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Inside Chaplins World with Oona and Charlie – © 2016 Marc Ducrest for Bubbles Incorporated Visiting Switzerland solo was a leap for this tropics lover. I arrived in the midst of winter with my pack full of warm clothes and an over-flowing itinerary. Of all the places I looked forward to seeing, Chaplin’s World was high on the list.
Celebrities have always flocked to Switzerland. Charlie Chaplin ended up there almost by accident. While in Europe promoting his silent classic, Limelight, London-born Chaplin received a forboding telegram. America was in the midst of the McCarthy era. He would be banned from returning to the United States unless he testified before the House on Un-American Activities. He refused, saying, “I’m not going back.”
Inside the Chaplin’s World studios, Switzerland, © 2016 Marc Ducrest for Bubbles IncorporatedEugene Chaplin remembers that his father was considering property in Southern France with it’s temperate climate. However he fell in love with the beauty of the Geneva region. After purchasing a 13-acre property facing the Alps, Manoir de Ban became the family home for the rest of Chaplin’s life.
“We love Switzerland more and more each day.” Charlie Chaplin wrote in a letter to Clifford Odetts, 1954.
More than sixteen years ago Michael Chaplin, the oldest son, told Yves Durand and Philippe Meyland, that the home was going to be sold. The architect and designer soon convinced the family to turn it into a museum. Today personal archives full of mementos, costumes and props are preserved in displays. The family dining table is set for dinner. Chaplin’s movie studio is intact and has been enlarged. Most innovative are the mannequins fashioned laboriously in Madame Tussaud style and placed strategically throughout. Charlie Chaplin is reincarnated. Wax actors stand in front of scenes from his silent films. Visitors can stand next to Oona Chaplin and Charlie in their private screening room. Everything is designed to be touched, to be photographed.
Video from the opening of Chaplin’s World.
Unfortunately, the museum opened after I left Switzerland, but on a chilly December night in Hollywood, I met Eugene Chaplin in the Raleigh studios where his father, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks worked under contract.
Eugene Chaplin speaking in the Chaplin Theater inside Raleigh Studios
Eugene spoke about his father’s perfectionism. The piano where Chaplin composed music for his silent films, still sits in the living room. A folding movie screen was set up and scenes were projected repeatedly until Chaplin felt the music was a perfect match. It was a ground-breaking transcription process for film music.
Me and Eugene Chaplin at Raleigh Studios
Of all Eugene’s stories this one makes me want to explore Chaplin’s World more than ever: A visitor told Eugene that her young son was a big Chaplin fan. Eugene asked which movie was his favorite. It’s not the movies, she replied, “He’s a fan because of the museum.”
Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and D.W. Griffith 1919, on the day they signed contracts with United Artists
“The Tramp never had a home,” Michael Chaplin has said. Today he has.
If you visit Switzerland and Chaplin’s World:
- Tickets and events at Chaplins World
- Information about Geneva and Matterhorn Region
- Visit Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass which includes rail, bus, and boat as well as itineraries, tickets, regional tips and more.
Hi Elaine. My recent trip to Switzerland was also too jam-packed to include a visit to Chaplin’s World. But I did get to eat his shoes! Chocolate shoes that is. Designed exactly as mini replicas of the shoes Chaplin wore and loved. I’m surprised your post does not mention the city of Vevey, as that is where Chaplin’s World is located (to my understanding) and not Geneva — although it on Lake Geneva. 🙂 I definitely plan to visit Chaplin’s World on my next visit to the area.
Thanks for the comment, Doreen. Good point about mentioning Vevey. I need to return to the region and explore more.
Oh my goodness, how fun that you were able to meet his son! I didn’t have any idea about Chaplin’s studios in Switzerland. Switzerland is on my bucket list – perhaps I can add this to my visit if I ever get there. Sounds like an amazing stop.
It was a special night meeting Eugene Chaplin at the studios where his father, Charlie, once worked! I hope you do visit the museum.
Thanks for a fascinating and informative article about Charlie Chaplin’s home in Switzerland. I am very interested in the subject as we are preparing to tour Switzerland in 2017. So thank you!
Thank you for the note, Denis. I’m sure you’ll have an interesting and luxurious trip!
