Voltaire hosted many personalities in his home for almost twenty years. As he declared himself the "innkeeper of Europe", he made Ferney the place to be for an elite who flocked from all over Europe.
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.
Opening
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.
Rates
| Rate | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Full price (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 9€ | |
| Reduced price (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 7,50€ | |
| Group adults (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 7,50€ | |
| Group children (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 6€ | |
| Set price group adults (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 250€ | |
| Set price group children (from 24/06/2024 to 31/12/2024) | 20€ | 90€ |
| Reduced price (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 7,50€ | |
| Adult (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 9€ | |
| Group adults (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 7,50€ | |
| Group children (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 6€ | |
| Set price group adults (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 250€ | |
| Set price group children (from 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025) | 20€ | 90€ |
- Check
- Culture voucher
- Bank/credit card
- Cash
- Travellers Cheque
Services
Facilities
- Meeting room
- Parking nearby
- Public WC
- Defibrillator
- Picnic area
- Exhibition space
- Lift
- Toilets
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
Adapted tourism
- Hearing disability
- Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
- Reserved space 330 cm wide < 100 m from the site
- Even flooring with no obstacles
- Minimum aisle width of 90 cm
- Doors >=77 cm wide
- Lift (80 x 130 cm) and door >= 77 cm
- Reception desk between 70-80 cm high
- Height under table >= 70 cm width >= 77 cm
- WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
- Site, building totally accessible
- Possibility of drop-off in front of the site
- Incline >5% but reasonable
- Relief map, tactile model or audio device description available at the reception
- Reception staff sensitized to the reception of people with disabilities
Host language(s)
- English
- French
Accessibility
Hearing impairment
Subtitled audiovisuals. Audiovisuals on tactile tables available in French Sign Language.
Motor disability
Variation of the tour route and assistance from château staff to access the lifts. We do not recommend visiting the castle grounds in winter.
Visual disability
Tactile tables available in large print and adapted contrast. Adapted guided tours by advance request only. Beware of the security cordons along the tour route.
Mental disability
Adapted guided tour by advance request only.
Services
- Group reception from 20 to 35 persons
