CHF60m Chaplin Museum prepares to open doors at home of cinema legend
by Tom Anstey | 15 Apr 2016
A museum at the former home of Charlie Chaplin, which is dedicated to the cinema legend, opens its doors to the public in Switzerland this weekend.
Launching on Sunday (17 April), the highly-anticipated CHF60m (US$60.7m, €54.4m, £42m) museum, more than 15 years in the making, opens in the village of Corsier-sur-Vevey a day after the star’s 127th birthday.
The dilapidated estate, which overlooks Lake Geneva, was purchased by Luxembourgian investment firm Genii Capital in 2008 with the intention of redeveloping it into a museum.
Following an extensive renovation, Chaplin’s World covers more than 3,000sq m (32,200sq ft) and will showcase Chaplin memorabilia presented through multimedia and cinematographic formats. French museum operator Grévin has developed the attraction, its fifth including waxwork museums in Paris, Montreal, Seoul and Prague.
The 500sq m (5,400sq ft) house forms half of the museum, while a separate 1,350sq m (14,500sq ft) building has been mocked-up as a Hollywood studio, taking a look at Chaplin’s on-screen work. The site also features a movie theatre and an outdoor stage.
Through the manor and studio, more than 30 wax figures by Grévin have been installed ranging from Chaplin himself to the likes of Einstein, Winston Churchill and Michael Jackson.
“The tour of Chaplin’s World is scripted and staged using cutting edge multimedia technologies to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the era, the personality of the man, his work and his talent,” said Jean-Pierre Pigeon, manager of Chaplin’s World.
“With the agreement of the Chaplin Family, designers Yves Durand and Philippe Meylan and Compagnie des Alpes, the developer and operator, have drawn on the huge heritage left by Chaplin to open to the public a truly immersive venue and offer a Chaplinian experience. We very much look forward to welcoming our first visitors.”
Charlie Chaplin Grévin Jean-Pierre Pigeon Genii Capital Chaplin’s World Corsier-sur-Vevey Lake Geneva
Chaplin’s World will showcase Chaplin memorabilia presented through multimedia and cinematographic formats Credit: Chaplin's World
15 Feb 2016
CHF60m Charlie Chaplin museum to open in April
04 Jun 2014
US$67m Charlie Chaplin museum to open at star's former home
24 Nov 2009
Charlie Chaplin museum to open in Switzerland
A museum at the former home of Charlie Chaplin, which is dedicated to the cinema legend, opens its doors to the public in Switzerland this weekend. Launching on Sunday (17 April), the highly-anticipated CHF60m (US$60.7m, €54.4m, £42m) museum, more than 15 years in the making, opens in the village of Corsier-sur-Vevey a day after the star’s 127th birthday. The dilapidated estate, which overlooks Lake Geneva, was purchased by Luxembourgian investment
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