Exhibition places

Château de Voltaire à Ferney (Ain)

Built between 1758 and 1766 near Geneva on the ruins of the old fortified castle, the Château de Voltaire in Ferney was listed as a historic monument in 1958. The French state acquired the property in 1999. It was completely restored between 2015 and 2018.

Voltaire stayed there for the last twenty years of his life. Persona non grata in Paris, in bad terms with King Frederick II of Prussia with whom he had stayed, then in disgrace in Geneva due to his involvement in the writing of certain articles of the Encyclopedia, he found a haven there to receive and write . This is where he will compose some of his greatest works.

The auditions for the 3 finalists for the Prix Voltaire de la Photographie will take place at the château in May 2020. The winner’s exhibition will take place on October 2 in the sumptuous vaulted rooms.

Château de Bussy-Rabutin (Côte d’or)

Bussy-Rabutin is a renaissance style castle built in the 14th century in place of a 12th century fortified house. Overhauled over the centuries, it has a 17th century facade. Its sumptuous interior decoration is the work of Roger de Bussy-Rabutin (1618-1693), including the portrait galleries, in particular the kings of France, the dukes of Burgundy, the great men of war and of course the ladies of the court of Louis XIV.

Its splendid French garden is also labeled “Remarkable Garden”

Listed as a historic monument in 1862, it was bought by the French state in 1929.

The Renaissance gallery, restored in 2020 as part of the Bern Mission, will host the second stage of the Prix Voltaire de la Photographie exhibitions in the spring of 2021.