The story of Freddie Mercury and Queen in Montreux
Freddie Mercury and Queen’s connection with Montreux began with a recording session in 1978. Over the years, the town became a place of creativity, inspiration and tranquillity.
On the shores of Lake Geneva, away from major tours, Freddie discovered a different pace of life. He returned to record with Queen, but also to enjoy the scenery and discretion he grew to appreciate. The studios, lakeside promenades and places he stayed reveal both sides of his story, the musician and the man.
That history is still part of the town. Hearing a song in a different way, looking out over the lake or walking past the Casino de Montreux can connect familiar memories with real places. Here are a few milestones to help explain what Montreux meant to Freddie and Queen.
July 1978, the first Jazz sessions
After the News of the World tour, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon arrived in Montreux to work on their seventh album, Jazz. They discovered Mountain Studios, inside the Casino de Montreux, beside the lake.
This first stay began a relationship that would last far beyond the recording of one album. The town offered a different setting from London and life on tour, suited to working sessions as well as moments of rest.
Covers of Queen’s Jazz and Live Killers albums.
A studio of their own
Queen bought Mountain Studios in 1979. Among other projects, the band worked there on post-production for Live Killers. David Richards, the sound engineer and producer based in Montreux, became an essential collaborator and a close friend of the musicians over the course of their sessions.
To discover where these early sessions took place and understand the studio’s place in the town, Freddie Tours combine a guided walk with photographs, videos and anecdotes. A way to put the albums you already know into their setting.
Montreux, a creative home for Queen
The band’s returns to Mountain Studios spanned much of their career, from the Jazz sessions to the vocals that would become part of Made in Heaven.
Queen did not work exclusively in Montreux, but the town became a base. Their Swiss sessions contributed to several albums, including Hot Space, A Kind of Magic, The Miracle and Innuendo. Some songs took shape across different studios and visits as the band’s projects evolved.
Under Pressure, an encounter with David Bowie
In 1981, David Bowie joined Queen at Mountain Studios. Their meeting and an improvised session led to Under Pressure. Behind this famous collaboration lies a Montreux story of experimentation, conversation and shared creativity.
It is a reminder that studios are more than rooms full of equipment. They are places where artists cross paths and an idea can take an unexpected direction. In Montreux, that story unfolded just a few steps from the lakeside promenade.
From Farrokh Bulsara to Freddie Mercury
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar on 5 September 1946, Freddie spent part of his youth in India, where he learned the piano. After moving to England with his family, he became part of London’s music scene before Queen formed in 1970.
His journey took him from his earliest bands to major international stages. In Montreux, the already famous artist found surroundings where he could concentrate on music and make more room for life away from performing.
The four members of Queen on a lakeside jetty in Montreux.
A personal retreat beside Lake Geneva
Montreux became much more than a studio address for Freddie. The lake, the mountains and the tranquillity of the town came to hold a special place in his life.
During his stays, Freddie divided his time between London and the Swiss Riviera. He stayed in various places before buying an apartment in Montreux in 1991. Brian May has described his need for peace and the chance to continue working without constantly attracting attention.
"If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux", Freddie told Montserrat Caballé, with whom he had recorded Barcelona. The words sum up the bond that developed between the singer and the shores of Lake Geneva.
The Duck House and the places he stayed
Among the places associated with Freddie, the Duck House is a holiday home directly beside the lake. It is one of the settings connected with his time in the region and should be distinguished from the apartment he bought later.
Discovering these places invites you to look at Montreux differently. Behind a view or a building lies a way of working, welcoming loved ones and enjoying quieter moments, far from the energy of concerts.
Freddie Tours take this discovery further by connecting the places with the memories of those who knew Freddie. With a guide and a multimedia audioguide, anecdotes and archive images reveal what the landscape alone cannot tell you.
A Winter’s Tale, a landscape in song
In A Winter’s Tale, Freddie evokes a peaceful landscape of lake, mountains and birds. Released on Made in Heaven in 1995, the song gives this Montreux atmosphere a place in Queen’s music.
Looking out over Lake Geneva from the promenade, you can recognise the elements of that setting. The changing seasons and light help explain why the view could mean so much in his final songs.
Freddie’s final recordings in Montreux
In 1991, Freddie continued recording at Mountain Studios, leaving Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon vocals with which to carry on the work.
The sessions adapted to his health. The studio remained a creative space where he could devote himself to what he loved, singing. His bandmates supported his determination to leave as much musical material as possible.
Mother Love, a final studio vocal
Freddie recorded his final vocals for Mother Love in May 1991. Brian May later completed the singing himself. This change of voice gives the song a particular resonance, linking Freddie’s work directly with the work his bandmates continued.
Today, you can discover the setting at Queen - The Studio Experience, the exhibition inside the former casino studios. Seeing the control room brings the songs closer to the space where they were recorded.
Made in Heaven, a story completed in 1995
After Freddie Mercury’s death on 24 November 1991, Brian, Roger and John returned to the recordings he had left. Together with their collaborators, including David Richards, they created Made in Heaven, released on 6 November 1995.
Its cover brings Freddie’s silhouette together with the landscape of Lake Geneva. The album came out before the public statue was unveiled on the promenade in 1996. Distinguishing these two moments helps explain the connection between the album artwork and the monument you can visit today.
A story still being shared
In Montreux, Freddie Mercury’s memory lives on through his music, the places connected with him and encounters between admirers from around the world.
The statue of Freddie Mercury on the Place du Marché has become one of the meeting points for these memories. The flowers and messages left at its feet reflect the place he still holds in his admirers’ lives.
Freddie Days around 5 September
Every year, Freddie Days celebrate his music and birthday in Montreux. The event brings visitors from many countries together for concerts and activities. The official programme details what is planned for each edition.
Bohemian Rhapsody, a new generation’s perspective
Released in 2018, the film Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Rami Malek as Freddie, introduced the band’s story to a wide audience. To go beyond the film, Montreux offers real places where you can discover another part of that history.
Bohemian Rhapsody film poster showing Freddie Mercury on stage.
Discover this history in Montreux
Freddie Tours connect the music, memories and places of Montreux during a guided visit.
Choose the one-hour Freddie Tour to discover the highlights, or the 2½-hour Freddie Tour Extended for a more detailed visit. A guide accompanies the walk, with an audioguide in six languages and photographs, videos and anecdotes that bring the route to life.
Whether you have known Queen for years or are just discovering their world, these tours offer another way to explore the town. Check the available dates to choose the route that fits your stay in Montreux.
Which places can you discover during your stay?
You can explore the statue and promenade freely, and the Queen - The Studio Experience exhibition is free to visit inside the casino. These stops can easily be combined in one day. The places where Freddie stayed retain their history and private character, unlike the spaces open to visitors.
For help planning your journeys, choosing accommodation or making the most of the Montreux Riviera Card, see the advice on the Getting to Montreux page. You can combine the musical places with a lakeside walk and other discoveries in the region.
Upcoming encounters with Peter Freestone and Terry Giddings, Freddie Tours and Freddie Days dates, and news about Freddie Mercury and Montreux: get the updates you won’t want to miss, straight to your inbox. Stay connected and plan your next visit to Montreux.
