A New Travel Guide: The Da Vinci Code Edition

I have finally been inducted into the Dan Brown book cult. You know it’s real when you tell your family that you’re reading The Da Vinci Code and your mom says to you: ‘you’re ready,’ and proceeds to list other controversial works to add to my TBR list. Jokes aside. This book has done everything literature should aim to do: it entertains, it engulfs, it teaches, it forces us to interrogate what we think we know.

Synopsis

Harvard lecturer and symbologist, Robert Langdon is giving a lecture in Paris. In the evening he receives an unexpected call that Jacques Sauniere, celebrated curator of The Louvre has been murdered. When called to view the crime scene, Langdon sees that Saunier has left an encoded message for him. Sophie Neveau, a cryptologist enters the scene and finds that she is just as entangled in this murder. Realizing that the crime involves centuries old societies and organizations, Robert and Sophie work together to decipher the codes left by Jaqcues Sauniere. All while, running from police and racing against other powerful enemies, Sophie and Neveu are the only two people alive who can find the Holy Grail. The ‘secret’ of humanity.

Destinations I have to (re)visit.

Through Robert Langdon, Dan Brown infuses rich architectural and historical knowledge into the narrative. It’s ingenious. He will not let any building mentioned go unexplained, even if it’s just in a few lines of trivia. Par exemple (just had to throw in some French): did you know that the Louvre was once the longest building in history stretching as further than three Eiffel towers placed together? For the safety of your moral conscience, don’t give this book to any one thinking of dropping out of school. They’ll do it. But play-time over. Let’s discuss serious business. TRAVELLING! The match that lights the spark in my eye. The dream that fills my head with dazzling images. This book intensified my desire to travel, to learn more and to look at art with a deeper lens. So here is a list of places following the book’s chronology on where I’d like to visit one day.

1. Le Jardin de Tuileries (France)

The list of places to visit in Paris are endless. While I’ve had incredible experiences with incredible people in the streets of Paris, reading this book has added yet another Paris destination I need to visit: Le Jardin de Tuileries. It won’t take too long to realize that I adore gardens, nature and all that romantic huffle-stuff (that pun was dying to come out…forgive me). However, what draws me more to this destination is it’s poetic presence. You know those famous red-tiled roofs on Parisian buildings? Well, here’s another fun fact from our dear Robert Langdon– as romantic as the garden sounds, it was actually birthed from a polluted excavation pit which were used those tiles or tuiles (in french). For me, this abiding sense of beauty even in the broils of industrialization is what I adore about many European cities. Passed down through a Royal lineage, the garden has been given new additions as centuries pass and is now a gorgeous park that’s over 200 years old. So you may just find me with an ice cream cone, a book and little Mona Lisa smile as I gaze among those tulip beds!

2. The Louvre (France)

I have visited the Louvre once in my life and it was the most magical experience. To recognize that you are literally stepping into the world’s most treasured archive of art curated with such care and passion is humbling. Having always struggled to live presently, visiting the Louvre, had, for just a few hours in my life enraptured me in that humbling present. After reading The Da Vinci Code, my desire to go again is completely magnified! It was always there, but now less of that wondering air of a sparkly-eyed tourist. I have more direction. And it leads me to the Grand Gallery of Italian art where I can observe Leonardo Da Vinci’s hidden symbols with more awareness. I need one more chance with his Madonna of the Rocks, thinking how the nuns must have gaped with confusion at this biblically errored painting. Also, laughing at myself as I imagine how Da Vinci must of known exactly what he was doing… Yes… I have an urgent date with The Louvre.

3. The Church of Saint-Sulpice (France)

“The Sun’s rays though the oculus, the graduated shadows of the gnomon, this is what makes the Saint-Sulpice,” says the nun as she wonders why a mysterious missionary wishes to visit the church at night. *Enters a billion emoji eyes* The construction of this church started in 1646 and continued to the 19th century. I can only imagine the wave of awe that’ll carry me as I gaze at the works of Delacroix within the Chapel Des Saints-Anges…

4. Chateau de Villette (France)

I had thought Dan Brown had made this place up, but goodness, it is actually an insanely gorgeous castle 40 minutes from central Paris. Now, what young lady wouldn’t like to saunter through marbled halls, look out to symmetrical green fields, balanced by vast lakes and imagine she’s the princess of it all? Well, as I practically drooled my way through google images, something told me I’d feel just that if I were to visit the Chateau de Villette. 10 points to France!

5. St James’s Park (England)

We move to London. One of the oldest Royal parks of England, with a perfect view of Buckingham palace peeking between the trees. I can already imagine sitting on a bench, the morning air crisp with a cup of coffee and Scotland Yard mystery novel (cause Scotland Yard would be just down the road!), mildly disrupted by the splash of waterfowl in the sparkly lake. Thank you, Dan Brown!

6. The Rosslyn Chapel (Scotland)

Apparently known as the “the Cathedral of Codes,” this breath-taking chapel was built in 1446 by the Knight’s Templar. Don’t know who the Knight’s Templar are? Get yourself a copy of The Da Vinci Code. What draws me to this destination is how it’s replete with symbols stemming from many faiths and cultures: “A mind-boggling array of symbols from the Jewish, Christian, Egyptian, Masonic and pagan traditions.” Isn’t it just phenomenal to know how everything in this world is so interlinked? I’m only brushing the surface when it comes to the intriguing facts about this church…You’ve just got to here it from Langdon.

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While these places are aggressively cliché, I couldn’t help but view them from a new perspective after reading this novel. The symbological connections, the passion that keeps the ancient living, and the simple appreciation of the mastery of crafts. And isn’t that the beauty of seeing the world from another’s eyes? You experience the world differently. Just a little disclaimer: there are a number of luxurious destinations I didn’t mention, namely Westminster Abbey and Monaco, simply because it’s the six places above that had stirred my inner-explorer the most!