Introduction: What Creative Leaders Can Learn from Voltaire

Voltaire, the brilliant Enlightenment thinker, was more than a philosopher—he was a relentless challenger of the status quo, a master of wit, and a courageous advocate for tolerance and reason. His life in Paris was marked by bold choices, creative risk-taking, and a refusal to accept limits imposed by authority or tradition. For creative leaders, Voltaire’s journey is a powerful lesson in the art of self-authorship: you are the storyteller of your own legend. By questioning assumptions, embracing adversity, and using your voice to inspire change, you can lead with both courage and creativity. This walking tour invites you to step into Voltaire’s Paris, reflect on your own leadership path, and draw inspiration from the hero’s journey and the 12 archetypes to become the author of your own enlightenment.

Timeline: Voltaire’s Hero’s Journey in Paris

Time	Stage & Archetype	Location	Reflection Focus
09:00	The Ordinary World / The Innocent	École Louis-le-Grand (Voltaire’s school)	Early influences, curiosity
10:30	The Call to Adventure / The Rebel	Place de la Bastille (site of imprisonment)	Facing authority, risk-taking
12:00	Meeting the Mentor / The Sage	Café Procope (philosophers’ haunt)	Seeking wisdom, dialogue
14:00	Trials and Allies / The Hero	Comédie-Française (theater of Voltaire’s plays)	Overcoming obstacles, public impact
16:00	The Return / The Creator	Panthéon (Voltaire’s tomb)	Legacy, storytelling, integration

The Walking Tour

09:00 – École Louis-le-Grand (The Ordinary World / The Innocent)

• Archetype: The Innocent
• Hero’s Journey Stage: Ordinary World
• Location: 123 Rue Saint-Jacques, 5th arrondissement

Reflection:

• What early experiences shaped your curiosity and values as a leader?
• How do you maintain a beginner’s mind and openness to learning?

Inspiration from Voltaire:
Here, young François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) was exposed to classical learning and the seeds of independent thought.

• Question: What “ordinary world” are you ready to question or outgrow?

10:30 – Place de la Bastille (The Call to Adventure / The Rebel)

• Archetype: The Rebel
• Hero’s Journey Stage: Call to Adventure

Reflection:

• When have you challenged authority or taken a stand for your beliefs?
• How do you respond to adversity or opposition?

Inspiration from Voltaire:
Imprisoned for his sharp wit and criticism of power, Voltaire’s time in the Bastille was a turning point—he chose to use adversity as fuel for his voice

• Question: What risks are you willing to take to defend your values?

12:00 – Café Procope (Meeting the Mentor / The Sage)

• Archetype: The Sage
• Hero’s Journey Stage: Meeting the Mentor

Reflection:

• Who are your mentors and intellectual allies?
• How do you seek out wisdom and challenge your own thinking?

Inspiration from Voltaire:
At Café Procope, Voltaire debated with other Enlightenment thinkers, sharpening his ideas and building alliances.

• Question: How do you create spaces for dialogue and growth in your leadership?

14:00 – Comédie-Française (Trials and Allies / The Hero)

• Archetype: The Hero
• Hero’s Journey Stage: Tests, Allies, Enemies

Reflection:

• What obstacles have tested your resolve as a leader?
• Who are your allies, and how do you support each other in the face of challenge?

Inspiration from Voltaire:
Voltaire’s plays, such as Oedipus and Zaïre, were staged here, often stirring controversy and debate, but also acclaim.

• Question: How do you use your platform to challenge and inspire?

16:00 – Panthéon (The Return / The Creator)

• Archetype: The Creator
• Hero’s Journey Stage: The Return with the Elixir

Reflection:

• What wisdom have you gained from your journey?
• How will you use your story to inspire and empower others?

Inspiration from Voltaire:
Voltaire’s final resting place in the Panthéon is a symbol of his enduring legacy as a creator of new ideas and a champion of reason.

• Question: What story do you want your leadership to tell for future generations?

Conclusion: Lessons from Voltaire’s Hero’s Journey

Voltaire’s life in Paris was a masterclass in creative leadership: he questioned, provoked, learned, and ultimately transformed the world around him. His journey shows that true leadership is not about avoiding conflict, but about using adversity as a catalyst for growth and change. Voltaire authored his own legend by embracing the role of both rebel and creator, finding flow in the act of challenging and reimagining the world. As you walk in his footsteps, remember: you are the storyteller of your own life. The legend you create is yours to write—dare to make it extraordinary.

Final Reflection:

• How will you challenge the status quo in your own leadership journey?
• What “enlightenment” will you bring to your world?

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” – Voltaire

Tour Details:

• Duration: 1 day
• Start Time: 09:00 AM
• End Time: 05:00 PM
• Cost: € 595 per person excluding VAT per person

You can book this tour by sending Peter an email with details at peter@wearesomeone.nl

Your Tour Guide

Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project,  a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.

Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing,  MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.