The many faces of Chillon #7 Adrien

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.

The seventh person to take on the challenge is Adrien, reception and sales agent at the Boutique and Bazaar.

So, ready to take a tour?

Hey Adrien, your job at the castle is to sell stuff to people, but in two different locations. What’s the difference between the Boutique and the Bazaar?

The difference between the two lies in their locations. The Boutique is located in the former break room of the Chillon custodians, while the Bazaar is located outside the walls. Because of its geographical location, the Bazaar attracts not only tourists who also stop at the indoor Boutique, but also customers passing through, whether walkers or residents of the Riviera. Finally, the two offer different product ranges, each offering exclusive items specific to each point of sale.

Tell us about the item you sold that left the biggest impression on you. What was it and why?

In 2020, the Bazaar featured a huge display Swiss Army knife, showing all the features these famous tools have to offer. We only had one model in stock, because we never thought we’d sell it. It was so big it couldn’t fit in any pocket! Finally, a Russian customer entered the Bazaar and, with determination, pointed his finger at the knife and said, “I’ll take this one!”.

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

Originally, Chillon Castle had all its walls covered in white or grey plaster. If I had a magic wand, I’d love to see what the castle looked like in medieval times. And if I could use it on another occasion, I’d be impressed to see the drawbridge being lowered and raised again. That must have been quite something!

Come on, be honest. Are you more of a castle or a pedalo person ?

To be honest, my favourite thing is exploring the mountains, I’m passionate about the medieval world, though. I’d be more on castles sides: the charm of old stones, the stories hidden behind every wall and the feeling of travelling through time really appeal to me. That said, I particularly enjoy, when I have the opportunity, going to the seaside to hear the crashing waves on the coast. And I don’t say no to a pedalo ride every now and then. Especially after exploring a castle!