jules verne travel

Jules Verne

(1828-1905)

Who Was Jules Verne?

Jules Verne hit his stride as a writer after meeting publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel, who nurtured many of the works that would comprise the author's Voyages Extraordinaires. Often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction," Verne wrote books about a variety of innovations and technological advancements years before they were practical realities. Although he died in 1905, his works continued to be published well after his death, and he became the second most translated author in the world.

Early Years and Career

Verne was born on February 8, 1828, in Nantes, France, a busy maritime port city. There, Verne was exposed to vessels departing and arriving, sparking his imagination for travel and adventure. While attending boarding school, he began to write short stories and poetry. Afterward, his father, a lawyer, sent his oldest son to Paris to study law.

Verne continued to write despite pressure from his father to resume his law career, and the tension came to a head in 1852, when Verne refused his father's offer to open a law practice in Nantes. The aspiring writer instead took a meager-paying job as secretary of the Théâtre-Lyrique, giving him the platform to produce Blind Man's Bluff ( Le Colin‑maillard ) and The Companions of the Marjolaine ( Les Compagnons de la Marjolaine ).

In 1856, Verne met and fell in love with Honorine de Viane, a young widow with two daughters. They married in 1857, and, realizing he needed a stronger financial foundation, Verne began working as a stockbroker. However, he refused to abandon his writing career, and that year he also published his first book, The 1857 Salon ( Le Salon de 1857 ) .

Marriage and Child

In 1859, Verne and his wife embarked on the first of approximately 20 trips to the British Isles. The journey made a strong impression on Verne, inspiring him to pen Backwards to Britain ( Voyage en Angleterre et en Écosse ), although the novel wouldn't be published until well after his death. In 1861, the couple's only child, Michel Jean Pierre Verne, was born.

Meeting Pierre-Jules Hetzel

Verne's literary career had failed to gain traction to that point, but his luck would change with his introduction to editor and publisher Hetzel in 1862. Verne was working on a novel that imbued a heavy dose of scientific research into an adventure narrative, and in Hetzel he found a champion for his developing style. In 1863, Hertzel published Five Weeks in a Balloon ( Cinq semaines en ballon) , the first of a series of adventure novels by Verne that would comprise his Voyages Extraordinaires . Verne subsequently signed a contract in which he would submit new works every year to the publisher, most of which would be serialized in Hetzel's Magasin d'Éducation et de Récréation.

Literary Career

In 1864, Hetzel published The Adventures of Captain Hatteras ( Voyages et aventures du capitaine Hatteras) and Journey to the Center of the Earth ( Voyage au centre de la Terre) . That same year, Paris in the Twentieth Century ( Paris au XXe siècle) was rejected for publication, but in 1865 Verne was back in print with From the Earth to the Moon ( De la Terre à la Lune) and In Search of the Castaways ( Les Enfants du capitaine Grant).

Inspired by his love of travel and adventure, Verne soon bought a ship, and he and his wife spent a good deal of time sailing the seas. Verne's own adventures sailing to various ports, from the British Isles to the Mediterranean, provided plentiful fodder for his short stories and novels. In 1867, Hetzel published Verne's Illustrated Geography of France and Her Colonies ( Géographie illustrée de la France et de ses colonies ), and that year Verne also traveled with his brother to the United States. He only stayed a week — managing a trip up the Hudson River to Albany, then on to Niagara Falls — but his visit to America made a lasting impact and was reflected in later works.

In 1869 and 1870, Hetzel published Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea ( Vingt mille lieues sous les mers) , Ar ound the Moon ( Autour de la Lune) and Discovery of the Earth ( Découverte de la Terre). By this point, Verne's works were being translated into English, and he could comfortably live on his writing.

Beginning in late 1872, the serialized version of Verne's famed Around the World in Eighty Days ( Le Tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours ) first appeared in print. The story of Phileas Fogg and Jean Passepartout takes readers on an adventurous global tour at a time when travel was becoming easier and alluring. In the century plus since its original debut, the work has been adapted for the theater, radio, television and film, including the classic 1956 version starring David Niven.

Verne remained prolific throughout the decade, penning The Mysterious Island ( L’Île mystérieuse ), The Survivors of the Chancellor ( Le Chancellor ), Michael Strogoff ( Michel Strogoff ), and Dick Sand: A Captain at Fifteen ( Un Capitaine de quinze ans ), among other works.

Later Years, Death and Posthumous Works

Although he was enjoying immense professional success by the 1870s, Verne began experiencing more strife in his personal life. He sent his rebellious son to a reformatory in 1876, and a few years later Michel caused more trouble through his relations with a minor. In 1886, Verne was shot in the leg by his nephew Gaston, leaving him with a limp for the rest of his life. His longtime publisher and collaborator Hetzel died a week later, and the following year his mother passed away as well.

Verne did, however, continue to travel and write, churning out Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon ( La Jangada ) and Robur the Conqueror ( Robur-le-conquérant ) during this period. His writing soon became noted for a darker tone, with books like The Purchase of the North Pole ( Sans dessus dessous ), Propeller Island ( L’Île à hélice ) and Master of the World (Maître du monde) warning of dangers wrought by technology.

Having established his residence in the northern French city of Amiens, Verne began serving on its city council in 1888. Stricken with diabetes, he died at home on March 24, 1905.

However, his literary output didn't end there, as Michel assumed control of his father's uncompleted manuscripts. Over the following decade, The Lighthouse at the End of the World ( Le Phare du bout du monde), The Golden Volcano ( Le Volcan d’or) and The Chase of the Golden Meteor ( La Chasse au météore) were all published following extensive revisions by Michel.

Additional works surfaced decades later. Backwards to Britain finally was printed in 1989, 130 years after it was written, and Paris in the Twentieth Century , originally considered too far-fetched with its depictions of skyscrapers, gas-fueled cars and mass transit systems, followed in 1994.

In all, Verne authored more than 60 books (most notably the 54 novels comprising the Voyages Extraordinaires ), as well as dozens of plays, short stories and librettos. He conjured hundreds of memorable characters and imagined countless innovations years before their time, including the submarine, space travel, terrestrial flight and deep-sea exploration.

His works of imagination, and the innovations and inventions contained within, have appeared in countless forms, from motion pictures to the stage, to television. Often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction," Verne is the second most translated writer of all time (behind Agatha Christie ), and his musings on scientific endeavors have sparked the imaginations of writers, scientists and inventors for over a century.

Watch "The Extraordinary Journeys of Jules Verne" on HISTORY Vault

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Verne
• Birth Year: 1828
• Birth date: February 8, 1828
• Birth City: Nantes
• Birth Country: France
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Jules Verne, a 19th-century French author, is famed for such revolutionary science-fiction novels as 'Around the World in Eighty Days' and 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.'
• Fiction and Poetry
• Astrological Sign: Aquarius
• Nacionalities
• Death Year: 1905
• Death date: March 24, 1905
• Death City: Amiens
• Death Country: France

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CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Jules Verne Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/jules-verne
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: May 10, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
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Jules Verne: An Imaginative Genius Who Changed Literature

• by history tools
• November 19, 2023

Jules Verne was a renowned French author and futurist who pioneered the science fiction genre. Through his extraordinary vision and skillful writing, he opened readers‘ eyes to the wonders of technology and the possibilities of the future.

Verne captured the spirit of an optimistic time when it seemed anything could be achieved through scientific ingenuity. His enduring popularity and influence show that his stories remain as captivating today as when he wrote them in the 19th century.

Jules Verne Profile

Early life develops wanderlust and imagination.

Jules Verne was born in the busy seaport of Nantes, France in 1828. As a child, Verne had a wanderlust fueled by reading adventure stories and watching ships arrive from exotic destinations. He snuck aboard ships to imaginary distant shores beyond the horizon.

Verne moved to Paris in 1847 to study law at his father‘s insistence. But his heart wasn‘t in dusty law books. He found himself drawn to literature and the theater. Verne began writing short comedy plays in his free time.

After receiving his law degree in 1851, Verne took a day job as a stockbroker. This gave him financial security to pursue writing. He rose early each morning to work on stories before heading to the stock exchange.

Big Breakthrough Working With Hetzel Publishing

In 1857, Jules Verne met Pierre-Jules Hetzel, an enterprising publisher who would launch his career. Verne gave Hetzel the manuscript for his debut novel Five Weeks in a Balloon . Hetzel recognized Verne‘s talent for thrilling science-driven adventure and published the book in 1863.

The novel follows a light-hearted expedition across Africa in a balloon, with narrow escapes from danger at every turn. Five Weeks in a Balloon became a smash hit and bestseller. This marked the beginning of an immensely productive collaboration between Verne and Hetzel‘s publishing house.

