Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank (Small Group Walking Tour)
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
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
Transportation to & from meeting point
Food & beverage not included
What To Expect
Place de la Contrescarpe
We start off in a pleasant café with a short introduction to the Lost Generation authors and their involvement in WW1. Guests can enjoy a cup of coffee while we begin the tour.
Mouffetard Market
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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Paris 1920 : Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank
Lost Generation Writers: Visit the locations where the Lost Generations authors lived, loved & experienced Paris... along the way hear their stories
Reviews
28 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour. Highly recommend.
Suzanne G,
Apr 11, 2024
- Viator
5.00Great tour. Lots of interesting information from an well-informed guide. Very happy overall with the tour, though more time could’ve been spent on Gertrude Stein in my opinion.
A literary Tour de Force
Sabine D,
Nov 26, 2023
- Viator
5.00We are a bookclub from Munich and had a wonderful tour with Ellen telling us all about the Lost Generation writers of the 1920s in Paris. She is super knowledgedable and had a great sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour with her. But beware you will end up with a long list of books and authors afterwards that you will want to read.
Wonderful tour!
Hannah S,
Nov 22, 2023
- Viator
5.00Wonderful tour! So fun to see where icons of the Lost Generation lived, loved and created. Ellen was very knowledgeable. Appreciated all of the context and information shared, along with the questions she answered. Really special tour, highly recommend!
Take the tour
Matthew S,
Jun 28, 2023
- Viator
4.00The guide for this tour was great! She was very friendly, willing to accommodate our interests and abilities, and very knowledgeable on the writers of this generation. The tour did go over the scheduled time limit, but it was very interesting and informative. The only thing I would have liked would be a brief itinerary in advance, as the tour began with a drink and short lecture in a cafe, and my wife and I had gotten a cool drink in a cafe right before the tour started, as we anticipated walking for the entire time. The cafe breaks were a welcome rest, though!
So informative
Janice R,
May 25, 2023
- Viator
5.00Ellen was so knowledgeable, and I found the tour very informative. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with knowledge, or an interest in learning about the Lost Generation.
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Operated by Visit the Hidden Paris