Ruins of Troy and the Dardanelles (1624, Louis, Baron de Courmenin) French traveler Jean Babtiste Tavernier (1605-1689) published his impressions after his travels to Eastern countries starting from 1677, and these publications garnered significant interest. Considered the Marco Polo of his time, Tavernier's writings were frequently used by the famous writer Montesquieu. Returning to France in 1668 with a great fortune from his travels and trade, Tavernier was granted a noble title in 1669:
"On the fifth day of our departure from Edirne, that is, the forty-second day since we left Vienna, thank God, we arrived in Istanbul (Constantinople); after crossing the city, we were taken to the residence of the French ambassador in Galata. The priest Chapes and Monsieur Saint-Liebau rested in Istanbul for two months. During the winter, we made a small trip to the Dardanelles and the ruins of Troy; there was nothing to be seen but stones: certainly not worth the journey."