For the rest of his career, Verne contracted to publish two books a year with Hetzel. The deal allowed Verne to become a full-time author and take his writing to new heights of imagination.

Classic Sci-Fi Novels That Inspired Generations

Some of Verne‘s most popular sci-fi titles published with Hetzel include:

• Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) – A professor leads an expedition down an Icelandic volcano to explore the unknown depths below.
• From the Earth to the Moon (1865) – Members of a post-Civil War gun club construct a giant cannon to launch themselves to the moon.
• Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870) – A strange giant sea creature is revealed to be a highly advanced submarine, the Nautilus, helmed by the mysterious Captain Nemo.
• Around the World in Eighty Days (1873) – A gentleman named Phileas Fogg attempts to travel across the globe in under 80 days on a bet.

These stories fused rip-roaring adventure with pioneering science fiction concepts. Verne reveled in conjuring up futuristic submarines, spacecraft, and other innovations decades before they became reality. He awed readers with his technological prophecies.

Lasting Popularity and Acclaim

During his lifetime, Jules Verne achieved great fame and success. By his death in 1905, his books were translated into numerous languages and devoured by readers internationally.

But more than just a popular author, Verne inspired generations of writers. Sci-fi pioneers including H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, and Arthur C. Clarke all owed a debt to Verne for paving the way for their own futuristic works.

Beyond fiction, Verne motivated real-world scientific advancement. Engineers were spurred by Verne‘s vivid descriptions of submarines and rockets to make them a reality. He demonstrated science fiction‘s power to captivate while spreading knowledge and optimism about human progress.

Later Years: Politics and Playwriting

In his later years, Jules Verne settled down in the provincial town of Amiens with his wife Honorine. He entered politics, serving on Amiens‘ city council. Verne also continued writing theatre.

His science fiction output slowed, but he published the darker dystopian novel Paris in the Twentieth Century in 1994, along with the adventure tale The Lighthouse at the End of the World (1905).

On March 24, 1905, Jules Verne died aged 77, leaving behind an unparalleled literary legacy. His pioneering works had laid the foundations of modern science fiction and inspired future generations to imagine, dream, and create.

10 Fascinating Facts About Jules Verne

• Verne woke up at 4 AM each day to work on stories before his 9-5 job as a stockbroker.
• He served on city council in Amiens, France from 1888-1903.
• Verne‘s tomb in Amiens is decorated with a sculpture of him emerging from a tombstone.
• His first published story was the comic opera The Broken Straws in 1850.
• Verne believed his English translations took too many liberties. Two "translations" were rewritten by the publisher.
• He accurately predicted electric submarines, skywriting, and other future technologies.
• Verne‘s writing was influenced by scientist Jean Macé who encouraged science in fiction.
• Around the World in 80 Days made globetrotting a popular leisure activity.
• A giant squid that attacked his antihero Nemo inspired 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea .
• Over 200 films have adapted Verne‘s works, more than any other author.

Why Jules Verne Remains Relevant Today

Today, Jules Verne remains one of sci-fi‘s most revered and influential authors. What makes his work still relevant in the modern age?

• He made complex scientific concepts understandable through engaging fiction.
• His futuristic visions inspired generations of engineers and inventors.
• Verne opened reader‘s eyes to the wonders of travel and discovery.
• He combined thrilling adventures with thoughtful social commentary.
• Verne shaped sci-fi into the culture-defining genre it is today.
• His cautionary tales reveal the pros and cons of technological advancement.

Verne‘s imaginative stories have stood the test of time. They remind us to approach the future with humanity, wisdom, and care. Modern readers continue to find inspiration in Verne‘s work much like readers did over a century ago.

In his pioneering novels, Jules Verne opened doors to worlds never before imagined. His writing captured the spirit of an optimistic era when it seemed science could accomplish anything.

Verne didn‘t just foresee amazing inventions, he changed how people saw the future‘s possibilities. His lasting influence on literature, technology, and culture is immense. Verne proved sci-fi could stimulate minds while retaining a sense of wonder.

Nearly two centuries later, Verne‘s ingenious stories still light fires in the imagination. Generations of writers and dreamers continue following the trail he blazed. There‘s no doubt Jules Verne deserves his title as the legendary "Father of Science Fiction".

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In the Footsteps of Jules Verne in Nantes

Chloe Govan reveals the remarkable adventures of world-famous novelist Jules Verne , whose literary ambitions first took shape in beguiling Nantes

Say the name Jules Verne and most people will think immediately of Around the World in Eighty Days and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea . But this master of adventure was also a poet and a playwright and one of France’s most prolific authors of all time, whose works have been translated more often than Shakespeare’s. Dubbed ‘the father of science fiction’, only Agatha Christie beats him to the title of most translated author in the world.

His life began in 1828 on L’île Feydeau in Nantes – then an idyllic little island set in the Loire river. He was educated at a local boarding school, where his teacher told romanticised tales of her sea-captain husband, who had gone missing on a voyage 30 years earlier. According to her, he was not dead, but had been shipwrecked on a paradisiacal desert island and one day – just like Robinson Crusoe – he would return. The six-year-old Verne listened avidly, wide-eyed with excitement. Perhaps this was the moment when his father’s ambitions for him to become a corporate lawyer melted away and the feverish imagination that would later transform him into an adventure writer was first sparked into action.

Musée Jules Verne in Nantes, where you can learn all about the life of this visionary writer and ‘father of science fiction’

Within five years of hearing these stories, the young Verne was ready for his own adventure. Secretly gaining employment as a cabin boy, he managed to set sail for the West Indies before his parents noticed his absence. He had set his heart on discovering buried treasure and bringing back a coral necklace for the cousin he hoped one day to marry.

In modern times, it would be inconceivable for a child to gain employment without their parents’ permission, but back in the 1800s, no one batted an eyelid. The young adventurer sailed as far as Paimboeuf on the southern banks of the Loire before his distraught father caught up with him. He made his son promise never to travel again, unless in his imagination. Whether or not this legend was true, for a time, Verne substituted exploration of the real world with a passion for conjuring up fiction.

Later, he reluctantly attended a Parisian law school during the maelstrom of the 1848 French Revolution. Yet Verne, it seems, was oblivious to the political upheaval surrounding Napoleon’s election, instead losing himself in the works of Victor Hugo . Before long, he had read Notre-Dame de Paris so many times that he could recite by heart huge chunks at a time.

Don’t miss this mural celebrating Verne on the rue de l’Échelle. Photo © Pj44300

Despite passing his law exams with flying colours, he shunned all expectations that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. Even when an increasingly desperate Verne Senior offered his son ownership of the family’s law firm, he refused point-blank, simply quipping, “literature above all else”.

Verne produced a play with Alexandre Dumas’s son called Les Pailles Rompues , which appeared at Paris’s Théâtre Historique. To his father’s horror, he accepted the position of secretary at the theatre in return for a near non-existent salary and then, with 10 chums, launched the self-deprecating Onze Sans Femmes bachelors’ supper club. Even after his eventual marriage, Verne read, wrote and travelled voraciously.

One of the 54 novels published in the Voyages Extraordinaires series. Photo © Wikimedia

The Big Break

In 1862, Verne had a literary breakthrough when Pierre-Jules Hetzel – the publisher of George Sand , Balzac and Victor Hugo – released his novel, Five Weeks in a Balloon . A series called the Voyages Extraordinaires followed, in which Verne revisited his fascination with adventures at sea, while outlining “all the geographical, geological, physical, and astronomical knowledge amassed by modern science” and “recounting the history of the universe”. Thanks to Verne’s imagination and rigorous academic research, he realised these lofty ambitions.

He wrote novels including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea , in which he accurately predicted the submarine before it had even been invented. He also relived childhood escape fantasies in A Captain at Fifteen , in which a teenage boy becomes the commander of a ship after its captain and crew are murdered. The ship’s conniving cook then lures him and a group of castaways off their route and into Africa, where he attempts to sell them into slavery.

This theme is controversial for Verne. His wealthy ancestors were leading lights in the shipbuilding industry, and therefore indirectly complicit in slave trafficking. Nantes allegedly transported more than half a million people from African ‘slave forts’ to colonies in the Caribbean, to harvest sugar cane and cacao which would be transported back to France.

A 1916 film version of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Photo © Universal Film

In sentiment at least, Verne condemned slavery, although he clashed with Hetzel when the publisher argued that Captain Nemo should be made an enemy of the slave trade. Verne’s vision of Nemo was one of a vengeful scientist seeking to settle the score against the Russians who had slaughtered his family during the January Uprising. Yet profit-hungry Hetzel feared alienating his lucrative Russian audience. Hetzel also rejected Verne’s thriller The Mysterious Island , but disagreements did not mar his popularity. Verne was admired by many, including Jean-Paul Sartre, and legend has it that without Verne, novels like Bram Stoker’s Dracula might never have existed, as his novel The Carpathian Castle sparked Stoker’s imagination.

