Christophe Vuilleumier

Christophe Vuilleumier is a historian and board member of the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Geschichte (Swiss Historical Society). He has published a number of articles on 17th and 20th century Swiss history.

The freshwater pirate of Lake Geneva

Christophe Vuilleumier 25.08.2021 In the 18th century, a pirate was up to mischief on Lake Geneva. He scored his biggest coup when he carried off the French King’s war chest.

In the 18th century, a pirate plied his trade on Lake Geneva.

The first female Olympic champion

Christophe Vuilleumier 23.07.2021 New York-born Hélène de Pourtalès (1868-1945) of Geneva won gold at the 1900 Olympic Games. Largely unknown today, this pioneering yachtswoman paved the way for other women to compete at the Olympics.

Portrait of Hélène de Pourtalès, around 1878.

The Geneva NSDAP

Christophe Vuilleumier 30.06.2021 At the beginning of the 1930s, Geneva was deeply divided between right and left. These were ideal conditions for the formation of a local branch of the NSDAP.

Between the lines

Christophe Vuilleumier 03.03.2021 In 1871, two Swiss men were sent on a mission, rushing to the aid of Swiss citizens trapped in Paris. To do so they had to cross the Prussian siege line, and talk their way past the French.

The Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871 was brutal. Depicted here in a painting by Alphonse de Neuville.

German prisoners of war in Switzerland

Christophe Vuilleumier 15.04.2020 After World War II, many German prisoners of war escaped to, and through, Switzerland. Swiss authorities responded in different ways: some of these fugitives were deported, while others were interned.

The ‘kings’ of Geneva

Christophe Vuilleumier 27.03.2020 The Exercice de l’Arquebuse was a Geneva society which, until 1782, held a festival of marksmanship (Schützenfest) each year, which culminated in the crowning of a ‘king’. This king then ruled temporarily as monarch.

The lost film of Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein

Christophe Vuilleumier 02.10.2019 90 years ago, Russian director Eisenstein shot a film at La Sarraz Castle featuring an array of avant-garde luminaries. But the footage has remained lost to this day.

The dangerous business of Jules Bloch

Christophe Vuilleumier 30.08.2019 Swiss industrialist Jules Bloch exported ammunition components to France during the First World War. Germany attempted all kinds of intrigues to put an end to his dealings.