In 1876, a youthful Robert Louis Stevenson embarked on a memorable escapade alongside his companion Walter Simpson. Their expedition encompassed the waterways of Belgium and northern France, a voyage etched into history. The intrepid duo embarked on this journey aboard two canoes christened Cigarette and Arethusa, embarking from Antwerp in Belgium and navigating through to Pontoise, located in close proximity to Paris.
In an era where unconventional leisure travel was rare, their mode of transport often led them to be misconstrued as wandering peddlers. This misconception resulted in multiple instances of denied lodging. Nevertheless, the presence of their distinctive canoes sparked immense intrigue within the quaint villages they traversed. The visual spectacle left an indelible mark on the local inhabitants.
Stevenson meticulously transcribed his observations from this odyssey, giving rise to the creation of his literary masterpiece, "An Inland Voyage." This chronicle of their expedition achieved commercial publication in 1878, marking Stevenson's inaugural foray into the realm of published works. The saga of their journey, marked by curious misadventures and vivid encounters, remains a timeless testament to the spirit of exploration during a bygone era.