Description:
<jats:p>Catherine Claudon-Adhémar and Francis Claudon : Chappe d'Auteroche's Voyage en Siberie. </jats:p>
<jats:p>The astronomer, abbé Chappe d'Auteroche was almost the first Frenchman to describe Siberia, where he went in order to observe a comet in 1761. His work was published in 1768 and republished several times ; the only contemporary work comparable to Chappe's is Biischung's Neue Erdbeschreibung (French translation 1768). Chappe's Voyage is interesting first of all for its choice of route (Paris-Tobolsk by road) and it provides information on the little-known geography of Siberia, including maps and all sorts of observations. Secondly, Chappe lists various geographical, climatic and above all sociological 'curiosities'. He is very impressed by the land of Russia, but he has less affection for its inhabitants, whom he finds wild with unexpected reactions — true barbarians in fact. He thus corrects Voltaire and Montesquieu, and his remarks on the relationship between nature and politics are still relevant today.</jats:p>