Festivals & events
Freddie Tours
- Type
- Market hall
- Address
- Place du Marché, Montreux
The great metal hall on the Place du Marché, one of the symbols of the Montreux lakeside, stands a few metres from the Freddie Mercury statue. It is from here that the Freddie Tours set off, the guided walks in the footsteps of the singer and of Queen.
The Freddie Tours: Montreux in Freddie Mercury’s footsteps
Two routes starting from the Place du Marché
The Freddie Tours set off from the Place du Marché, under the covered market, a few metres from the statue. Two options exist: a short walk of about one hour along the lake, and an extended route of about two and a half hours that also takes in the town and starts at the corner of the Petit Palais.
The walk retraces the musical history of Montreux and the stay of Freddie Mercury and Queen: it passes Mountain Studios, at the Casino, where the band recorded, and ends at the foot of the statue, facing the lake.
An audio guide narrated by Peter Freestone
The audio guide is offered in six languages: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. The English version is narrated by Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for twelve years, who adds stories and anecdotes, while the walk reveals photos and videos of 1980s Montreux. Part of the proceeds goes to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the foundation created by Queen in the fight against AIDS.
The heart of the Freddie Days
Around 5 September, Freddie Mercury's birthday, the Place du Marché becomes the rallying point of the Freddie Days, the free tribute festival launched in 2003 by the organiser of the tours.
In pictures
Related artists :Freddie MercuryQueen