Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers

Step back in time to 1920s Paris and explore the world of the Lost Generation writers of the Left Bank. Discover the places they lived, worked, and partied on this small group walking tour.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Place de la Contrescarpe - The tour begins in a charming café with a brief introduction to the Lost Generation authors and their roles in World War I. Guests are encouraged to savor a cup of coffee as the tour commences.
  • Rue Mouffetard - The tour explores the first apartment where Ernest Hemingway resided and delves into his formative years….
What's Included
  • Expert local guide equipped with a tablet for enhanced storytelling.
What's Not Included
  • Transportation to & from meeting point
  • Food & beverage not included
Additional Information

An old adage states, ‘Everyone possesses two countries, their homeland, and France.’ This rang particularly true for a multitude of artists, authors, and jazz musicians who migrated to Paris between the World Wars for creative stimulation and self-discovery. This group, known as the Lost Generation, were individuals that had weathered the devastations…

Location
57 Rue Lacépède
Rue Lacépède
Meeting point is in front of the Café la Contrescarpe, on the Place Contrescarpe
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(34 Ratings)
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Alan_p
Jun 4, 2026
Ellen was a fantastic... - Ellen was a fantastic person to lead a tour of this generation of writers and artists. She answered follow up questions using her vast knowledge of the individuals that shaped a literature out of the ashes of World War I.
Review provided by Viator
Raye_r
May 21, 2026
1920’s Come to Life! - I’m so glad I experienced this wonderful tour with Ellen. She was very knowledgeable about the 1920’s and the Lost Generation. Her ipad was loaded with photos from that period and of the famous authors. I highly recommended this tour
Review provided by Viator
Jane_g
Mar 29, 2026
Fabulous Tour! - The tour was fantastic, one of the best tours I have taken! Ellen is very friendly and knowledgeable about the subject matter. She incorporated a well prepared multimedia presentation into the tour. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Will_g
Jan 3, 2026
If you’re into La Génération Perdue in Paris, you’ll enjoy this tour - Re the Losr Generation tour: Enjoyed the tour very much. Ellen is quite knowledgeable of the subject and provided a lot of context and background to fit the various writers and their places in the Parisian literary world at the time. Plenty of time was provided to help soak things in. We even ended with Cocktail Time at Le Select!
Review provided by Viator
O892niaprilh
Sep 23, 2025
From the Left Bank to My Notebook: A Truly Inspiring Tour - Paris 1920: Lost Generation Writers of the Left Bank was an unforgettable experience. Walking through the streets where Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, and others once lived and wrote felt like stepping directly into literary history. Ellen was passionate and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating stories and quotes that brought these iconic writers to life. One quote from Hemingway really stuck with me – that every life is worth writing about. It made me see the city, and even my own experiences, differently. I left the tour not only with a long list of books I want to read but also with a spark to start writing myself. If you love literature, history, or just want to feel connected to the creative spirit of Paris, this tour is a must.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeffersond616
Jun 27, 2025
Well worth it - Our guide was excellent -- very knowledgeable about the writers' lives and works as well as about the specific locations attached to them on the Left Bank. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisewithane
May 17, 2025
All good! - I cannot say enough about Ellen's kindness, knowledge, and passion for her subject. We started in the back of a cafe, where we watched a video for background and overview. Then we covered quite a lot of territory on foot plus two Metro trips (one would have been a bus, but it was not running, and she changed pace in a second). We passed through and sat a while for more info in beautiful public gardens. We saw the homes (with plaques to identify) of many authors, and spent far more time than we paid for. We ended the tour at the foremost hangout of the 1920s crowd.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goetzk2023
Apr 6, 2025
Recommend highly to get to know Paris in the 1920’s and the American lost generation literature better. - Great guide and review of the topic in a beautiful lively part of the city of lights. Much better impression of the literary stars at the time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachel_s
Apr 13, 2026
Guide with Expertise: You Will Learn - The guide was very knowledgeable and had a terrific understanding of this topic. Overall, this was a fascinating way to learn about the writers who frequented the area. I would have liked more stops- and to cover more territory, but the weather prevented us from a bit more exploring.
Review provided by Viator
Karlagr8584as
Oct 19, 2025
Dog poop-literally - This was SO TERRIBLE I will try to get a refund. The guide had ZERO knowledge/expertise.. She struggled to read from slides that she apparently made recently. Every traveler knew the info she tried to convey. She also told us we would be responsible for her dog during the tour. After half an hour of horrible slides & half a block of walking, the dog popped on the sidewalk and we made out exit. Worst tour experience I have ever had. Very disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $104
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).