Historic site and monument

Voltaire's Château

Ferney-Voltaire

Description

The last 20 years of Voltaire's life were spent in Ferney. The castle was completely rebuilt. He laid out the park, not reluctant to work the land with his own hands. From Ferney, Voltaire continued his fight against intolerance and wrote some 6,000 letters, the Dictionnaire Philosophique, des tragédies... As well as giving theatrical performances at the castle, he also received many visitors. His guests came from all over the Europe of the Enlightenment. To visit Voltaire's castle is to come and meet the playwright, the committed philosopher, with a lively and generous spirit, provocative and tolerant, with a humour that is sometimes fierce. The collection of Voltaire's works and objects is displayed in a setting that keeps the traces of his presence. In the park, take a diversion under the bower where Voltaire loved to stroll with his guests.
When Voltaire, aged 65, acquired the lordship of Ferney in 1758, he described himself as having found a "miserable hamlet" where he had the house of his last years built, following the construction site closely. There Voltaire received many personalities for almost twenty years. As he declared himself the "innkeeper of Europe", then Ferney became the place to be for an elite who came from all over Europe. Of this remote retreat, he became an outspoken critic of the injustice of society and defended the victims of political and religious intolerance. He carried on working actively on his literary work and published, among others, the Philosophical Dictionary, the Treaty on Tolerance, several tragedies and plays. The number of letters he wrote from Ferney reached some 6,000... Invested with the philosophical principles that nourished the spirit of the Age of Enlightenment, alternately town planner, entrepreneur and patron, he transformed the lordship of Ferney: drained marshes, construction of houses, cobbling of the streets, public fountain, construction of a new church, craftsmanship development... When Voltaire wanted to see Paris again and died there in 1778, the hamlet of a few inhabitants turned into a prosperous city of a thousand souls for a long time.

Tips

Free guided tour for EU citizens under 25 (individuals).
Excellence label for the castle: sites with the "Maisons des Illustres" label are above all villas, estates, workshops, laboratories and museums, many of which are historical monuments. The "Maisons des Illustres" label is granted to Houses that guarantee a cultural programme of excellence, suitable for all audiences.

Ouverture

From 01/01 to 31/12/2024, daily.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.

From 01/01 to 31/03/2025, daily.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st.

From 01/04 to 30/09/2025, daily.
Closed exceptionally on May 1st.

From 01/10 to 31/12/2025, daily.
Closed exceptionally on December 25th.

Tarifs

From 24/06 to 31/12/2024
Full price: 9 €
Reduced price: 7.50 €
Group adults: 7.50 €
Group children: 6 €
Set price group adults: from 250 €
Set price group children: 20 to 90 €.

From 01/01 to 31/12/2025
Reduced price: 7.50 €
Adult: 9 €
Group adults: 7.50 €
Group children: 6 €
Set price group adults: from 250 €
Set price group children: 20 to 90 €.

Free entry for children < 26 years, press, accompanying guides, the drivers, Job-seeker, teachers, disabled people and accompanying persons.
Group rate available for > 20 people.

Contact et accès
Allée du Château
01210 Ferney-Voltaire
Ain (1)
Informations complémentaires
Services
  • Educational visits
  • Coach access
  • Room hire
  • Themed tour
  • Shop
  • Equipment loan
  • Wi-fi
  • Tourist brochures
  • Booking of general amenities
  • Tour free of charge
  • Guided tours
  • Ticketing in number
Équipements
  • Meeting room
  • Parking nearby
  • Public WC
  • Defibrillator
  • Picnic area
  • Exhibition space
  • Lift
  • Toilets
Activités
  • Temporary exhibition
  • Shows
  • Theatre
  • Activity
  • Children's entertainment
  • Concert
Moyen de Paiement
  • Check
  • Culture voucher
  • Bank/credit card
  • Cash
  • Travellers Cheque
Langues parlées
  • English
  • French
Langues de visite
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
  • Dutch
  • Russian
Animaux
  • Animaux interdits
Visite
  • Durée moyenne (individuels) : 60 min

Ça peut vous intéresser

Photo
OTI Pays de Gex

Charmille apiary at Château de Voltaire

Ferney-Voltaire
Ferney voltaire
©OTpaysdegex

Discovery rally – Discovering Ferney-Voltaire with Plumette

Ferney-Voltaire
À proximité
artiste
Pablo Stanley
Cultural

41st Salon de la Saint-Martin

Versonnex
photo-prestataire
Brasserie Gessienne

Visit and tasting at the Brasserie Gessienne

Ornex
Ferney voltaire
©OTpaysdegex
Sport

Discovery rally – Discovering Ferney-Voltaire with Plumette

Ferney-Voltaire
Buffalo gril
Buffalo gril
Grill

Buffalo grill

Ferney-Voltaire
Lit double
Campanile Genève Aéroport Palexpo
Hotel - restaurant

Campanile Genève Aéroport Palexpo

Ferney-Voltaire
Residhome apparthotel Le Carré d'Or
R. Franchi
Tourist residence

Residhome apparthotel le carré d’or

Prévessin-Moëns
Salle du restaurant sur l'Ardoise à Versonnex
Sur l'ardoise
Bistro restaurant

Sur l’ardoise

Versonnex
Parc
Résidence La Réserve
Tourist residence

Résidence la Réserve

Ferney-Voltaire
Brasserie Gessienne
Brasserie Gessienne
Organic Farming (AB)

BG – brewery gessienne

Ornex
Chambre
Appart'city
Hotel - restaurant

Appart’City confort Genève aéroport

Ferney-Voltaire
facade
ibis
Hotel

Ibis styles Prévessin Genève Aéroport

Prévessin-Moëns
Restaurant
Lifeforstock de Freepik
Bouchon

Chez la Jo

Ségny
Historic site and monument
Voltaire's Château

Ferney-Voltaire