On location in the Lake Geneva Region

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1 On location in the Lake Geneva Region Statue of Charlie Chaplin, Vevey Switzerland's Lake Geneva Region offers a huge variety of stunning locations and dramatic landscapes, skilled technicians, leading edge technology and a range of support and transport services, all in one compact, easy to cover area often described as "a cocktail of Europe". An optimum location at the historic crossroads of Europe is linked to a landscape of breathtaking beauty, a tonic climate and a seductive lifestyle, which has drawn visitors and world celebrities - many of whom have stayed to become permanent residents - down the centuries. These include a whole constellation of past movie greats, including Charles Chaplin, Richard Burton, Audrey Hepburn, James Mason and David Niven, whose graves in the area have all become places of pilgrimage for today's film lovers. Kuklos revolving restaurant above Leysin A country pasture Lausanne and its harbour LT/B.-H. Bissat

2 On location in the Lake Geneva Region Perfect backdrop for movie magic Vallorbe Dominating the valley, the Western Alps have top league resorts plus many smaller unspoilt villages. Between Alps and Jura, the gentle rolling countryside is dotted with charming and historic towns, great castles (more than a hundred) and ancient monuments dating back to Roman times. The calm, haunting beauty of the nearby Jura Mountain area has a charm all its own, with unspoilt villages giving great year-round variety. It has 500 kilometres of trails criss-crossing the French border and a delight for the cross-country skier, trekker, horse rider or simple lover of nature. Contrast again: in winter the lakes freeze over into vast natural skating rinks; in summer they are a fisherman's paradise. The cultural scene in the Lake Geneva Region is exceptionally rich with the world's highest concentration of top-class museums devoted to just about every subject of interest. The region has become a sports mecca and was a natural choice as headquarters for the Olympics, and numerous other international sports organizations. The spectacular Olympic Museum in Lausanne is their dramatic world showcase. With this kind of pedigree, the area is often the setting for world championships and there's invariably a crowded sports calendar in the Lake Geneva Region. Glacier 3000, Les Diablerets Stephan Engler Dogsledding on a frozen lake

3 Bringing the movies to life Roman pillars, Nyon Aigle Castle Film makers don't have to go very far in the Lake Geneva Region to get almost any setting or backdrop they want in addition to the unchanging beauty and variety of the scenery. Here are some of the highlights: Castles, churches, museums Legendary Chillon Castle, Montreux From the amphitheatre of Avenches, mosaics of Orbe, columns of Nyon and other Roman sites to the 116 castles which proudly defend the Lake Geneva Region, and, like legendary Chillon, lapped by the lake waters, mark the landcape by their majestic presence. Also requiring mention must be Lausanne Cathedral (13th century) and numerous churches of all periods, including the Romanesque abbey-church of Payerne and that of Romainmôtier. The museums - more than a hundred or so are listed - are not just witnesses of the past and guardians of patrimony, but places very much alive and visited today.they are devoted to a myriad of subjects including the cinema (the Swiss national cinematheque and film archives are located in Lausanne) and many are in visually appealing settings (some in castles) and very "film friendly". An outstanding example is the superb Olympic Museum in Lausanne. In its sumptuous lakeside garden setting, the hi-tech "Vatican of Sport" is a treasure trove of history, art and memorabilia linked to the supreme moments of mankind's sporting endeavours. The gardens of the Olympic Museum, Lausanne LT/Arc Olympic Museum The abbey-church, Romainmôtier LT/Arc Lausanne Cathedral

