The Literary House of Victor Hugo is located in the Château des Roches former property of Bertin the elder, director of the Journal des Débats in the nineteenth century, there animated a literary salon where the most illustrious guest was Victor Hugo. He created an 11 ha English park bordering the Bièvre, a pond and its island give it a romantic charm. During his first long stay, in July 1831, the poet wrote, "Here long last the flowers that last little, here the soul contemplates, listens, adores, aspires, and takes pity on the world, narrow and fol empire." Les Feuilles d'automne, «Bièvre», July 8, 1831.