Season 1

This devil of a man retraces the tumultuous life of Voltaire, from his insolent youth to his triumphant return to Paris. The series follows his exiles, his battles against injustice, his clashes with the powerful and his intellectual friendships, all while revealing the man behind the myth. Through meticulous historical reconstruction and dynamic storytelling, the work highlights the major cases that shaped his commitment, such as the Calas affair.

Episodes

Each episode has its own detail page.

Episode 11978-05-04

Episode 1

In 1704, François Arouet, ten years old, already displayed an uncommon blend of mischief and intelligence. After brilliant studies at the Lycée Louis‑le‑Grand, he decided to become a writer, despite the reluctance of his father, a notary. His romantic escapades led him to the Bastille, where he spent eleven months. Once free again, he experienced his first mutual passion with the sublime tragedienne Adrienne Lecouvreur, and enjoyed his first triumph as a playwright at the Comédie‑Française with Oedipus. From then on, he would call himself Voltaire. Love, fame, fortune and reconciliation with his father all seemed to promise him happiness. But after mocking Monsieur de Rohan—whose illustrious name, in his own mind, justified every insolence—he was beaten. Voltaire challenged him to a duel and found himself imprisoned once more.

Episode 21978-05-11