Looking for a getaway before the end of the year? Here’s one that perfectly combines culture and nature, and will take you back in time. Just 2 hours from Lyon, step back in time 250 years to meet one of the most illustrious figures in our history. If Voltaire stayed here for 20 years, it’s because this grand château, its view of the Alps and the proximity of the lake must have given him plenty to write about!
The Château de Ferney, Voltaire’s greatest love story
He was known for his many romantic conquests, but it seems that the one that lasted the longest was his love of beautiful stones! Fleeing Paris, Voltaire fell in love with the area, and in 1759 built this residence on the foundations of an ancient 12th-century fortified castle.
Voltaire also built dozens of houses in the area, as well as a church, school and hospital. His influence enabled Ferney to evolve from a small farming village to an intellectual center where the entire European intelligentsia flocked. Voltaire was nicknamed the “Innkeeper of Europe”. He spent his life here, receiving the crème de la crème, of course, but also writing a great deal (no fewer than 13,000 letters) and reading even more, if the shelves of his library are anything to go by. The greatest philosopher of the Enlightenment thus passed away after 20 years in a place as magical as it was enigmatic.
Listed as a historic monument since 1958, the château is open to the curious all year round. Today, as you stroll through these large rooms, including the famous chambre, gazing out from the windows, you can’t help but think that 250 years on, Voltaire’s spirit continues to illuminate the place…
The perfect equation for a place between lake and mountains
Situated high above Lake Geneva, the château enjoys a view you would scarcely believe. The gardens, balconies and 7-hectare park offer unique views of the Mont Blanc massif. The contrast between the snow-covered white peaks and the orange hues of the trees in autumn is striking, and a souvenir photo is a must.
Not far away, you can also stop off in Geneva and Lake Geneva. If you have time, don’t hesitate to extend your drive to Yvoire, a magnificent medieval village, or even to Montreux for its breathtaking views and legendary Christmas market…