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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house Racle, located at 33 rue de Genève in Ferney-Voltaire, is an 18th century building built by architect Léonard Racle (1736-1791). The latter, called by Voltaire in 1764 to enlarge his castle, received funding from the philosopher to build this house, where he lived during his years of collaboration with the Patriarch of Ferney. After the death of Voltaire in 1778, Racle left Ferney to settle in Pont-de-Vaux, leaving behind this remains emblematic of their architectural partnership.

In the 19th century, the house passed into the hands of Budé's family, notably Zoé de Budé (1803-1892), daughter of Count Jacques-Louis de Budé, who became owner of it with his brother Louis in 1846. Zoé lived there until his death in 1892, at the age of 88, marking a second historical period for this place charged with Voltairian heritage. The house, classified as a historical monument in 1986, today bears witness to these two distinct periods: that of the collaboration between Racle and Voltaire, and that of his occupation by a local aristocratic lineage.

Architecturally, the Racle House illustrates the style of the 18th century, when Ferney-Voltaire, under the impulse of Voltaire, became a home of modernity and innovation. Its registration in the 1986 inventory of historical monuments underlines its heritage importance, both for its connection with the architect of Voltaire and for its role in the social history of the region. The protected elements, listed under the cadastal reference AM 26, include the entire home, preserved as evidence of this prestigious past.

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