* This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. When you click on the links, you help cover the costs of running this website. Please read the affiliate page for more info. Thank you for your support!
Chaplin’s World is a museum located in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland that is dedicated to the life and work of the legendary silent film actor, filmmaker, and composer Charlie Chaplin. This immersive and interesting museum is situated on the outskirts of Vevey, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Geneva. The museum is housed in the mansion where Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life.
Overview: Chaplin’s World
Chaplin’s World, also colloquially referred to as the Charlie Chaplin Museum, is housed in Manoir de Ban in Corsier-sur-Vevey. The manor house itself is more than 1,000 meters2 large and is known for being Charlie Chaplin’s home from 1952 until 19771.
Visitors to Chaplin’s World can expect not only artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia from Charlie Chaplin’s life and career. Additionally, visitors will find a replica of Charlie Chaplin’s studio, allowing them to see what some of his most iconic films looked like as film sets. In addition to the exhibits and the studio, Chaplin’s World also features a cinema that screens Chaplin’s films, a restaurant that serves up delicious food and drinks, and a large garden.
Who is Charlie Chaplin?
Charlie Chaplin was an English actor and producer who worked in silent films. Having started working at an early age, he went on to have a long career spanning more than 75 years.
Charlie Chaplin is best remembered for his role as the Tramp on screen. The Tramp’s signature look, as shown in the film poster above, with his bowler hat, small mustache, and cane, has become synonymous with Charlie Chaplin himself.
As a result of the accusations of having communist tendencies, Charlie Chaplin was not allowed to return to the United States following a long career. He eventually settled in January 1953 at Manoir de Ban, a 14-hectare property in Corsier-sur-Vevey, where he lived until his death. Chaplin’s World is currently located in Manoir de Ban, where he used to live.
History of Chaplin’s World
The idea for Chaplin’s World started after Swiss architect Philippe Meylan and Quebecois Chaplin fan Yves Durand met. Together with a dedicated group of key players and the Charlie Chaplin Museum Foundation, the project to create a Charlie Chaplin Museum started coming to life.
After several years of feasibility studies, plans, work, design, consultation, and approval, work for Chaplin’s World began. It was a massive project that needed support not only from the key stakeholders but also from the local villages.
After more than a decade of planning and construction, Chaplin’s World opened to the public in April 20162. The museum has since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Currently, the museum is housed in the Manoir de Ban, a mansion that was once owned by Chaplin himself. It is the perfect location for a permanent museum dedicated to Chaplin’s life and career. The museum is located in Corsier-sur-Vevey, near Vevey, Montreux, and Lausanne.
Chaplin’s World: What to Expect
Exhibits at Le Manoir
The family manor of Charlie Chaplin welcomes you as his guest. Here, you can see a vast collection of Chaplin memorabilia. This includes costumes, props, photographs, films, and personal belongings all set in his own personal manor where he lived for 25 years.
Visitors can explore the exhibits at their own pace, learning about Charlie Chaplin’s life, including his rise to fame in Hollywood, and his later years in Switzerland. They also have some temporary exhibits at the manor.
Chaplin’s Hollywood Universe at Le Studio
One of the most popular attractions is the Hollywood-style studio set. It’s also my favorite part of Chaplin’s World. Here, visitors can pose for photos and imagine themselves as Chaplin’s co-stars.
You can enter this Hollywood-style studio that features recreated film sets. You can also stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and perform a pantomime. The film sets of Charlie Chaplin’s movies can be seen in Chaplin’s World, including the prison scene from Modern Times and falling in love with a blind girl in City Lights.
The experience is interactive and immersive. It is also perfect and fun for taking pictures with family and friends.
The Relaxing Garden – Le Parc
A four-hectare garden, the park surrounding the manor and studio also houses a botanical trail. This beautiful park is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
The Tramp Restaurant
Right beside Chaplin’s World is the Tramp Restaurant. They serve sandwiches, salads, muffins, cakes, brownies, and other snacks. They also serve a variety of cold drinks, wine, and coffee.
Chaplin’s World Shop
Before you exit Chaplin’s World, you will also pass by Chaplin’s World Shop which sells a variety of exclusive souvenirs and books about Charlie Chaplin. They also sell his DVDs and box sets as well as movie posters.
Practical Information: Chaplin’s World
- You can get your tickets for a cheaper price if you book a minimum of five days in advance.
- Check the website if you can visit when they have a special event going on. Examples of events are the following:
- Musical Interludes of the students of Conservatoire de musique de Montreux-Vevey-Riviera
- The Chaplin Circus Show
- Free Film Screenings
- Halloween at Chaplin’s World
- You can start either at Le Manoir or Le Studio.
- You can estimate around 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
- You can get a discount if you carry the Montreux Riviera Card. You can buy it directly at Chaplin’s World instead of online.
- On selected dates, GetYourGuide offers a 20% discount when you buy tickets online. It is possible to check if the offer will be available when you are planning to visit. Click here to find out more – Chaplin’s World Entrance Ticket.
GetYourGuide.com is a renowned travel platform in Europe that gives you the flexibility to book either travel guides or tickets, depending on your preference. Additionally, it offers the convenience of reserving your spot now and settling the payment at a later time.
How to Get to Chaplin’s World
The easiest way by public transport is to take Bus 212 from either Vevey or Fenil-sur-Corsier.
| Address | Rte de Fenil 2 1804 Corsier-sur-Vevey |
| By Bus | Corsier sur Vevey, Chaplin |
Final Thoughts: Chaplin’s World
Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey is a must-visit museum for anyone who is a fan of Charlie Chaplin. It is also interesting for those who love cinema and music. The museum offers a unique and immersive experience that allows visitors to step back in time and learn about Charlie Chaplin who was undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the history of film.
Today, Chaplin’s World is home to a vast collection of Chaplin memorabilia. Not only will you see films, costumes, props, and personal belongings. But you will also be able to experience Chaplin’s most memorable films and performances in a more exciting way.
Overall, Chaplin’s World is a fantastic museum built by those who love and appreciate Charlie Chaplin. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of all time and is one of the best things to do in Vevey, Switzerland.
Resources
1 Manoir de Ban. Wikipedia. Accessed on 30 May 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manoir_de_Ban.
2 About Us. The Charlie Chaplin Museum Foundation. Accessed on 30 May 2023. https://www.charliechaplinmuseumfoundation.com/en/home/.
Related Posts
- Geneva To Vevey Train: All You Need To Know
- How to Spend 1 Day in Vevey, Switzerland
- 10 Best Day Trips from Vevey
- 8 Beautiful Towns Near Vevey, Switzerland
- 8 Best Places on Lake Geneva
- 12 Best Things to Do in Vevey, Switzerland
Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. She is based in the Lake Zurich region in Switzerland and has a second home in Grisons. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.