He will always surprise us! Novelist, poet, playwright, pamphleteer, politician, Victor Hugo was also a decorator (of his own houses, in Paris and Guernsey) and even a designer.
His “house museum” on Place des Vosges (4th arrondissement) is presenting a unique exhibition until November, simply entitled “Victor Hugo, drawings” revealing a little-known side of the great man: a collection of 200 Indian inks, rather dark, ranging from caricature to landscapes to family portraits.
Victor Hugo Landscape with three trees, 1850, pen (graphic arts), wash, pencil, ink
© Maison de Victor Hugo – Hauteville House/Paris Musées
© Paris Museums/Victor Hugo Houses Paris-Guernsey
But there is still a surprise! The museum has just inaugurated, after eighteen months of closure, a café with a room located in old stables and a terrace overlooking a tree-lined courtyard, where you can sit in peace before or after the visit, to taste the flagship products of Maison Mulot, a well-known address on the left bank, rue du Seine.
And whose owner, Lorraine pastry chef Fabien Rouillard, has created a gourmet place that matches the genius writer's enormous appetite.
Quietly installed in this romantic garden, sheltered from the noise of the city, we dine from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. on the classics of the house: the croque-monsieur with Isigny cream and ham in a torchon (8,50 € on site €5,50 to take away), pâté en croute or foie gras (€19 per slice).
Accompanied by coffee from the San José roastery, or a nectar from Trois fois vin, because in this establishment with a family and artisanal spirit we love small artisans, sourced products and perpetuating know-how.
At tea time, we prefer the slice of cake or the amaryllis, a vanilla macaron garnished with fresh raspberries (€9 on site €6,60 to take away), while thinking of the immense work of the author of “Choses vus”.
Victor Hugo House
6 place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Tel: +01 42 72 10 16
Text: Katia Barillot
16.07.21
