The many faces of Chillon #5 Jessica

In 2024, we’d like to paint a picture of just some of the people who bring Chillon Castle to life. We’ll be taking a slightly quirky, offbeat peek behind the scenes of the fortress on Lake Geneva. So, ready to take a tour?

The fifth person to take on the challenge is our Ticket Office Manager, Jessica.

Translation by Amy Reid

Hey Jessica, what brought you here to Chillon, supervising the ticket office? Was it a love of booking tools? Or did you lose a bet?

A former colleague and friend saw the vacancy and shared it with me, saying ‘this is so you’. Plus, having already worked at Montreux Jazz Festival, the Chaplin’s World museum… it was only logical that I work at the castle…

What does a typical day at the castle look like for you? How does your job differ from that of the cashiers?

I don’t know if there’s such a thing as ‘typical’ here. Being the Ticket Office Manager is a bit of a juggle, which I love! My work is split into two major areas, making every day exciting and unique.

On the one hand, I’m out on the floor, right there on the front line with the team. Picture me as a super-heroine of customer service, always on hand to step in and resolve any issues. Whether it’s finding a quick solution for an unhappy customer, or if it’s all hands on deck to support my colleagues, my aim is to guarantee all our visitors a seamless, enjoyable experience…

On the other hand, I’m in the driving seat behind the scenes. That means all the team planning and organisation, making sure we have enough staff to meet demand, which can fluctuate quite heavily. I also keep track of our finances, receipts, invoices, which means keeping my beady eye on money coming in and going out to make sure everything is in order. And then we have our ticket partnerships – negotiating, managing relationships, building fruitful connections that will help the castle continue to thrive.

Has anything unexpected happened since you took on the role?

I only joined in November 2023 and there hasn’t been anything too surprising. Maybe after this I might have more to tell you 😉, but I do have a nice anecdote; our internal extension for the ticket desk is 911… I once tried to call them but, in the heat of the moment, I called from my mobile phone and the police picked up!

What are your thoughts on the ideal entry ticket? Something nice to look at, or ugly but practical?

For me, the ideal ticket would be equal parts pretty and practical. A nice-looking ticket catches the eye, creating an enjoyable experience from the very first interaction. And customers can keep it as a souvenir. But practicality is also important – it needs to be easy to understand and informative. So, the ideal ticket would be the best of both worlds – beautiful and functional.

If you had a magic wand, what is the ONE thing you would change about Chillon?

I’d like visitor numbers to be a bit more consistent throughout the year… more visitors in winter and slightly fewer in summer 😉…