Maison Victor Hugo: A Free & Fascinating Peek into the Writer's World!

Today, I finally visited Victor Hugo's former home in Paris with friends—and what a delightful discovery! Here's why you should add this free museum to your Paris itinerary: 🏠 About the Museum Located in the stunning Place des Vosges (Paris' oldest planned square), this museum preserves the apartment where Hugo lived from 1832-1848 while writing Les Misérables. 🌟 Highlights of the Visit 1️⃣ Portraits & Personal Items 👨‍🎨 See Hugo's family portraits and artifacts connected to his masterpieces (Notre-Dame de Paris inspired so much art!). 2️⃣ The Infamous "Chinese Salon" 🇨🇳✨ The most dazzling room! A chaotic mix of: • Ming/Qing paintings • Chinese porcelain and dragons 🐉 vs. Western dragons • A fertility goddess statue oddly paired with Japanese-style woodblock prints • Even his cook Suzanne was given a Chinese name (Shu Zan!)—Hugo’s 19th-century Orientalist obsession in full display. 3️⃣ Literary Gift Shop Treasures 🛍️ Loved the tote bag quoting Hugo: "Errer est humain, flâner est parisien." ("To wander is human, to stroll is Parisian.") 👏😂 ℹ️ Practical Info 📍 Address: 6 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris (Métro: Bastille or Saint-Paul) 🕒 Hours: Tue-Sun, 10AM-6PM (closed Mondays) 🎟️ Admission: Permanent collection = FREE! (No reservation needed) ⏳ Visit Duration: ~1 hour (quiet & uncrowded!) 💡 Pro Tips Combine with: A picnic in Place des Vosges or a visit to nearby Carnavalet Museum. Photography: Allowed (no flash). Fun fact: Hugo designed some of his own furniture! #VictorHugo #ParisMuseums #FreeMuseum #LiteraryParis #HiddenGems