Hauteville House, Biographical museum in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey

Hauteville House is a four-storey house at 38 Rue Hauteville in St. Peter Port, built around 1800 by an English privateer. Its top floor is extended by a glazed lookout, added in 1861, overlooking the harbour of Saint Peter Port and the islands of Herm and Sark. Inside, Hugo and his wife Adèle Foucher filled the rooms with chests, mirrors, tapestries and large cabinets made by the Guernsey cabinetmaker Mauger.

Built around 1800 by an English privateer, the house belonged to William Ozanne and stood empty for years, reputed to be haunted by a woman who had killed herself. Victor Hugo bought it on 16 May 1856 with the proceeds of Les Contemplations, partly so that Guernsey law, which protected property owners from expulsion, would keep him on the island. He lived there until 1870 and returned in 1872, 1875 and 1878. His descendants gave it to the City of Paris in March 1927.

The dining room displays Dutch tiles and a monumental fireplace decorated with a ceramic double H. These rooms also feature an ancestor chair with metal chains, reflecting the personal connections and family memories of the former resident.

The house spans multiple levels with stairs connecting them, so comfortable shoes are recommended for exploring. The rooms are furnished with information that helps visitors understand the history and objects on display.

The glazed lookout, or "look out", was added in 1861 to extend Hugo's top-floor study, where he wrote much of La Légende des siècles. From this glass room he could see the harbour of Saint Peter Port, Herm and Sark. The house had stood empty for years before he bought it, reputedly haunted by a woman who had committed suicide there.