James Bond in Switzerland
James Bond seems to be at home anywhere in the world. Did you know that the character James Bond is half Swiss and that the author of the stories spent some time in Switzerland? We take this as an opportunity to take a closer look at the filming locations in Switzerland.
James Bond film locations in Switzerland - an overview
Five of the more than twenty James Bond films were partly filmed in Switzerland:
- Goldfinger (1964)
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
- The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
- A Look to Kill (1985)
- Golden Eye (1995)
Probably the most famous drink in film history is James Bond's vodka martini. The recipe …
An overview of the filming locations follows.
gold fingers
On the one hand there would be the Furka Pass, on which James Bond and other participants deliver a wild chase. This route is a filming location that you can still visit today when driving through Switzerland. If you drive along the Furka Pass from the direction of the Grimel Pass, you will discover a homage to the film on the right-hand side: a boulder with the inscription "Kil-47". The rock marks the spot where James Bond (Sean Connery) almost had a fatal accident - fortunately only in the film!
Another location of this film adaptation is this Hotel Aurora in Andermatt. Originally, the Aurora gas station in Andermatt was one of the locations, but unfortunately it is now closed. Unfortunately, the Aurora Hotel is also closed at the moment, but will reopen in 2025 under the name Aurora Mountain Hotel. At least the location is then still the same as in the James Bond films.
Another filming location worth mentioning is the Pilatus aircraft factory in Stans (Switzerland). However, only the facade of the factory served as a film set for the Auric Enterprise building. The interior shots took place in a film studio in Great Britain.
If you still want to visit this film location, you can contact the Pilatus aircraft factory at certain times for a factory tour register.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
This is a highlight among the Swiss James Bond film locations Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn. In the film adaptation of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the building embodied an allergy clinic. In reality, the said restaurant is hidden behind it. A little below the restaurant is the "Bond World", an interactive exhibition about the film. Here you can see reenacted scenes and recreations of the film relics.
The restaurant has also aligned its culinary orientation to James Bond: Order a James Bond champagne breakfast, the 007 burger or the James Bond spaghetti. You'll also find a cocktail bar here, where you can order a martini, just like James Bond - shaken, not stirred!
The Piz Gloria can be reached with a cable car - for a feeling almost like in a helicopter!
Another well-known film location in Switzerland is still Lauterbrunnen mentioned - this is where the scenes of the Stockcar Rallye were filmed.
The spy who loved me
In this film adaptation, only the opening scene was filmed in Switzerland - but it is very spectacular! It is a chase scene in which James Bond flees from his pursuers on skis. James Bond, played by Roger Moore in this installment, uses his ski pole to shoot one of his pursuers - while backing down the slope! The scene ends with James Bond parachuting off a mountain. However, this part of the opening sequence was no longer filmed in Switzerland, but in Canada. The chase scene was shot on Piz Bernia, the highest peak in the Eastern Alps, turned.
A look to kill
Similar to the previous James Bond film adaptation, only the opening sequence was shot in the Swiss Alps. The location is on the Glacier Vadretta di Scerscen Inferiore. James Bond, played here for the last time by Roger Moore, has a tricky mission to fulfil: He has to recover a microchip from a corpse while being pursued by his opponents. Switzerland is the filming location up until the moment James Bond shook off his pursuers. From this moment on, filming will continue in Iceland.
Gold eye
Anyone who believed that the chase scenes on skis in the Swiss Alps could not be surpassed has not yet heard of this opening scene. Once again chased by his opponents, James Bond jumps from the 220 meter high in the opening sequence dam of the Verzasca Valley, to escape from his pursuers. The fact that it's actually a stunt double and not Pierce Brosnan, the James Bond actor, doesn't dampen the excitement. The location of this scene is in Swiss canton of Ticino. For the bravest James Bond fans, there is the fantastic opportunity to bungee jump from this very same dam! Thrills, adrenaline and a deceptively real James Bond feeling are almost guaranteed.
As you can see, you will get your money's worth as a James Bond fan in Switzerland. We wish you a lot of fun with your mission.
