Travelling at the beginning of the 19th century: between charms and inconveniences. According to the prince Henryk Lubomirski’s travel account

Abstract

The Prince Henryk Lubomirski’s travel account illustrates his journey through France made in 1811; the reconstruction of his Grand Tour’s itinerary. The wanderers commence their expedition in Geneva and return to this city seven weeks later. They traverse Lyon, Aix, Avignon, Marseille, Toulon, Turin. During this cross the prince keeps an account in which not only he describes masterpieces and historic monuments but gives some practical information about means of conveyance, distances, inns and hotels, charges and tolls as well. Morover, Lubomirski outlines customs and passports formalities operative in the Empire and risks to which the tourists are exposed. This account is a cardinal document depicting the everyday life of the peregrinationin the beginning of the 19^th century, at the time when traveling becomes a mass experience, accessible not only for aristocracy.