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Monday, October 3, 2011

Behind the story: The region of Gascony in France featured in The Mysteries of Udolpho



As I read the Mysteries of Udolpho I thought it would be interesting to research and spotlight the area of Gascony where the first part of the story takes place.  In the book, Emily and her father live along the Garonne rive in Gascony, France.  This area is on the southwest of France close to the border with Spain, and the Pyrenees can often be seen in the distance.




Gascony included or was often paired with Acquitaine and yes, was part of Eleanor of Acquitaine's dowry to Henry II.  Other familiar people who came from this area included Henry IV, king of France, Cyrano de Bergerac, and d'Artagnan of the Three Musketeers.



Today it is filled with medieval towns and villages, peaceful rolling hills, and beautiful weather, often making it a popular tourist destination for Europeans.




Garonne river near Toulouse, France
Another area that features prominently in Udolpho are the Pyrenees.  Emily and her father travel along the Pyrenees down to the Mediterranean so her father could enjoy the beautiful landscapes and weather and get well.  Often along their trip, they would get out and gaze upon the lovely vistas from the road, being in awe of the rugged wild beauty of the mountains contrasting with the greenery, trees, and bushes.








The descriptions of the scenery in Udolpho lend the story its air of mystery and danger, because many of the roads that were traveled were close to the mountain edge, with villages few and far between. It take much to go off the side of the road.  Mules and small carriages were used for travel, or one could go by foot if needed.  Banditos were also known to inhabit the mountain passages making travel after dark quite dangerous.  Therefore whenever one happened along the pleasant face of a fellow traveler dinner and stories would be shared, and new acquaintances made.

Later in the story Emily will journey down along the Pyrenees to Italy, to stay in a creepy castle with it's equally creepy owner.  More to come I'm sure.

Comments (26)

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I so want to go there now! It looks wonderful.
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
o_O I need to go there :D
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Mary Simonsen's avatar

Mary Simonsen · 701 weeks ago

I've always wanted to read this book. Did you like it? Lovely scenery.
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Love seeing where books are set like this! Makes me want to go there right now!
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Armchair traveling by book. Love it!
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
That is gorgeous!!! Let's run away and visit !
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
What a beautiful area! Every time I read "Northanger Abbey" I think I really need to pick up "Udolpho" but I have yet to do it. If I can read it while envisioning this setting, I think I need to read it soon!
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Sounds like an awesome place.
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
What a great post! And what a beautiful area. I'd love to be there right now than looking out my rainy window.
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Wonderful post, that all looks beautiful! It's nice to research the setting of a current read :)
1 reply · active 695 weeks ago
This book has been on my tbr list for SO long... this post makes me want to read it even more. Visiting would be even better!
1 reply · active 700 weeks ago
Jennygirl, you've won a book on my blog giveaway. Please email me your mailing address: harvee44@yahoo.com
Those last two pictures made me gasp. SO gorgeous. I was just mentioning to hubby that I would LOVE to go back to Europe but it's just become so expensive.____Can't wait to hear what you think of the book. Radcliffe intimidates me (I know...lame).
1 reply · active 695 weeks ago
the Duchy of Gascony extended across the South West of France in the form of a square, from the river Garonne, down to the Pyrenees, across to the Atlantic Ocean and up as far as Bordeaux and the river Gironde. the Duchy of Gascony extended across the South West of France in the form of a square, from the river Garonne (and Toulouse), down to the Pyrenees, across to the Atlantic Ocean and up as far as Bordeaux and the river Gironde. . Thanks a lot for sharing! Beautiful pictures!!!

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