Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Les Vosges and Victor Hugo

It was one of those clear, sunny days in PARIS.  So I decided to pack it all up and go to Place De Vosges.   This is the heart of The Marais, where my flat is located.  In fact, Jerry and I have stayed in the Marais the two years we visited here.

I discovered Place de Vosges in 2010 when I was here in Paris with Katherine Kyle.  It took me forever to learn to pronounce it in the "French" way.  That really doesn't matter now.  But, I have a history here, as it was in 2010 where I wrote in my journal my passion for Paris and the desire to return for a long visit to soak the culture and history, art and life.  

Oh, but I digress.  

This day it was just a pretty day to pack up a lunch and a journal and join what I expected would be many Parisians. 

There is so much history here in The Marais.  In the center of the square is a statue of Louis XIII on horseback. His daddy, Henry IV (1589-1610) built this center of "The Marais" in 1605 and called it "place Royal".  According to Rick Steve's book, "Paris", this effort turned the Marais into Paris' most exclusive neighborhood.  Just like Versailles 80 years later, this was a magnet for the rich and powerful of France.  But....with the Revolution, the aristocratic splendor of this quarter passed.

Ah, so.  In the 19th century, the Marais  became a working class quarter filled with shops, immigrants and a Jewish community with a rich heritage, also one of turmoil and tragedy.  Today, it is once again a "trendy" place to live, work, shop, relax and very "Paris".  

On this particular day, I thought there would be people taking a break from work, or not going to work. I was correct.  There were also families with babies,  children and youth escaping to the sun and freedom.

It will filled and I joined them with my free time to enjoy the delight of Paris.









Actually, the above picture is taken from the MAISON VICTOR HUGO!!!

He lived at # 6--at the southeast corner of the square from 1832 to 1848.
He had a view of the Place des Vosges but it experienced many many changes during that time.  I have pages of research on Victor Hugo but I think it would bore  you to tell it all.  He had already completed "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and it was a success, which contributed to he and his family being able to move into this location.

His wife Adele and his 4 children lived here.  It was here also when he began a relationship with his mistress, Juliette Drouet.

He began writing Les Miserables while at this location but did not complete it until 1862 when in exile
in Guernsey.  It took Victor Hugo 17 years to complete "Les Miserables".

He returned to Paris in 1870-1872, went back to Guernsey in 1872-1873 and then lived in Paris until his death in 1885.  There were 2 Million people who joined his funeral procession from the Arc de Triomphe to the Pantheon where he was buried.

From inside his Maison (House).



The portrait of Victor Hugo we most often see.  This was painted by Leon Bonnat in 1879 when Hugo was 77 years old.  He died in 1885.


                                                                     Adele, his wife.


Juliette Drouet, his mistress

Juliette Drouet, who died in 1883. 
WE ALL AGE!!!




See the V and H?  He designed this wall, putting his initials very prominently in the center.

The following pictures capture some of the items he collected at thrift stores. They were placed in his home in Guernsey which me mostly shared with Juliette.   They are now in the House at Place des Vosges. 










This is all of the Victor Hugo House that I can manage to get on this blog although there is so much more to tell about his life.  You will just have to come to Paris to walk the rooms, to hear the poems and letters he wrote to both Adele and Juliette.  
He adored his Children, although all were tragically lost in death or an insane institution. His Grandchildren were the light of his life and both of them adored their Grandfather. The house is full of the spirit of creativity, passion, political  and social compassion for the Les Miserables of his time. I wish I had only a small portion of that kind o energy and conviction for my time and the conditions under which we live. 



One of Hugo's quote I like is: "There is nothing like a dream to create the future"  
That is the way he lived and it is an inspiration to me. 

There is one last image I want to leave with this blog...I guess it captures my own sense of humor and  part of the life of Paris.  Enjoy!!!


2 comments:

  1. Yes, Lauran, it is a Wonderful hat. Thanks for appreciating it. I will have to wear it in Memphis when we go to lunch.

    ReplyDelete