01 Jul 2015
Next year - 2016 - will mark the 125th anniversary of the death of one of the world's most influential poets, Arthur Rimbaud.
In the meantime - and following a major refurbishment scheme designed to pay tribute to one of France's most famous and charismatic artists - The Rimbaud Museum will re-open its doors to the public in Charleville-Mézières, in The French Ardennes, on July, 21st (with free entrance on offer up to 1st September).
The Museum is housed within a striking building on a small island on the River Meuse. It will now not simply tell the story of the life and times of Arthur Rimbaud, but will also feature an 'island garden' where visitors can soak up a reflective atmosphere.
In the past, The New York Times has noted that “The hallucinatory prose-poems of Arthur Rimbaud rank among the glories of 19th century French literature”.
Anyone wanting further evidence that the poet, who is remembered as much for his volatile personality and tumultuous life as much as he is for his poetry (almost all of which he produced before the age of 21) can either view a YouTube video narrated by Joan Baez; or read an article in The Guardian from last year written by the Hungarian-born British poet, George Szirtes.
Or, visit The French Ardennes itself - which draws most of its fame in France for its association with the enigmatic poet, and is the place where it is now possible to follow in his footsteps in many different ways, from staying hotels that are named in honour of him (Hotel Dormeur du Val in Charleville), to driving through the surrounding countryside on a well-marked car trail (La Route Rimbaud-Verlaine).
Rimbaud - “One of the greatest poets who ever lived”, according to some commentators - is also a feature of the new, French Ardennes Discovery Guide for 2015 which can also now be viewed online here.
Ends
For press information, contact:
Djamila Daoud
T: +33 3 24 56 67 77