Following a brief political career and assassination attempt by his mentally unwell nephew, Verne died in Amiens in 1905 from complications caused by his diabetes.

The tales of his worldwide voyages and literary successes – not to mention a childhood that fuelled his love of the ocean – can be found in Nantes today at the museum dedicated to him. Those interested in following in Verne’s footsteps can also visit the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes, which documents a controversial past that both inspired the writer’s work and involved his ancestors. His former boarding school is now a restaurant, Bistro Régent, and there are historical associations aplenty elsewhere in the city for those adventurous enough to seek them out.

From France Today magazine

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By chloe govan.

Chloe Govan is an award-winning writer and channel-hopping Francophile with a penchant for Parisian life. After achieving degrees in Psychology and Magazine Journalism and working as a travel editor and columnist, she developed her freelance career, during which she authored 11 books. Whether she is sleeping in a bubble under the stars in the forests around Marseille or horse-back riding with the chateaux of the Loire Valley as a backdrop, her heart can often be found somewhere in France.

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The Wild Life and Adventures of Jules Verne

Novelist, poet, playwright, and songwriter. Jules Verne was one of the most prolific writers in history. 

He was, no doubt, best known for his wildly-popular adventure novels,  Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea ,  Journey to the Center of the Earth ,  Around the World in Eighty Days , and  The Mysterious Island.  Several of these were made into major motion pictures. 

Considered one of the founding fathers of the science fiction genre, Verne’s approach to writing was a unique melding of factual science and fictional adventure. He invariably imagined a variety of innovations and technological advancements decades before they were practical realities. 

Nantes, France

Jules Gabriel Verne was born on February 8, 1828, in the port city of Nantes, to attorney Pierre Verne, and Sophie Allotte de La Fuÿe, one of two sisters from a family of local navigators and shipowners. 

In 1829, the Verne family moved from the home of Sophie’s maternal grandmother Dame Sophie Marie Adélaïde Julienne Allotte de La Fuÿe to Quai Jean-Bart. This was where Verne’s brother Paul was born that same year. Followed by sisters Anne in 1836, Mathilde in 1839, and Marie in 1842.  

School and Early Inspiration

In 1834, at the age of six, Verne was sent to a boarding school in Nantes. It was operated by Madame Sambin, the widow of a naval captain who disappeared some 30 years before. Sambin often told the children that her husband was a shipwrecked castaway who’d eventually return from his desert island paradise, like Robinson Crusoe. 

This “shipwrecked” theme would stick with Verne throughout his life and appear in several novels including, The Mysterious Island (1874), The School for Robinsons (1882), and Second Fatherland (1900). 

In 1836, Verne attended the Catholic École Saint-Stanislas. He quickly distinguished himself in the subjects of mémoire (recitation from memory), geography, Greek, Latin, and singing. 

That same year, his father bought a vacation house in the village of Chantenay (now part of Nantes) on the Loire River. In his memoir, Souvenirs d’enfance et de jeunesse ( Memories of Childhood and Youth ), Verne recalls his fascination with the river and the vessels that navigate it.

Verne also vacationed at his uncle Prudent Allotte’s house at Brains. He was a retired shipowner who’d traveled the world. Verne enjoyed playing the board game “Game of the Goose” with his uncle. Both the game and his uncle’s name were later memorialized in two novels, Robur the Conqueror (1886), and The Will of an Eccentric (1900).

In 1840, the Vernes moved again, this time to a large apartment at Rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau. That same year Verne attended the seminary, Petit Séminaire de Saint-Donatien. 

Then from 1844 to 1846, he and his brother Paul were enrolled in the Lycée Royal (now the Lycée Georges-Clemenceau). This was a public secondary school in Nantes. Verne received his certificate of completion in July of 1846.

Writing vs. the Study of Law

By 1847, at the age of 19, Verne began writing his first serious work. He wrote  Un prêtre en 1839  ( A Priest in 1939),  based on his experience at Petit Séminaire de Saint-Donatien, and two verse tragedies,  Alexandre VI  (Pope  Alexander VI ) and  La Conspiration des poudres  ( The Gunpowder Plot ).

To redirect Verne’s interests toward the study of law, his father sent him to Paris to focus on law. His father assumed he would eventually inherit the family law practice. A short time later he passed his first-year exams. 

But rather than devote his time to pursuing his degree, Verne used his family clout to enter Paris society. His uncle Francisque de Chatêaubourg introduced him to the world of “literary salons.” These were social gatherings hosted by French intellectuals to discuss literature and philosophy . 

For the next three years, Verne fed his newly discovered passion for theater by writing numerous plays. He worked with French composer Jean-Louis Aristide Hignard, for whom he wrote a lyric to be set to music. 

He was doing this while fighting bouts of stomach cramps (possibly, colitis), facial paralysis (caused by a chronic middle ear inflammation), and trying to avoid his obligation to enlist in the French army. 

Despite having no intention to practice law, in January of 1851, Verne achieved his law degree.

Literary Debut

One useful consequence of his time spent frequenting salons was making the acquaintance of French Playwright Alexandre Dumas fils . 

After showing him a manuscript for a stage comedy called Les Pailles rompues ( The Broken Straws ), the two young men revised the play. Dumas had it produced by the Opéra-National at the Théâtre Historique, in Paris. It opened on June 12, 1850.

The following year, Verne met Pierre-Michel-François Chevalier. He was editor-in-chief of the magazine, Musée des familles ( The Family Museum ). He was seeking stories featuring geography, history, science, and technology. 

Verne offered him a short historical adventure called, “The First Ships of the Mexican Navy.” Chevalier published it in July 1851. Then a few months later he published “A Voyage in a Balloon.” 

A combination of adventurous narrative, travel themes, and detailed scientific research, “A Voyage . . .” would become the template for many major works to follow.

Elements of His Craft 

Verne began to frequent the Bibliothèque nationale de France. He spent time researching the individual elements that would constitute the components of his adventure tales. Particularly science topics and the latest discoveries (especially in geography). 

During this period, Verne met the famed writer and explorer Jacques Arago. Even though he lost his sight in 1837, he continued to travel extensively. The two men became close friends. Arago’s scintillating accounts of world travel led Verne toward the development of a new literary genre, “travel writing.” 

“Roman de la Science”

In 1852, Verne had two new pieces published in Musée des familles: Martin Paz .

The first was a novella set in Lima, Peru. And “Les Châteaux en Californie, ou, Pierre qui roule n’amasse pas mousse” (“The Castles in California, or, A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss”). This was a one-act comedy cleverly laced with sexual innuendos. 

In April and May of 1854, the magazine published two of Verne’s short stories, “Master Zacharius” and “A Winter Amid the Ice.”

At this point, Verne began formulating an idea for a new kind of novel. He called it a “Roman de la Science” (“novel of science”). This allowed him to incorporate large amounts of factual, science-based information. 

Meanwhile, Verne’s father pressed him to abandon writing and get down to the business of lawyering.  

In the Name of Love

In May of 1856, Verne traveled to Amiens, in northern France, to attend the wedding of boyhood friend, Auguste Lelarge. While there, he found himself attracted to the bride’s sister, Honorine Anne Hébée Morel. She was a 26-year-old widow with two young children. 

Needing to present himself as a “man of means” to formally court Mme Morel, Verne accepted an offer to work for stock broker, Fernand Eggly. This was a full-time position as an agent de change on the Paris Bourse (securities market). 

Winning the favor of Morel and her family, Verne and Morel were married on January 10, 1857.

Essentially leading a double life, Verne rose early each morning to write before going to the Bourse. He published his first book, Le Salon de 1857 (The 1857 Salon) , and conducted scientific and historical research in the evenings. 

Voyages to Fuel the Imagination

In July of 1858, Verne and composer Jean-Louis Hignard took advantage of an offer extended by Hignard’s brother, Auguste. The offer was to take a sea voyage from Bordeaux to Liverpool to Scotland. The journey would be Verne’s first trip outside France.

Upon return to Paris, Verne fictionalized his experiences to form the framework of a semi-autobiographical novel, Backwards to Britain (published in 1889). 

In 1861, Verne and Hignard took another voyage, this time to Stockholm (Sweden) and then Norway. Adding to his growing imagination, Verne continued to develop his “Roman de la Science.” The story that eventually developed was an African-set adventure called, Five Weeks in a Balloon (published in 1863) .

That same year, Michel Jean Pierre, Verne and his wife’s only child, was born.

Pierre-Jules Hetzel 

In 1862, Verne met publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel. This was the man who would essentially put Verne and his writing on the literary map. 

