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About this place
Parc des Délices is a small public park in Geneva's Saint-Jean district, at rue des Délices 25. Apartment blocks surround it, and at its heart stands Voltaire's former residence, now home to the Institut et Musée Voltaire.
Why visit Parc des Délices?
It is a quiet pocket of greenery in a densely built part of the city, and one of the places most closely tied to the Enlightenment writer. Voltaire bought the Saint-Jean estate in 1755 and renamed it Les Délices. He lived here until 1760, and works including "Candide" date from this period. A base in Geneva kept him outside the reach of French authorities, who were unhappy with his writings.
What will you see?
Voltaire enlarged the existing pavilion, laid out a large French-style garden to the south and added a small theatre. Today the grounds work as a public park, with chestnut trees, clipped yews, Austrian black pines, open lawns and mature trees that give shade in summer. It suits a short stroll, a rest on a bench or a picnic between sights.
The villa itself stands in the middle. The City of Geneva bought it in 1929, and in 1952 Theodore Besterman founded an institute devoted to Voltaire here. The collection holds around 25,000 volumes on Voltaire and the eighteenth century, plus prints and paintings. The building is linked to the Bibliothèque de Genève. Interiors can be seen on guided tours or at special events, which are sometimes free; check geneve.ch for current dates.
How to get there and when to go
The park lies in the Délices area, north of central Geneva. Take bus 11 (stop Délices) or bus 9 (stop Musée Voltaire). The park is open around the clock, every day, with free entry. Late spring and summer are the best times, when the trees are in full leaf. The park also hosts local events, such as the neighbourhood spring fair at the end of May.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to the park free?
Yes. It is a public park, open 24 hours a day.
Can I go inside Voltaire's house?
Yes, usually on guided tours or special open days. The City of Geneva publishes the dates.
How long should I plan?
A walk through the park takes 20 to 30 minutes. Add about an hour if you tour the villa.
Did Voltaire live here permanently?
No. He lived at Les Délices from 1755 to 1760 and then moved to the Ferney area.
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