Over Lake Geneva, between the mountain ranges that border Switzerland and France, the quaint village of Montreux has evolved into a hamlet where music is known to flourish. Every year, the township is awash with the decadent sounds of live music at the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. But it’s so much more than just Jazz these days…

The Montreux Jazz Festival was established in 1967 by legendary music-lover, Claude Nobs. At the time, Nobs had a budget of just $2300USD to put together a three-day music festival on the shoreline of Lake Geneva. Since then, the festival has grown from three days to two weeks, from 10,000 spectators to 250,000 and plays host world-class artists with Prince, David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald, Carlos Santana and Aretha Franklin in its alumni.

Although beginning with humble origins and a love for Jazz, the festival has since grown into the celebration of all music genres. The festival is a spectacle offers a banquet of workshops, jam sessions, silent discos, pool parties, late-night dance events and a chance for revellers to get up close and personal with artists. We have Quincy Jones to thank for the expansion. Not only was Quincy Jones a recurring performer over the festival’s timeline, but he also became co-director in the 1990s bringing a zest and growing the music diversity that we see today. From jazz music, to blues, rock, pop and now everything in between!

In 1971, just four years after the inaugural festival, the Montreux Casino caught alight when flames engulfed the roof after a flare gun was shot at a Frank Zappa concert. In the audience of the show was Deep Purple. The events that took place at that show led to the production of one of the most notorious rock songs, Smoke on the Water – as the casino burned and Lake Geneva glistened, a reflection of the flames sparked inspiration.

Since then, Deep Purple have been invited to headline the Montreux Jazz Festival eight times. This transition from a love of jazz music turned into a love of all music. The Montreux Jazz Festival became a place where legends are born and is one of the largest, most celebrated festivals on earth.

One of the top elements of the festival is that there is a combination of both paid and free events, each day brings to life something new and exciting to be discovered. Attendees can feel euphoria during a jam session, watching their favourite performers let loose with the music; or get more personal learning music at one of the many workshops of the events. Of the evening, the pool parties are electric with the best in euro-dance DJ’s. There is also the Talent Awards that take place, which introduce several international up and coming acts to perform in a competition, where winners are bestowed either the best in solo or band acts.

For two weeks every summer, the shore of Lake Geneva on the Swiss side comes alive with music. It’s a place of vibrant and natural beauty. Outstanding hotels overlook the lake, flanked by snow-capped mountains and surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards. Around the event, make time to spend discovering Montreux.

There’s a stunning walk along Lake Geneva from Villeneuve to Vevey, through Montreux and past the iconic Freddie Mercury statue on the waterfront. The statue commemorates the late singer of Queen, who both lived and recorded music in Montreux. Other lakeside highlights include the history-listed Hotel Montreux Palace (now Fairmont Le Montreux Palace) with bright yellow and golden façade. It is one of the most luxurious hotels in Switzerland, with sprawling views of the Lake and mountain peak of Les Jumelles. The hotel is also the official home of the festival, where several the stages are set.

Along the shoreline, directly in between Villeneuve and the centre of Montreux is Chateau Chillon, a castle built on rocks over the lake. The area of the castle has a rich history, the occupation of the area dates to the Bronze Age.  With layers of antiquity, it’s hard to date the first building of the castle. It is estimated the castle has stood in some variation for over 1000 years – impressive, and a must-see whilst in Montreux. Whilst the music of the festival can be heard in the distance, it is an interesting contrast to ancient Chateau Chillon.

The two-week festival allows guests to indulge in world class music while being surrounded by idyllic mountains and the lake. The Montreux Jazz Festival is where guests are beguiled by not only the jam sessions and pool parties, but by the magical setting as well.