They formed a writer/publisher collaboration that would span decades. Hetzel saw the commercial value in Verne’s writing that ultimately lead to the creation of Voyages extraordinaires . 

This was a series of short stories and adventure novels that included The Adventures of Captain Hatteras (1864/1866), Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872). 

Hetzel’s goal with Voyages was to “outline all the geographical, geological, physical, historical and astronomical knowledge amassed by modern science and to recount, in an entertaining and picturesque format . . . the history of the universe.” 

Verne’s fastidious attention to detail and scientific trivia, coupled with his natural sense of wonder and imagination, easily met Hetzel’s vision.  

Part of the appeal of Verne’s adventures was that readers could genuinely learn science and geography (as well as geology, biology, astronomy, paleontology, oceanography, and history) while visiting exotic lands and cultures around the globe. Some referred to Verne’s works as “encyclopedic novels.”

In all, fifty-four of Verne’s novels were published during his lifetime, between 1863 and 1905. Many of which became part of the Voyages series.

Rude Awakening

For the first several years of their collaboration, Hetzel influenced many of Verne’s novels. Verne was happy to have his work published. So he blindly agreed to his suggestions. 

But in 1869, a conflict regarding the storyline of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea awakened Verne to the reality that he and Hetzel were not equal partners. He realized that Hetzel wielded all control.

Verne had planned to make his protagonist, Captain Nemo, a Polish scientist whose acts of vengeance were directed against the Russians for killing his family during the “January Uprising.” This was a true-life insurrection in Russian-controlled Poland. 

But Hetzel objected to villainizing the Russian people. So Nemo’s motivation was left a mystery. From that time on, the relationship between the editor and writer was strained. Hetzel outright rejected many of Verne’s creative intentions. 

Even with the ongoing resentment, Verne published two or more volumes each year (per contract). The most successful were, Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon , Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and Around the World in Eighty Days . 

Final Years

On April 9, 1870, Verne was made a knight of France’s Legion of Honour. On July 19, 1892, he was promoted to the rank of Officer.

By 1872, Verne was successful enough to live on income derived from his writing alone. But most of his wealth came from the stage adaptations of Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours (in 1874) and Michel Strogoff (1876). He wrote these with French playwright, Adolphe d’Ennery.

On March 9, 1886, Verne entered his home. His twenty-six-year-old mentally deranged nephew, Gaston, shot at him twice with a pistol. The first bullet missed. The second entered Verne’s left leg and caused permanent damage. Gaston spent the rest of his life in a mental asylum.

In addition to his leg injury, Verne later suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body. He also fought chronic diabetes for the remainder of his life. 

On March 24, 1905, Verne died at the age of 77 at his home in Amiens, France, at 44 Boulevard Longueville. It is now renamed Boulevard Jules-Verne, in his honor. 

His son, Michel Verne, oversaw the publication of the novels Invasion of the Sea and The Lighthouse at the End of the World , after his father’s death. The Voyages extraordinaires series continued for several years under Michel’s management until it was discovered that he had altered his father’s stories. He was consequently forced to extricate himself. 

Legacy: Verne, the Visionary

Fans of Verne’s work often cite the esteemed writer’s ability to seemingly see into the future. It seems like he predicted the advent of technology and societal development. For example:

• Space Flight: Verne was one of the first writers to attempt to scientifically prove the possibility of space travel. He wrote extensively about it in From the Earth to the Moon , Around the Moon, and Hector Servadac.
• Modern Cities: In the 1860s, Verne wrote a dystopian look at life in 20th Century Paris. In it, he describes a world where society only values technology and commerce. People live and work in skyscrapers, and cars and high-speed trains are typical. This piece was rejected for publication.
• Computers, the Internet, Fax Machines: In Paris in the 20th Century , Verne describes sophisticated electrically-powered computers that perform various complex tasks in banks. They are able to transfer information over great distances. Essentially, computers using the Internet. Other machines called “photographic telegraphy” are essentially fax machines.
• Video Calling/Skyping: In “One Day in the Year of an American Journalist in 2889,” Verne describes a device called a “phonotelephot.” With this, two individuals can visually and audibly communicate—no matter where they are located.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction: In his novel, Five Hundred Million Begums , the antagonist creates a giant cannon. It launches projectiles containing liquefied carbon dioxide which when evaporated, dramatically lower the temperature. This causes “any living creature within thirty meters of the explosion must inevitably die from this chilling temperature and from suffocation.”

Legacy: Acknowledgments and Accolades

During the 20th Century, Verne’s works were translated into more than 140 languages. This made him one of the world’s most translated authors. 

Dozens of famed writers credit Verne with inspiring them to write, including Ray Bradbury. He is quoted as saying, “We are all, in one way or another, the children of Jules Verne.” 

Beginning in 1916, with  20,000 Leagues Under the Sea , many highly successful motion pictures were made from Verne novels. These included  The Mysterious Island  (1929 and 1961),  From the Earth to the Moon  (1958),  Journey to the Center of the Earth  (1959), and perhaps the most popular,  Around the World in 80 Days  (1956). 

Verne’s fans find it no surprise that his influence extends beyond literature and film. His influence extends into the world of science and technology. He continues to inspire scientists, inventors, and explorers. 

In 1954 the US Navy launched the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, christening it  Nautilus .  

Additionally, real-life adventurers like journalist Elizabeth Cochran Seaman (a.k.a. Nellie Bly), aviator Wiley Post, and businessman/aviator/sailor Steve Fossett, have all attempted to circumnavigate the globe in record-breaking times,  ala  Verne’s fictional hero, Phileas Fogg.

Verne is credited with helping inspire the literary, theatrical, and social movement that romanticizes science fiction based on 19th-century technology known as  Steampunk .

Britannica, “Jules Verne,” Jules Verne | Biography & Facts | Britannica 

Evans, Arthur, B., “Jules Verne and the French Literary Canon,” https://scholarship.depauw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=mlang_facpubs

Pérez, de Vries, Margot, “Jules Verne FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions,” Jules Verne FAQ [English] (gilead.org.il) 

Biography.com., “Jules Verne,” https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/jules-verne

WorldPredictions.com., “How Jules Verne predicted the future in his works,” How Jules Verne predicted the future in his works (theworldpredictions.com) 

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Jules Verne: the hidden story of France’s first science fiction writer

Family turmoil, ill health and hurtful rejection by literary peers plagued a life that was still full of travel and adventure.

Jules Verne (1828-1905) is loved worldwide for his novel Around the World in 80 Days , but he died thinking that he was regarded as a second-class writer rather than as a respected literary figure.

A sailor at heart

Born in Nantes, he later said that growing up in the city influenced his work enormously.

Read more: City portrait of Nantes: Past is fused with present and machines rule

“He grew up near the docks and as a child loved watching the tall ships depart and arrive,” says Agnès Marcetteau, director of the Musée Jules Verne in Nantes.

“To him, ports were romantic, he had a very romantic view of the world.

“He used to visit the ships and even managed to board one and stand at a ship’s wheel. He was a sailor at heart all his life.”

Law student and pacifist

He grew up in a happy family, one of five children, and did well at school.

From his early days he wanted to be a writer, and modelled himself after Victor Hugo, writing a novel and two verse tragedies by the age of 19.

His father expected him to take over the family law practice, and in 1847, packed him off to Paris to study law.

During his studies he continued writing poetry and plays and used his family connections to gain admission to literary salons.

Troubled by unexplained bouts of facial paralysis and violent stomach cramps, he was relieved to be spared military service, and was a staunch pacifist all his life.

Literary connections and scientific writing

In 1849, he became friends with Alexandre Dumas fils (the son of the Three Musketeers author).

They revised the theatre comedy The Broken Straws together, and staged it in 1850.

In 1851, he received his law degree and met the editor of a magazine called Musée des Familles , who then invited him to contribute to the publication.

The magazine aimed to be educational but also entertaining; the brief was to explain the latest scientific developments through an engaging story.

Jules Verne was a natural, and his tale, The First Ships of the Mexican Navy , was published that same year along with a second story called A Voyage in a Balloon .

He was also still working in theatre as an unpaid secretary, and writing a series of comic operas.

Chose writing over family law firm

In 1852, his father demanded that he return to Nantes and take over the family law firm, but Jules Verne refused.

“Am I not right to follow my own instincts?” he asked.

He spent many hours at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, researching the latest scientific discoveries of the Industrial Revolution for his stories, and became close to Jacques Arago, a blind geographer and explorer who always had a tale to tell.

Quite naturally, Jules Verne turned towards travel writing.

He also had an idea for writing “novels of science”, which he discussed with Dumas fils.

