I know that the casino requires formal dress and age 20 to gain acces to all? areas. We don't particularly want to gamble, but is there a bar etc. in the casino complex where these restrictions may be relaxed, or do these rules go for the whole casino site?

Hi judybroad,

At its website (http://www.lucienbarriere.com/locali..._clin_oeil.asp) it says formal dress is required, and it does not say it only applies to the gaming rooms. I would apply the dress code to the entire Casino -- anywhere from the front door on.

s

Hi, judybroad. I visited this casino last year but I didn't have my passport with me so I wasn't allowed into the gaming areas. I know you said you don't want to gamble, but I still recommend bringing your passport in case you decide to check it out.

Thanks P_M and swandav,
This probably sounds really silly but in researching this trip I discovered the story of how Frank Zappa and the Mothers were performing at the casino and someone threw a flare which set fire to the place, which inspired the supporting act, Deep Purple to write Smoke on the Water. I just thought it would be fun to have a drink in a bar there or something because of this story. Maybe we'll pack some ties and jackets.

Thanks for your replies,
Judy

Hi judybroad,

Not silly at all! Just a suggestion -- load up "Smoke . . ." on your iPod & sit at the lake in front of the Casino and imagine it all!

Montreux has a strong connection with rockers -- Freddie Mercury & all (plus lots of musical folks living there or nearby, like Phil Collins & Shania Twain, off the top of my head). There's an important recording studio somewhere there.

s

A bit off subject but the casino/hotel has a fabulous pool where you can purchase a day pass. Seems like there were some casual bars or a cafe or something on the grounds nearby that. Point being you can definitely get onto the casino grounds, without formal dress.

Or as Swandav says simply sit along the quai (lakeside promonade) directly out back of the casino, you can definitely see the "on the water" part from there!

judybroad, "Smoke on the Water," has been one of my favorite songs since I was a teen so I knew the lyrics were telling a true story. This might sound strange, but the only thing that made me go to that casino is because I knew it was the casino they were singing about in "Smoke on the Water." Of course, the original casino was destroyed in the fire and it was rebuilt from the ground up. I felt like I was visiting a historical landmark. And don't miss the statue of Freddie Mercury, also to be found on the waterfront in Montreux.