Introduction to Victor Hugo

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This episode features our frequent and very popular guest Elyse Rivin. If you enjoy her episodes, please consider supporting her on Patreon.

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.