Christophe Vuilleumier

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.

A travelling baron

Christophe Vuilleumier 16.01.2024 Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was famous in the 17th century for travelling as far as India. The adventurer and author wanted to retire in Aubonne. But his settled life did not last long.
A legacy from Jean-Baptiste Tavernier: the tower of Aubonne Castle.

Legal era in the canton of Vaud

Christophe Vuilleumier 08.12.2023 Seven of the first 36 federal councillors came from Vaud. And all of them were lawyers. This is not surprising, as jurisprudence was highly valued in the west of Switzerland.
The first seven federal councillors from Vaud were active in the legal profession. Illustration by Marco Heer.

The encirclement of Geneva by Spanish troops in 1743

Christophe Vuilleumier 09.05.2023 For almost seven years, from September 1742 to February 1749, Savoy villages neighbouring the city of Geneva were occupied and troubled by Spanish troops. Although part of the War of the Austrian Succession and therefore the great history of Europe, the occupation has been all but forgotten by historians.
The city of Geneva and its fortifications, circa 1760.

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.
NSDAP membership badge.

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.