4 On location in the Lake Geneva Region One of Europe's richest entertainment scenes Studio Edouard Curchod The Festival of the Winegrowers, Vevey The Lake Geneva Region serves as the backdrop to a vast programme of shows and events on the cultural calendar. The capital Lausanne has its opera, numerous theatres, professional orchestras and choirs, the permanent quarters of the Béjart Ballet, but also jazz cellars and many night spots where all kinds of world music is played, reflecting the young image of this international student town. Montreux-Vevey houses the new Stravinsky Auditorium, a musical temple which is also the home of several festivals including the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival. There is also a long tradition of popular performing arts involving considerable sections of the population and leading to a reservoir of amateurs well used to performing in public and ideal as extras in any larger-scale film production. Top of the list is the once-in-a-generation staging of The Festival of the Winegrowers in the lovely lakeside town of Vevey. Vibrant with colour, orchestral and choral music, dances and the sumptuous costumes of the nearly 5,000 professional and amateur actors and performers taking part, the world's most famous wine festival, which dates back to 1783 and celebrates the crowning of the winegrowers, is unique in all the world. Each new production - the last was in links tradition and modernity. International Hot Air Balloon Week, Château-d Oex Montreux Jazz Festival P. Hummel Paléo Festival Nyon

5 Le Mirador, Mont-Pèlerin Hôtel des Trois Couronnes, Vevey Majestic palace hotels The region has the country's most beautiful palace hotels, witnesses of a long culture of welcome and service, and built for the Golden Age of Travel from the middle of the 19th century. Their settings - usually on lakeshore - grandeur, and imposing, carefully maintained period decor make them memorable locations. Lausanne Palace & Spa Beau Rivage Palace, Lausanne Montreux Palace World famous chef Philippe Rochat s Restaurant de l Hôtel de Ville, Crissier

6 On location in the Lake Geneva Region «La Galère», Morges Belle Epoque lake steamers and vintage steam trains Eight early 20th century vessels make up the world's largest lake steamer fleet in the Belle Epoque style still cruising the waters of Lake Geneva. They have not simply crossed time. They have been refitted and their graceful lines and superb interior period decor lend distinction and charm to any scenario. Anything involving trains is also well served, with everything from modern intercity expresses and panoramic trains with retro dining cars twisting through the mountains, to vintage steamers climbing dizzy heights with romantic rack sections. Golden Pass Panoramic Train Blonay-Chamby Train Golden Pass Service Train des vignes, or Wine-Train A Belle Epoque steamer on Lake Geneva

7 Wine-harvest Film-friendly, off the beaten track location settings Wine cellar Suisse Tourisme Amphitheatre of Avenches The Romans, who were the first organized tourists to Switzerland, wisely chose this peaceful and scenically beautiful centrally located area for the capital of Helvetica and called it Aventicum. Today's Avenches still has many remains of its proud past, including the great Roman amphitheatre, now the scene of an annual festival of lyric art. Avenches is also the location of the Swiss National Equestrian Centre, an impressive large-scale complex with top-level facilities which can provide an excellent base for outdoor action. The Joux Valley, called the "Helvetian Scandinavia", is an impressive and peaceful area for leisure activities in summer, and with the arrival of winter, its long lake freezes over into a gigantic natural skating rink, one of the most beautiful in Europe. This cradle of Swiss watchmaking is now known simply as "Watch Valley". The whole region lives from watchmaking and precision mechanics, handicrafts and tourism, as symbolised by the Joux Valley Watchmaking Space and Sports Centre. Sainte-Croix/Les Rasses, sports resort par excellence, but also world musical box capital, has the International Centre of Mechanical Art. Swiss National Equestrian Centre Frozen lake in the Joux Valley

8 Filming in the Lake Geneva Region Filming in the Lake Geneva Region is hassle-free and local authorities are very cooperative. In addition to this, you and your crew will be spending time in one of the most pleasant environments you could imagine. All major cities and towns are interconnected by railway and Geneva has an international airport. Switzerland s other main airport is located in Zurich, approximately 2 to 3 hours away from any point in the Lake Geneva Region. Production service companies, equipment rental companies, sound studios, post-production facilities and film suppliers and laboratories are all available close by. Film Location Switzerland and the Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office will help you find the right local partners and deal with local authorities. Just give us a call! OFS-Geostat For film-related issues: Film Location Switzerland Place de la Gare 3, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland Tel: +41 (0) Fax: +41 (0) info@filmlocation.ch For general information, accommodation and transportation: Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office Avenue d Ouchy 60, PO Box 164, 1000 Lausanne 6, Switzerland Tel: +41 (0) Fax: +41 (0) info@lake-geneva-region.ch Fore more information: Photos: Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office Design :