Journey to the centre of the earth

After a little pause for a warming cup of coffee we headed over towards the house of Jules Verne. Brian has fond memories of the most famous of Jules Verne’s stories, having often watched movies as a child of Journey to the centre of the Earth, Twenty thousand leagues under the sea and, of course, Around the world in eighty days. Sometimes when we visit brocantes he will find an old copy of a Jules Verne classic with a beautiful illustrated cover, and buy it if the price is right. So he was keen to see the writers home.

Jules Verne lived in Amiens for 34 years from 1871 to 1905. He lived as a tenant for 18 years of that time, between 1882 and 1900, in the Maison à la Tour, the house we visited.

There was a very comfortable, warm feeling about the home, I could see why he and his wife enjoyed living here.

The image above is his little study room where he often sat to write his books, and take a nap when he needed some time out.

Jules Verne was born on 8th February 1828 in Nantes, he died on 24th March 1905 in Amiens. Most of his novels were based in the period after 1850 and included the latest technology of the time, often adding his own creative spin or fantastical imaginings. A number of his novels have been made into colourful adventure films – one of my favourites is around the world in 80 days. I love the original with David Niven, and also the remake with Steve Coogan.

I’m not sure if it’s surprising or not, but Jules Verne is the second most translated author in the world, and the most translated in France.

We couldn’t help but buy two more of his books from the little shop in the foyer, these were of course french editions, part of a modern day set of reproductions based on the beautiful ones Brian buys in the brocantes.