Who hasn’t been captivated by the tales of the Three Musketeers? The heroes created by Alexandre Dumas have enchanted generations of readers, and it’s impossible to count the number of sleepless nights people have spent following the daring adventures of these swashbuckling characters through the streets of Paris!
Join us at myfrancetour.com as we guide you through the key locations associated with the Musketeers in Paris. After reading this article, you’ll know where to find the homes of d’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. You’ll also easily visit the sites of the famous duels between the Musketeers and the Cardinal’s Guards.
1. D’Artagnan’s House
Start your tour at the location believed to be d’Artagnan’s home. Situated in the 4th arrondissement, near the Place des Vosges, this area captures the spirit of the young Gascon’s adventures. Although the exact address is lost to history, the neighborhood embodies the vibrant energy d’Artagnan would have known.
2. Athos’ Residence
Next, head to the 6th arrondissement, where Athos’s grand residence is imagined to have stood. The area around the Luxembourg Gardens reflects the aristocratic charm and tranquility associated with the noble musketeer. Take a leisurely stroll through these gardens to experience the elegance of Athos’s world.
3. Porthos’s Mansion
Visit the 7th arrondissement to explore the district that evokes the opulence of Porthos’s grand estate. The area around the Champ de Mars offers a glimpse into the grandeur and luxury that would have characterized the home of the larger-than-life musketeer.
4. Aramis’s Abode
Finally, make your way to the 16th arrondissement, known for its refined and cultured atmosphere, fitting for Aramis’s sophisticated lifestyle. While the exact location of Aramis’s residence remains a mystery, the district’s elegant streets and historic charm provide a fitting backdrop.
5. Famous Duel Locations
No tour of the Musketeers’ Paris would be complete without visiting the sites of their legendary duels. Head to the Île de la Cité, where many of the dramatic confrontations took place. The ancient streets around Notre-Dame and the Palais Royal are steeped in the history of these thrilling encounters.
6. Additional Highlights
- Les Halles: The bustling marketplace where the Musketeers might have crossed paths with their enemies.
- The Louvre: A grand venue that features prominently in Dumas’s narrative, evoking the intrigue and grandeur of the era.
By following this guide, you can immerse yourself in the world of Alexandre Dumas’s legendary characters and experience the Paris they walked through. Each location offers a unique connection to the adventures of the Three Musketeers, making your visit to Paris a thrilling journey back in time.
Explore these iconic spots and walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters as you uncover the history and charm of Paris through the lens of “The Three Musketeers.”
The Alexandre Dumas House-Museum (Château de Monte-Cristo)
Located in the suburb of Port-Marly, just outside Paris, the Alexandre Dumas House-Museum, also known as Château de Monte-Cristo, is described by Balzac as “one of the most delightful follies.”
With the substantial earnings from his novels about the Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas built himself a true palace complete with a beautiful garden, naming his estate simply “Château de Monte-Cristo.” This splendid complex is a must-visit not only for fans of the author’s work but also for enthusiasts of eclectic architecture.
How to Get There: Take the RER A train to Saint Germain en Laye, then transfer to bus number 10 towards Les Lampes and get off at Avenue Kennedy.
Opening Hours: In winter, the complex is open on Sundays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. During the warmer months, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. For exact times and event schedules, it’s best to check the official website.
Prices: Adult ticket for the palace and park – €7; park only – €4; free for children under 10.
Website: Château de Monte-Cristo
The Square of the Three Dumas
Named after Alexandre Dumas, streets in the 11th and 20th arrondissements of Paris (Rue Alexandre Dumas) and the Alexandre Dumas metro station (Line 2) are noteworthy, but they might not leave a lasting impression. What you must see is the statue of the writer located at Place du Général Catroux. This square is also known as the Square of the Three Dumas: the grandfather (a general), the father (the author of the Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo), and the son (the author of the famous “Lady of the Camellias”).
The statue of Dumas père was erected at this square in 1883: the smiling writer is seated on a stone block, with d’Artagnan, the hero of the famous novel “The Three Musketeers,” positioned at his feet. Later, statues of the other Dumas family members were added nearby, which led to the popular name of the square.
Interestingly, the brave musketeer from the novels had a real-life prototype named Charles de Batz-Castelmore d’Armanac, Count d’Armanac.
The Home of the Real d’Artagnan
The Captain-Lieutenant of the Musketeers, d’Artagnan, lived in a corner house at the intersection of Rue du Bac and Quai Voltaire, according to a memorial plaque on the building. It’s worth noting that the brave Gascon chose an ideal location: near the Royal Bridge over the Seine, with the Louvre, the royal residence, on the other side of the river, and in the 17th century, the Musketeers’ barracks were located on Rue du Bac, although they have unfortunately not survived.
However, Paris still boasts streets, squares, palaces, and churches that the Musketeers of Dumas walked through. Below, you will find quotes from the novel alongside their corresponding modern addresses.
BOOKING HOTEL
Rue des Morts-aux-Foins – d’Artagnan’s Residence
Rue Servandoni
d’Artagnan entered Paris on foot, carrying his bundle under his arm, and wandered the streets until he managed to find a room that matched his modest means. This room was akin to an attic and was located on Rue des Morts-aux-Foins, near the Luxembourg Gardens.
