The idea for an ambitious, large-scale museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin and his life’s work came about in the year 2000, when Swiss architect Philippe Meylan and Quebecois curator, film buff and Chaplin aficionado Yves Durand first met. The project was brought to life by a dedicated group, made up of business people, artists and key local players, as well as teams of architects, engineers and designers, working together with the Charlie Chaplin Museum Foundation.

In March 2003, the local councils of the villages of Corsier, Chardonne, Corseaux and Jongny wholeheartedly accepted to support the project with a bank guarantee. The Conférence des syndics, a Swiss Riviera mayors’ organisation, set up a working group that led to the support of the entire district.

Chaplin’s World is the product of ten years of work: market and feasibility studies, site renovation, and scenic design, as well as consultation and co-operation with Swiss authorities and stakeholders. This unique project brought together financial and institutional partners such as the Canton of Vaud, local authorities, cultural and tourist organisations, and businesses on the Swiss Riviera.

Chaplin’s World is now established as an exemplary cultural, touristic and economic project in the region, through the support of the following bodies: The Charlie Chaplin Museum Foundation, Association Chaplin (the artist’s legal heirs), Roy Export SA.S. (owners of the rights to Chaplin’s films made from 1918 onwards), Bubbles Incorporated SA (holders of the rights associated with Chaplin’s image and likeness), Chaplin Museum Development and Nestlé Switzerland (the project’s development sponsor).

It also received the support of the Canton de Vaud, with the extension of an economic development loan of CHF10m (€8.2m), which is backed by ten neighbouring municipalities. Their commitment demonstrates the project’s economic, cultural and touristic significance.