When I'm in Paris

Paris’ literary history is in a league of its own.

Although novelists, short story writers and poets have lived in every part of Paris, perhaps it is the beautiful Saint Germain des Pres, located in the 6th on the Left Bank, that springs to mind foremost when discussing Paris’ rich literary tradition.

In more recent history (relatively speaking), the “Lost Generation” of American expatriates contributed much to this literary legacy. This was the era known as the “roaring ’20s” in the United States and the “années folles” (“crazy years”) in French. The term “Lost Generation” was coined by American expatriate Gertrude Stein, who ruled over Parisian salon society, but French Existentialism writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir later added yet another layer to Paris’ literary tradition.

Many of these writers gathered in the cafes of the Saint Germain to discuss work on the creations that would define the self-reflexivity and angst of the 20th century psyche. While Sartre directly questioned the significance of existence, Hemingway attacked American bourgeois values and struggled with a sense of meaning in his own way. These writers, among many others, were in large part responding to the horror of World War I and the scientific and cultural changes that were beginning to transform modern life.

Today, writers and those interested in literary history need only stroll the Saint Germain to see the same sights witnessed by many of these and other writers so long ago. From poets such as Ezra Pound to French surrealists like Andre Breton and Guillaume Apollinaire, their legacy lives on in the cobbled streets and even cafes of this exciting area. (There’s even a statue that pays homage to Guillaume Apollinaire in charming park behind the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.)

The Cafe Les Deux Magots, which once served Hemingway and Sartre, is still very much in business, with impeccable service and delicious, first-rate coffee and food.

Today, the Saint Germain is also home to Paris’ literary and publishing houses.

Writers will find that Paris’ literary tradition is very much alive. There are cafes offering discussions in English and places where you can read your own poetry and fiction. The way to find these events is by looking at the various publications and websites catering to American expatriates in Paris.

If you’re American, good places to start building your connections into Paris’ literary community are places like the American Church in Paris, located near the Invalides. This focal point for the American community in Paris offers a bulletin board where people look for employment and help, and is a great place to speak to other Americans who know the ropes. There are magazines and directories here that offer more in-depth ways of finding like-minded souls.

Needless to say, there are also various sites and guides available online.

“Tourist” guidebooks can also offer a surprising amount of information on literary cafes and activities. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a tourist, don’t be afraid to see what they have to offer.

Yet another way to network with the expatriate literary community is to visit the famous Shakespeatre & Company Bookstore. This English-language bookstore, located by the Seine in the Latin Quarter, often gives shelter to qualifying writers visiting from abroad, and features readings and signings by English-language authors.

If you’re a writer visiting Paris, or plan to do writing while in the French capital, Shakespeare & Company is certainly a great place to start.

No matter which route you choose, there’s an apartment rental in Paris that can let you live in these historic areas, where you can find yourself a living part of this exciting legacy.