Located at the southeast corner of Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo’s House occupies the historic Hôtel de Rohan-Guémené and serves as a literary museum dedicated to one of France’s greatest writers. Hugo lived here from 1832 to 1848, writing significant works such as Les Chants du crépuscule, Ruy Blas, Les Burgraves, and portions of Les Misérables.

The museum spans two floors, offering a chronological and immersive journey through Hugo’s family life, political roles, and artistic creativity. In the Entrance Hall, visitors learn about his early years, his marriage to Adèle Foucher, and the birth of his children—Léopoldine, Charles, François-Victor, and Adèle—through statues, portraits, drawings, and archival documents.

The Red Drawing Room, draped in damask, evokes literary and political gatherings with family portraits, a bust by David d’Angers, and an homage to royal connections.

The Chinese Salon and Medieval Dining Room, originally created by Hugo in Guernsey for Juliette Drouet and later relocated here, feature his pyrography on woodwork and Gothic-style furniture, showcasing his design prowess.

The Study—where he wrote standing—and his bedroom, where he spent his final years, reveal his disciplined work ethic and the intimate environment in which he crafted his masterpieces. The atmosphere is both studious and personal, blending analytical rigor with a sense of familial warmth.

Besides the free permanent collection, the second floor hosts rotating temporary exhibitions focused on themes such as literature, decoration, romantic Europe, or Hugo's drawings.

The Café Mulot, nestled in a renovated inner courtyard, offers tea, pastries, and light meals in a verdant setting, extending the serene ambiance of Hugo’s living spaces.

Accessibility is a top priority—certified Tourism & Disability—with facilities for visitors with motor, auditory, visual, and cognitive impairments: trained staff, tactile tours, sign-language guides, adapted booklets, and a multilingual app. Accessible restrooms and priority entry are provided.

The house appeals to varied audiences: literature enthusiasts, students, tourists, families, historians, and cultural visitors can all connect with Hugo's personal environment.

The atmosphere is intimate, historic, and poetic. You sense Hugo’s presence through his furniture, objects, and handwritten manuscripts—the patina of his life pervades each room.

Notable anecdotes:

Paul Meurice, Hugo's close friend and literary executor, donated the collections in 1902, leading to the museum’s opening in 1903 for Hugo's centenary.

Celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2023, the museum now holds over 70,000 works, including 20,000 digitized items accessible online.

The Chinese Salon's wood carvings bear the initials “V H” and “J D” for Victor Hugo and Juliette Drouet.

Practical info:
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (last admission 5:30 p.m., shop closes 5:45 p.m.). Closed Mondays and certain public holidays.
Permanent collections are free; temporary exhibitions cost 6–8 €. Audio guide: €5. Free for under‑18s and youth under 26. The Paris Musées card grants unlimited access. Group visits require reservation.
Accessible via Métro Bastille or Saint-Paul, RER A/1, and local buses.