Château de Tournay: state-of-the-art living in 18th-century style
Sitting on the shores of Lake Geneva, this glorious estate — once owned by the great French writer and philosopher Voltaire — presents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully renovated slice of history
The Château de Tournay is set in beautifully landscaped grounds, including a parterre garden and a swimming pool, ideal for relaxation, walks or hosting outdoor events
Originally built in 1600, the Château de Tournay, near Geneva in Switzerland, made its name in 1758 when the French philosopher Voltaire acquired it under a lifetime lease. Seeking refuge from the French court, he used de Tournay as his principal residence, staging plays in a private theatre on the estate, until he moved to the Château de Ferney in France in 1760. Since then, the property has passed through the hands of other notable figures, including the Swiss businessman, philanthropist and art collector Alfred Baur.
In 2009, the Château de Tournay was acquired by the current owner, who initiated a major renovation and historical restoration of the property, led by the Geneva-based architecture firm Corpus. He preserved the medieval and 18th-century heritage of the exterior, restoring hundreds of square metres of roofing, framework and sash windows, while also sensitively upgrading the interior to present his collection of books and classical decorative arts in a refined and coherent setting. Nearly 20 years on, the Château de Tournay is being offered for sale via Christie’s International Real Estate.
The property is located in Pregny-Chambésy, on the shores of Lake Geneva, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. It is also within easy reach of Geneva International Airport, making it an ideal base for both private and professional travel.
The library, a light and airy room with views across the gardens, is decorated in neutral tones that complement the marquetry floor and bespoke bookshelves
Despite its proximity to local amenities and schools, the chateau sits at the heart of its own private estate, ensuring residents enjoy a great deal of peace and privacy. Set on a gentle hill at the end of an elegant tree-lined drive, it enjoys panoramic views of the well-maintained gardens as well as the Alps and Mont Blanc beyond.
The exterior is typical of 18th-century Swiss architecture, while the interior is decorated, for the most part, in the grand French style. The 1,000-square-metre property has 16 rooms, each of large proportions, with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. There are seven bedrooms (all en-suite) and 10 bathrooms, as well as expansive living and entertaining spaces, including a grand reception room, a dining room and a library. There is also a wine cellar, an elevator and staff quarters. In addition, development potential extends to 2,000 square metres of supplementary living space, providing numerous options for expansion or new projects.
The grand salon, with its marble fireplace and walls covered in crimson damask
The chateau’s interiors are decorated in the grand French style of the 18th century
The reception rooms have been restored and decorated to an exceptionally high standard by specialist craftsmen with expertise in 18th-century materials and techniques. Period features — including exposed stonework, historic wood panelling and marble fireplaces — are complemented by all the modern conveniences required for comfortable contemporary living year-round, including a state-of-the-art heating system and high-end technical insulation.
The most splendid room is the grand salon, with a marble fireplace, wood marquetry floor and walls covered in crimson damask. The dining room has a softer palette, with cream wood-panelled walls, enhanced by a pink and green border, sculptural niches and speckled marble skirting. The library, a light and airy room with views across the gardens, is decorated in neutral tones that complement the wood marquetry floor and suite of bespoke in-built bookshelves. There is another, less formal living room, and a large, bright office in the turret.
The less formal living room is a perfect space for moments of leisure, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and views of the garden
The chateau’s grounds include a parterre garden, a greenhouse, a swimming pool and a pool house, as well as extensive storage units for agricultural equipment.
Properties of this calibre and provenance rarely come to market. The sale represents a wonderful opportunity to purchase a fully renovated historic estate with links to one of France’s greatest literary figures.
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