Don’t miss the State Library of Victoria’s world-first Victor Hugo exhibition (including a special Readings pop-up shop!)

This exhibition is a world-first insight into the most popular French story of all time, featuring rare items from the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Maison de Victor Hugo, Musée Rodin, Cameron Mackintosh Archive and others – including Victor Hugo’s original Les Misérables manuscript (pictured here)!

Take an unforgettable journey from the 19th-century Paris of Victor Hugo’s novel – Les Misérables – to today’s blockbuster stage musical.

Exclusive to the State Library of Victoria, the exhibition takes you on a themed, multi-sensory exploration of:

• Victor Hugo’s original handwritten Les Misérables manuscript – a French national treasure that’s leaving Europe for the first time
• Original drawings and watercolours by Victor Hugo
• Rare scripts, scores, designs and posters from the 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production
• Original costumes and designs from the cinematic portrayals of Les Misérables – including the 2012 film starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman
• An entire gallery, including interactive displays, dedicated to the current Melbourne production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables stage musical, giving visitors the chance to dress up and take centre stage.

Exclusive to the State Library of Victoria, Victor Hugo will run from 18 July to 9 November.

Come visit the Readings exhibition pop-up shop which will be selling the official exhibition catalogue and merchandise, as well as a wide selection of French-themed books and classics.

To find out more about the exhibition, please click