20/07/2025
Montreux Jazz Festival 2025:
I was there again
I'm still sitting between my suitcases and espresso cup, my head somewhere on Lake Geneva. I'm back, but Montreux won't let me go.
World-class music, a spot in the shade, the lake glistening and someone playing a saxophone somewhere. That's what Montreux sounds like on these days. My visit to the Montreux Jazz Festival was more than just a concert. It was a great little adventure, simply marvellous.
When legends take to the stage - Diana Ross & Grace Jones
I had goose bumps when Diana Ross took to the stage on the open-air stage by the water, Scène du Lac. Her presence, her voice, her elegance: impressive. No big show, no exaggerated pomp. Just Diana Ross and the lake in the background.
And then: Grace Jones. Unique. Masked. Majestic. A total work of art between disco, avant-garde and incredible charisma. Her performance was not a concert, it was a hula hoop ritual. Nobody could stand still, everything was full of movement, we danced, dreamed, stared and laughed. And all with a view of the lake. Montreux makes this possible.
Music on every corner - the off-programme is alive
It's not just the big names that make Montreux so special. It's the street musicians who play jazz standards on an old piano by the lakeside. It's the young singer who covers Leonard Cohen on the wooden jetty at sunset, sounding as if she knew him personally. It's the beats from Funky Claude's Bar, where people jam after midnight like there's no tomorrow.
I came across an off-stage session on a jetty, quite by chance. A guitarist from Cape Town and a cellist from Bern together in Montreux, in the flow. Later in conversation, they said: "At the jazz festival, music is not "just" an event, it's a language." I couldn't have said it better myself.
Mountain happiness & lake joy, taking a deep breath between concerts
I went to the mountains during the day. I took the cog railway up to Rochers-de-Naye. At the top: marmots, clear air and a view as far as France. Back in the valley: a snack or a dip in the lake. Yes, Lake Geneva is fresh and just right after a day full of sun and music. I also spent a lot of time simply walking in the peace and quiet. Along the more than 7 km long lakeside path, the Swiss Riviera, through vineyards, past villas, lavender bushes, tropical flowers, picnickers with jukeboxes. Everything here sounds softer, shines more brightly and, depending on the time of day, is pastel-coloured - Chillon Castle, a dream on the lake.
Culinary delights? Mais oui!
Anyone who says festival food is deep-fried and bland has never been to Montreux. I tried local cheese from the Vallée de Joux, and I couldn't resist the international specialities, such as Korean street food and Peruvian empanadas. Add a glass of Chasselas, slightly chilled, and the sunset in the Frontrow was perfect.
My conclusion: the Montreux Jazz Festival is not a festival, it's a way of life
What did I bring with me? Music, of course. Also new favourite artists. But above all: a feeling of space. Of quality. Of connection with the world. The festival is international and manages to be private. It is sophisticated, yet at the same time very down-to-earth and not aloof. And it's the perfect music hideaway for anyone who wants to experience music with all their senses.
I'll be back next year, preferably next month, just to stroll around Montreux, stroll by the lake, listen to a few chords and nibble on a bit of cheese. And to marvel again at how music is being made, rehearsed and experimented with on every corner.
Want to discover your own musical retreat? We'll show you how to combine music, enjoyment and nature to create a unique experience and wonderful memories.
Good to know
Since it was founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival on Lake Geneva has developed into one of the most renowned music festivals in Europe. Originally started as a pure jazz festival, it soon opened up to other genres, from soul to rock, from world music to electronic music.
What makes Montreux unique is its intimate, almost private atmosphere and the quality of the performances: stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Prince, David Bowie, Nina Simone and Etta James have given unforgettable concerts here, many of which have been released as live albums. Today, Montreux combines these great names with ever new voices and continues to do so at the highest musical level.
To dream on
