Meet Victor Hugo, sort of. One of the most celebrated authors of the 19th century and one of France most highly acclaimed poet, novelist and artist. He’s known by most for such works as Notre-Dame de Paris, (Hunchback of Notre-Dame) more notably; Les Misérables and Les Travailleurs de la Mer, just to name a few.

Touring the Red Drawing Room.

If your planning a trip to Paris, why not check out The Victor Hugo Museum (French; Maison de Victor Hugo ) who lived here for 16 years from 1832–1848. Even though it’s one of the cities lesser known museums, nicely tucked away on a corner of one of Paris’ beautifully arched passageways, it’s far less crowded and you can easily spend an hour rambling through the museums 7 rooms. I visited Hugo’s home this past Saturday for the first time..

The Chinese Drawing Room of Hauteville Fairy

Recreated from Hauteville Fairy; The dining room.

The Drawing Room, Rue de Clichy, after exile.

For those on a budget, you’ll love the museums FREE entry, like I did! If you’d like an audio guide, the museum offers one in 6 different languages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese) for a nominal fee of 5€. Instead, I bought the Maison de Victor Hugo Museum Guide book for just 10€. The book provides detailed information about every room, displays colorful photography and devotes sections of writings and genealogy of Victor Hugo himself.  The book is definitely worth buying because you’ll find condensed information within the book and not having to research his life through different websites for information about to Victor Hugo.

Entrance to the antechamber with original marble floors. This room recalls the era before the poet and family took residence in Place Royale.

Hugo loved Chinese art.

The original architectural layout isn’t true to his past while living there, and that’s only because the building had been renovated to accommodate an academic setting. Many of Hugo’s furnishings and paintings from his former residences, before, during and after exile were donated to help bring back to life, his former apartment. You can read in detail about each room and see the evolving changes throughout the Maison de Victor Hugo Museum Guide or opt for the audio guide instead.

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Painting by Auguste Couder, 1833.

Time to say goodbye but be sure to notice the photography and art work along the stairway walls.

Wether you studied Victor Hugo, enjoyed his writings, seen any of his plays or made for cinema movies, then make Maison de Victor Hugo a sight-seeing to-do list while in Paris.

Maison de Victor Hugo
6 place des Vosges
75004 Paris
(33) 01 42 72 10 16

Map

Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Closed on Mondays and public holidays

Free Admission

Place Des Vosges Square, The museum is on the corner left ahead.