Some people love Victor Hugo's works and others do not. Either way, his house is very interesting and thought provoking. Many people journey hundreds of miles to see the home of this famous man and to learn his strange habits and the way he lived. It was therefore a little surprising that only three members attended the visit.
We arranged for Martin Peak to give us one of his highly descriptive tours, and he certainly made it very interesting with his stories and ideas. The house has great character with valuable tapestries cut into pieces to adorn doorways and ceilings and many valuable pieces of furniture ruined to make a 'Victor Hugo' version. Cupboards can be found everywhere in the house and are made from almost anything, including tea chests and old doors. Secret passageways and the special placing of mirrors all show the strange character of this man who was obviously so full of ideas and passion! In Martin's illustration of Victor Hugo he used some most interesting phrases to describe this man including a 'transcendental socialist', a 'romantic visionary’ and a 'Philosophical Metaphysicist Poet'.
The view from the top of Hauteville house is well worth seeing and completed a most interesting and worthwhile visit.
The next visit planned for the Guernsey Members should appeal to a different sort of MENSA Member and we shall see If they are a little more active We shall be visiting one of the Breweries.