Jules Dumont d’Urville was a French explorer, naval officer, geographer, naturalist and cartographer who explored the south and western Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. He is also famed for his role in the discovery and acquisition of the famed Venus de Milo. In his life, he was part of three expeditions that circled the world – leading two of them.
Daring French Explorations Giveaway
To celebrate our series of d’Urville, the Explorers Podcast is giving away a copy of the book Daring French Explorations, Trailingblazing Adventures Around the World, 1714-1854, by Hubert Sagnières.
Find out more – and enter to win. It costs nothing and there is no obligation.
Episodes
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 1 – Early life and the Venus de Milo
In part 1 of our series, we look at d’Urville’s early life, including his journey into the French Navy during the Napoleonic era. We then look at his first scientific expedition about the Chevrette – which will include a journey to the Greek island of Milos. There, d’Urville will play a key part in the acquisition of the famed Venus de Milo for France.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 2 – Coquille Expedition
In 1822, d’Urville set off on his first epic voyage – a three year expedition around the world as the 2nd-in-command of the Coquille. The voyage will take him to the Falkland Islands, South America, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and more.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 3 – the first voyage of the Astrolabe
Jules Dumont d’Urville returns to the South Pacific about the Astrolabe. In this episode, we explore Australia, New Zealand and the Tongan Islands. The ship will – multiple times – find itself stuck on reefs. The episode will end with d’Urville bombarding the Tongans after seize numerous hostages in hope of obtaining French weapons, supplies and military expertise.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 4 – the first voyage of the Astrolabe (continued)
In part four of our series, d’Urville takes the Astrolabe through islands of the Pacific, and goes in search of the lost expedition of Jean François de Galaup Lapérouse. On his return to France, he will play a small role in the Revolution of 1830.
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Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 5 – the second voyage of the Astrolabe: Antarctica
In part 5 of our series, d’Urville leads two ships – including the Astrolabe – on a circumnavigation of the world. The first stops on the agenda are the Strait of Magellan and Antarctica.
Download this episode or listen online.
Note: in this episode, I reference that Hubert Sagnières, the author of Daring French Explorations, was able to find a waterfall described by d’Urville and Louis Antoine de Bougainville by using drawings, maps and written logs. Here are the images Sagnières used for this. The tree seen in the drawing of the falls was still there, but had died and had fallen over. All photos are from Hubert Sagnières, Daring French Explorations, Flammarion, 2024
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 6 – the second voyage of the Astrolabe: the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia
d’Urville and his two ships sail from South America to Polynesia. On the agenda for this episode is Tahiti, Guam, Tonga, the Philippines, Batavia, New Guinea, Singapore, and Australia. Despite illnesses depleting the ranks of the expedition, the Astrolabe and the Zelee will finish up in Tasmania as they prepare for another voyage to Antarctica.
Download this episode or listen online.
Jules Dumont d’Urville – Part 7 – the second voyage of the Astrolabe: Return to Antarctica
In the final chapter of our series on Jules Dumont d’Urville, the Astrolabe and the Zelee return to Antarctica, before making a long voyage home to France. We wrap up with the tragic death of d’Urville and his family, plus a look at the man’s legacy.
Download this episode or listen online.
Maps
For the Coquille Expedition, I found a map of the route online at Researchgate.org.
So check out that link to see the route. If I find a better one I can put on my site, I will do so.
The first Voyage of the Astrolabe map. Click on the map to see more details.
Click on the map to get a detailed look at the 2nd Voyage of the Astrolabe. This map is an incredible piece of work from Wikipedia. Here is the source. I recommend looking at it as it details all the exact locations on the map. Incredibly well done map.
Resources
Daring French Explorations Giveaway Page. Win a copy of the book!
Dumont d’Urville, Explorer and Polymath, by Edward Duyker. Absolutely the best English-language resource about d’Urville out there. This is a super in-depth look at our subject – and exploration in this era.
Jules Dumont d’Urville on Wikipedia.
Images
Painting of the Astrolabe as it sails through the French Pass in New Zealand.
The image of d’Urville at the top of the page is courtesy of Wikipedia. Source information.
I love this image of the Astrolabe in Antarctica 1838. Image source and details.
Here are some other images of d’Urville’s voyages, including a look at the ship as it is almost on its side in the Torres Strait.
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