Maison de Jules Verne | Amiens

Information

Landmark: Maison de Jules Verne
City: Amiens
Country: France
Continent: Europe

Maison de Jules Verne, Amiens, France, Europe

Maison de Jules Verne is a 19th-century residential building and museum located at the corner of Rue Charles-Dubois and Boulevard Guyencourt in Amiens. It served as the primary residence of the author Jules Verne from 1882 to 1900 and currently houses a permanent exhibition of his personal belongings, manuscripts, and nautical models.

Visual Characteristics

The four-story house is constructed of red brick with limestone detailing and features a distinctive octagonal tower with a conical roof. The structure is built in a bourgeois architectural style, including an internal spiral staircase and a high-walled courtyard. The interior rooms are restored to their 19th-century appearance, utilizing dark wood paneling, period wallpaper, and authentic furnishings from the Verne estate.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is located at 2 Rue Charles-Dubois, approximately 0.6km south of Amiens Cathedral and 0.5km west of the Gare d'Amiens (main train station). Visitors can access the site via the Ametis bus network, using lines L1 or L3 to the "Cirque Jules Verne" stop. On-site parking is not available, but public parking is located 300 meters away at the Henriville or Gare-La Vallée parking garages.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The house, known as the "Maison à la Tour," was built in 1873 for a local notary before being leased by Jules Verne. The building was acquired by the city of Amiens in 1980 and opened as a museum in 1991 to preserve the author’s creative environment. It was extensively renovated in 2005 to mark the centenary of Verne's death.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the author's second-floor study, which remains arranged as it was during the writing of his "Extraordinary Voyages." The library contains over 12,000 volumes, and the third floor features a reconstructed ship's cabin similar to those found on Verne's yachts. Guided tours are available for groups, and the museum hosts rotating temporary exhibitions related to science fiction and maritime exploration.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum includes a small gift shop and ticket office on the ground floor. Public restrooms are available for visitors within the building. Due to the historical nature of the spiral staircase, access to upper floors is limited for individuals with reduced mobility, though a lift provides partial access. 5G cellular signal is strong throughout the premises. No food services are provided inside the house.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round, except for Tuesdays and certain public holidays. Morning visits are recommended to avoid school groups, which typically arrive in the afternoon. Natural light is best for viewing the attic displays during the summer months when the sun is highest. The site experiences peak attendance during the Amiens Christmas Market in December.

Facts & Legends

A local historical oddity is the presence of the original globe on which Verne plotted the routes for his novels, still bearing his pencil marks. Legend suggests that the author chose this specific house because the tower allowed him to observe the stars and the nearby railway line, both frequent themes in his literature.