The Adventures of Tintin Complete Collection in French

For years, I embarked on a quest, reminiscent of Tintin's adventures, to find my own treasure: the Adventures of Tintin Complete Collection in French.

This pursuit, filled with as much anticipation and twists as any of Hergé's stories, reached its climax just before Christmas. Not only had I discovered this cherished collection, but the timing was perfect.

There it was, a complete set of 24 albums, each a gateway to nostalgia and timeless storytelling, ready to be placed under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

In this blog post, I invite you to join me on this journey - a tale of patience, passion, and the ultimate reward of holding a piece of literary and artistic history in my hands. And yes, I will tell you where to get the complete series with shipment in France and Europe.

Tintin: A childhood memory

The French and comic books share a profound love story. In France and Belgium, comics are not just for children; adults cherish them equally. I was raised amidst this cultural tradition of comics, following heroes like Asterix, Spirou, Gaston Lagaffe, Boule et Bill, and the Smurfs. In our home, we were devoted to the adventures of Asterix the Gaul, proudly owning every album in the series.

However, my cousins in Lorraine had a different treasure – the Tintin complete collection. During each visit, I would immerse myself in the enthralling world of the intrepid Belgian reporter with his distinctive quiff and faithful dog, Snowy.

Long-haul flights from Zurich to Sydney with Tintin!

In the early 1990s, our regular visits to my cousins ceased, and Tintin's adventures almost faded from my memory.

It wasn't until the 2000s, during my long-haul flights from Zurich to Sydney, that I reconnected with the talented reporter.

I habitually purchased Tintin's Adventures in compact English editions at Changi Airport in Singapore.

However, the smaller format and sometimes lesser image quality couldn't evoke the same thrill I experienced as a child with the larger French albums.

How I found the Tintin Complete Collection

Recently, now living in England, I embarked on a quest to find the Tintin complete collection in French. It was a challenging task. British online bookstores offered them, but only in English, and I had to be wary of the common softcover editions on this side of the Channel!

A visit to the Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence, featuring a stunning Tintin light show, rekindled my quest this autumn. In their shop, adorned with 90% of merchandise from Hergé's universe, I inquired about acquiring the complete Tintin albums. The helpful shop assistant suggested contacting a specialised bookstore.

After extensive online research, my dream was finally within reach. I discovered '1000 Sabords', a bookstore located in La Rochelle dedicated to the world of Tintin.

To my utmost surprise, they shipped books and other items across France and Europe, including the UK. My childhood heroes would soon be stored on my bookshelves.

Tintin in our home in Britain... at last!

I placed my order for the Tintin Complete Collection (link here) at the beginning of December, and they were delivered in perfect condition to my home in England just before Christmas. 

I vividly remember the delivery person's comment: 'Blimey, your parcel is rather hefty!' Indeed, the collection of 24 Tintin albums weighs a substantial 11.6 kilograms. They certainly made a prominent display under our Christmas tree!

Why order the Tintin Complete Collection in French?

Our daughter Aimée, an avid Tintin reader, has always enjoyed these tales, but much to my chagrin, she read them in English.

This complete French series presents a fantastic opportunity for her to delve into the world of Tintin and Snowy in their original language. It's not just a gift of literature; it's an invitation to a richer, more authentic linguistic adventure.

7 reasons why you should read Tintin in French

Reading "The Adventures of Tintin" in its original French language rather than in English translation offers several unique advantages:

1. Authenticity of Language:

The original French versions preserve the nuances, idiomatic expressions, and cultural references Hergé, the Belgian author, intended. Translations, even when well done, may lose some of these subtleties.

2. Cultural Context:

Tintin is deeply rooted in the Franco-Belgian comic tradition. Reading it in French offers a richer understanding of this cultural context. It allows you to experience the story as native French and Belgian audiences would, providing a more authentic cultural experience.

3. Linguistic Nuance:

The playfulness and creativity of Hergé's language, including puns, wordplay, and humour, are best appreciated in the original French. Translations might not always capture these elements effectively.

4. Learning Opportunity:

For those learning French, reading Tintin in its original language presents an excellent opportunity to improve language skills. The combination of visual storytelling and text aids comprehension and makes learning engaging.

5. Historical and Literary Value:

Reading the original text allows one to appreciate the work as a historical and literary artefact. You get to experience the evolution of the French language in the 20th century and Hergé's artistic growth over time.

6. Artistic Integrity:

The translation process may sometimes involve altering images or texts to suit different cultural contexts, potentially changing the original artistic intent. Reading in French ensures you see the work as Hergé created it.

7. Emotional Connection:

For those like me with a French background or who have learned the language, reading Tintin in French can create a deeper emotional connection to the story, resonating with personal experiences or memories of the French language.

Tintin's Names in French and English

Admittedly, something bothers me when my daughter experiences 'The Adventures of Tintin' in English. Milou is known as Snowy, Moulinsart is transformed into Marlinspike Hall, and Professor Tournesol becomes Professor Calculus.

And then there are Captain Haddock's creative expletives, which have become an integral part of French culture!

While necessary for translation, these changes somehow dilute the quintessentially Francophone essence of the series. The unique charm and cultural nuances embedded in the original names and phrases are, in a sense, lost in translation, replaced with alternatives that, although fitting, lack the original's cultural depth and resonance.

And to finish this article in style, here is a helpful French-English equivalence table of famous names and places mentioned in The Adventures of Tintin.

The following characters share the same name in French and English:

• Tintin
• Nestor
• Bianca Castafiore
• General Alcazar
• Rastapopoulos
• Oliveira da Figueira
• Mitsuhirato
• General Tapioca
• Allan Thompson
• Dr. Müller
• Abdallah
• Peggy Alcazar
• Igor Wagner
• Frank Wolff

Tintin's Places in French and English

The following places share the same name in French and English:

• San Theodoros
• Khemed
• Tapiocapolis
• Nuevo-Rico
• Gaipajama
• Sao Rico
• Los Dopicos
• Sanfacion
• Nuevo-Granada
• Klow
• Szohôd

Captain Haddock's famous expletives

Below is a comparison of some of Captain Haddock's famous expletives from "The Adventures of Tintin," showing their original French expressions and their English translations:

Tintin's albums titles in French and English

With over 250 million copies sold, 'The Adventures of Tintin' (Les Aventures de Tintin) ranks among the most famous and popular European comic book series of the 20th century.

The journey begins with the first album, released in 1929, and extends to the final, unfinished work in 1983.

The Tintin Complete Collection assembles all the hardback editions of the intrepid reporter's escapades. This anthology captures the essence of Hergé's storytelling, from foiling conspiracies against monarchies to dangerous treks across the Himalayas in a bid to rescue a friend. Each story in this collection springs to life as vividly as when it was first published.

The albums blend various genres: from high-stakes adventures in distant lands, detective mysteries, and espionage thrillers to science fiction and the supernatural, all infused with Hergé's characteristic wit and humour.

As a conclusion

I trust this article has whisked you away on a delightful escapade into the captivating realm of Tintin.

For those of you who relish further adventure, have you had the chance to experience Steven Spielberg's animated action-adventure film 'The Adventures of Tintin'? It brings our beloved characters to life in a thrilling new dimension. Should you wish to add this cinematic gem to your collection, the DVD is available for order here.

Embrace the spirit of adventure and let Tintin's timeless tales continue to inspire and entertain you.