Robert Langdon tourism: Culture and Travel Context

Robert Langdon, professor of Religious Iconology and Symbology, is the principal character in Dan Brown's series of conspiracy mystery novels. This article covers locations featured in these novels and the movies based on them

At the beginning of the movie, the curator of the Louvre in Paris, Jacques Saunière (Saint-Clair) has been found murdered. In his last moments, he left several cryptic messages written in blood referencing paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci such as Madonna of the Rocks and to "Find Robert Langdon". Robert Langdon teams up with Sophie Neveu to investigate her grandfather's murder:

2 Saint Sulpice (Église Saint-Sulpice), Paris, France. Meanwhile, Silas is also searching for the holy grail and visits St. Sulpice to find the Rose Line. He manages to excavate a rock with the King James Version Bible verse Job 38:11: "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further." (updated May 2024)

4 Château de Villette, Condécourt, France (40 km north of Paris). While fleeing the police, Robert and Sophie visit Sir Leigh Teabing at his chateau, but first, they have to answer some humorous questions. (updated Jul 2024)

The town of Roslin is a short journey from Edinburgh, Scotland by car or the 37 bus. It's usually more affordable to fly into Edinburgh but there is also a train station with trains from London King's Cross:

Rosslyn Chapel is one of the final locations in the film. While unrelated to Robert Langdon, there is notably the nearby Roslin Institute where Dolly the Sheep was successfully cloned and is now on display at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Perhaps Dan Brown was intrigued by this town's unique scientific and religious success.

8 Rossyln Chapel, Roslin, Scotland, United Kingdom (From Edinburgh: A701 road or bus 37). At the end of the movie, Robert and Sophie visit Rosslyn Chapel and find the holy grail. There is an exhibit dedicated to the film in the crypt and the movie greatly helped promote the chapel to international tourists. (updated May 2024)

The movie begins at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland, and the rest is set in Vatican City and the surrounding city of Rome, Italy.

Robert Langdon teams up with CERN scientist Dr. Vittoria Vetra to find a suspended antimatter sample before the battery isolating the sample from matter expires, which will cause a large explosion. They pursue the Illuminati through Rome to find the four cardinals who have been executed in a manner resembling the four elements of earth, air, fire and water.

9 CERN Science Gateway, Geneva, Switzerland. In a similar fashion to The Da Vinci Code, the Catholic priest and scientist Father Silvano Bentivoglio is found murdered in a CERN laboratory at the start of the movie. Also, a suspended antimatter sample has been stolen and relies on a battery to ensure it does not react with matter which would cause a violent explosion. CERN does offer tours to visitors. (updated May 2024)

This cultural overview is an excerpt of a community travel guide. Confirm current access, schedules and prices with the venue before planning a visit.

Source and licence

Text adapted from Robert Langdon tourism by Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. This adapted text is shared under the same licence. Contributor history.