Fantasy world took toll on marriage

In 1856, he fell in love with Aimée du Fraysne de Viane, a young widow of 26 with two daughters.

In order to stabilise his financial situation he went into business with her brother, and he married Aimée in 1857.

This, however, did not mean that he gave up his literary ambitions. He simply found time for them outside the office.

“The marriage wasn’t successful,” says Agnès Marcetteau. “Both parties were disappointed and although perhaps he escaped into his fantasy world, it’s likely that this constant absenteeism damaged his marriage.”

Travel was priority over family

In 1858, he seized the opportunity of a free boat ticket from Bordeaux to Liverpool and Scotland.

In 1861, he obtained another free ticket to Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and was therefore absent from the birth of his only child, a son called Michel.

Writing contract serialised his books

In 1862, he met the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel, who had already published works by Honoré de Balzac, George Sand and Victor Hugo, and who accepted his story Voyage en Ballon .

The final draft of the story, re-titled Five Weeks in a Balloon , was published in 1863.

Hetzel then contracted Jules Verne to write three volumes a year, for an outright flat fee.

Delighted, Jules Verne signed the contract and for the rest of his life most of his novels were serialised in Hetzel’s magazine before being published in book form.

Hetzel curbed Verne’s gloominess

It was Hetzel who came up with the idea of Verne’s novels forming a sequence called Voyages Extraordinaires which would “outline all the geographical, physical and astronomical knowledge amassed by modern science and to recount, in an entertaining and picturesque format that is his own, the history of the universe”.

The two men collaborated very closely, Verne often re-writing according to Hetzel’s suggestions.

Verne had a tendency towards gloominess and his novel Paris in the Twentieth Century was rejected for being too pessimistic. (The manuscript was believed lost, but was eventually found and published in 1994.)

Denied recognition in his lifetime

“He was 35 before he achieved his career break-through,” says Agnès Marcetteau. “He was in some ways quite a shy man; he wasn’t interested in celebrity, but he longed for recognition, and never felt he got it. He died with this very bitter regret.”

Homelife remained troubled

His career was finally taking off, but his home life was difficult. His marriage was deeply unhappy and his son Michel was so unruly by the age of six that he was sent to a strict boarding school in an attempt to get him back on track.

Work dismissed by literary peers

Many of his books feature sea journeys, and it is easy to trace his romantic attachment to travels full of discoveries and adventures.

His most famous novels include Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1869), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872).

His work was well-received by critics and widely admired by other writers, with George Sand one of his first admirers.

As his sales increased, however, there was a general view that he was a genre writer, a mere story-teller rather than a serious literary giant.

Emile Zola dismissed his work, and he was omitted from invitations to join the Académie Française.

Drawn to the sea

In 1867, Verne bought a small boat called the Saint-Michel, which he successively replaced with larger boats – the Saint-Michel II and finally the Saint-Michel III – in which he sailed around Europe.

Shot in the leg

By the 1870s, Jules Verne was rich and famous, but his relationship with his wild-child son was terrible.

His efforts to tame his son had included strict boarding schools, sending him abroad, and cutting him off.

Nothing worked. Michel ran up debts, entered improvident marriages, got divorced, ran off with an underage girl, fathered illegitimate children and generally ran amok.

In 1886, Verne’s mentally unbalanced nephew shot him in the leg, and the wound resulted in a lifelong limp.

That same year, Verne’s mother and Hetzel both died, and his work became darker.

By this time, he was living in Amiens and had entered local politics, becoming a town councillor for 15 years. He had already become a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1870, and in 1892, became an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur .

Talent recognised after his death

He died in 1905, ill with diabetes and complications from a stroke which had paralysed his right side. He left money to his step-daughters, but only his literary estate to his son.

Michel Verne oversaw the publication of two of his father’s last novels, and also reworked, finished and edited many of his unfinished novels.

It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that Jules Verne’s literary worth began to be realised.

Following analysis of his work by the Société Jules Verne , various academics re-evaluated his stylistic innovations and literary themes, and his reputation suddenly took off in France.

His entire catalogue was republished, and in 1978, Journey to the Centre of the Earth was added to the reading lists of French universities.

Put science into science fiction

In the Anglophone world, due to sloppy translations, abridged versions, and editions for children, Jules Verne’s reputation has been re-evaluated more slowly.

Steampunk, a literary genre and a social movement glamorising 19th-century science and technology, has its roots in his work, and American science-fiction author Ray Bradbury declared that “we are all, in one way or another, the children of Jules Verne”.

The argument over who invented science fiction rumbles on, detractors saying that there is no fictional science in his books and others declaring that he was the first writer to incorporate the latest technological developments into his fiction.

Inspired visionaries

He has inspired countless engineers and pioneers including Sir Ernest Shackleton (Antarctic explorer), Jacques Cousteau (oceanographer), Alberto Santos-Dumont (aircraft designer), Igor Sikorsky (helicopter designer), and numerous astronauts, Polar explorers, and astronomers including Edwin Hubble.

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• Feb 11, 2022

Jules Verne’s Iceland adventure: A Snaefellsnes Peninsula Road Trip

Updated: Sep 4, 2023

Long before Iceland was known as an incredible holiday destination, it was largely a rural farming community. In the 19th century, the country’s volcanic eruptions made it more famous worldwide than its tourist appeal. One man named Jules Verne was particularly captured by Iceland’s landscape and chose to make it the setting of his science-fiction novel.

One of the earliest science-fiction writers, Verne was highly influential in bringing Iceland to the mainstream. His novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, originally published in French, features Iceland heavily. Let’s look at the path the characters took and how you can travel the Jules Verne Iceland route yourself.

The Journey to the Center of the Earth Novel

Before we talk about the setting of Jules Verne’s Iceland novel, let’s talk about the plot. Published in 1864, the novel features German scientist Professor Otto Lidenbrock who cracks the code on an old runic manuscript. The code informs him that by entering the crater of a certain Icelandic volcano, one can reach the earth’s center .

Without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say that the scientist and his nephew travel to Iceland to test the theory out for themselves. You’ll have to read the novel to find out what happens next, but this volcano in question is Snæfellsjökull , one of Iceland’s many glacier-topped volcanoes. Located in west Iceland, people can actually visit it today.

Needless to say, Verne’s novel continues to be incredibly popular, evidenced by its numerous adaptations. Two of his other famous works are Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas , and Around the World in Eighty Days .

The Novel’s Journey in Iceland

Since the story was written and set before planes were invented, the scientist and his nephew sail to Iceland. They dock in Reykjavík harbor and hire a native guide and Icelandic horses to take them to Snæfellsjökull. Since they travel over land on horseback, the journey is quite tedious, spanning a distance of over 200 km (124 miles).

The crew would have had to circumvent numerous fjords and then travel all the way along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, one of the best places to visit in Iceland . Keep in mind that at this time, roads would have been underdeveloped or non-existent in the remote parts of Iceland. Eventually, the team reach the Snæfellsjökull glacial volcano and attempt to enter it to reach the earth’s core.

The Real-Life Journey

Unfortunately, visitors in the real world won’t be able to complete all of Jules Verne’s Iceland route. The earth is not, in fact, hollow as it was believed to be during Verne’s time. If you were to enter a volcano, all you’d find was a lovely pool of magma to greet you and we don’t recommend trying that.

You can, however, follow in the footsteps of Jules Verne’s characters in Iceland up until they reach the volcano . If you sail here like the scientist, your journey may also begin in Reykjavík harbor . On the other hand, those that travel via plane will land at Keflavík International Airport , which is a short distance from the capital.

Instead of hiring a horse, we recommend you let your campervan do the heavy lifting. The first step is to lock in your campervan rental to have a convenient way to get around while in Iceland. From there, you’ll be ready to start your Jules Verne-inspired adventure.

While it is possible to arrive and fully explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in a day, provided you leave very early, it might be better to spread your trip out over two or even three days. This way, you’ll limit your cumulative hours behind the wheel and won’t have to rush your stops.

Getting to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Reaching the peninsula is simple: just follow Route 1, or the Ring Road , going north out of the capital towards Mossfellsbær. The same fjords that would have taken Verne’s characters hours to ride around can now be driven over via bridges. There are also roads that take you all the way around the fjords if you prefer the scenic route.

An ideal first place to stop for a late breakfast or lunch is Borganes . This small town is your last point on Route 1 before you turn west into the peninsula. Make sure your gas tank is full at this point because there won’t be another station for a while.

After passing Borganes, turn left onto Route 54 . Keep following this road and it will take you most of the way down onto the peninsula. There are plenty of great lookout points on the way, so stopping for a photo or two is a must. Just be sure to pull over somewhere safe, not the roadside.

