Voltaire and the Age of Enlightenment
Candide, the Treatise on Tolerance, the Calas affair: how one man fought the battles of his century from Ferney.
Guided tours of the Château de Voltaire & Ferney-Voltaire, with Sylvie
Welcome to Voltaire’s home
My name is Sylvie, accredited guide and private guide at the Château de Voltaire, where I have been guiding for more than 8 years. Here, between 1759 and 1778, the philosopher wrote, entertained the whole of Europe, defended the persecuted and turned a hamlet into a town.
My job is to bring that story to life. Anecdotes, letters, objects, gardens: every tour is prepared for the people in front of me, whether a curious family, a corporate team or a class of twelve-year-olds.
Why tour with me
An accredited guide of the estate
More than 8 years of tours at the château: I know every room, every path, and the stories you won’t find on the information panels.
Four languages
English, French, German and Russian — every one of your guests can follow with ease.
Tailor-made tours
Length, theme, pace and depth are adapted to your group, from children to specialists.
Effortless planning
One contact, a clear quote, and advice on access, coaches and timings.
A tour for every audience
Travellers, tour groups, companies, senior clubs or schools: choose the format that suits you.
- Individuals & families Classic or private visit, at your own pace. See the tour
- Groups & tour operators Discovery tours of the château and Voltaire’s town. See the tour
- Corporate & seminars Team-building, Enlightenment challenge, delegations. See the tour
- Senior clubs A gentle pace, seated breaks and an adapted route. See the tour
- Schools & children Interactive tours adapted to every age group. See the tour
I have done a little good; that is my best work.
Voltaire wrote these words at Ferney, thinking of the village he had revived: houses, watchmaking workshops, a church and a fountain.
An easy day trip from Geneva
Looking for things to do near Geneva? Ferney-Voltaire is just across the border, fifteen minutes from the airport and twenty from the city centre. A Voltaire castle tour from Geneva fits easily into a morning or an afternoon.
Join a guided tour of Ferney-Voltaire: Voltaire’s château, its park looking out to the Alps, and the town he built. Then carry on with your day trip on the shores of Lake Geneva.
On Saturday mornings · Saturday, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday: château & market
The château and its gardens, then a guided stroll through the Ferney-Voltaire market to the statue of the “patriarch”, before the market closes at 1 pm.
- €45 per person · from 4 people
- €36 per person · groups from 10 people
Themed tours
Three ways to go deeper and discover a different Voltaire.
Life at the château
Dinners, theatre, illustrious guests, servants and a niece: step into the everyday life of the “Patriarch of Ferney”.
Gardens & charmilles
A walk through the park, its hornbeam arbours (charmilles) and its views of the Alps, following Voltaire the gardener and agronomist.
Gallery
The château, its gardens and the tours, in pictures.
The salon of the Château de Voltaire 
The dressing table of a bedroom in the château 
The salon’s game tables and the portrait of Frederick II 
The “Deo erexit Voltaire” church in the park 
Sylvie walks down to the garden and its fountain 
Voltaire’s bedroom 
Mythological paintings in the château 
Allegorical painting in honour of Voltaire 
Bust of Voltaire and a country meal 
Statue of Voltaire 
Sylvie presents the Château de Voltaire 
The water-lily fountain in the garden Voltaire’s statue at the Saturday market
What visitors say
“I loved the visit and all the details Sylvie gave us. If she had written a biography of Voltaire, I would have bought it straight away!”
Book in three steps
Your request
Tell me your preferred date, group size and language using the form.
Your programme
I reply with a tailored proposal and a clear quote.
Your tour
I meet you at the meeting point — all that’s left is to enjoy it.
Ready to meet Voltaire?
Tell me who you are and what you would enjoy, and I’ll suggest a tour made for you.