Patronage: inauguration of the Legion of Honour pathway at the Château de Voltaire

On 30 April 2024, the SMLH (Swiss Section) organised its general meeting at the Chateau of Voltaire: on this occasion, its members discovered the estate where the philosopher spent his last twenty years and the actions he took to modernise the hamlet of Ferney.

At the same time, Nicolas Frizon de Lamotte, president of the SMLH, and François-Xavier Verger, administrator of the Chateau of Voltaire, met at a dinner. Nicolas Frizon de Lamotte told the administrator of the Chateau of Voltaire that the SMLH wanted to donate a tree to the monument, in appreciation of the welcome they had received. 

Mr François-Xavier Verger was touched by this gesture, and asked that the natural choice be a mulberry tree in memory of Voltaire, who had developed a silkworm farm on the site. This idea appealed to several of the guests, who spontaneously donated 9 additional mulberry trees that evening.

At the end of their meeting, 20 other members also said they wanted to take part in this wonderful initiative.

In the end, no fewer than 30 white and black mulberry trees were planted in the grounds of the castle from 25 November 2024, reminiscent of the white mulberry trees that Voltaire used to feed his silkworms and run his magnaneries. The white and black mulberry trees were planted alternately. The height of the white mulberry tree is reminiscent of the old poplars in the historic avenue.

These mulberry trees will serve as a reminder of the elegant gesture made by members and friends of the SMLH, in the form of an alleyway, a symbolic link between the Chateau and Geneva.

This avenue was inaugurated on 7 May 2025 by Mr Nicolas Frizon de la Motte and Mr Kévin Riffault, Director General of the Centre des monuments nationaux.