Les Délices

About the museum

Villa Les Délices is the historic house in which Voltaire lived from March 1755 until autumn 1760. Here he wrote parts of the poem on the Lisbon disaster and of "Candide"; the house was also a centre of literary creation and philosophical debate. It stands in the park of the same name in Geneva's Saint-Jean district.

Today the house, as the Institut et Musée Voltaire, is a documentation and exhibition venue on Voltaire, the Enlightenment and the history of ideas. It belongs to the Bibliothèque de Genève (BGE), whose Voltaire collection is one of the most important in the world: manuscripts, printed works, paintings and objects from the philosopher's possession. The gallery, Grand salon, library and cabinet are the accessible rooms on the ground floor.

The house can be visited only on guided tours and at events. The BGE regularly offers free public tours in French and organises group tours that focus on Voltaire and his stay in Geneva and, on request, explore themes such as the Encyclopédie, Voltaire's theatre, the women in his circle or the fight for tolerance.

Highlights

• Voltaire's home in Geneva from 1755 to 1760
• Part of the Bibliothèque de Genève with one of the largest Voltaire collections in the world
• Free public guided tours according to the programme
• Group tours with selectable themes for ages 12 and over

Operated by

Bibliothèque de Genève (Ville de Genève)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is above 10 steps with a handrail; there is no step-free alternative entrance and no lift. The exhibition space on the ground floor is level. The accessible toilet on the ground floor is small; the general toilets and the cloakroom are in the basement and can be reached only by a staircase. Staff help on site, and contacting them beforehand is advisable. There is no disabled parking space in the immediate vicinity; with advance notice it is possible to drive through the park to the house.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

The guided tours are intended for visitors aged 12 and over.

Getting there & parking

The house stands in the Parc des Délices on Rue des Délices.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check

Unattended cloakroom in the basement; no catering in the house.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit