On the writers' route: Visit the Victor Hugo Museum

A Cultural Getaway: In the Footsteps of Victor Hugo in Villequier

Located near the Le Jardin des Hespérides guesthouse, the village of Villequier, nestled in a majestic bend of the Seine, offers a cultural and moving experience, much appreciated during a stay in Normandy.

The Victor Hugo Museum – Maison Vacquerie, situated on the riverbank, invites you to discover a place of remembrance closely linked to one of France's greatest writers.

The Victor Hugo Museum: An Iconic Literary Tourism Destination

Opened in 1959 in the former bourgeois home of the Vacquerie family, the Victor Hugo Museum in Villequier is now a designated Museum of France and a Maison des Illustres (House of the Illustrious).

Victor Hugo, close to the Vacquerie family, stayed here several times after the tragic deaths of his daughter Léopoldine and her husband Charles Vacquerie, who drowned in the Seine in 1843.

Between emotion, history, and poetry

A visit to the Victor Hugo Museum offers a gradual immersion into the world of the Hugo-Vacquerie families.

The rooms faithfully recreate the living environment of the 19th century:

• Period furniture,
• Personal belongings,
• Manuscripts, letters, and drawings by Victor Hugo,
• Antique photographs and first editions.

The exhibition highlights Victor Hugo, writer but also grieving father, whose collection *Les Contemplations* bears witness to his intense inner turmoil.

It is here that the verses of "Demain, dès l'aube" (Tomorrow, at dawn), inspired by Villequier and the memory of Léopoldine, resonate.

A Seine Riverside Getaway

The museum opens onto a garden overlooking the Seine, offering an atmosphere conducive to strolling and contemplation.

A short walk away, the Villequier cemetery houses the tombs of Léopoldine and Charles Vacquerie, Adèle Hugo (daughter), and Adèle Foucher (wife of Victor Hugo).

This visit combines perfectly with a walk or bike ride along the river, in the heart of the Boucles de la Seine Normande Regional Natural Park.

Practical Information

📍 Address: Quai Victor Hugo, 76490 Villequier
🕒 Opening Hours (seasonal):

• From April 1st to September 30th:
• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM / 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
• From October 1st to March 31st:
• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 2 PM - 5:30 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays, Sunday mornings, and certain public holidays.

🎟️ Prices:

• Full price: €6
• Reduced price: €4.50
• Free admission: young people up to 18 years old, students up to 26 years old.

🚘 Travel: 35 minutes by car from our gîte

Stay in our gîte near Rouen

In the heart of the countryside and the Boucles de la Seine Normande Regional Natural Park, our gîte, Le Jardin des Hespérides, welcomes you for your stay on the Writers' Route.

Our 200m² converted Norman farmhouse offers a range of amenities:

• Heated indoor swimming pool
• Relaxation area with spa and sauna
• Children's playground
• Free parking

Book your next stay in our gîte near Rouen now.