Birth House of Victor Hugo in Besancon (Doubs)
“Only one slave on Earth is enough to dishonour the freedom of all men. So the abolition of slavery is, at this hour, the supreme goal of the thinkers.”
Victor Hugo, letter to Octave Giraud, 17 January 1862
Maison Victor Hugo © Jean-Charles Sexe/Ville de Besançon
Victor Hugo was born on 26 February 1802 in Besancon, where his father, a military man, was in garrison. It is in this historic house that the city of Besançon has arranged since 2013 a journey through the various commitments of Victor Hugo: for freedom of expression, for compulsory free education, for women's rights, against the death penalty, against misery, and of course against slavery.
Things to see in Besançon
Maison Victor Hugo in his birth house, 140 Grande rue.
Statue of Victor Hugo by Just Becquet, place Granvelle since 1902.
Statue of Victor Hugo by Ousmane Sow, on the Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme, inaugurated in 2003
Opening dates and hours:
Every day except Tuesday.
1 November to 31 March 10.30am – 5.30pm
1 April to 31 October, as well as school holidays and weekends: 10.30am – 6pm
Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November and 25 December.
