Overview
Hemingway spent his formative years in Paris. Surrounded by fellow authors such as James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound & F. Scott Fitzgerald, he transitioned from cub journalist to seasoned novelist. These men & women were known as the "Lost Generation", many of whom had suffered through the horrors of WW1. They flocked to Paris not only for artistic inspiration but also to find themselves.
This tour will take you to the places that Hemingway frequented, where he lived, worked & partied. Along the way I share documented research on his life & exploits, archival photos of Hemingway in Paris, and excerpts of his work.
From his first trip to Europe as a volunteer Ambulance Driver in WW1, to his final days in Ketchum, Idaho, I will share Hemingway's experiences in Paris, his life, his loves, his work. We will visit his favorite bars and perhaps share a drink while I relate his story from his early years to Paris, and ultimately his tragic end.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Local guide
Tablet is used by the guide to present photo & video documentation
Transportation costs not included - there is a bus ride during the tour which costs €2/person
Food & beverages not included
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
The meeting point is in front of the Café la Contrescarpe, on the Place Contrescarpe
End point
We have several options for finishing the tour, guests are free to choose :
- Harry's NY Bar
- Hemingway Bar at the Ritz Hotel (requires proper dress attire & 48 hours advance notice)
- Select Bar, La Rotonde, Closerie de Lilas or any of the famed 1920s Montparnasse cafés
What to expect
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Quartier Latin
20 min
We start the tour in the heart of the Left Bank's bohemian quarter. We discover his early days before arriving in Paris. Then we will see Hemingway's1st flat - a cold water flat with no running water, shared toilets in the hallway & a mattress on the floor. Despite his poverty, he loved Paris & opened himself up to discovering a new city, a new life.
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Place de la Contrescarpe
10 min
Next stop, the place where James Joyce finished writing his masterpiece novel Ulysses. The two men were good friends, perhaps a "Literary Odd Couple" given their differences !
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Odeon / Saint-Michel
10 min
We will visit the original location of the famed bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, on the rue de l'Odéon. Hemingway was a close friend of the owner, Sylvia Beach, and he shared many happy memories of the store & the woman in his novel about Paris, A Moveable Feast.
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Eglise Saint-Sulpice
15 min
Hemingway's last flat in Paris was located nearby - the rent was paid by his 2nd wife's family and it was far more posh than his previous digs. We will hear about his friendship with Fitzgerald & discover the behind-the-scenes story of his 1st novel, The Sun Also Rises. It was a divisive book, that cost him the friendship of several close acquaintances, but it catapulted him to fame.
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30 min
Le Select was popular with all the Lost Generation writers. We end the tour here. Guests can also choose to end the tour in one of the other famed 1920s cafés of Montparnasse (La Rotonde, the Dome, the Closerie de Lilas), at Harry's NY Bar near the Opera, or at the Hemingway Bar in the Ritz Hotel (advance notice required for this option because dress attire is obligatory to enter the bar). Drinks NOT INCLUDED in the tour price.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/Paris).
Additional Information
- It is possible to end this tour either at Harry's NY Bar or one of the Jazz Age iconic cafés of Montparnasse, or even the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz. In the case of the latter, 24-hour advance notice is required since there is a dress code for the Ritz.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Hemingway in Paris - Small Group Walking Tour
Can I cancel Hemingway in Paris - Small Group Walking Tour for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 3 hours.
Where does it start?
The meeting point is in front of the Café la Contrescarpe, on the Place Contrescarpe
What's included?
- Local guide
- Tablet is used by the guide to present photo & video documentation
What's not included?
- Transportation costs not included - there is a bus ride during the tour which costs €2/person
- Food & beverages not included
Which places does it visit?
It visits Quartier Latin, Place de la Contrescarpe, Odeon / Saint-Michel, Eglise Saint-Sulpice.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Visit the Hidden Paris
