Victor Hugo's Birthplace Showcases the French Writer's Greatest Struggles

On February 26, 1802, in Besançon, "was born, of Breton and Lorraine blood, a child without color, without sight, and without voice," Victor Hugo. It's hard not to smile at these autobiographical lines, knowing the monument the French author has become. He has quite simply become the opposite of his own description of his birthplace. It is precisely this unique gaze and voice that are highlighted in the house at 140 Grande Rue in Besançon, where the great Hugo was born. The home presents all the struggles of this writer committed to freedom, rights, and human dignity, in a contemporary setting that, unfortunately, resonates strongly with our current events. Four partners act as its modern-day spokespeople: Reporters Without Borders defends press freedom, ATD Fourth World fights poverty worldwide, UNICEF champions children's rights, and Amnesty International advocates for human rights. More than the convergence of these two eras in terms of ideas, one appreciates the modern decor of this beautiful old house. It's hard not to be moved by the alcove bedroom with its wood paneling, dedicated to the defense of children's rights, where the writer was born. The room's brightness and materials stand in stark contrast to the misery still endured by far too many children around the world. One also notices a particular commitment to gender equality in this home, and a significant one at that. Beyond being a passionate advocate for women, Victor Hugo did not hesitate to publicly defend their cause. The Birthplace Museum has judiciously highlighted this. This beautiful and poignant quote from the section on Human Dignity testifies to this: "Half of humankind is outside the bounds of equality; they must be brought back into it." It's worth remembering that Victor Hugo was a true supporter of his committed contemporaries. We think of the writer George Sand, the exiled Louise Julien, and the Communard Louise Michel, with whom he maintained a long correspondence. As you will have gathered, this grand house is a must-see!

VICTOR HUGO'S BIRTHPLACE
Permanent Collections
140 Grande Rue, 25000 Besançon