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The rich and famous who brought fame to Gstaad

“Oasis of calm” (Paris Hilton), “Love at first sight” (Ernesto Bertarelli), “Most beautiful place in the world” (Richard Burton). And the feeling is mutual: the resort of Gstaad owes a lot to its famous guests.

There’s a long list of celebrities that stay at Gstaad’s five star hotels or even own a chalet there. The resort takes great care to protect the privacy of its affluent guests, whose wealth is hidden behind wooden facades.

VIPs take advantage of both the resort’s discreet luxury and proximity to simple life.

Roger Moore was photographed milking cows. Roman Polanski feels a “deep friendship for the people of Gstaad” – especially those who gave him wine and flowers while he was under house arrest. And it’s often said that Liz Taylor enjoyed dining at Hotel Olden because local farmers and movie stars sat at the same table.

(Pictures: RDB, Keystone, Dukas; Image and quote selection: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch; Text: Peter Siegenthaler, swissinfo.ch)

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR