Harlem in Paris: Birth of Jazz in France Small Group Walking Tour
5.0
20 Ratings
Paris
Discover the captivating story of how jazz music made its way from Harlem to Paris, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of the Jazz Age. Join our small group walking tour and explore the birth of jazz in France.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Place Blanche - Just next door to the Place Blanche is the location of Josephine Baker’s club, called “Chez Josephine”. Known as the “Black Venus of Paris”, Baker became a French national and lived here from 1925 until her death in 1975.
    After starting her career in vaudeville shows in Harlem, Baker arrived in France in 1925 as a dancer for the NY Syncopated Orchestra, accompanied by a young clarinet player named Sidney Bechet. She headlined the orchestra’s new show, the “Revue Negre”, which was commissioned by the Theatre des Champs Elysées. It was an audacious show featuring 13 dancers, 12 musicians…and Josephine Baker, aged 18 & wearing very little more than feathers. Her erotic dancing fascinated the French & turned her into an immediate star, an icon.
What's Included
  • Live music during the tour
  • Photo opportunities
What's Not Included
  • Food & beverages not included
Additional Information

New Orleans is acknowledged as the birthplace of Jazz… yet, it was in New York and Paris, specifically in Harlem and Pigalle, that the Jazz Age thrived. When World War I ended, many African American artists migrated from Harlem to Paris, introducing a new genre of American-born music : jazz. Towards the late 1920s, Paris boasted more than 300 jazz clubs, bars, and cabarets, primarily located in Pigalle. This intriguing tale follows the men and women who established Paris as a Jazz hotspot, paving the way for the Roaring 20s.

Location
10 Rue de Bruxelles
Rue de Bruxelles
The tour begins at in front of the hotel Maison Souquet (https://goo.gl/maps/BS4DYfc4oXzbVcPp7)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Joybu5875fg
Sep 2, 2023
The Best Tour Ever - Ellen is amazing!. She is an amazing storyteller. I’ve been looking forward to this tour with her for a while. She provided pictures, videos, songs of artists and a souvenir booklet, something I’ll always cherish. Joy B.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_c
Aug 10, 2023
So Good - Very well delivered history with nice walk. The iPad added pictures and recordings of these amazing musicians. So good!
Review provided by Viator
Tanisha_g
Jun 2, 2023
Fascinating - The tour starts meeting in an old brothel in the red light district Great History lesson and some interesting facts.
Review provided by Viator
Debra_w
Mar 18, 2023
Paris Jazz - Ellen was the perfect tour guide. Her extensive research and love for jazz was evident as she shared the Harlem experience in Paris with me and my daughter. I highly recommend this tour that revealed unknown facts about the African-American presence in Paris.
Review provided by Viator
Y5718ajjodys
Mar 13, 2023
Learned a lot - Very informative and pleasant experience with Ellen. I highly recommend to anyone who loves jazz and Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smorgan831
Nov 22, 2022
Stories that everyone should know! - This tour exceeded my expectations. I was particularly interested in Josephine Baker. There were so many musicians covered, including many unknown and untold stories of Black Jazz musicians who earned their place on this tour and in our history books. The tour started in a speakeasy-style bar that was fascinating in and of itself. Ellen has done such a beautiful job putting together the stories of the black musicians who made Paris home and shared so much history and context of the time. The tour included music clips of the artists discussed and pictures to accompany Ellen's amazing storytelling. I plan to take other tours with Ellen when I return to Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
724jennyj
Nov 10, 2022
Both the tour AND the guide were amazing! - Traveling with friends, we ended up being the only four on this tour with Ellen and it was amazing! She was accommodating when we had to reschedule at the last minute and still made our tour feel scandalous even though it was during the day with coffee instead of cocktails! Between the detailed presentation Ellen showcases along with the history of jazz, we were captivated. Ellen is a dream and we will definitely be taking more of her tours next time we are in Paris. Thank you!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jewel_t
Oct 15, 2022
Harlem In Paris, October 2022 - Harlem to Paris Jazz Tour was more than I expected. It was thorough and filled with information I wasn't aware of. The setting at the velvet Brothel-themed hotel was a great segue into the tour, as it set the mood. I felt transplanted to the times of Josephine Baker and all of the Black Americans who launched their careers and businesses there. I look forward to the literary tour on my next trip. Ellen was a great tour guide! The tour was 5-star all the way!
Review provided by Viator
Penni_h
Oct 9, 2022
A must do for history fanatics - The experience starts at a local cafe where the host provides a lot of rich history and facts. It was a great touch with the ability to listen to some of the music. Then we proceeded to walk to where some of the historical clubs used to reside. Really good tour! I learned a lot.
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_p
Oct 6, 2022
Wow! - I'm so, so glad we did this Walking Tour. Ellen provided a wealth of knowledge, about the origination of Jazz in Paris, and Jazz Artists (known and unknown) who left an impact on the renaissance music scene. This is for anyone who wants to pull back some layers and go beyond the typical tourists excursions, and dive deep into some of Paris' best kept secrets. I've already shared the stories learned with some of my family and friends back home. Another plus - we traveled w/ our 1 year old, and the route was very easy to walk with a stroller. Thank you Ellen!
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today