A French Icon - Victor Hugo
- Parisian Niche
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
We haven't touched on many authors on this blog aside from Alexandre Dumas (my top fave!) and his gorgeous chateau, which is rather ironic, as this whole blog project was born our of our Parisian Page Turners book club. Hey, come read with us! Let's change this up today, and take a P'Niche Peek at France's most iconic literary figures - Victor Hugo...
Victor-Marie Hugo entered this world on February 26, 1802, in Besançon, France. With his father serving as a general in Napoleon's army, his upbringing was steeped in rich military history. This state of war context provided him with a unique perspective on the societal instability caused by the Napoleonic Wars.
Hugo’s childhood was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's military career. For example, his family lived in Paris, Naples, and other cities, thus, exposing him to the many diverse and complex social issues of France. By age 10, Hugo was not just a reader but an aspiring poet, influenced by both classical authors like Virgil and the emerging Romantic poets such as Lamartine and Chateaubriand. This foundation would play an important role in shaping his future works.
While our guy Hugo's literary journey with the publication of "Odes et poésies diverses" in 1822, it was his novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," published in 1831, that truly elevated his status.
Set in the heart of Paris, the story revolves around Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer, and his unrequited love for Esmeralda. Deeply affected by societal prejudice, the characters showcase Hugo's ability to combine an engaging narrative with pressing social issues.
Beyond its captivating storyline, the novel highlights the significance of Parisian architecture itself, which dramatically shapes the tale's events.
In fact, the novel is a leading reason why the cathedral (which was in wild disrepair and set for demolition) was itself saved and restored - the first time!
Hugo's versatility shines in his plays and poetry. "Hernani," which debuted in 1830, sparked lively political debates. His poetry collection "Les Contemplations" reflects his personal life experiences, gracefully displaying themes of love and loss.
A man of his time, Hugo’s literary works were intertwined with political activism. An
outspoken advocate for social change, his 1851 speech against capital punishment exemplifies his commitment to reform. Further, he directed his writings toward issues such as poverty, human rights, and freedom of expression. When Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte seized power in 1851, Hugo's dissent led to his exile for two decades on Guernsey Island. While in exile, he penned his most celebrated work, "Les Misérables," (1862). The novel candidly explores the plight of the poor, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by the lower class; depicting Jean Valjean's struggles for redemption and dignity within a corrupt society.
A man of many talents indeed, it is calculated that Hugo had created over 4,000 pieces of art, and miraculously, around 3,000 still exist today. He worked solely on paper, in small scale and nearly exclusively in dark brown and/or black pen-and-ink wash.
What began as a hobby, became a secondary passion, as seen here in Le Rocher de l'Ermitage dans un paysage imaginaire (1855).
All of this is not to say that Hugo led a lonely, desolate life. Contrary-wise, he was wed to the enigmatic Adèle Foucher, a figurehead in her own time. Her affair with the critic Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve became the raw material for Sainte-Beuve's 1834 novel, Volupté.
That is not to say that Hugo was a faithful husband... He had a long standing mistress, Juliette Drouet. Her life, however, was much more difficult. Leading a life in exile, she penned approximately 20,000 (whoa!) letters to Hugo and greatly influenced his own writings. Astonishingly, most of these letters still exist and the Universty of Rouen (partnering with La Sorbonne) is working to digitally transcribe these letters (having accomplished nearly 15,000 so far.) That's beaucoup de love letters - makes Héloïse and Abélard's writings seem mild!
Continuing on his family's pathway, we see that Hugo’s life was not only filled with accomplishments but also profound personal loss. The tragic death of his daughter Léopoldine in 1843, who drowned at just 19, left him shattered. This incident cast a long shadow over Hugo's later works, leading to darker themes of grief and despair.
Hugo also faced tumultuous relationships with his other children and battled lifelong bouts of depression. These challenges greatly enriched his art, allowing him to delve into the intricacies of human emotion and his literary output during this period, like "La Légende des siècles," captures the beauty and sorrow inherent in life’s struggles, resonating deeply with readers.
Back in his literary (and now political) station of life, Hugo returned from exile in 1870 and was declared a treasure, a true national hero.
He began to serve as a passionate supporter of republicanism, holding ranks in both the French Constituent and the National assembly. Strangely, and despite his wild popularity, he lost his bid for re-election to France's National Assembly in 1872.
On the home front, as well, there were obstacles. In rapid succession, Hugo himself suffered a (mild stroke). This was paired by his daughter Adèle having been committed to a mental hospital, and the death of his two sons. Finally, his wife, Adèle, also passed in 1868.
While his mistress dies only two years before his own passing, we can only imagine the impact these deeps losses had on his life and works.
Hugo's final days saw him no less committed to human rights than his youth and mid-life.
While his last political term was considered a failure, in his 80th year, he went on to receive an adulation typically reserved to sovereigns - a Sèvres vase. This was in addition to a massive, 6 hour long parade, one of the largest ever recorded, on June 27, 1881, as Hugo onlooked from his home.
With his own passing from pneumonia on May 22, 1885 (at No 50 - now 124 Avenue de Victor Hugo, we find that he had requested a pauper's funeral, it was President Jules Grévy who insisted upon a state funeral, given the deep feeling of national mourning.
Over 2 million people took to the streets, marching in the funeral procession of France's national hero. Starting from l'Arc de Triomphe and walking to the Panthéon (his final resting place), the crowd accompanied him, perhaps remembering his last known public words. "to love is to act." He rests now with his dearest friends, Dumas and Zola - ever so fitting.
In a lasting act of remembrance, what we now know as Avenue Victor Hugo graces the heavenly 16th arrondissement of Paris, and we'll find that most large towns and cities in France have at least one street, park, or square dedicated to his honor.
Hey, that's kind of like my (in my own mind) boyfriend, Lafayette!
Jokes aside, it is a lovely way to invoke his memory, as well as educate the masses with Hugo's quote "Woe to anyone who harms France! I do declare, I will die a fanatic patriot."
These days, you can still visit Victor Hugo's home, nestled in the stunning Place des Vosges.
What a lovely testament to a life well lived - and written!
6, place des Vosges
Métro: Saint Paul (Line 1)
Open Daily (except Mondays) 10am - 6pm
And although there are many fine establishments proudly bearing Hugo's name, P'Niche's fave is:
Petit Victor Hugo
143, av. Victor Hugo (75016)
Métro: Victor Hugo (Line 2)
Hours - 10am - mightnight daily
P'Niche PSA - try their amazing seafood!
What do you think, P'Nicher? Ready to revisit some of Hugo's great works to invigorate your love of Paris and France? Let us know in the comments below et à bientôt!
#lesmiserables #hunchbackofnotredame #onedaymore #pageturners #mercy #redemption
We loved visiting Victor Hugo's home, and we had a light lunch there, which was lovely.