[JenB]

But not French ;-)

I like the way you think.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Sure, I figure H.G. Wells got the idea for The Time Machine from Verne.

[ExGeeEye]

Now we all know that Jules and Vern were the sons of Emmett and Clara (Clayton) Brown.

How they got to France in the 1850-70 frame is conjectured and has something to do with a flying locomotive, though any who reported seeing such a thing were immediately taken up for insanity (that how Spanish gained the word "loco" for "crazy").

This can be verified. I will gather the necessary documents and present them for your perusal in about 46 years.