At some point, you’re going to come to a junction with Route 574. If you want to see the glacier up close and expl ore the best part of the peninsula, turn onto 574. You’re now heading towards Snæfellsjökull National Park, which protects the glacier and much of the land around it.

Unless you have proper training and the right equipment or have joined a guided tour, don’t attempt to hike the glacier alone. If you really want to tackle it, there are tours you can join to summit Snæfellsjökull, which leave from Arnarstapi. Otherwise, since Route 574 takes you almost all the way around the volcano, you’ll have great views of it from your window.

In Arnarstapi, you’ll find a small signpost depicting distances to different cities. This is the only Jules Verne monument in Iceland.

What to do in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

There are plenty of wonderful hikes and great features within the park, so stop whenever something catches your eye. Djúpalónssandur black sand beach, where pieces of a wrecked ship can be seen, is highly recommended. There are also some strength-testing stones here, used by past sailors to prove themselves.

Another cool feature in the southern part of the peninsula is the Lóndrangar rock formation . These two pillars are naturally formed from a previous volcanic eruption and stand at 75 and 61 meters tall. You can view them by parking at the nearby Malarrif lighthouse (close to the Snæfellsjökull Visitor Centre) and hiking east.

When you reach the north part of the peninsula’s tip, you’ll start to come across some small communities. It’s a good idea to stick to the coastal road, so you can complete a full circuit of the region.

Outside the park on the peninsula’s north side, you should visit Kirkjufell mountain , one of the most photographed mountains in the country that featured in the hit series Game of Thrones . On the way back to Reykjavík along the north side, you’ll pass Stykkishólmur town . This area makes for a great spot to spend the night, as it offers up some incredible views of the bay.

From Stykkishólmur, you could cut through the peninsula via Route 56. Alternatively, continue to follow 54 until the base of Snæfellsnes and turn onto Route 60. Once you leave Snæfellsnes, your Jules Verne Iceland journey is complete.

A Jules Verne Iceland adventure!

To make your journey really come alive, have a read of the novel before coming to Iceland! The adventurous storyline will certainly get you even more excited for your own trip. Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t spot any of the monsters or other fantastical creatures described in the fictional book. However, brace yourself to see some equally majestic animals like blue whales.

Book your 4x4 campervan rental in Iceland today to embark on your own Jules Verne Iceland expedition!

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Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Jules Verne Unveils Worldwide Journeys Brochure for 2024 Featuring 30 New Tours, Including 7 All-New Walking Adventures

By Samantha Anderson

Looking for small group walking, cruising or wildlife experiences in 2024 jules verne has you covered with a vast range of new adventures designed to cater to customers’ desires..

Small group escorted tour operator, Jules Verne , has unveiled its Worldwide Journeys brochure, featuring as many as thirty new tours and, for the first time, offering dedicated walking holidays; perfect for those looking to book their next adventure.

Debbie O’Neill, Managing Director at Jules Verne, says , “Spanning five continents, including brand-new destinations, and offering thirty new walking, cruise, and wildlife-themed experiences, we are thrilled to unveil our new Worldwide Journeys brochure for 2024.

“Informed by booking trends, guest feedback, and a desire to meet the demand for new, inspiring, and memorable adventures, every new tour has been carefully curated with customer experience at its heart.

“In a first for Jules Verne, our seven new European walking tours promise to offer a unique and immersive experience for those seeking a slow-paced but active adventure exploring the saw-toothed peaks of Italy’s majestic Dolomites, strolling amongst Côte d’Azur’s glamorous gardens, or roaming along Crete’s golden beaches.

“We are also delighted to offer tours to brand-new destinations. Northern Pakistan, the Channel Islands – two entirely new destinations for us – and Spain’s Basque Country – a largely unexplored area within an already-popular country – have huge appeal for customers looking to explore lesser-visited places alongside like-minded individuals.

“Alongside these entirely new itineraries, we have also launched a host of new trips which take inspiration from popular pre-existing tours. Typically, these offer guests the chance to either cover more of a destination in a set time (perfect for those hoping to see the highlights of an entire country), or take a deeper dive into an area by increasing the amount of time spent there.

“For example, following the continued popularity of India – one of our best-selling destinations – we have launched the new India North to South tour. This offers customers the chance to experience the highlights of both regions within one tour and includes unique new experiences such as an early morning jeep safari in search of Bengal Tigers, a cooking demonstration with a local Cochin family and backwater cruising in Kerela.”

“With picnics set amongst the mountains in Italy, visits to Mexico’s ancient archaeological sites, wild swimming in spectacular lagoons, sunrises at the Taj Mahal, strolls through the piazzas of Naples, and safaris in Tanzania’s stunning reserves, there really is something for everyone.”

Read on to discover some of Jules Verne’s best new tours for 2024, including Early Booking Offers and no single supplement options, all available to book online or via your travel agent now…

Walking in the Italian Dolomites | 7 nights from £1,725 | Early Booking Offer

• Prices from £1,725, with departures in June & September 2024
• Return flights with easyJet from London Gatwic
• Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation in the family-run, alpine-style Hotel Tschurtschenthaler, daily breakfast, 6 dinners, 5 guided walks, excursions, local guide
• Early Booking Offer: save £200pp on 2024 bookings made by 29 February 2024

This 7-night walking tour takes guests on an adventure through the saw-toothed peaks, bright blue lakes, awe-inspiring mountains, and charming Tyrolean villages of the Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waking up in an alpine-style lodge, guests can look forward to days spent enjoying picnics with panoramic mountain views, visiting the majestic three peaks of the Tre Cima di Lavaredo, hiking along old military routes (with fortifications still visible from WWI), and tasting steaming strudel in the comfort of a cosy mountain hut.

India North to South | 15 nights from £3,495 | No Single Supplement Option

• Prices from £3,495, with departures in October and November
• Return flights with Emirates from Heathrow
• Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 14 nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 6 dinners

This 15-night tour is perfect for first-time visitors to India wanting to explore the best of this magical, multifaceted country – the regal and rural from the north to the south, by air, road, rail, rickshaw, and boat. Highlights include a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, a jeep safari in Sariska (famed for its Bengal Tigers), seeing the elegant Pink City of Jaipur, enjoying a home-cooked meal with a local Indian family, and a boat ride on Lake Periyar to witness the mesmerising sight of elephants drinking at the water’s edge.

Walking in Crete | 7 nights from £1,845 | Early Booking Offer

• Prices from £1,845, with departures in April and October 2024
• Return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick
• Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation in 4-star Hotel Samaria, daily breakfast, 4 dinners, 5 guided walks, excursions, local guide

Explore the magnificent, diverse landscape of Greece’s largest island with this 7-night walking tour. From roaming through its olive groves, majestic mountains, and ancient villages, to wandering along its dramatic gorges and golden beaches. Other highlights include visiting a family-run olive oil producer and the fascinating remains of ancient civilisations whilst touring through the region’s charming villages, as well as enjoying its waterscapes, with a refreshing dip in the spectacular Balos Lagoon and scenic boat trip to the coastal port of Skafia.

Highlights of the Yucatan | 11 nights from £2,795

• Prices from £2,795, with departures in February and November 2024
• Return flights with British Airways from London Gatwick
• Price includes air travel and UK departure taxes, transfers, 10 nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 2 dinners, local guides

Starting at Ek Balam (with its 30-metre-high acropolis) and ending on the Maya Riviera’s Caribbean shore, this 11-night itinerary takes guests on a deep dive into the Yucatan region and into Mexico’s rich history, culture, and landscapes. Highlights include exploring ancient archaeological sites, such as the stuccoed temples and 5-storey pyramid of Edzna, boating through mangrove channels (home to endangered sea turtles), and visiting weaving workshops run by the Yaxunah Mayan community.

Tanzania’s Secret South | 10 nights from £3,695

• Prices from £3,695, with departures in June, July, September, and October 2024
• Return flights with Ethiopian Airlines from London Heathrow
• Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 9 nights’ accommodation (including mountain lodges and National Park camps), full board, park fees, local guides

This 10-night tour explores a trio of unsung (and uncrowded) yet stunning reserves in Tanzania’s southern region: Nyerere National Park, previously awarded UNESCO status for its vast untamed wilderness and diversity of fauna; Mikumi, a landscape of low-lying wetlands flanked by mountains; and Saadani, the country’s only coastal conservancy. Highlights include dawn walks, boat safaris, and game drives, with the chance to spot Africa’s Big Five, hippos, crocodiles, and a whole host of other animals.

