Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank (Small Group Walking Tour)
At a glance
Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank (Small Group Walking Tour) is a 3h small-group experience in Paris, France, operated by Visit the Hidden Paris. Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 35 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $114.53 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Local guide, A tablet is used by the guide to present photo & video documentation, and for reading excerpts of works from each author.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 8 people for a more personal experience
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 5 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 3h
- Group
- Small group, up to 8 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
There is a famous saying : “Everyone has 2 countries, their own & France”. This was especially true for numerous artists, writers & jazz musicians between the 2 world wars, many of whom flocked to Paris not only for artistic inspiration but also to find themselves.
Known as the Lost Generation, these were men & women who had suffered through WW1, a war that had taken 20m lives. They were all between 20 and 30 years old & questioned the old regime as morally bankrupt – seeking to build a new system.
Eager to share ideas they would gather in the numerous cafés of the Left Bank. Many of these struggling artists & writers stayed in the area’s cheap hotels or cold-water flats. We will visit the places they lived, worked & partied, bearing in mind that the bohemian Left Bank of starving artists & struggling writers has given way to chic boutiques & high end bistros.
Drinks not included in the price.
School groups are welcome on this tour - contact us for rates.
What's included
What's included
- Local guide
- A tablet is used by the guide to present photo & video documentation, and for reading excerpts of works from each author
Not included
- Transportation to & from meeting point
- Food & beverage not included
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 30m
We start off in a pleasant café with a short introduction to the Lost Generation authors and their involvement in WW1. Guests are requested to enjoy a cup of coffee while we begin the tour.
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Stop 2 · 10m
We visit the first flat where Ernest Hemingway lived & learn about his early years. We also visit the place where James Joyce finished his masterpiece Ulysses, in the face of much opposition.
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Stop 3 · 15m
We visit the original location of the famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, a 2nd home to so many of the Lost Generation writers - Hemingway, Pound, Stein & most especially Joyce.
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Stop 4 · 30m
We visit the homes of the Lost Generation authors around the Luxembourg gardens : Man Ray, William Faulkner, Hemingway (again)
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Stop 5 · 30m
We end the tour in one of the famed Montparnasse cafés, where all the Lost Generation writers came to party back in the 1920s. Guests are invited to enjoy a drink while we discuss the Fitzgeralds & their tragic end; Ezra Pound, with his outstanding talent & his despicable political views; then the controversial Gertrude Stein.
Meeting point
Meeting point is in front of the Café la Contrescarpe, on the Place Contrescarpe
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that I have been vaccinated (5x)
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank (Small Group Walking Tour) take?
The experience lasts about 3h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $114.53 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Local guide; A tablet is used by the guide to present photo & video documentation, and for reading excerpts of works from each author.
Where does it start?
Meeting point is in front of the Café la Contrescarpe, on the Place Contrescarpe
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 35 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Paris.
