Saint Germain: The Golden Age of African-American Writers
Walking Tour
Learn what brought authors Richard Wright and James Baldwin to this neighborhood and hear the tale of their dramatic clash.
Explore the quaint streets of Saint Germain-des-Près as you follow in the footsteps of two former residents, the African-American literary legends Richard Wright and James Baldwin. Find out why these two writers, who were once great friends, became... More
Les Deux Magots
Pull up a chair and hear how a son tried to slay his father
6 Place Jean-Paul Sartre et Simone de Beauvoir
Pass by the place named for one of France's most famous literary couples
Chez Papa Jazz Club
Stop by one of the last remaining Saint Germain jazz spots
Former Saint Germain des Près Jazz Club
Stop by a place that once played host to the greatest legends of jazz
Montana
Visit the site of the former jazz club frequented by the Left Bank intelligentsia
Café de Flore
Have a coffee, or even a cognac, as our story unfolds
Brasserie Lipp
Drop by the café where Wright and Baldwin had their first bust up
Le Rouquet
Check out this throwback to the 1950s
Hotel Verneuil
Visit the hotel where Baldwin wrote his way into a dispute with his mentor
La Rhumerie
Make a mental note to sample this classic Carribean cuisine later
San Francisco Books
Meet James Baldwin - the other protagonist in today's narrative
Former Flammarion Headquarters
Witness how a neighborhood pays homage to a literary Golden Age
Richard Wright's residence
Familiarize yourself with the life of the author of Native Son
The ideal start time for this Detour is 11am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, or Sunday afternoon.
You won't need more than 10 or 15 Euros in cash if you want to stop in the cafés where these storied writers used to hang out. The cafés also take credit cards.