Victor Hugo’s Exile in Vianden Highlights Luxembourg’s Historic Castle

In 1871 French author Victor Hugo was expelled from Belgium by King Leopold II and sought refuge in the small Luxembourgish town of Vianden. During his stay he organized banquets and concerts, and rented a room on the first floor of a house that is now a museum displaying his drawings of the medieval castle.

The Château de Vianden, whose construction began in the 11th century, is a national monument owned by the state for over 50 years. Ongoing restoration work, begun in 1978, has preserved its Romanesque‑Gothic architecture and the double‑storey chapel. The site attracts roughly 261 000 tourists each year, drawn by its historic ties to Hugo and its panoramic views.