Proust’s madeleine? It is here, in this Belle Époque residence, that the young Marcel, future author ofIn search of lost time – published from 1913 to 1927 in seven volumes – came to taste them. Made by his “aunt Léonie”, they triggered in the novelist, years later, his memories linked to childhood…
Marcel Proust’s childhood home is reopened to the public
After two years of work, the Aunt Léonie’s housealso called the Marcel-Proust museum, reopened its doors last May. The interior of this eight-room bourgeois building located in Illiers-Combray, in Eure-et-Loir, has been reconstructed according to what Proust (1871-1922) says about it in his novels. “He only came there for short vacations, from 6 to 9 years old. And he describes this home with his memories, explains Élodie Massouline, project manager. This reconstruction is therefore more literary than historical.”
Upstairs, little Marcel’s room seems frozen in time. “We are almost certain that the wallpaper is identical to the one he saw”she assures. An essential visit for fans of the writer, who will in turn seek the thrill of memories.
The Aunt Léonie’s house/Marcel-Proust Museumin Illiers-Combray (Eure-et-Loir). Open every day except Monday.
➤ Article from this magazine GEO History n°78, Small and big stories of Notre-Dame de Paris, from November-December 2024.
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