But when they got close to the abbey, a bell sounded and the monk’s demeanor changed immediately. ĭespite his order’s preference for silence over conversation and their discouragement of idle talk, Father Appolanare engaged Robert Louis Stevenson in a long discussion. One of the highlights of the book is Stevenson’s description of his meeting with a Trappist monk who was at work in the forest near his abbey, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. However, he was genuinely interested in religion and delighted in theological discussions and debate. Stevenson was born a Protestant, but by the time of writing ‘Voyage avec une âne’, he was obviously agnostic or atheist. It’s great walking across rugged, remote and beautiful country. Le Chemin de Stevenson – or the GR 70 – passes through the Haute-Loire, the Ardeche, the Lozere and the Gard. We started in le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, where Stevenson began his travels with Modestine. In September 2016, exactly 140 years after Robert Louis Stevenson acquired his donkey, my wife Lynne and I began to retrace their footsteps. Tracing his footsteps on le chemin de Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson went on to write trend-setting adventures like ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘Kidnapped’ – and then the classic horror story, ‘The Strange Case of Dr. ‘Voyage avec un âne dans les Cévennes ’ is considered by many to have set the scene for future travelogues and guidebooks. He turned his journal into a remarkable little book, which he sold to a publisher for 20 pounds. She was sold to him for “a handful of francs and a glass of brandy”. Vie Française Immerse yourself in insider stories & interviews – pick up valuable tips & advice on mastering the French language and living the French dream wherever you live…Įxactly 140 years ago, a difficult donkey and a romantic Scot set out on a tempestuous journey across one of the wildest parts of France.Reportage + Société Stay informed & try to understand what’s happening in France – News, sport, politics, even the gossip behind it all – Explore problems & paradoxes of today’s cultural & social issues….Mode + Beauté Indulge, obsess, celebrate & enjoy stories, interviews, tips & advice about the extraordinary world of French fashion, beauty, interiors and much, much more….

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Robert louis stevenson modestine