Free walking tours in Ferney-Voltaire and what to see

Must-sees

Ferney-Voltaire is a small town in the Pays de Gex, in the Ain department, right on the Swiss border and a few kilometres from central Geneva. It owes its name to Voltaire, who bought the estate in 1758 and spent his last twenty years here. From Ferney he wrote much of his late work and received visitors from all over Europe, to the point of calling himself the innkeeper of Europe.

The main visit is Voltaire’s château, run by the Centre des monuments nationaux and reopened after a complete restoration. You tour the reception rooms, the writer’s bedroom and the salon of his niece, Madame Denis, as well as a collection of objects linked to him. Outside are the park and the garden, where he walked with his guests, and next to the château the small church he had built with the inscription “Deo erexit Voltaire”. On the Grand-Rue there is a statue of him, and on Saturdays the market is held there.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Ferney-Voltaire. What Civitatis offers is a ticket for Voltaire’s château, which lets you explore the house and the park at your own pace. To see the rest of the town, the Pays de Gex tourist office suggests a discovery route to do on your own. If you are staying in Geneva, the château fits nicely into a morning or an afternoon.

How long to spend

The château visit takes about an hour, and with a stroll around the park and the church you can allow two. Add another hour to explore the Grand-Rue and the centre, especially if you coincide with the Saturday market. Half a day is enough for Ferney; with a full day you can add Geneva or head up into the Jura mountains, visible from the town.

Where to stay

Staying in Ferney-Voltaire is practical if you want to visit Geneva with accommodation that is a little quieter than in the Swiss city. In the centre there are small hotels and apartments a short distance from the château and the bus stops for Geneva. If you want more choice, central Geneva is very close, and around the airport there are modern hotels designed for short stays. For nature, the Pays de Gex villages at the foot of the Jura are the quietest option.