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9 places in the footsteps of famous characters

9 places in the footsteps of famous characters: a unique and enchanting way to discover the richness of our French heritage.

What would you say about a cultural and historical walk a little singular? What if you go on the steps of famous characters by going back to their history through alleys, buildings and museums in their honor?

If you discover their art and personality through their favorite places, their secret or inspirational landmarks? If you entered the houses or the walls that saw them grow or die?

Wouldn't it be a fun and gray way to discover our country and its emblematic figures? Today we take you to 9 places in the footsteps of famous characters.

1. Jouy-en-Josas – Yvelines

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Photo credit : flickr – Renaud Camus

What do Victor Hugo, Léon Blum, Oberkampf and Patrick Modiano have in common? Apart from being great names of our heritage, these famous characters have all left a part of their lives in Jouy-en-Josas.

For example, the town houses the Stone Bridge House: the first workshop and the place of life of Oberkampf. She was born the famous Toile de Jouy and the most famous printed canvas factory in Europe.

The sublime Vallée de la Bièvre, its bucolic setting, its emerald hills and its calm were also the fief of artists seeking serenity. During your visit, you can thus pass the doors of Patrick Modiano's houses, famous writer and scriptwriter, the literary and political couple Blum or Victor Hugo.

2. Montmartre - Paris

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – ArTDi101

Go to the most magical places in the footsteps of famous characters: Montmartre. The Bohemian district has always lived at the rhythm of writers, painters, actors, singers and poets.

In the heart of Montmartre, discover for example the small house “Au Lapin D’Argile”: the headquarters of many artists such as Verlaine, Renoir, Modigliani, Apollinaire or Picasso. Eat a piece to "La Bonne Franquette" alongside Degas, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Sisley, Toulouse-Lautrec or Van Gogh.

Take a walk on the Place du Tertre, between its avenues full of horses and sketches that have seen all Parisian artists pass. Admire the home and the Picasso workshop, the special Dalida hotel or the Atelier de Renoir.

Attach the point of your ride: The Moulin Rouge . The world's most famous cabaret has welcomed Maurice Chevalier, Jean Gabin, Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Yves Montand and Édith Piaf.

3. Collioure - Pyrenees-Orientales

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Boris Stroujko

The Chemin du Fauvisme traced in the heart of the "Jewel of the Côte Vermeille" is divided into twenty steps. They invite you to follow the steps of Matisse and Derain painters, fathers of the Pictorial Collioure in the early twentieth century.

Climb the flowery streets, let your shadow run on the pastel facades, and admire the reproductions of greedy paintings throughout the course. The Chemin du Fauvisme is one of the best ways to discover this village loved between its bell tower and its castle, turned towards the mountain of vineyards in stairs and sprinkled with olive trees and fig trees.

In this place in the footsteps of famous characters, you easily understand why Collioure was a revelation for both painters.

4. Marseille - Bouches-du-Rhône

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Petr Krauz

Go to a place in the footsteps of the character, the most emblematic of Provence this time. We're talking about Marcel Pagnol.

By following the Chemin de Marcel Pagnol you will discover the cemetery where he lies, the buvette where he used to let go hot hours, the hills that served as decors for his films such as Manon des Sources and The Glory of my Father .

Even stop at the Grosibou Cave where Marcel Pagnol spent many hours playing. Spend in front of the “Pascaline”, the villa where the writer took refuge to compose his works.

5. Moulins – Allier

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – milosk50

Place the most glamorous and feminist of our places in the footsteps of famous characters. Did you know? It was in Moulins that Gabrielle became... Coco Chanel. Walk in the footsteps of this icon with a walk in the heart of the city.

Discover all the institutions that have shaped and rhythmed the existence of the fashion designer. The walk leads you to La Maison Grampayre, the first prosperous employer of Coco Chanel, specialized in silks, lace and ribbons.

Then you pass through the Couvert Market, where his aunt exhibited his goods. You stop at the Grand Café terrace, an Art Nouveau-style brewery where the large couturière was first recruited as a second-area singer.

Finally, you are walking around the Villars district, the former music kiosk, Les Palets d’Or: all familiar places of Coco Chanel.

6. Compiègne – Oise

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jacky D

Compiègne counts among the places on the traces of famous characters, but not the least. This land of princes, kings and emperors invites you to a Napoleonic escapade. The town houses one of the most beautiful neoclassical palaces, witness to the glory of Napoleon III.

His visit immerses you directly into the intimacy of the Sovereign. Extend your trip by discovering the museums of the Second Empire, the Historical Figurine or Empress Eugénie. Relive the Napoleonic era through paintings, sculptures, tedious furniture and the reconstruction of the Battle of Waterloo.

Then, delight yourself from a royal walk in the green shade. Flip into the forest of Compiègne, a favourite hunting ground of our crowned head.

Finally, enter the Imperial Theatre: an exceptional place that testifies to the tediousness that Napoleon III wished to offer to his guests. In addition, this architectural and acoustic gem hosts many events and concerts.

7. Giverny – Normandy

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – andre quinou

Monet had a gift for painting and gardening. Just so, Giverny offered him the perfect place to practice his talents. The illustrious painter laid his suitcases in one of his houses and there established an incredible garden-workshop.

By visiting this family home, you enter a world made of colorful flowers and canvases, where the aisles are covered with capucines, the soils junced with bosquets, the deliciously cut trees and the fruit-fried orchards.

A soft filter light through the foliage and finally guides you to the Japanese garden and its pond surrounded by a traditional bridge. You then become aware of Monet’s incredible fascination for water and its reverse reflections. Overlooking the garden, L’Atelier finally opened you to the intimacy of the great impressionist master.

8. Aix-en-Provence – Bouches-du-Rhône

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Neirfy

Welcome to the country of Cézanne. Here, the soul of this undeniable figure of post-impressionism flat tirelessly. A walk connects all the important places of his life. From the fierce streets of the Mazarin district to the delicate curves of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, this place in the footsteps of famous characters moves and revives.

Paul Cézanne has always maintained an intimate relationship with his country. This fierce and solitary artist is immortalized by the five marked paths to the careers of Bibémus, the Pont des Trois Sautets and the Atelier des Lauves, raised on the hill of Lauves.

Chevalets, pallets, model objects of dead nature, watercolours: Cézanne could emerge from behind the walls, you wouldn't even be surprised.

9. Rouen - Seine-Maritime

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Catarina Belova

Last of our places in the footsteps of famous characters, this one offers you to follow the steps of famous authors. Rouen, land of literature, has dedicated many streets, museums, attractions to the illustrious names who have spent their lives there.

Dive into the universe of Corneille, for example, thanks to a visit from his home, from his secondary residence where he took refuge in calm and the reconstruction of his work office. Discover also places that pay tribute to Flaubert such as his Museum, the bedroom where he was born, the Hotel Littéraire dedicated to his work.

Not to mention the Flaubert Pavilion which was the home from which the writer contemplated the Seine or received his friends such as Maupassant and George Sand.

Finally, take breakfast in the same place as Simone de Beauvoir: at Café Le Métropole. And why not eat in the shadow of his company at the Paul Brewery?

Olivia Smith

Olivia Smith

I'm Olivia Smith, an explorer enchanted by the world's diversity. Life's journey is my greatest passion, filled with awe-inspiring moments, from chasing sunsets on remote beaches to immersing myself in vibrant cultures. Each destination is a chapter in my story, and I'm here to share those stories with you. Through my words, I aspire to ignite your wanderlust, providing insights, tips, and the sheer magic of exploration. Let's embark on this thrilling adventure together, uncovering the world's hidden gems and crafting cherished memories along the way.

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