By Simon Bradley, Corsier-sur-Vevey
A new immersive museum dedicated to the life and work of filmmaker Charlie Chaplin has opened at his former Swiss home near Lake Geneva after more than 15 years of planning.
Chaplin's World features recreated sets wax figures, film clips and interactive multimedia installations in the Hollywood-style studio (Keystone)
"It's a great pleasure to see the final result as this has been a long project to implement. Sometimes we were on the edge of a cliff, but now I see the thing realised it's surprising," Chaplin's 70-year-old son Michael Chaplin told reporters on Saturday at the inauguration of Chaplin's World in the picturesque village of Corsier-sur-Vevey on Lake Geneva.
"It's a pleasure to share the estate with everyone."
The museum opens officially to the general public tomorrow.
Chaplin's World is set on the huge grounds of the Manoir de Ban built in 1840 above Vevey in canton Vaud, where Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life. He died there at the age of 88 in 1977.
With spectacular views of the lake and Alps, the refurbished former family home where he lived with his wife Oona and their eight children, is just half of the museum focusing on the comic legend's private life.
Visitors can walk throughout the huge mansion entering his former living room, dining room and library, where Chaplin used to write his autobiography and prepare scripts. Upstairs there is access to his bedroom and other rooms.
"This was always a big family house for me. There is a real feeling of warmth when I see the photos on the first floor. It was a place of great happiness for my mother and father," said Eugene Chaplin who was born in Switzerland and grew up at the Manoir.
"The manor has changed but that's normal. But the spirit of Chaplin remains."
Micheal and his brother Eugene were among 24 Chaplin family members present at the museum's inauguration.
The famous shoes, cane and hat (Keystone)