Ferney-Voltaire, France

Capital City

With a population of just 12,094, Ferney-Voltaire is a small French town that has rapidly expanded in recent decades, thanks to its proximity to the international hub of Geneva. While Voltaire's legacy looms large, with his château and statue dotting the landscape, the reality of daily life here is one of persistent bureaucracy and a growing international community drawn to the area's academic and scientific opportunities.

The town's Saturday market and 18th-century architecture provide a quaint, pastoral counterpoint to the global forces shaping its development. Ferney-Voltaire is best suited for those seeking a taste of French country living, with easy access to the cosmopolitan amenities of neighboring Switzerland.