My Fifteen-Day Grand Tour of Europe
Chapter 10: Interlaken – A Meeting Place of Lakes, Mountains and Indian Cinema
By Lokanath Mishra, M.A., LL.B., IRS (Retired)
After our unforgettable excursion to Jungfraujoch – the Top of Europe, we descended from the snow-covered Alps and continued our journey towards the beautiful resort town of Interlaken on the evening of 17th July 2026. Although we had spent the entire day amidst glaciers and snowfields, the pleasant climate and green valleys of Interlaken offered a refreshing contrast.
Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most famous tourist destinations. The town derives its name from the Latin words inter lacus, meaning “between two lakes.” It lies beautifully situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the River Aare flowing through the town. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Interlaken is often regarded as the gateway to the Bernese Alps.
The town began as a small settlement around an Augustinian monastery established in the twelfth century. Gradually it developed into a centre for trade and pilgrimage. During the nineteenth century, with the construction of railways and mountain transport systems, Interlaken emerged as one of Europe’s premier tourist resorts. Today millions of visitors from all over the world come here to experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
Höhematte Park – The Heart of Interlaken
The principal attraction of the town is the famous Höhematte Park, a vast open meadow extending through the centre of Interlaken.
The park covers approximately fourteen hectares and provides uninterrupted panoramic views of the snow-covered Jungfrau massif. Unlike many urban parks filled with dense trees, Höhematte has been intentionally preserved as an open green space so that visitors may enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
Beautiful flower beds, walking paths, carefully maintained lawns and ornamental gardens make the park one of the most attractive public spaces in Switzerland. Visitors from every corner of the world stroll leisurely through the gardens, relax on benches or simply admire the magnificent Alpine scenery.
One of the unique sights at Höhematte is the frequent landing and take-off of paragliders. Throughout the day colourful parachutes descend gracefully from the surrounding mountains, creating an unforgettable spectacle against the backdrop of snow-covered peaks.
The park is not merely a recreational area; it represents the Swiss commitment to preserving open public spaces while maintaining harmony between urban development and nature.
The Statue of Yash Chopra
For Indian visitors, one of the most cherished attractions in Interlaken is the bronze statue of the legendary Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra.
The statue was installed in recognition of his immense contribution in introducing the beauty of Switzerland to Indian audiences through Hindi cinema.
For several decades, Yash Chopra selected the Swiss Alps, lakes, valleys and picturesque villages as locations for many of his romantic films. His movies inspired countless Indian tourists to visit Switzerland, contributing significantly to Swiss tourism.
The Swiss Government and tourism authorities have publicly acknowledged his contribution by honouring him in various ways, including the installation of this statue.
Standing before the statue, we felt proud that an Indian filmmaker had become such a respected cultural ambassador between India and Switzerland.
Many Indian tourists, including ourselves, took photographs near the statue as a tribute to the man who made the Swiss Alps familiar to millions of Indian families.
“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and Switzerland
No discussion of Interlaken is complete without mentioning the iconic Hindi film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popularly known as DDLJ.
Released in 1995 and directed by Aditya Chopra, the film starred Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
DDLJ became one of the most successful films in the history of Indian cinema and remains a cultural milestone. Several memorable scenes were filmed amid the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland, including locations around the Interlaken region, the Bernese Oberland and nearby mountain villages.
The film portrayed Switzerland as a land of romance, natural beauty and unforgettable landscapes. After its release, thousands of Indian tourists began visiting these locations every year, hoping to relive scenes from the movie.
Lauterbrunnen and Indian Cinema
Our earlier visit to Lauterbrunnen reminded us once again of the close connection between Switzerland and Indian cinema.
The beautiful valley, famous for its waterfalls, Alpine meadows and charming railway station, has frequently appeared in Indian films and television productions. The surrounding landscapes—with green valleys, wooden chalets and snow-covered mountains—have provided ideal settings for romantic songs and dramatic sequences.
While many visitors associate Lauterbrunnen with DDLJ, the village has also featured in numerous other Hindi films over the years. The railway stations and scenic surroundings of the Bernese Oberland have become familiar images to generations of Indian cinema lovers.
The popularity of these films has greatly strengthened cultural ties between India and Switzerland.
A Walk Through Interlaken
As evening approached, we leisurely walked through the streets of Interlaken.
The town was lively yet peaceful. Elegant hotels, cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops lined the streets. Flower baskets decorated balconies, while horse-drawn carriages occasionally passed through the town, adding to its old-world charm.
Visitors from many countries mingled happily, speaking different languages but united in their admiration for Switzerland’s natural beauty.
The cool mountain breeze, the distant view of the Jungfrau peak and the colourful gardens created an atmosphere of serenity rarely experienced elsewhere.
The shops displayed Swiss watches, chocolates, souvenirs, handcrafted wooden articles and the famous Swiss Army knives, attracting tourists from around the world.
Despite being an international tourist destination, Interlaken has carefully preserved its traditional Swiss character.
Reflections
Our visit to Interlaken provided a perfect conclusion to another memorable day in Switzerland.
After standing on the snow-covered heights of Jungfraujoch, we found ourselves relaxing amidst the green meadows and colourful gardens of Höhematte Park. The experience beautifully illustrated Switzerland’s extraordinary diversity—from glaciers and mountain peaks to tranquil lakes and charming towns.
The statue of Yash Chopra reminded us that art and cinema have the power to connect nations and cultures. Through his films, millions of Indians came to appreciate the beauty of Switzerland, while Switzerland warmly welcomed Indian visitors as valued guests.
As the sun slowly disappeared behind the Alpine mountains, bathing the valley in golden light, we returned to our hotel with hearts full of gratitude. The memories of Interlaken, Höhematte Park and the enduring bond between India and Switzerland would remain among the most treasured moments of our European journey.
(To be continued in Chapter 11…)