Guermantes Way, Part I Summary

Back in Paris, the narrator's family moves to a flat that is part of the Hotel de Guermantes. The narrator and Francoise are sad to leave their old home, but it is necessary because Grandmother is sick. Francoise reminisces about Combray, praising everything about her former home, even her former mistress, Aunt Leonie, and Eulalie. The narrator spends a lot of his time imagining things about Mme. de Guermantes because of the legendary air of the Guermantes' name. He learns things about Mme. de Guermantes from Francoise, who spies on the comings and goings at the nearby Guermantes' home since she has become interested in the titles of nobility. She also gets gossip from her friend M. Jupien, the local coatmaker, and other servants. The servants ponder about the Guermantes and envy them. The narrator yearns to...