We’re in Montreux, home of a world famous Jazz Festival (that happens every year in July).

Interesting trivia – It’s also the place where, the ‘gambling house’ burnt down during a Frank Zappa concert,in 1971, and the story became the Deep Purple song, Smoke on the Water.

This morning we decided a train ride would be a great way to see the countryside so we rode up into the mountains to Chateau d’Oex, enjoying the stunning views all the way there.

After our train ride we were a little hungry so we stopped in at a cute fromagerie restaurant called Le Chalet. We were so surprised to see that they make their own cheese right in the restaurant. We watched the cheese maker Stirring in a giant cauldron, then using a cheese cloth to strain out the curds and add it to a big circle frame, and press it to squeeze to extra liquid out to make the cheese. It was fascinating but looks like hard work.

While we watched we had a delicious lunch that started with a cheese fondue. So yummy!

Back in Montreux for the evening we went for a walk along the promenade by the lake and came across a larger than life bronze statue of Freddy Mercury from Queen. We learned that the band owned the recording studio inside the newly built (after the fire) casino and they recorded six albums there. Then we heard that there is a Queen Experience museum in the casino so we had to go there to check it out. There’s all sorts of memorabilia from Queen, even a mock up of a recording stage and some iconic costumes Freddy wore for lives concerts. So cool!