17 Dec 2024
Whilst I unreservedly recommend anyone visit this unique location…one thing needs to be made clear..people say “ oh you must go to Chaplin’s museum when you’re in Montreux “…only what no one tells you is it isn’t there at all !
It’s a train trip & a bus ride away in a nearby neighborhood!…you need allow at least one hour traveling time each way by public transport, depending on timetables…& whilst that’s not difficult once you’ve understood the train trip+ where the bus stop is in Vevey ( nearby township ) , it’s hardly “in” Montreux!
I won’t say anything about the immersive & utterly engaging presentation there, but you begin visiting The Studio..a small & pleasant cinema where you imagine you’ll see an introductory video of Chaplin & his life…all of which engagingly you most certainly do>> it’s immediately following that the magic begins ..& frankly it simply doesn’t stop!
Afterwards visiting the house nearby where Chaplin took his family to live after they were all kicked out of USA for his ‘unAmerican activity’ this gorgeous property is also extremely fascinating because the interior too is cleverly presented in a most attractive & engaging way…
Spoiler : you will not believe the wax figures created throughout..absolutely unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
To call it a museum is to sell it short ..it’s anything but a dry presentation in the usual “museum” format we all are quite familiar with..
Prepare to be surprised & delighted.
There’s a poorly designed & somewhat lacking cafe attached that lets the side down being not very well run either ..eg the ONLY daily menu is actually posted on a sandwich board OUTSIDE..which cannot be read once you are inside preparing to order …wha-a-at do they think they’re doing?
No wine by the glass alas & it’s self serve..so way behind best practice. That’s the only negative, visiting here …but thankfully the quiche+ salad we’d ordered wasn’t too bad.. pity about the dreary but ok F & B .
Chaplin’s World is Highly recommended!