Victor Hugo's relative vows to carry on his legacy

Jean-Baptiste Hugo is the great-great grandson of the French writer and politician

The great-great-grandson of writer Victor Hugo has said he hopes plans for a new centre in his name will allow his legacy to live on.

Photographer Jean-Baptiste Hugo visited the island to capture updated images of Hauteville House, Victor Hugo's residence during his exile in Guernsey, since its restoration.

Mr Hugo said he supported the development of the new Victor Hugo Centre so young people could learn more about the writer and his social justice work.

Victor Hugo spent 14 years in the island, beginning in 1855 while in exile from the French emperor.

'Close to the ocean'

He wrote Les Miserables, Toilers of the Sea, The Man Who Laughs, The Legend of the Ages and Ninety-Three while at Hauteville House in St Peter Port.

His great-great-grandson said a centre close to the house would allow young people who learnt there to feel the "extraordinary creative energy" of the house.

He added: "This is the temple of energy, of creativity.

"Having a creative learning centre close to the house is just wonderful... they can see the work and the atmosphere of the house.

"I've been thinking about it for years, this is what was needed and I'm so glad it's on a good way to happening.

"What is important to me is to transmit his legacy."

Victor Hugo wrote some of his major works while living at Hauteville House

Mr Hugo also spoke of his great-great-grandfather's love of the ocean and why he so loved living alongside it in Guernsey.

He said when his ancestor first arrived he was asked by his son how he would spend his time in exile and replied: "I will watch the ocean" - before "immediately" buying his seaside home on the sale of some poems.

"He didn't want to move too far away from France, but also he wanted to stay close to the ocean and I understand because this energy, this is sublime.

"I heard that because of the recent storms people go to the ocean to see this crazy energy of nature."

He described the house as a "three-dimensional poem" created by his ancestor.

Mr Hugo also visited Guernsey in 2014, where he marked the centenary of the Victor Hugo statue in Candie Gardens.

He said that visit in particular made him want to embrace his own cultural heritage and links to his relative.