geneva when I was 18. Hard work and little pay, but I did go into the Alps where the family went skiing and I was left to babysit the youngest child, even though it was my day off! The ski resorts are rather fabulous. Not so much when you are thigh deep in snow dragging a three year old on a sledge!
There’s always something rather lovely about arriving by water. Well almost always. Seems less special when they’re the only option AND you miss one, or they’re not running because of the weather or they can’t open the doors on the other side.
I’m a terrible sailor, but actually love boats on lakes, and even ferries over short distances (not to the Isles of Scilly though!).