Gallery

Some of the research and reference photos used while writing 'Lutetia'.  Will be adding more photos soon.

Old 1830's map of Paris.  Those who have visited the Louvre in Paris, will notice a difference in the area.

Map App side-by-side comparison of a Paris map from 1734 to today's map.

The 1855 Map of the Paris Catacombs overlaid onto present-day map of Paris for reference.

A model surrounding the Notre Dame Cathedral as it would have appeared in 1827. In the foreground is the Hôtel-Dieu (the oldest hospital in Paris), which was moved to the other side of the the Ile de la Cité in 1877.

Victor Hugo's writing desk. He liked to stand while writing, as he liked to pace about. He would sometimes go on long walks as he tried to work out chapters of his novels. Hugo wrote some of his great works on this very desk.

The Notre Dame Cathedral was in a terrible state in 1827, still in ruins from the French Revolution. It wasn't until Victor Hugo published his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame and its popularity forced the French government to do something about it.

In Bartholdi's Warehouse, Paris. As described in the prologue, Victor Hugo got out of his death bed to visit the Statue of Liberty before she left for New York. By the time she arrived in the United States a few weeks later, Victor Hugo was dead.

Victor Hugo's coffin lying in state beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Those who have read the prologue should note the giant decorative coin on display. Note: Victor Hugo requested to be buried in a pauper's grave with no service. The French Government ignored his wishes. At least the large sum of money he bequethed to the poor was honoured.

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Other

Roman and his favorite character: Éponine (Samantha Barks)

My son Roman watches Les Miserables in Concert many, many times. He was partly responsible for inspiring me to write this novel. Read full story on my blog: http://alexander-galant.blogspot.ca/2012/10/my-little-inspiration-for-next-novel.html?spref=fb

"I have you now, 24601!"

Photo taken while shooting the book trailer for LUTETIA. Though my son is not part of the book trailer we thought it would be fun to include him in the behind-the-scenes.
Click to enlarge photo.
http://alexander-galant.blogspot.ca/2012/10/behind-scenes-of-book-trailer-shoot.html