Information
Landmark: Queen Studio ExperienceCity: Montreux
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe
Queen Studio Experience, Montreux, Switzerland, Europe
Overview
The Queen Studio Experience is a one-of-a-kind museum and hands-on exhibit celebrating the legendary British rock band, Queen, where you might hear Freddie’s voice echo through the speakers.In Montreux, Switzerland, this experience honors the band’s legacy and its deep bond with the town and the Montreux Jazz Festival, where they once recorded parts of their iconic *Made in Heaven*-some tracks still echo with the sound of Lake Geneva just outside the studio window.Here’s what stands out in the Queen Studio Experience-like the gleam of Freddie’s microphone under the stage lights.The Queen Studio Experience sits inside Mountain Studios, the place where Queen laid down many of their greatest tracks-like parts of their final album, *Made in Heaven*.Founded in 1971 by their producer, David Richards, the studio became the band’s home base through the late ’70s and ’80s.Their connection to Montreux began in 1978, when they first stepped into that lakeside studio, and it lasted for the rest of their career.Brian May, Queen’s legendary lead guitarist, along with the rest of the band, has often spoken warmly about Montreux and how it shaped their music.Inside the Queen Memorabilia Collection, visitors can wander past cases of glittering stage costumes-like Freddie Mercury’s famous yellow jacket and flared pants-beside Brian May’s custom-built guitars.The display also holds original lyric sheets scrawled in pen, well-worn albums, and trophies that trace the band’s creative journey.At the Queen Studio Experience, the museum comes alive: guests can step into the sound booth, tinker with recording techniques, and discover how the band used Mountain Studios to forge their unmistakable sound.The studio still houses much of the original recording gear from Queen’s days there, and visitors can twist dials or press worn buttons to see how the music came together.Interactive screens let you hear raw audio tracks, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories, offering a closer look at how their biggest albums were made.One of the main draws is the multimedia section, where you can watch the band in action-performances blazing under stage lights, intimate interviews, and rare glimpses from their long career.You’ll see a blend of live concert footage, candid interviews, and rare clips that pull you right into Queen’s story.Special displays spotlight Freddie Mercury’s electrifying performances and the bold style that made him unforgettable, capturing the mark he left on music.At the center of it all is Freddie himself.One section celebrates his life and legacy, blending his music, bold fashion, and lasting mark on pop culture.Visitors can see Freddie Mercury’s own jackets, scribbled notes, and worn photographs, then explore interactive displays that capture his soaring vocal range and electric stage presence.There’s also a spotlight on Queen’s unforgettable Live Aid set and Mercury’s place among rock’s greatest frontmen.For those curious about the band’s creative process, the exhibit even lets you step into a recording studio, where the air hums faintly with the echo of layered harmonies.Guests can wander through sections of Mountain Studios, set up with the band’s own chairs and well-worn recording gear.The highlight is stepping into the faithfully rebuilt studio where Queen laid down their tracks.Visitors get to see how the band built their songs from the ground up, including classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions,” and inside the studio, the rich, layered sound wraps around you as you listen to the raw takes shifting into the polished hits; Montreux itself, woven deeply into Queen’s story, is celebrated throughout the museum.The Montreux Jazz Festival was a big part of the band’s story, with Queen performing and recording there for years, and fans can dive into that history before strolling to the lakeside Freddie Mercury Memorial, where a bronze statue of him faces the water.The statue went up in 1996, just a few years after his death, honoring his remarkable impact on music; inside the Queen Studio Experience, fans can browse an intimate gift shop filled with rare treasures-like the warm crackle of a limited-edition vinyl or a glossy photo from the band’s early days-perfect mementos for anyone wanting to carry a piece of Queen’s legacy home, making this Montreux destination a must for every devoted fan.Packed with hands‑on exhibits, rare memorabilia, and a heartfelt nod to Freddie Mercury-right down to a shimmering stage jacket-it delivers an experience far richer than your usual museum trip.Whether you’ve followed Queen for decades or just wonder how they shaped music history, this studio lets you feel their legacy up close-right down to the echo of a guitar riff hanging in the air.