What an interesting article about Switzerland and Charlie Chaplin. Definitely a must visit quirky museum. I am so glad they have agreed to make it as a museum so that the public can see the mementos that were exhibited there. Cheers! xx
Thanks, Trisha. It’s an aspect of Swiss life we don’t realize exists. Can’t wait to see it one day for myself.
Switzerland is an incredible place. I was there last year but didn’t know about this. How fun! Really interesting, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Alyssa, glad you enjoyed the piece.
This is so fun. I love a quirky museum. This is definitely the kind of place I would love to explore!
I can imagine you sharing a giggle with Charlie (or one of his statues!)
What an interesting story! Switzerland is such an incredible part of the world, in winter and in summer! I really enjoyed reading this article 🙂
Thanks, Anita. I’m a big Chaplin fan, as you can tell.
What a brilliant ode to such a wonderful filmmaker. I never knew Chaplin lived in Switzerland, very interesting article.
Lots to discover in Switzerland! Glad you enjoyed.
I didn’t know about Charlie Chaplins connection with Switzerland! Really cool. Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Chaplin’s full of surprises always! One day I hope to return and see his home, plus all it’s turned into.
How did I not know this existed, Chaplin is hilarious. It is too bad you were unable to visit the museum, but I am sure his son would have provided many interesting stories.
One day I’ll visit the museum, I hope! Yes, Eugene was a soft-spoken gentleman and so generous with my babbling. Had no idea he was Eugene O’Neill’s grandson! So much history in the Chaplin clan.
That is soooo cool:) I know so little about Charlie Chaplin and only watched few of his films… He is an icon and must be so cool to meet his son:)
It was a fun surprise to meet Eugene and learn more about the museum.
I had no idea. That’s given me a new piece of learning for the week. I;ve been to Switzerland twice and this has never been on my rradar.
Kerri, the museum just opened this summer (2015) so it’s just getting noticed. Maybe you’ll find yourself there a third time and see it!
What a great museum! It sounds like a great place to visit and learn more about the actor, his lifework and be able to revisit the costumes and props he used. And how lucky to meet one of Chaplin’s relatives! Thanks for showing it all in this post.
Thank you, Marlene. It was a wonderful intersection of stories and opportunities. I so hope to see the museum one day in person!
Wow, fascinating history about Charlie Chaplin. I have to admit that I didn’t know that he lived in Switzerland. From the photos, the museum looks very well done. I’m so glad that the family agreed to turn Chaplin’s home into a museum for future generations to enjoy. I would absolutely love to visit his former home if ever given the opportunity to travel to Switzerland. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
Not many know about Chaplin in Switzerland. Being a victim of the McCarthy era his history has been quieted in our, American’s, collective shame. Or that’s just my take on it.
Interesting. I didn’t realize that Charlie Chaplin had any ties to Switzerland. And how interesting it must have been to sit down and talk with his son!
I met Eugene at a media event and before he spoke few people engaged with him in any depth. It was a lovely conversation as he patiently told me about his life and current work as an artistic director for a Swiss circus! Lovely man.
I’m heading to Switzerland for a second time in March and will add this to my itinerary! I’m sure it will be very interesting to find out more about Charlie Chaplin.
It’s great that you got to meet his son!
I so hope you visit Chaplin’s World, Hugo! Yes, I was very lucky to meet and spend some time talking with Eugene.
Great that the family was convinced to make his home a museum. He left such a big legacy in the film industry.
The designers of the museum were such fans of Charlie Chaplin. There was no question that the museum would be a wonder with their passion and the family blessing. One day I hope to see it in person.
I have never been to Chaplin’s World, I don’t think it was open when I was last in Switzerland but would love to visit on a future visit! Sad that you didn’t get to go.
Things happen for a reason and my time in Switzerland was so packed. I just need to return to see more of that wonderful country and definitely visit Chaplin’s World.
How interesting to learn that you can visit Charlie Chaplin’s home in Switzerland, which I had no idea he moved to! #WeekendWanderlust
Chaplin’s years in Europe weren’t his first choice and with the McCarthy era in full swing it was so much simpler, so much more in integrity to make a home in Switzerland. He had such a large family by then as well! It must’ve been a happy place.
We’ve been in Switzerland last year but I had no idea about Chaplin’s World studios. I would have liked to visit it. You had a great idea. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks, Anda. Perhaps we’ll see it together one day! I’d love to return.