La Perse, la Chaldée et la Susiane

A richly illustrated travel memoir invites listeners into a 19th‑century quest to trace the hidden ties between Persian, Chaldean and Sogdian art and the soaring cathedrals of medieval Europe. The author weaves personal letters, scholarly observations and more than three hundred wood engravings taken from her own sketches, offering a vivid sense of the landscapes, bustling ports and ancient monuments that frame the journey. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world where archaeology and architecture intersect with the lived experience of a determined explorer.

The story begins with a couple’s decision to leave a comfortable engineering post and follow a trail of rumors, diplomatic routes and perilous mountain passes toward the heart of the Persian Empire. Their preparation is marked by bureaucratic hurdles, divergent advice about safe passages, and the encouragement of a prominent museum director. Along the way, the narrator balances scholarly ambition with the practical challenges of travel, creating a compelling portrait of curiosity, partnership and the promise of discovery that fuels the early stages of this extraordinary expedition.