Residence La Réserve ^★★★★
Château Voltaire

Located 1.4 km from the Residence La Réserve ^★★★★ (5 minutes by car), the Château de Voltaire is a listed historical monument and has been awarded the “Maison des Illustres” label. This emblematic bourgeois residence dazzles its visitors with the austerity of its architecture and the wealth of its collections.

Fleeing the French court and Geneva, Voltaire decided to buy estates in Ferney and Tournay in order to live there freely. In 1759, Voltaire acquired land in Ferney and began work on it as soon as it was acquired. With the help of a renowned architect from Geneva, he decided to build a house on the ruins of an old castle, which he described as “convenient, rustic and comfortable”. The construction was completed in 1762 but underwent modifications in the years that followed. In 1765, two wings were added to accommodate the crowds of visitors. After Voltaire’s death, the castle was sold by his niece, and became the first memorial dedicated to a writer in France. The castle had several changes of ownership in the following years. It first went to the Budé family, who sold it in 1845. The next owners completely refurbished the estate and the interior of the castle. It was transferred to the State in 1999 and is now managed by the “Centre des monuments nationaux”.

Practical information

Opening hours

– From 1 April to 30 September: every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

– From 1 October to 31 March: every day from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

– Closed on January 1^st, May 1^st, November 1^st and 11^th, December 25^th

Prices

Individual price: 8 €

Free: under 18 years old, 18-25 years old (nationals of European Union countries and regular non-European residents on French territory), disabled person and their companion, job seeker (upon presentation of a certificate of less than 6 months), education Pass (valid)

Website: https://www.chateau-ferney-voltaire.fr/en/

Schedules and prices are indicative and subject to change.