'Le Voyage de Hollande'. Recits de voyageurs Francais dans les Provinces-Unies 1748-1795

In: Strien-Chardonneau , M M G V 1992 , ' 'Le Voyage de Hollande'. Recits de voyageurs Francais dans les Provinces-Unies 1748-1795. ' , Doctor of Philosophy .

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of 82 accounts of travel in the United Provinces, written by French travellers who made their journeys between 1748 and 1795. In this period Italy, Britain but also Holland were very popular with French people travelling abroad. The Republic still served as a refuge for those threatened by absolute government or harassed by the judiciary. Moreover Dutch universities and well-established trading firms continued to attract French students and apprentices. In the second half of the eighteenth century increasing number of tourists set out on the journey to Holland, keen to visit a country reputed to be very special. Lovers of fine arts were curious to see the paintings of Flemish and Dutch masters, who were then becoming fashionable. Those interested in politics and infused with the spirit of the Enlightenment could have additional profit from the journey by seeing for themselves one of the few surviving republics of Europe. Zie: Summary