La mythologie du Rhin

The work opens by painting the Rhine not just as a river, but as the beating heart of prehistoric Europe. It follows the restless tribes that first camped along its banks, tracing their battles, migrations, and the way the untamed forests shaped their beliefs. With vivid descriptions of tree worship, tiny deities, and the clash between wandering peoples, the author shows how the landscape itself became a stage for myth.

Drawing on linguistic clues that survive in Breton and Welsh, the author reconstructs the Celtic origins of these early settlers and explores how Germanic scholars have tried to piece together their forgotten stories. Illustrated by Gustave Doré’s striking engravings, the book blends natural history, folklore, and scholarly detective work, inviting listeners to imagine a world where swords clanged in silent woods and the river carried both commerce and ancient rites.