In the 17th century, Rue des Morts-aux-Foins was a small street on the outskirts of the city walls, so it’s no surprise that the young Gascon could only afford accommodation here. Today, Rue Servandoni, just a stone’s throw from the Luxembourg Gardens, is situated in the heart of Paris.
Quai de la Mégisserie
Next, he went to Quai de la Mégisserie and had a new blade fitted to his sword.
Today, you won’t find Quai de la Ferraille (Iron Wharf) on the city map; it has been renamed Quai de la Mégisserie. While blacksmiths and tanners are no longer present, you will find plenty of pet shops and plant vendors.
Rue du Vieux Colombier – Homes of Porthos and de Tréville
…After that, he went to the Louvre and asked the first musketeer he met where Monsieur de Tréville’s house was. It turned out that the house was on Rue du Vieux Colombier, very close to where d’Artagnan was staying – an omen of success he interpreted as favorable.
Porthos occupied a large and seemingly luxurious apartment on Rue du Vieux Colombier. Whenever he passed by with friends, one of whom always stood with a Musketeer in parade uniform, Porthos would lift his head, point upward, and say, “That is my abode.” However, he was never home, never invited anyone up, and no one could ever fathom the real wealth behind this grand exterior.
Unfortunately, today, Rue du Vieux Colombier does not have a mansion worthy of a captain of the royal musketeers.
d’Artagnan’s House on Rue de Vaugirard
It was already two hours past sunset, and Paris was starting to empty. The clocks of Saint-Germain-des-Prés struck eleven. It was warm and quiet. d’Artagnan walked down an alleyway where Rue d’Assas is located today. The air was filled with a fragrance carried by the breeze from Rue de Vaugirard, from gardens refreshed by the evening dew and the coolness of night. From a distance, though muffled by tightly closed shutters, the sound of revelers singing in some tavern was faintly audible. At the end of the alley, d’Artagnan turned left. The house where Aramis lived was located between Rue Cassette and Rue Servandoni.
Tracking d’Artagnan’s route on the map shows that Aramis resided at 25 Rue de Vaugirard.
Rue Féron – Athos’s Residence
Athos lived on Rue Féron, just a short distance from the Luxembourg Gardens. He occupied two small, neatly furnished rooms, rented to him by the landlady, who was not old and still very beautiful, though she cast tender glances at him in vain.
Rue Féron runs parallel to Rue des Morts-aux-Foins, where the Gascon settled.
Carmelite Monastery – Site of d’Artagnan’s Duel with the Three Musketeers
That’s why d’Artagnan did not walk but rushed towards the Deschaux Monastery. It was an abandoned building with broken windows, surrounded by barren wastelands, often serving the same purpose as Pré-aux-Clercs; it was a common place for duels among those who could not afford to waste time.
The monastery is located at 72 Rue de Vaugirard, just below Aramis’s house. Incidentally, Rue de Vaugirard is the longest street in Paris.
The friendship binding these four people and their constant need to meet several times a day – whether for a duel, business, or some diversion – drove them to chase each other around from the Luxembourg Gardens to Place Saint-Sulpice or from Rue du Vieux Colombier to the Luxembourg Gardens.
Take a closer look at the map of the musketeers’ locations – it turns out that the magnificent quartet lived just a few steps from each other.
House of de La Tremouille – Site of the Duel with Bernajou
Luxembourg Gardens
The Cardinal’s guards and Monsieur de La Tremouille’s men retreated into the courtyard of the house, barely managing to slam the gate behind them to prevent the enemy from entering with them.
In the 17th century, the house of de La Tremouille was located at what is now 50 Rue de Vaugirard. Today, one of the entrances to the Luxembourg Gardens is situated opposite this address.
The Pine Cone Tavern on Place de la Contrescarpe
Place de la Contrescarpe
When d’Artagnan left the Louvre and asked his friends how best to spend his share of the forty pistoles, Athos advised him to order a good meal at the Pine Cone Tavern, Porthos suggested hiring a servant, and Aramis recommended finding a suitable mistress.
The Pine Cone Tavern was located at 1 Place de la Contrescarpe. Unfortunately, only the sign above the second floor of the building remains.
Pont de la Tournelle and Planchet
Pont de la Tournelle
The meal took place that very day, and the new servant served the table. The meal was ordered by Athos, and the servant recommended by Porthos. He was a Picard, whom the illustrious musketeer hired that very day for this particular meal; he saw him on the Pont de la Tournelle, where Planchet – as the servant was called – was spitting into the water, admiring the spreading ripples. Porthos claimed that such an activity indicated a tendency towards contemplation and prudence and, without further inquiries, took him along.
In the early 17th century, the Pont de la Tournelle was wooden and has since been reconstructed several times. The bridge offers a beautiful view of Notre-Dame, and Planchet chose an excellent spot for contemplation, even if it was just the ripples from his spits.
Richelieu and Milady’s Houses
Place des Vosges
At Place des Vosges in the Marais district stands an equestrian statue of Louis XIII. The statue was erected through the efforts of Cardinal Richelieu, who lived at 21 Place des Vosges. According to Alexandre Dumas, Milady resided at 6 Place des Vosges. d’Artagnan was fortunate not to have run into the Cardinal’s guards while fleeing from her apartment, half-naked.
