On this episode of the podcast, Annie Sargent brings you a conversation with Elyse Rivin of Toulouse Guided Walks as an Introduction to Victor Hugo.

Visit the places where Victor Hugo lived

There are places you can visit where he lived. The first is the place where he was born: Besançon.  La Maison Natale de Victor Hugo is where you can learn about his progressive political views. The second is on Place des Vosges where he lived for a few years. This is where you can see his standing desk (picture below) and other furnishings of this posh home.

Victor Hugo had an immense influence on French politics and was so well-loved that 2 million people came to see his coffin go by on his way to the Pantheon. His was the first "celebrity funeral" as we know them today.

Annie loves his works and shares a poem most French people know by heart" Demain dès l'aube" which he wrote in memory of his daughter. He was an exciting man who wrote wonderful novels.

France Travel Update

For the France travel update, Annie explains why RoissyBus is a good alternative to taking a taxi in Paris. Not as difficult as the RER and about the same price as taking the train. Don't be scared of French buses, they are lovely! This one has AC and WiFi!

Recommended in this episode

Les Misérables has been adapted many times in movies, plays and Broadway shows. The more adventurous of us might want to read the novel, but it's very long. Perhaps an audio book would be easier to deal with?

Les Miserables, unabridged in Audio book in English.

Abridged version of Les Miserables on Audible, also in English.

This is the unabridged audio book in French Annie is listening to.

Demain, dès l'aube in French

Demain, dès l’aube, à l’heure où blanchit la campagne, Je partirai. Vois-tu, je sais que tu m’attends. J’irai par la forêt, j’irai par la montagne. Je ne puis demeurer loin de toi plus longtemps.

Je marcherai les yeux fixés sur mes pensées, Sans rien voir au dehors, sans entendre aucun bruit, Seul, inconnu, le dos courbé, les mains croisées, Triste, et le jour pour moi sera comme la nuit.

Je ne regarderai ni l’or du soir qui tombe, Ni les voiles au loin descendant vers Harfleur, Et quand j’arriverai, je mettrai sur ta tombe Un bouquet de houx vert et de bruyère en fleur.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• [00:00:00] Intro
• [00:00:41] Today on the podcast
• [00:02:35] Victor Hugo
• [00:03:33] Besançon: His birthplace
• [00:03:50] Places you can visit related to Victor Hugo
• [00:05:17] Place de Vosges
• [00:06:41] His Daily Habits
• [00:07:22] Achieving great success early in life
• [00:08:21] An author who wrote fast
• [00:08:47] A prolific author in all genres
• [00:11:16] Jersey and Guernsey
• [00:12:05] An Interest in Decoration
• [00:13:26] A brief recap of Victor Hugo’s family history
• [00:15:01] Affairs on both sides
• [00:20:11] How his work is being taught in French schools
• [00:20:56] Enjoying Victor Hugo’s novels today
• [00:21:58] Le Jeux Floraux
• [00:22:17] Victor Hugo started earning with his writing at a young age
• [00:23:15] Leopoldine’s death
• [00:25:42] Demain Dès L’aube
• [00:27:54] His Writing Style
• [00:36:12] Jean Valjean
• [00:42:13] His Exile
• [00:42:54] Victor Hugo was strongly opposed to the death penalty
• [00:46:37] His return to France
• [00:47:01] Victor Hugo’s Death
• [00:48:10] He wanted to eradicate poverty
• [00:49:41] Outro
• [00:49:41] Thank you, patrons
• [00:50:13] Shout out to new patrons
• [00:50:42] Itinerary consults
• [00:51:26] Self-guided tours
• [00:51:52] Trevor Noah’s VoiceMap tour
• [00:52:35] Alternative to the RER
• [00:54:03] EU digital passenger locator form
• [00:54:41] Personal Update: Bordeaux Rosa Bonheur Exhibition
• [00:57:31] Next week on the podcast

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