Cornelius Schregle
Did you know that Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, had a special relationship with Switzerland? Author Cornelius Schregle connected the dots and put together a terrific compilation of locations with maps, stories, and more anecdotes. He is also the author of Backdrop Switzerland published 10 years ago. Read on to enter our competition to win a copy of In the footsteps of Ian Fleming in Switzerland. We asked him a few questions to know more how the idea came about.
Why did you start? What has been the inspiration?
When I moved back to Switzerland after ten years in Los Angeles working in film, I lived near Coppet where I grew up. I came across a short article that Ian Fleming had stayed there in the 1930s. I found that very interesting and started researching the subject matter and gathered all the information I could get.
What types of books interest you?
For my first book I researched all the foreign films made in Switzerland over 100 years ago and visited many of the locations where the most iconic films were shot. During the Covid lockup, since we were allowed to be in individual cars, I had the idea of organising Rallyes in vintage cars where people would experience these locations. To keep things local, I did my first Rally about the life of Ian Fleming. And wrote a Roadbook for the participants.
Was that the foundation for a book about Ian Fleming in Switzerland?
It was not immediate. I organised a few Rallyes and then a bank approached me about organising a Rally for its VIP clients and I suggested the theme of Ian Fleming. It was a posh affair, and I invited Nicholas Shakespeare – writer of Ian Fleming’s official biography – and Steven Saltzman, son of the producer I knew. Nicholas had contacted me earlier because he had heard that I had gathered all this information about Fleming in Switzerland and he wanted to meet Charles de Mestral – son of Monique, Ian’s great love – whom I know well. As he left Geneva Airport, Nicolas suggested I write my own book about Fleming in Switzerland.
And you did?
I definitely was thinking about it. Meanwhile I had been in touch with the Coppet village council to have a plaque put up on the former Hôtel du Lac where Ian Fleming lived for a few months in the summer of 1930 when he was doing an internship at the League of Nations. It took a few years to get the go ahead from different people and in 2024 the plaque was put up. Nicholas suggested I invite James Fleming – Ian’s nephew – and his wife Kate to come for the unveiling which I did. When I asked James Fleming about Nicholas’ idea to write a book on Ian Fleming in Switzerland, he immediately encouraged me to do it.
So that’s when you started writing the book?
Almost. First, I approached publishers and found a French-speaking publisher who understood exactly what I wanted to do. Then I went to work. I needed to gather information beyond the biographies I had read. I discussed it with Charles de Mestral and flew to London to meet Andrew Lycett, who had written a thorough biography of Ian Fleming in the early eighties and had met Monique then. I met or spoke with anyone who could provide interesting information. I wanted to be as thorough as possible, but not in an academic way. With my publisher, we decided to make a book that would be easy to read and fun, one that would surprise local inhabitants, Bond fans and tourists. We released the book in French in July 2026, then found an English-speaking publisher in Geneva, BTL, Beyond the Lens Publications*. With close cooperation from BTL, we released the book in English just 8 weeks later, at the end of September 2026.
Enter our competition to win a copy of In the footsteps of Ian Fleming in Switzerland!
BTL - Beyond The Lens Publishing Sàrl has kindly offered 4 of our readers the chance to win a copy of In the footsteps of Ian Fleming in Switzerland! (value CHF 25.-).
To enter the competition, just fill in this form and answer this multiple choice question: Which country did Ian Fleming have a special relationship with?
Only one entry per email is allowed. The competition closes at midnight on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The names of all those submitting correct answers will be placed into the digital hat and the winners' names drawn at random on Friday, 30 October 2026. The winners will be notified by email. No cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. This prize does not include delivery outside of Switzerland.
In the footsteps of Ian Fleming in Switzerland (English version)
By Cornelius Schregle
Published in English by BTL - Beyond the Lens Publishing Sàrl*
Size: A5 soft cover
112 pages in full colour
ISBN 9 782 839 952 897
Available at Payot and Fnac at CHF 25.-
Also available in French through Payot and Fnac.
BOOK SIGNING:
The next special event will be a soirée dinatoire organised by the American International Club:
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
18h-21h
Restaurant Mère Royaume
Place Simon-Goulard 4
1201 Genève
* BTL, Beyond the Lens Publications has also published the coffee table books: Léman Arctique-Ice Storm, Béjart Ballet World Tour, Federesque, and most recently Léman Golfique.
