Victor Hugo, the renowned French author behind Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, lived a life as dramatic and colorful as the novels he penned. Here are some unusual and fascinating facts about him:

The Naked Writing Habit 

Hugo was famous for his unconventional writing methods. To avoid distractions and force himself to write, he would have his servants take away all of his clothes, leaving him in a room with nothing but a pen, paper, and a blanket to stay warm. This ensured that he couldn't leave his house until he'd finished his work for the day.

A Man of Many Talents

While best known for his novels, Hugo was also an accomplished artist. During his lifetime, he created over 4,000 drawings. His artwork was often dark and dreamlike, which has led some to speculate that he may have been influenced by his vivid imagination or even by the séances he attended later in life.

Political Exile

Hugo wasn’t just a literary figure; he was also deeply involved in politics. After speaking out against Napoleon III, he was exiled from France for nearly 20 years. During his time away, he lived on the island of Guernsey, where he wrote some of his most famous works, including Les Misérables.

Strange Dinner Parties with Corpses (Sort Of)

 In 1843, Hugo's daughter Léopoldine tragically drowned, and he was devastated. In his grief, he became fascinated with the afterlife and regularly attended séances. There are stories of him hosting bizarre dinner parties where the “guests” were ghosts of famous people, such as Jesus Christ and even Shakespeare. These spiritual sessions reflected his intense obsession with death and the metaphysical.

Obsession with Napoleon

Despite his eventual opposition to Napoleon III, Hugo admired Napoleon Bonaparte. He named one of his sons Charles-Napoléon Hugo in honor of the French emperor. But as Hugo’s political views evolved, his fascination with Napoleon became more critical, reflected in his works that often wrestled with themes of power and corruption.

A Prolific Love Life

Hugo was infamous for his numerous love affairs. Even at the age of 70, he had mistresses and continued to maintain a very active romantic life. His longest relationship was with Juliette Drouet, a former actress, who gave up her career to devote herself entirely to him. She followed him into exile and lived nearby, writing him letters daily.

Fascination with Paris

Hugo had a deep love for Paris, and many of his works, including The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, are set in the heart of the city. In fact, his novel is credited with sparking the movement to restore the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which had fallen into disrepair in the 19th century. After the book’s publication, public interest in the building surged, and it eventually underwent major renovations.

Huge Funeral for a Huge Legacy

When Victor Hugo died in 1885, he was given a state funeral in Paris. Over two million people attended the event—an incredible turnout at the time—highlighting his immense influence on French culture and literature.

Humanitarian Efforts

Though known primarily as a writer, Hugo was also a passionate advocate for human rights. He campaigned for the abolition of the death penalty and spoke out against social injustice, which is a major theme in Les Misérables. He even refused to return to France during Napoleon III's reign, staying in exile to protest the regime’s abuses.