Autumn Travel – Day 10 – Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin

From Lausanne, the train takes 25 minutes to reach Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva. It’s here where Ian Gillan saw “Smoke on the water, fire in the sky” when a building burst into flames near his hotel and provided the inspiration for the Deep Purple song.

Another lead singer is commemorated with a statue by the lake. Freddie Mercury often recorded here with Queen and his representation draws plenty of people. There’s also a Queen Studio Experience nearby at the casino.

At nearby Vevey, Charlie Chaplin is also honoured with a statue, just look for the giant fork stuck in the bed of Lake Geneva and you’ll find Chaplin in his famous ‘Little Tramp’ garb.