History

The 18th Century

Cirey refuge in love and studiousness

of Voltaire and the Marquise du Châtelet

I turnedking

DHis real name François Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris. The son of a notary, he was raised by the Jesuits and received solid training. He then developed a taste for the art of rhetoric, theater and literature and became interested in science. He is one of the most famous French authors and the best-known representative of the philosophy of the Enlightenment.
Voltaire marks the 18th century with his literary work but also with his political struggles. His positions led to a tumultuous life. First imprisoned in the Bastille, he was exiled to England, a country he particularly appreciated. Inspired by this forced stay, in 1734 he published the "Philosophical Letters", sharp criticism of French institutions for the benefit of England, which caused him to be once again threatened with imprisonment.
From then on, he found asylum with his friend and mistress, the Marquise du Châtelet, in her castle in Cirey. He made it his residence until 1749, the year of her death.
If the Château de Ferney is well known for having hosted Voltaire during the last years of his life, the Château de Cirey sheltered, for its part, the greatest romantic and intellectual story of the 18th century.

Emilie du Châtelet

Born in 1706 in Paris Emilie is the daughter of Louis Nicolas le Tonnelier, Baron de Breteuil, officer of the King's household under Louis XIV, introducer of ambassadors, and Gabrielle Anne de Froulay.


Very rare occurrence for a

A young woman at the time, Emilie received a high-quality education.

Passionate about arts and science, she developed real expertise in physics, astronomy, astrophysics and learned about mathematics. She is also passionate about dance, theater and singing. Emilie de Breteuil is endowed with remarkable intelligence and manages to be recognized and accepted in the exclusively male circle of scientists of her time.


In 1725, Emilie married Marquis Florent Claude du Châtelet and went to live in Semur-en-Auxois, where her husband was Governor. Later, she returned to live in Paris where she met Voltaire. Together, they settled at the Château de Cirey, the du Châtelet family property.


New paragraph







Voltaire at the Château de Cireyvshez Emilie

Voltaire wrote to one of his friends, evoking Émilie:
“Everything about her is nobility, her attitude, her tastes, the style of her letters, her way of speaking, her politeness... Her conversation is pleasant and interesting.”

If he is sensitive to the charms of Emilie, the philosopher very quickly succumbs to those of his home. He undertook, at his own expense, major restoration work, enlarged the castle to accommodate his own apartments and had an imposing door carved dedicated to the arts and sciences. He also set up a scientific office and ordered instruments from Abbot Nollet, the great specialist of the time. Outside, he is interested in gardens. Grille, terrace, long paths, orangery, grove of lime trees are landscaped.

This stay was for Voltaire a period of intense literary production. It was in Cirey that he wrote: "Le Mondain", the essay "Discourse en vers sur l'homme", the comedies "Le Comte de Boursoufle" and "l'Enfant prodigue", and the tragedies "Alzire" , "Mahomet" and "Merope". To satisfy his passion, the philosopher installed a small theater in the castle which is still visible today.

For her part, Madame du Chatelet is not to be outdone. In Cirey, she translated and commented from Latin on the famous "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" by Isaac Newton, describing in particular the principle of universal gravitation. This major scientific work requires a translation into French because it is the only language of communication for the elites in Europe at the time. Voltaire will also write in the historical preface to the work that Latin lacks words to explain the new “mathematical and physical truths”. This monumental work occupied Émilie during the last five years of her life and the posthumous publication was carried out in 1756.

It was at this time that the Marquise also wrote the “Discourse on Happiness” between 1744 and 1746 which was published in 1779, after her death. Happiness is one of the great philosophical themes treated during the Age of Enlightenment, but mainly by men. Emilie du Châtelet's text then offers a new point of view on the subject.

Voltaire and Emilie welcome many personalities to Cirey who share their passion for science, such as Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis, Claude Clairaut, Count Algarotti and Father François Jacquier...

The Marquis Florant Claude du Châtelet, husband of Emilie, tolerates the presence of Voltaire and even seems to maintain friendly ties with the latter.


Emilie, a tragic destiny

If romantic passion gradually gives way to friendship, Voltaire and Emilie never leave each other. At 42, she became pregnant by her last lover, the poet Saint Lambert, and died as a result of childbirth.


In extremis, she managed to complete the translation of Newton's treatise and send it to the King's library. Voltaire will be responsible for finalizing its publication. Voltaire, very affected by this disappearance, then left the castle of Cirey, “his earthly paradise”.


Little Adélaïde, who was born from the love of Emilie and Saint Lambert although recognized by Monsieur du Châtelet and finally abandoned, died in the arms of her nurse in 1751.

Madame de Graffigny precious witness of life in Cirey

Françoise d'Issembourg du Buisson d'Happoncourt, wife of Graffigny, was born in 1695 in Nancy and died in 1758 in Paris. Author of the ceher novel, "Letters from a Peruvian", published in 1747, she ranks as one of the most influential women of letters of the 18th century.

Friend of Voltaire, she made long stays in Cirey between 1738 and 1739. Through abundant conversations, she described with precision the people, the decoration of the castle, the theatrical activity, the scientific instruments and daily life in Cirey .

Thanks to this exceptional testimony provided with anecdotes, we can offer you a quality visit as close as possible to historical reality.

The sad end of the Châtelet family in Cirey

After the death of Emilie du Châtelet in 1749, her husband the Marquis carefully maintained the castle. When he in turn died in 1765, it was their son, Louis-Marie-Florent, Duke of Châtelet, who became master of Cirey.

In 1752, the Duke of Châtelet married Diane Adélaïde de Rochechouart. They have no children, but he and his wife maintain a quasi-filial relationship with their niece Diane Adélaïde de Damas, daughter of the Duchess's sister, whom they designate as heiress of Cirey.

The revolution precipitates events. The Duke and Duchess of Châtelet were guillotined in 1794.

Diane Adélaïde de Damas, who through her marriage became Countess of Simiane, inherits Cirey rather than expected. But the property is declared as national property and is sold in lots.


Then begins Adélaïde de Simiane's fight to retake Cirey.






To Madame du Châtelet

Voltaire


If you want me to love again,

Give me back the age of love;

In the twilight of my days

Join, if possible, the dawn.


Beautiful places where the god of wine

With Love holds its empire,

Time, which takes me by the hand,

Warns me that I am withdrawing.


Of his inflexible rigor

Let's at least get some benefit.

Who does not have the spirit of his age,

His age has all the misfortune.


Let's leave it to the beautiful youth

His playful outbursts.

We only experience two moments:

Let there be one for wisdom.






What ! forever you run away from me,

Tenderness, illusion, madness,

Gifts from heaven, which consoled me

The bitterness of life!


We die twice, I see it clearly:

Stop loving and being kind,

It is an unbearable death;

To stop living is nothing.


So I lamented the loss

Mistakes from my early years;

And my soul, open to desires,

Regretted his mistakes.


From the sky then deigning to descend,

Friendship came to my aid;

Perhaps she was also tender,

But less lively than the Loves.


Touched by her new beauty,

And with its light illuminated,

I followed her; but I cried

To no longer be able to follow her


François-Marie Arouet

Share by: