Paris: inspiration on every corner: African American writers have long found a home away from home in the City of Lights.For writers of all nationalities, creeds and colors, Paris represents an irresistible place to search for one's muse. African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. authors such as James Baldwin Noun 1. James Baldwin - United States author who was an outspoken critic of racism (1924-1987) Baldwin, James Arthur Baldwin , Richard Wright Noun 1. Richard Wright - United States writer whose work is concerned with the oppression of African Americans (1908-1960) Wright and Barbara Chase-Riboud have found inspiration there, and countless others have set up residence or made the pilgrimage in the hope of doing so. Historically speaking Historically Speaking is a 1951 recording by baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who is joined by pianist George Wallington. Track listing
n. 1. The chief administrative subdivision of a department in France. 2. A municipal subdivision in some large French cities. on the Left Bank of the Seine, these quarters were the center of black, literary care life after World War II. Richard Wright's favorite cafe was the Monaco (now the Comptoir du Relais) at No. 5, carrefour de l'Odeon. [See list, In Their Footsteps, page 35.] It was just down the street from No. 12, rue Monsieur le Prince, the building where he and his family resided for most of his time in Paris. A plaque honoring him as a "Black-American man of letters man of letters n. pl. men of letters A man who is devoted to literary or scholarly pursuits. Noun 1. man of letters - a man devoted to literary or scholarly activities " is affixed af·fix tr.v. af·fixed, af·fix·ing, af·fix·es 1. To secure to something; attach: affix a label to a package. 2. to this building, which is still an apartment house. Most of the African American writers of Wright's time gathered at the Tournon, a small cafe at No. 18, rue de Tournon. The writer William Gardner Smith reportedly discovered the care when he moved to an apartment above it in 1955. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. former journalist Richard Gibson Richard Gibson (born 1 January, 1954 in Kampala, Uganda) is a British actor, is probably best known for his role as the archetypal Gestapo Officer Herr Otto Flick in the BBC hit sitcom series, 'Allo 'Allo!. , one of the Tournon "gang," the place has scarcely changed since he was a patron during the 1950s and '60s. Paris' most prestigious literary cafes are Les Deux Magots Les Deux Magots is a famous[1] café in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, France. It was once famed for, and prided itself in, its reputation as the rendezvous of the literary and intellectual elite of the city. and Cafe Flore. Wright favored Les Deux Magots--he met James Baldwin there when Baldwin first arrived in Paris in 1948. In contrast, Baldwin favored the Flore. He spent many days in its upper room, socializing and struggling to write. Directly across the street from the Flore, the Brasserie bras·se·rie n. A restaurant serving alcoholic beverages, especially beer, as well as food. [French, from brasser, to malt, brew, from Old French bracier, from Vulgar Latin Lipp is a favorite of contemporary sculptor, author and poet Barbara Chase-Riboud. [See BIBR BIBR Bay Islands Beach Resort (Roatan, Honduras) BIBR Backward Indicator Bit Received , March-April 2005, CONTEMPORARY LEGEND.] Harlem in Montparnasse The Montparnasse district is most famous for the multinational artistic community that flourished there in the early 20th century. Many writers--African American among them--have frequented the area, as well. Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance, term used to describe a flowering of African-American literature and art in the 1920s, mainly in the Harlem district of New York City. During the mass migration of African Americans from the rural agricultural South to the urban industrial North writers would gather for drinks at the Falstaff Bar at 42, rue du Montparnasse. Claude McKay's and Countee Cullen's works were published by the Black Manikin manikin /man·i·kin/ (man´i-kin) a model to illustrate anatomy or on which to practice surgical or other manipulations. manikin (man´ikin), n , a small Anglophone publishing house that was once located at 4, rue Delambre. The Poissonerie du Dome, a high-quality fish market, is now located at this address. Chase-Riboud's French publisher Albin Michel has offices at 204, boulevard Raspail. Le Dome is one of four cafes at the carrefour Vavin on boulevard du Montparnasse. It, along with Le Select, La Rotonde La Rotonde is the official French-language student newspaper at the University of Ottawa. The newspaper publishes weekly throughout the fall and winter sessions on regular topics including news, culture and society, sports, and travel. and La Coupole La Coupole ("The Cupola") is the name of a Second World War V-2 rocket base constructed by Nazi Germany at Wizernes, south west of the French town of Saint-Omer, between Lille and Calais. were the hub of social activity for this Bohemian quarter during its heyday. Baldwin used Le Select as a setting in his novel Giovanni's Room Giovanni's Room is a novel by James Baldwin first published in 1956. It is considered "groundbreaking" in that the novel featured gay central characters at a time when this was uncommon. ; Chester Himes wrote A Jealous Man Can't Win there. La Coupole is the largest and most impressive of the cafes, and was one of Josephine Baker's favorite places. Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes and Chester Himes are among the black American writers who are known to have frequented this historically classified monument. Backdrop for Mystery In the 18th arrondissement, on the opposite side of town, Montmartre has captured the heart of contemporary author lake Lamar. In his latest thriller, Rendezvous Eighteenth (St. Martin's Minotaur, November 2003), he skillfully weaves the tale of protagonist Ricky Jenks using this district as a backdrop. Visitors wanting to walk in the footsteps of Ricky Jenks and his creator will appreciate a stroll along Avenue Junot (the setting for one of the murders committed in the novel) to admire the mansions on this quiet street. They are also sure to enjoy the charm of place des Abbesses, where Jenks buys his morning croissants, and the eclectic creperie Le Tire Bouchon at No. 9, rue Norvins, which was the inspiration for Jenks's workplace Le Bon Montmartrois. Among the sites that figure in the action of Rendezvous Eighteenth, the square Roland Dorgeles on the corner of rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent may be the most picturesque. The Montmartre vineyard, the colorful cabaret Au Lapin Agile and Saint-Vincent Cemetery lie at the other three points of this intersection that approaches the summit of the hill. This corner is where the climax of the novel takes place. For those who would like to work on their writing while in the city, the WICE WICE World Industry Council for the Environment WICE Window for Information Communication and Entertainment Paris Writers Workshop is offered for one week every summer, featuring 15 hours of class time and one individual conference with a Writer in Residence Additional activities include lectures, readings and literary walking tours. WICE Paris Writers Workshop, July 3-8, 2005; http://www.wice-paris.org/courses/creative/pww.html. Whether you are an aspiring or accomplished author, poet, journalist or playwright, inspiration awaits you in Paris! Monique Y. Wells is cofounder co·found tr.v. co·found·ed, co·found·ing, co·founds To establish or found in concert with another or others. co·found of Discover Paris!--Personalized Itineraries for Independent Travelers (www.discoverparis.net) and the author of Food for the Soul: A Texas Expatriate Nurtures Her Culinary Roots in Paris (Elton-Wolf Publishing, April 2004; www.parisfoodforthesoul.com). She is the creator of the walks in Paris Reflections: Walks Through African American Paris (McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, Spring 2004. In Their Footsteps Comptoir du Relais (cafe/restaurant of the hotel Relais Saint-Germain), No. 5, carrefour de l'Odeon, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-43-29-12-05. Open every day from noon to midnight. Le Tournon, No. 18, rue de Tournon, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-43-26-16-16. Open Monday through Friday from 7 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. Les Deux Magots, No. 6, place Saint-Germain des Pres, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-45-48-55-25. Open every day from 7:30 A.M. to 1:30 A.M. Cafe Flore, No. 172, boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-45-48-55-26. Open every day from 7:30 A.M. to 1:30 A.M. Brasserie Lipp, No. 151, boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-45-48-53-91. Open every day from 11:45 A.M. to 2 A.M. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner. Falstaff Bar, No. 42, rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris; telephone: 331-43-35-38-29. Open every day from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 A.M. on weekdays, to 5 A.M. on weekends. Le Dome, No. 108, boulevard Montparnasse, 75014 Paris; telephone: 331-43-35-25-81. Open every day from 8 A.M. to midnight. Lunch served from noon to 3 P.M.; dinner is served from 7 P.M. to midnight. Le Select, No. 99, boulevard Montparnasse 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-45-48-38-24. Open every day from 7 A.M. to 2:30 A.M. La Rotonde, No. 105, boulevard Montparnasse, 75006 Paris; telephone: 331-43-26-48-26. Open every day from 7:15 A.M. to 1 A.M. La Coupole, No. 100, boulevard Montparnasse, 75014 Paris; telephone: 331-43-20-14-20. Open every day from 8 A.M. to 1 A.M. Le Tire Bouchon, No. 9, rue Norvins, 75018 Paris; telephone: 331 42 55 12 35. Open every day from 3 P.M. to 1 A.M. Au Lapin Agile, No. 22, rue des Saules, 75018 Paris; telephone: 331-46-06-85-87. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 P.M. to 2 A.M. Getting There: The following airlines offer direct flights to Paris from hubs across the U.S.: Air; France; American; Continental; Delta; United; U.S. Airways. Check with your favorite travel agent or Web site for fares. Where to Stay: Budget Conscious Residence des Gobelins (owned by a French/Jamaican couple) 9, rue des Gobelins, 75013 Paris; telephone: 331-47-07-26-90; fax: 331-43-31-44-05. Internet: www.hotelgobelins.com Rates: 55-99 euros per night. Breakfast: 7 euros per person. Middle-Range Hotel de Lutece, 65 rue Saint Louis-en-l'ile, 75004 Paris; telephone: 331-43-26-23-52; fax: 331-43-29-60-25. Internet: www.hoteldelutece.com. Rates: 130-186 euros per night. Breakfast: 11 euros per person. Upscale Hotel Bel Ami, 7-11 Rue St-Benoit 75006, Paris; telephone: 331-42 61-53-53; fax: 331-49-27-09-33. Internet: www.hotel-bd-ami.com. Rates: 260-490 euros per night. Breakfast: 22 euros per person. |
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