On 1 October, Dame Julie Andrews turns 90. Beloved worldwide as Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp, she also found in Gstaad what she once called her “last paradise in a crazy world.”

On 1 October, Dame Julie Andrews turns 90. Beloved worldwide as Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp, she also found in Gstaad what she once called her “last paradise in a crazy world.”

Just beyond the Chamaveau woodlands, in the village of Les Moulins, lies a quiet parcel of land. No cows graze here; instead, beds of rare heirloom vegetables stretch across the soil, bees flit among aromatic plants destined for herbal teas, and the first sound on arrival is the chorus of hens. This ...

Just beyond the Chamaveau woodlands, in the village of Les Moulins, lies a quiet parcel of land. No cows graze here; instead, beds of rare heirloom vegetables stretch across the soil, bees flit among aromatic plants destined for herbal teas, and the first sound on arrival is the chorus of hens. This ...

Nowadays, it is rare to be able to boast nearly a quarter of a century in the same job. But in Gstaad, we like to give time, time... Portrait of Christoph Müller, the undisputed boss of the Menuhin Festival, who is stepping down after 24 editions (one edition being  cancelled because ...

Nowadays, it is rare to be able to boast nearly a quarter of a century in the same job. But in Gstaad, we like to give time, time... Portrait of Christoph Müller, the undisputed boss of the Menuhin Festival, who is stepping down after 24 editions (one edition being  cancelled because ...

We asked Christoph Müller to share some of his funniest memories, and he was generous with his anecdotes. Here are the most memorable ones:

We asked Christoph Müller to share some of his funniest memories, and he was generous with his anecdotes. Here are the most memorable ones:

The tourist board’s old winter slogan – Id Ruhe vor Natur (meaning into the stillness of nature) – has stuck with me. It captures something essential about life here: the sense that nature isn’t just a backdrop, but a force that steadies us, calms us, draws us in.

The tourist board’s old winter slogan – Id Ruhe vor Natur (meaning into the stillness of nature) – has stuck with me. It captures something essential about life here: the sense that nature isn’t just a backdrop, but a force that steadies us, calms us, draws us in.

To say that Margherita de Pahlen is a discreet personality is an understatement, an euphemism … Encountering her in the Gstaad region is quite rare, as her character is marked by a natural, atavistic reserve that is deeply rooted in her. It is therefore quite an achievement that she agreed to ...

To say that Margherita de Pahlen is a discreet personality is an understatement, an euphemism … Encountering her in the Gstaad region is quite rare, as her character is marked by a natural, atavistic reserve that is deeply rooted in her. It is therefore quite an achievement that she agreed to ...

Returning this summer as a familiar face – and as the 2025 Artist in Residence – Fazıl Say once again graces the Gstaad Menuhin Festival with a series of original and deeply personal performances in solo, duo, trio, and quintet formats. He will give no fewer than three concerts that ...

Returning this summer as a familiar face – and as the 2025 Artist in Residence – Fazıl Say once again graces the Gstaad Menuhin Festival with a series of original and deeply personal performances in solo, duo, trio, and quintet formats. He will give no fewer than three concerts that ...

 

 

Lukas Wittermann, Managing Director of Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, gave GstaadLife a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the Gstaad Menuhin Festival to life. From leading the team to managing the budget and overseeing the complex logistics, his role keeps the operation moving ...

Lukas Wittermann, Managing Director of Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, gave GstaadLife a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the Gstaad Menuhin Festival to life. From leading the team to managing the budget and overseeing the complex logistics, his role keeps the operation moving ...

“I see myself less as an artist and more as a craftsman,” says Sebastian Devenish, adjusting his chair in the quiet light of his home studio. With decades of photographic experience behind him, from sleek London studios to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Devenish has witnessed firsthand ...

“I see myself less as an artist and more as a craftsman,” says Sebastian Devenish, adjusting his chair in the quiet light of his home studio. With decades of photographic experience behind him, from sleek London studios to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Devenish has witnessed firsthand ...

The common thread! What connects a pastor, a jazz festival director, and a village chef?

The common thread! What connects a pastor, a jazz festival director, and a village chef?

Marianne Kellenberger long held the dream of becoming a pastor. Twelve years ago, she achieved that goal and has been serving the Saanen-Gsteig community since 2016.

Marianne Kellenberger long held the dream of becoming a pastor. Twelve years ago, she achieved that goal and has been serving the Saanen-Gsteig community since 2016.

Mathieu Jaton, a graduate of the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne, shares behind-the-scenes insights into the festival on the eve of its 59th edition – taking place just next door to the Saanenland.

Mathieu Jaton, a graduate of the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne, shares behind-the-scenes insights into the festival on the eve of its 59th edition – taking place just next door to the Saanenland.

Gstaad has a way of making us pause – whether in admiration, reflection, or sheer curiosity. In this last issue of the winter season, we look at the people, places, and projects shaping our region in ways that make us stop and think.

Gstaad has a way of making us pause – whether in admiration, reflection, or sheer curiosity. In this last issue of the winter season, we look at the people, places, and projects shaping our region in ways that make us stop and think.

In the recent issue of GstaadLife (N°1, 2025), a quote in the profile interview was mistakenly attributed to Patricia Gucci. The quote in question: “You may think yourself old and rich. But then you move to Gstaad, and suddenly, you’re not so old and not so rich”, was not said ...

In the recent issue of GstaadLife (N°1, 2025), a quote in the profile interview was mistakenly attributed to Patricia Gucci. The quote in question: “You may think yourself old and rich. But then you move to Gstaad, and suddenly, you’re not so old and not so rich”, was not said ...

Christophe and Philippe Gudin are building the future of education, thinking 50 years ahead.

Christophe and Philippe Gudin are building the future of education, thinking 50 years ahead.

Interview with Festival Director Ombretta Ravessoud Ombretta Ravessoud of Sommet Musicaux.

Interview with Festival Director Ombretta Ravessoud Ombretta Ravessoud of Sommet Musicaux.

A new Year in a complex world. I grapple with an age-old tradition: resolutions. January has long been a time to draw lines in the sand and make promises to ourselves – to eat better, exercise more, save money, or call family more often.

A new Year in a complex world. I grapple with an age-old tradition: resolutions. January has long been a time to draw lines in the sand and make promises to ourselves – to eat better, exercise more, save money, or call family more often.

Throughout my life, I’ve lived in metropolitan centres like New York, Los Angeles, and London, where I was born. I also built a house in the California desert, but never thought I would fall for the seductive charm of the Gstaad Valley. The tiny village of Gsteig offers me an idyllic and timeless ...

Throughout my life, I’ve lived in metropolitan centres like New York, Los Angeles, and London, where I was born. I also built a house in the California desert, but never thought I would fall for the seductive charm of the Gstaad Valley. The tiny village of Gsteig offers me an idyllic and timeless ...

Darcy Mottier-Scheers is a force of nature. An international skater turned educator who has given so much to the children in the region, Darcy took a break from her busy schedule to meet with GstaadLife, reflect on the past 30 years, and look ahead to the future.

Darcy Mottier-Scheers is a force of nature. An international skater turned educator who has given so much to the children in the region, Darcy took a break from her busy schedule to meet with GstaadLife, reflect on the past 30 years, and look ahead to the future.