Discover Sorrento & The Amalfi Coast | 7 nights from £1,545

• Prices from £1,545, with departures in April, May, June, September, and October 2024
• Return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick or with British Airways from London Heathrow (depending on departure date)
• Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation at 4-star Giosuè a Mare Hotel, daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, local guides

This week-long tour allows guests to explore the best of the Sorrentine peninsula whilst staying in an idyllic 4-star hotel, carved into an ocean-facing cliff in the Italian coastal town of Meta di Sorrento. From visiting the evocative remains of Pompeii and driving along ‘the divine coast’ to Amalfi, to exploring Naples, one of Europe’s oldest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its plethora of piazzas, palaces and castles, and touring the glamorous island of Capri, it is the perfect way to enjoy la dolce vita!

Please note, if our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply and all tours are subject to availability with no additional spaces possible once the tour is filled. Book online or call 0203 553 3722 to speak to a Jules Verne specialist.

For further press information, please contact: Tilly Everard | Chloe Hernandez | Emma Arthurs | Julie Aguilera T: +44 (0)203 440 8930 E: [email protected]

About Jules Verne: Established in 1978, Jules Verne’s innovative small group escorted tours offer authentic travel with a twist via air, road, rail and river. Every Jules Verne traveller is guaranteed a unique, quality experience within a small group of around 15 like-minded companions.

The spirit of Jules Verne is to seek out fascinating adventures around the world. Jules Verne works thoughtfully with local tour guides and communities to craft tours which reveal the true heart of each destination.

Jules Verne tours are packed with special events and little extras. Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded and winner of many travel awards, our experts organise every detail to the highest standard so customers can book in complete confidence. www.vjv.com .

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Voyages Jules Verne

9 Trips match your criteria (1 - 9 shown)

Cruise the Heart of Central America

Coiba National Park, Panama City, Punta Arenas

• Visit the Smithsonian Institute
• Visit Panama City and the Canal
• Excursion to the Darrien National Park and Mogue Embera Reserve
• Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
• Visit to Savegre River

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Sailing

Dalmatian Island Explorer

• Visit to Hvar
• Walking tour including the St. Stephen's
• Vis for independent exploration.
• Visit the cathedral and Maritime Museum.

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

Grand Tour of China

Beijing, Chengdu, Great Wall of China, Hong Kong, Shanghai

• Visit the Forbidden City and Tian An Men Square
• Visit Shuanglin Temple
• Visit the Terracotta Army and Great Wild Goose Pagoda
• Visit Nanjing Road and the Bund.
• Visit the West Lake, Six Harmonious Pagoda

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise, Religious

Jordan's Red Sea

Amman, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum

• Visit Mount Nebo and Madaba
• Excursion on the 'Yellow Submarine'
• Viewing the Red Sea marine splendours and coral reserve.
• Includes a 90-minute Bedouin jeep drive

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

Krakow Preserved

Krakow, Warsaw

• Eexcursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Visit the castle, royal chambers and cathedral
• Enjoy a traditional Jewish-style dinner with music and performers in the old Jewish district of Kazimierz.

Secret Italy

Assisi, Perugia, Rome

• visit San Francesco church for Piero della Francesca's fresco cycle 'Legend of the True Cross'
• visit to Assisi, including the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis
• See the highest waterfall in Europe
• The most beautiful Renaissance palace in Italy and its art treasures

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Splendours of Southern India

Chennai, Kerala, Kochi

• Visit the Chennai Government museum
• Visit Shore Temple
• Visit Brihadeshwara Temple
• Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Memorial

Cultural, Religious

Venice Simplon Orient Express

Dolomites, Paris, Venice

• Enjoy a walking tour of Venice
• Enjoy the ride on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
• Enjoy looking at paranomic scenery from your window
• See breathtaking views of Dolomites & Alberg pass

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys

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Similar top rated trips

Voyages jules verne reviews & ratings.

Disappointed

How this company has deteriorated

The cruise was cancelled 2 weeks before departure. The replacement was a serious step down and appalling. The Croisi Boat (MV Beethoven) should be avoided at all pos...

Egyptair… avoid

We enjoyed our holiday, organised by Jules Verne, it was the return home that was the issue. Another tour group arranged the early flights, Luxor - Cairo, to pick up...

VJV cancelled my tour without telling me

I signed up with VJV for the Maldivian Magic tour in March of 2023. I had used them before. My first trip with them (Myanmar) was the best, the next 3 were prett...

Just had to call to amend a booking

Just had to call to amend a booking. Brilliant response... so easy to move the trip to a later date. Just what you need during these difficult times. I've enjoyed so...

FANTASTIC - even though we have not been on holiday with them yet - we were booked to go on Peniche Alsacien at the end of May this year. At the beginning of May I...

See all Voyages Jules Verne reviews

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10 Best Movies Based On Jules Verne Books, Ranked

• Jules Verne's work has inspired numerous movie adaptations and is the foundation for some of the earliest science fiction films.
• Some Jules Verne adaptations are entertaining and enjoyable, while others are outdated and not required viewing.
• The film "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (2008) successfully updates Verne's classic story with modern special effects and remains fun to watch.

Jules Verne is undoubtedly one of the most prominent authors in science fiction , and its no wonder that his works have inspired countless movie adaptations. One of the most translated writers in human history, the French author has written legendary tales like 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 Days . Verne's daring imagination put him far ahead of his time, and it's no surprise that movie studios have sought to replicate his sense of wonder with multiple live-action adaptations of Jules Verne stories .

Jules Verne's work has become the foundation for some of the earliest films in the science fiction genre , some of which even hold up today remarkably well as enjoyable, adventurous romps through the imagination. The mid-to-late 2000s saw a resurgence of Jules Verne films as well, to varying degrees of success, with studios hoping to recapture the joy and nostalgia of the earliest films to adapt Verne's books for a new generation. With so many familiar titles, it's a difficult task to distinguish the very best depictions of Jules Verne's novels over the years.

Journey To The Center Of The Earth

An easily-overlooked made-for-TV movie, the two-part Journey to the Center of the Earth special was a solid attempt at getting to the center of what made Verne's original story so memorable. The film is decidedly slow-moving and low-budgeted, with some creature effects occasionally bordering the precipice of acceptable for a shoestring budget, but the C-List actors can often bring in decent performances amid the campy set-dressing. Despite it's many flaws, the two-part film is an entertaining, knowingly campy jog through Verne's beloved tale of subterranean exploration.

Master Of The World

Master of the World is the sole film to adapt Jules Verne's novel of the same name, and when compared to his other, more well-known stories, it's easy to see why. The narrative of a rich maniac dedicated to the idea of threatening the world's governments into laying down their arms isn't quite as whimsical as Verne's other premises. As for the film, despite rich talent from the likes of a young Charles Bronson and the legendary Vincent Price , the special effects are especially outdated, even for the time period . Master of the World is fun, but not required viewing.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Journey 2: the mysterious island.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is the follow-up to 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth. The film takes place four years after the original, showing Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson teaming up with Hank, his stepfather, to find his lost grandfather. Due to scheduling issues, Brendan Fraser wasn't able to return as Trevor Anderson but was replaced by Dwayne Johnson as the film's lead.

Release Date 2012-02-12

Director Brad Peyton

Cast Josh Hutcherson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens, Dwayne Johnson

This semi-adaptation picks up where 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth left off, replacing Brendan Fraser with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. As the passable action adventure delves into the incredible isle, the tone rides a strange line, at once too scary for younger viewers and too subdued for older ones. Amid mediocre CGI and all-too subdued performances, the best thing that can be said about Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was how it pioneered the art of throwing Johnson into a jungle, later done better in films like Jungle Cruise and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle .

Around The World In 80 Days

Though the idea of circumnavigating the globe in the span of 80 days is now a triviality, in Verne's time, such a time was the stuff of science fiction. The 1956 take on the story is an incredibly grand adventure comedy with a runtime that feels nearly as long as the titular journey itself. The international cast is crammed with stars of Hollywood's Golden Age , who had enough charisma between them to earn the film an early Academy Award for Best Picture. Today, the spectacle and aged humor can be best appreciated as a museum of 50s stardom.

Starring a young Josh Hutcherson and Brendan Fraser, still hot off the success of The Mummy trilogy , 2008's Journey To The Center Of The Earth had all the makings of an action-adventure hit. Being the first to truly update one of Verne's classic stories with modern special effects, the film still looks great 15 years later, even if it is marred by several obvious moments clearly meant to be enjoyed in the context of a 3-D theater. Adapting the classic adventure about as well as it could have, Journey To The Center Of The Earth isn't revolutionary, but undeniably fun.

While most adaptations of Verne's work make at least some departures from the source material, 2004's Around The World In 80 Days completely re-imagines the story as a raucous action-comedy. Though critically-panned at the time, the film is endlessly re-watchable today , with eye-popping action choreography courtesy of Jackie Chan's Passepartout and deadpan comedic timing from Steve Coogan's Phineas Fogg. If the anachronisms and deviations from Verne's novel can be forgiven, Around The World In 80 Days is a creative globe-trotting adventure that doesn't get the respect it deserves.

