Ferney was first noted in 14th-century Burgundian registers as "Fernex." Four centuries later, however, Voltaire changed the "x" to a "y" due to the excessive number of towns in the region with names ending in "x," such as Maconnex, Saconnex, Gex, Versonnex, Ornex. During Voltaire's reign over Ferney in the second part of the 18th century, the town saw rapid expansion. Today Ferney is a peaceful village with Saturday markets and a close community. Ferney is slowly growing with the building of new apartments and houses in the area. It is also home to the Lycée International. Voltaire still presides over Ferney with his life-like statue near La Grande Rue. It is a peaceful place to live in or visit.