Michaël Theus
6 Great Reasons to Film in Switzerland
A Country of Unbeatable Advantages
And you ? Will you be the next production to film in Switzerland?
Bravo ! C'est la Suisse. Tous ces réalisateurs ont tourné chez nous.
Mobility in Switzerland is unparalleled : imagine being able to film a scene at the United Nations in Geneva in the morning and capturing the magic of the golden hour on a snowy mountain in the evening.
Hollywood has continually chosen Switzerland for filming. Movies like Oppenheimer, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, The Bourne Identity, Syriana, The Wolf of Wall Street, Contagion, Iron Man 3, and Millenium are just a small sample of Hollywood successes partially filmed in Switzerland.
Also worth mentioning are the HBOseries Band of Brothers and more recently, AMC's The Night Manager with Tom Hiddleston.
In Bollywood, Switzerland has served as the backdrop for dozens of Indian films. The city of Interlaken even erected a statue in honor of director Yash Chopra, whose films significantly contributed to the city's tourism and economy.
Currently, Korean cinema is particularly prevalent in Switzerland, with the resounding success of the Netflix series Crash Landing on You.
And you ? Will you be the next production to film in Switzerland?
To succeed in your audiovisual projects in Switzerland, surround yourself with specialists who are well-versed in the country's cultural and administrative diversity. If you're in search of such experts, Theus Productions is your ideal partner. From finding the perfect set to obtaining filming permits, and recruiting local teams and talents, we streamline the organization of your production. With THSP, filming in Switzerland has never been easier!
What are the 6 compelling reasons to film in Switzerland?
1. Favorable Geographical Location and Quality Transportation Network
Located in the heart of Europe, less than two hours by flight from major European cities like London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid, Switzerland is served by three international airports: Zurich, Geneva, and Basel. The total area of the country is 10 times smaller than California, 41 285 km². The Swiss territory spans 220 km from north to south and 348 km from east to west.
Switzerland is renowned for the excellence of its transportation network. ndeed, the country is ranked as the fourth-best global transportation network by "Travel and Leisure", just behind Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Swiss public transportation constitutes one of the densest networks worldwide. Trains play a predominant role, complemented by buses, trams, mountain trains, and passenger boats, allowing access to nearly every corner of the country. Besides providing extensive geographic coverage, ncluding rural areas, the various modes of transportation are coordinated to ensure seamless transitions. For instance, we have the highest railway station in Europe, located at the Jungfraujoch and reaching an elevation of 3454 meters.
2. A small country with breathtaking landscapes and a temperate climate
Here are some numbers:
- Nearly two-thirds of Swiss territory is mountainous,with 58% in the Alps and 11% in the Jura region;
- The plateau accounts for 31% of the territory;
- 26% of the territory is located above 2,000 meters in altitude.
- 48 peaks exceed 4 000 meters in altitude.
- Swiss glaciers cover an area of 1 000 km².
- The Aletsch glacier , located in Valais, is Europe's longest glacier at 23 km.
Switzerland offers striking visual contrasts, dfrom the coastal atmosphere of its lakes in the plains to the snow-covered peaks of its mountains, as well as the wild state of its alpine forests and the bucolic serenity of its wooden chalets by crystal-clear lakes.
It's worth noting that Switzerland has mountain snow even in the summer.
In Switzerland, there are more than 1500 lakes. In fact, 4% of the territory is covered by lakes and rivers. 60% of the country's electricity production comes from hydroelectric dams. There are 222 dams in total, including the Grande Dixence, which is the world's highest gravity dam.
In the plains, you can find large lakes, such as Lake Geneva (the largest lake in Western Europe, stretching 73 km in length and 14 km in width).
3. Human-Sized Cities for Multisite Shoots in a Single Day
Switzerland, a country with over 700 years of history, boasts cities that reflect the richness of its cultural diversity influenced by German, French, and Italian influences. The country is home to 4 languages(German, French, Italian, Romansh). In cities like Bern, Lucerne or Friboug you'll discover a historical heritage with medieval ramparts and buildings. Zurich on the other hand, stands as a cosmopolitan, modern, and innovative hub. In Locarno you'll be surprised by the presence of palm trees. Lausanne gathers nearly all international sports federations and the International Olympic Committee. Geneva offers both a medieval old town and districts with ultra-modern architecture.
Spotlight on Geneva:
The Geneva region (Lémanic region) is often referred to as the Swiss Riviera, drawing a parallel to the French Riviera on the Côte d'Azur. The city of Geneva, situated at the tip of Lake Geneva, forms a metropolitan area with 600'000 residents, while the city itself is home to around 200,000 inhabitants. In terms of size, Geneva is six times smaller than Paris or Zurich, nearly 50 times smaller than New York, and almost 100 times smaller than London. “Company moves” are very simple in Geneva.
Spotlight on Zurich:
Here is a non-exhaustive list of other Swiss cities:
Some medieval sites:
4. Picturesque Villages and Unusual Places
Switzerland is teeming with picturesque villages that reflect its rich heritage and cultural diversity.
Niedergesteln,
Evolène and
Grimentz, in the canton of Valais are eloquent examples of traditional Alpine architecture. In Ticino,
Ascona and
Morcote
, enchant with their Mediterranean charm, while
Saint-Saphorin
, in the canton of Vaud offers breathtaking views of Lake Geneva.
La Neuveville and
Grindelwald
, both situated in the canton of Bern, are historical gems nestled amidst stunning landscapes. Lastly,
Saint Moritz
, though primarily known as a luxury resort in the canton of Grisons, also retains a village essence that captivates its visitors.
Switzerland is filled with unusual places scattered throughout the country, adding to the country's unique charm.
5. Political, Economic, and Social Stability
Switzerland offers exceptional quality of life and care. The direct democracy system allows Swiss citizens to express their opinions directly through votes. Every three months, Swiss citizens are engaged in deciding on initiatives, referendums, or elections. The chances of your filming in Switzerland being disrupted by a strike are nearly nonexistent, unlike neighboring countries.
6. High Standards in Hospitality and Gastronomy
Switzerland boasts over 3 400 hotels, including 71 with a five-star rating, and 8 of them hold the prestigious palace status. In 2022, the Swiss hotel industry recorded over 38 million overnight stays. The culinary scene is equally impressive: the country has more than 10,000 restaurants. Among them, 97 have been awarded 1 star by the Michelin Guide, 24 have achieved 2 stars, and 4 have proudly earned 3 stars.
Furthermore, Switzerland is renowned for its gastronomy. In cosmopolitan cities like Geneva and Zurich, the dining scene offers a wide range of kitchens. As for local specialties, we have our beloved fondues, raclettes and cheese-laden dishes like croûtes, not to mention chocolates.
In conclusion
Whether at the peak of a mountain pass, within a United Nations office, aboard a boat on a serene lake, amidst pristine landscapes or within a lavish palace the filming possibilities in Switzerland are boundless. The country seamlessly combines the natural splendor of mountains, lakes, and forests with the refined elegance of its cities, whether they are modern or steeped in history. Thanks to its stability, modernity of its infrastructure, the diversity, of its cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality Switzerland stands as an ideal location for any ambitious cinematic project. .
So, convinced to come and film in Switzerland? Click here to talk to one of our experts who will be delighted to answer your questions:
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