The Grandson of Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo's Rolls Royce is the prize trophy in Grandson's car collection. Grandson Castle

Ironically, it is not the rich history of Grandson that attracts many of the visitors to the castle.

They prefer instead to head straight for the basement, where a vintage car museum is located.

This slightly incongruous collection of automobiles, motorcycles and cycles belonged to Georges Filipinetti, the Geneva millionaire who owned the castle between 1956 and 1981.

Many of the cars date from the late 19th century, but two vehicles in the collection stand out: Greta Garbo’s enormous white Rolls Royce, and a faithful old black Austin 10, which Winston Churchill owned throughout the Second World War.

It’s a fitting resting place for this vehicle. The former British Prime Minister visited Grandson Castle several times before the war, when it was owned by Godefroy de Blonay, a leading member of the International Olympic Committee.

Opening times

The castle is open every day between April 1 and October 31 from 8.30am to 6pm, and the rest of the year between 8.30am and 11am and in the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm.

Entrance costs SFr10. Children pay half price.

swissinfo, Roy Probert