There's simply no replicating the cheesy fun of the original Journey To The Center Of The Earth , an earnest science fiction adventure movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. The special effects are certainly dated, but it's hard not to wring a certain level of charm out of the delicately hand-painted backgrounds and practical lizardman costumes. Beyond the addition of the deliciously dastardly villain, Count Saknussemm, the film is also one of the most faithful to Verne's work, a commendable effort in and of itself.

The Mysterious Island

The Mysterious Island is one of Jules Verne's lesser-known stories, but the 1961 film of the same name takes every advantage of the novel's conceits. Following a group of Union soldiers in the Civil War who escape prison in a hot air balloon only to wash up on a bizarre uncharted island, the film's sense of tension only ever dials up, as the heroes contend with grimy human pirates and giant fauna rendered by the talent of stop-motion legend Ray Harryhausen . Not the deepest narrative, this thrilling tale of danger holds up decades later remarkably well as a harrowing odyssey.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

One of Disney's earliest forays into live-action storytelling, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea presented the aquatic crew of the Nautilus with untold dangers then-undreamed of by 50s audiences. Beyond the great creature and sci-fi technology designs that still hold up today, the film offers substantially more heart than most other Verne adaptations, taking the time to acclimate the viewer with its intrepid adventurers. It's no wonder that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was influential enough to earn a spot as a Disneyland mainstay even seven decades after its original release.

A Trip To The Moon

It's only fitting that the world's first science fiction movie sprung from the mind of one of the genre's most influential authors. Presenting early audiences with a dizzying idea of space travel long before the first astronaut was born, A Trip To The Moon 's hypnotic, almost feverish visuals and brisk 14-minute run time assaults the imagination with a yet-unmatched spectacle of dreamlike reality. From the Moon's incredulous face to the dancing insectoid aliens that vanish in a literal puff of smoke, A Trip To The Moon is by far the most influential science fiction film courtesy of Jules Verne.

• Up to 4 nights
• Up to 7 nights
• 5 to 7 nights
• 8 to 14 nights
• 15 to 28 nights
• I’m flexible +/- 5 days
• Custom range

All of our arrangements have been specially designed to incorporate a reason to travel and, for ease of choice, these have been categorised under the titles shown below.

SPRING SALE NOW ON - Save up to £900pp

Ends 28 April 2024 | T&Cs apply

Worldwide Journeys Brochure

Request your free copy or view online

Worldwide Journeys

New Brochure Out Now!

We’re delighted to present our new brochure! For 45 years, we have loved creating unforgettable travel experiences for you to the most amazing places, and always in the most personable way - in small groups and accompanied by expert local guides.

We have simplified choosing your perfect trip. In the brochure, you will see a ‘price from’ and the typical months of departure for each tour. This way, you can easily compare the different options, and settle on the tour which best suits you. You will find full details of specific dates and prices on   our website, or our friendly team are just a phone call away and are very happy to help you plan your dream trip.

In addition to further departures and improvements on our wide-ranging global portfolio, we are delighted to launch   new tours , including some new destinations and some of our tried and tested favourites with a new twist.

We hope that you too will be inspired by our selection of tours, and we look forward to welcoming you on a Jules Verne tour soon.

Please note that prices are correct at the time of publication and may increase due to currency fluctuations. The price we confirm at the time of booking is the price we guarantee.

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Please select the brochures you require below.

Please note, brochures are delivered to addresses within the UK only, overseas visitors wishing to order a brochure please click here to view our brochures online.

From time to time, we may send you details of Jules Verne products (including new brochures), services, and news which we believe will be of interest to you.

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THE 10 BEST Resorts near Story Quest, Moscow

Resorts near story quest, property types, distance from, neighbourhoods, traveller rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveller ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveller Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
• Distance from Story Quest See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

511. Hotel Dynasty

512. Arbat House Apartments On Bolshaya Nikitskaya

513. Izmailovo-Nika Hotel

514. microhotel domodedovo, 515. taganka, 516. hotel econom, 517. tbilisi hotel moscow, 518. tverskaya studio, 519. jules verne, 520. korolev hotel, 521. art hotel 16 floor, 522. aquarium hotel, 523. bonjour yuzhnoye butovo, 524. yakhonty noginsk, 525. hotel vezendorf, 526. piatnitskaia hotel, 527. 7th floor, 528. hotel akademiya, 529. fantasy, 530. sanative hotel zouz, 531. taganka hotel, 532. otel' madison, 533. ulyotny gorod art hotel, 534. chez michel hotel, 535. hotel krasnogorsk branch, 536. mamochka dva tapochka, 537. zelyony gorodok, 538. park hotel bogorodsk, 539. sosnoviy bor, 540. mini-hotel grc-gorki 10.

Star ratings are based on a self-evaluation by the hotel as well as the experiences of HRS and HRS customers. You can find details under Terms and Conditions and FAQs.

Hotel Jules Verne (Kolychevskiy)

Cancellation not free of charge

Deposit required

• No credit card required

Type of booking

The hotel offers you two different choices for the booking - a standard booking (arrival before 6 PM Hotel-local time) or a guaranteed booking (arrival after 6 PM possible, requires a credit card number). The hotel is not permitted to charge the credit card for payments.

Cancellation

Rate description

• More rooms & persons

Would you like to book more than 9 rooms? Click here.

Hotel availability is checked ...

Important information

Style of hotel and ambience.

Make yourself at home in one of the 35 guestrooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and blackout drapes/curtains, and housekeeping is provided daily.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available 24 hours).Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services.Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the coffee shop/café. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 8 AM to 11 AM.

Location of the hotel

With a stay at Jules Verne in Kolychevo, you'll be near the airport, and 23.1 mi (37.1 km) from Red Square and 23.1 mi (37.1 km) from St. Basil's Cathedral. This hotel is 21.8 mi (35 km) from State Tretyakov Gallery and 22.3 mi (36 km) from Novodevichy Convent.

Reception open During the week Not occupied At weekends Not occupied Check-In : 13:00 Check-Out : 12:00

The following credit cards are accepted by Hotel Jules Verne (Kolychevskiy) :

Service & facilities

• Hotel-owned car park
• Café/bistro
• Open-air restaurant/beer garden, etc.
• WLAN with Internet access in lobby

Room facilities

• Internet TV
• Iron + ironing board
• Soundproof windows
• Bathroom with shower

In-house services

• Safety deposit boxes at reception
• Classic concierge service
• Shuttle service to the airport
• Laundry service
• Pets not allowed
• Room service

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Hotel Jules Verne (Kolychevskiy): Location and distance

Frequently asked questions about hotel jules verne (kolychevskiy), does hotel jules verne offer parking spaces for guests, can i have breakfast in hotel jules verne, at what time can you check in at the hotel jules verne at the earliest, what is the latest time to check out, what are the advantages of booking the hotel jules verne via hrs, is there a restaurant in the hotel jules verne, is the hotel barrier-free, are the hotel rooms equipped with air conditioning, is it possible to cancel my booking at the hotel jules verne free of charge, which payment methods can i use to pay in hotel jules verne.

• Eurocard/MasterCard
• American Express

Can I collect miles and points during a trip?

Hotels in the area.

Hotel Korston Moscow

Hotel Mercure Moscow Paveletskaya

Bentley Hotel

Eliseeff Arbat Hotel

Golden Ring Hotel

Hotel The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya

Metropol Moscow Historical Hotel

Hotel Novotel Moskau Kievskaya

Hotel ibis Moscow Kievskaya

Hotel National, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Moskau

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THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Capital Yachts, Moscow

Hotels near capital yachts, property types, distance from, neighborhoods, traveler rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveler Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
• Distance from Capital Yachts See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

571. Aquarium Hotel

572. hotel akademiya, 573. tverskaya studio, 574. arbat house apartments on bolshaya nikitskaya, 575. tbilisi hotel moscow, 576. hotel dynasty, 577. hotel krasnogorsk branch, 578. taganka, 579. izmailovo-nika hotel, 580. yakhonty noginsk, 581. hotel econom, 582. piatnitskaia hotel, 583. 7th floor, 584. mamochka dva tapochka, 585. chez michel hotel, 586. microhotel domodedovo, 587. beskudnikovo, 588. bonjour yuzhnoye butovo, 589. somon hotel, 590. hotel vezendorf, 591. zelyony gorodok, 592. near bolshoi theater, 593. vechny zov sokolniki, 594. mini-hotel grc-gorki 10, 595. norke prime kurskaya, 596. jules verne, 597. sanatoriy istra, 598. sosnoviy bor, 599. ulyotny gorod art hotel, 600. park hotel bogorodsk.