About Freddie Days
Freddie Mercury had a unique connection with Montreux, a town that held a special place in his life and artistic career. He found it to be a creative environment, but also a place where he could enjoy a certain freedom, far from the pressure of the media.
From 1978 to 1991, he stayed there on numerous occasions, finding precious inspiration in its peaceful setting. It was in the heart of the Montreux Casino that the legendary Mountain Studios were located, where he recorded several albums with Queen.
In 1996, when a statue of Freddie Mercury was unveiled on the shores of Lake Geneva, a wave of enthusiasm for the singer swept through the region. Inspired by this craze, Norbert Muller, owner of the Bazar Suisse shop in Montreux and a huge music fan, came up with the idea of organising activities related to Freddie Mercury.
This was the beginning of what would become, a few years later, an event bringing together fans from all over the world.
How It All Began
It all started in 2001 with Freddie Mercury's Montreux Tour, an intimate tour. This tour of places associated with Freddie quickly attracted fans from all over the world.
In 2003, the first official fan gathering was held in Montreux to celebrate Freddie Mercury's birthday, under the name Freddie Mercury's Montreux Memorial Day. The event, initially a one-day affair, became an unmissable fixture over the years, featuring concerts and tributes. It gradually expanded to four days and took the name Freddie Celebration Days.
In 2019, Lucien Muller, Norbert's son, took over as president of the Montreux Celebration association and the organisation of the event. In 2020, he founded the interactive guided tours Freddie Tours, in close collaboration with Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant for over ten years.
After Norbert Muller’s passing in 2024, the event continued its journey and, in 2025, adopted a new visual identity along with a simplified name: Freddie Days.
The spirit remains unchanged: to continue to keep Freddie Mercury's legacy alive in a warm, festive atmosphere that is accessible to all, in tribute to one of the greatest artists of our time.
The Freddie Days Team
Freddie Days exist thanks to the energy and dedication of passionate volunteers. They often work behind the scenes, but their role is essential. Thank you to them for their valuable contribution.
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Bahareh
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Guy
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Martina
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Vincent
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Vladimir
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Andy BJ Photography
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Tomas
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Catherine
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Esteban
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Fabian
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Jan
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Randy
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Marco
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Nadine
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Christophe
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Annamaria
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Manisha
A legacy for Montreux
Over the years, Freddie Days has sought to go beyond the annual event by paying tribute to Freddie Mercury and Montreux's musical history through several lasting achievements.
These projects, carried out thanks to the passion and support of our community, aim to preserve the memory of Freddie and those who contributed to his legacy in the city.
These initiatives include the creation of a commemorative book to celebrate the event's 20th anniversary, the construction of the ‘Lake House’ chalet, and the installation of a bust in tribute to David Richards, producer of the band Queen.
These projects reflect our desire to keep this legacy alive and to share with future generations the unique spirit that unites Freddie, Montreux and his fans around the world.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the annual tribute to Freddie Mercury in Montreux, a unique book was published in 2025.
More than just a commemorative book, it tells the story of a gathering that began more than two decades ago and has become an unmissable event for fans around the world.
Through testimonials from artists, volunteers, loved ones and enthusiasts, this book looks back on the evolution of this event and the special bond between Freddie Mercury and Montreux.
This book also pays tribute to Norbert Muller, the initiator of this adventure and a key figure in its history, who passed away in September 2024 after devoting much of his life to keeping Freddie Mercury's memory alive in this city.
Illustrated with memories and memorable stories, this book is both a tribute and a vibrant testimony to the magic that continues to bring fans together around Freddie Mercury, more than 30 years after his death.
buy online
To honour the legacy of David Richards, the iconic producer and sound engineer who made musical history alongside Queen, David Bowie, Nile Rodgers and many others, a bronze bust in his honour was unveiled in 2023.
Richards, who also contributed to the Montreux Jazz Festival for 38 years, recording concerts whose sound archives are now part of UNESCO's world heritage.
This work, created by Montreux-based sculptor Bernard Bavaud, was made possible thanks to the support of the Fondation Casino Barrière de Montreux and the Fondation pour l'Équipement Touristique (FET), with the involvement of David Richards' family, Wendy and Christopher.
After an initial presentation at Queen: The Studio Experience, housed in the former Mountain Studio, the bust was unveiled on 31 August 2023 in the presence of family members and numerous personalities. Video messages from Brian May, Roger Taylor, Nile Rodgers and Nick Rhodes paid tribute to Richards' exceptional legacy and his influence on the world of music.
Since February 2024, this work has paid permanent tribute to David Richards and now stands in the gardens of the Montreux Casino, offering fans and visitors a place of remembrance dedicated to this craftsman of Queen's and Montreux's musical history.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the album Made in Heaven, a unique project has been launched: the reconstruction of the famous chalet featured on the cover of Queen's last album.
Set up on the pontoon, close to the statue of Freddie Mercury in Montreux, this faithful reproduction recreates the scene captured by Richard Gray, the band's graphic designer, with the majestic mountains in the background.
Freddie nicknamed the cottage ‘Duck House’ in reference to the many ducks in the garden and the wooden sculptures scattered around the property. Located in Clarens, it was part of a residence where Queen regularly stayed during their visits to Montreux. After Freddie's death, this emotionally charged location was chosen to illustrate their final album, released in 1995.
Usually inaccessible to the public, this iconic chalet has been recreated identically, using only photographs, as the original is located on private property. Entrusted to CBA SA, a company run by Dominique Crausaz, known in particular for the structures of the Montreux Christmas Market, the project was completed in 2022 with the support of the Fondation pour l'Équipement Touristique de Montreux (FET).
Today, this work has become a centrepiece of our event. Installed each year exclusively for this occasion, it allows fans to relive the magic of Made in Heaven by capturing a unique photo with the statue, the chalet and the majestic mountains in the background.
Past Editions
Photos © Andy BJ Photography, Cyril Tondut
