Maison de Victor Hugo | Victor Hugo Museum | Les Miserables

Place des Vosges in Paris

Our last six months of  2012 have been bookmarked by our indulgences in French essences. During the summer, we visited Victor Hugo's home in Paris. Located in the historical Marais district, the home is right across from the Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. The home featured Victor Hugo's personal artifacts such his books, drawings, furniture and china collection.

Victor Hugo's home address in Paris

Having seen the Broadway adaptation of the Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, we waited eagerly to attend the screening of the Les Miserables movie during the Christmas season. We were not disappointed. There were so much raw emotion and poignance in Anne Hathaway's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" that the waterworks started flowing. Critics have been raving about her performance as Fantine with some saying she could just take home the Oscar for the best supporting actress now.

Another favorite performance was Samantha Bank's portrayal of Eponine. Her heartbreak of unrequited love bled through the "On My Own" rendition.  What an amazing voice !

After watching the Les Miserables movie, I fell in love with the music all over again. I bought the Les Miserables: The 25th Anniversary Concert [Blu-ray]  based on the overwhelming positive reviews. I have seen this special before on PBS and I know that I would enjoy watching it over and over again.

Victor Hugo's china collection, Paris

Les Miserables calls to light the need for social and moral justice. At Victor Hugo's house, we saw a picture of  Aung San Suu Kyi,, the Myanmar democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, taken in his china collection room. Victor Hugo was one of her inspirations.