The Paris Commune fell on 28 May 1871 with, according to historical legend, the last barricade being removed in Rue Ramponeau in Belleville on the night of the 28th.
The Archive contains 100s of fascinating stories about the Paris Commune, but we thought we’d post this story that focuses on Victor Hugo’s role in this struggle.
After all, the Paris Commune was a muse for Hugo’s writing, as highlighted in his poem, ‘Sur une barricade’ (how interesting that a barricade is feminine…).
When the Paris Commune was crushed, Victor Hugo invited the leading Communards to come and stay at his home in Brussels.
As the Belgian government did not wish to cause a diplomatic incident with the French government, they decided to expel Hugo from Belgium.
But before leaving Belgium, he wrote a letter to a Belgian newspaper about the situation – and this letter is included in the newspaper report below.
Morning Post – Saturday 03 June 1871
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18710603/023/0006
The Graphic – Saturday 10 January 1874
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000057/18740110/011/0008
