A bord de la Junon

Set in the late nineteenth century, this travelogue chronicles an ambitious educational expedition organized by a distinguished society of scientists, diplomats and financiers. Aboard the steamship Junon, a lively group of students, officers and travelers set out to circle the globe, stopping at ports from Gibraltar to Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Panama and beyond. The author weaves together personal letters, journal entries and vivid descriptions of the landscapes, cultures and scientific observations made during the early stages of the voyage.

The narrative follows the party as they navigate the Atlantic, cross the Isthmus of Panama and reach New York, where unforeseen financial and political difficulties force the expedition to pause. Through the voices of the crew and passengers, the reader senses both the excitement of discovery and the disappointment of an unfinished dream. The account invites listeners to share in the optimism and curiosity that drove this remarkable, though incomplete, attempt at a true circumnavigation.