Paris Noir -Black Expatriate Writers Living and Writing in Paris
with
Professor Michele Simms-Burton
and
Politics and Prose Bookstore
MAY 18-25, 2025
Hello and Bonjour!
Join us for a fascinating exploration of Black heritage in the City of Light – Paris, France.
On this 6 day-7 night journey, you will discover the astounding richness of the African-American and Diaspora literature, arts, music, and education.
On this trip, you’ll join other people who like you are readers and curious about the history of expatriate writers in Paris: old and new. You will see Wright’s former home and final resting place. On the streets of the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain-des-Pres, you’ll revel in the experiences of James Baldwin, Chester Himes, Jessie Fausett, Gwendolyn Bennett, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, William Gardner Smith, Anna Julia Cooper. Where they lived, wrote, cavorted in cafes and attended classes.
From your central base in the vibrant Latin Quarter, you will follow the footsteps of James Baldwin in the literary cafes, trace the sounds of Bebop jazz musicians throughout St.Germain-des-Pres, stand where intellectuals and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance and the Negritude Movement inspired each other, and marvel at the arts world was forever changed by African and American visionaries.
In between the excitement of learning with every step, you’ll enjoy the delights that make France a haven for foodies and lovers of fine wines.
Your trip will be lead by scholar of African Diaspora Studies Michele Simms-Burton who will share with you her deep knowledge of Black achievement in France. Each day she introduces you to local Black creators and experts, iconic bookstores, museums, cafes, and little known corners of Paris.
At the end of each exciting day, the group will meet in the hotel salon to sample French wines and discuss the day’s events.
YOUR ITINERARY
Monday May 19
Arrive in Paris and head for your cozy hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Since everyone will be arriving at different times, the afternoon is free. You’ll be close enough to take a stroll along the nearby Seine River banks and Notre Dame Cathedral, visit the Louvre, or just take sit in a cafe like a Parisian and take in the ever-changing flow of people.
Tonight, you’ll meet your other travelers for a fun and tasty Welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Tuesday May 20
In the Luxembourg Gardens, meet your guide for an engaging walking tour of Black Expatriate writers, concentrating on the lives of Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Chester Himes who spent alot of time in the neighborhood’s cafes. Beyond their writings, what was life was really like for writers in the often-called Golden Age of Black Expatriate writers in Paris, each searching for and carving out their particular niche.
If you like, you can have lunch at the nearby La Terrasse de Madame in the garden. Afterwards, you might shop on the chic Boulevard St.Germain.
Later, enjoy an enlightening and fun evening with Paris-based, award-winning African-American writer Jake Lamar. We’ll gather in the Red Wheelbarrow bookstore for a public reading from one of his works and discussion. You will hear the realities of a writer’s life in Paris today.
Each evening you’ll meet at the hotel for a salon and wine. Discuss the day’s events, look forward to the next day.
Wednesday May 21
At the influential Presence Africaine bookstore, browse the shelves that contain the breadth of its publishing mandate since 1947. With your tour leader, you discuss and examine the literary and cultural exchange between Black Francophone writers from the former French colonies like Aime Cesaire, Leon Damas and Leopold Sedar Senghor and the African American writers in France and in the United States.
And let’s not leave out the women. At the nearby Sorbonne University, stand where Anna Julia Cooper obtained her PhD, learn how Martiniquan Paulette Nardal united the Diaspora intellectuals and writers.
Walking back the the 6th arrondissement, you’ll see the home of Gertrude Stein where she and her companion Alice B. Tolkas entertained Black expatriate writers like Richard Wright. This tour will also include how these Black expatriates engaged with other Paris-based writers Anais Nin, Jean Paul Sartre, Andre Breton.
photo: diogo-fagundes, unsplash
Thursday May 22
Did you know that Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo were friends as well as rivals friends in life? This morning, you’ll visit Hugo’s family home on the beautiful Place de Vosges, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Paris.
After nearly two years of work, the apartments of the author of ‘ The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, show off new exhibits including numerous letters and literary works, plus recently restored rooms that demonstrate Hugo’s artistic decorative talents.
You’ll have a chance to dive deeper into Dumas’ life on this trip, too, when you visit the statue of the writer.
In the afternoon, take a mesmerizing walk through the Musee d’Orsay which brings much light to the once-scorned changing trend in art, The Impressionists.
This evening, a splendid jazz night awaits! During an evening stroll with Julia Browne in St-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, trace the evolution of French jazz butting up against the revolution that was BeBop and the politics of post WWII. Listen to stories of great musicians. Then, if you choose this option, settle in at a jazz club to enjoy a delicious dinner, followed by a jazz concert.
Saturday May 24
You’re exploring well off the beaten path today. Taking the metro north again, this time to the 19th district to the famous Pere Lachaise cemetery, resting place of the famous and infamous. Here, in what can be called a serene sculpture park, you pay homage to writers Richard Wright and Victor Sejour, actor Benny Luke, and designer Patrick Kelly. They rest among many celebrities (Chopin, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Moliere, Colette, just to name a few) in this much visited site.
This is a photographer’s delight!
Afternoon – Visit an Artist’s Studio.
Still in north end Paris, get a rare invitation to visit the studio of a Paris visual artist.
Christina Maximoff was born in Leningrad to a French mother and Ugandan father. She grew up surrounded by books and art, and was deeply influenced by landscapes observed while traveling with her parents in Normandy, the Loire Valley, across Europe.
In her spacious studio, you will see an very unique blend of ancestral techniques of gilding, 18th century gold leaf, as well as landscapes of physical and emotional impression.
In this very private space, Christina will share her everyday as an artist in Paris, her inspirations… and perhaps inspire you.
This evening, you will share a wonderful Farewell dinner with your traveler-friends.
Friday May 23
‘Where Lie The Great Men of a Grateful France” reads the inscription above the Pantheon. But in this mausoleum, you will find interred several great women, also. In this majestic memorial you see the honors paid to Josephine Baker, the latest addition. Entertainer and Spy, she is the first Black woman so honored. Alongside her you will read the inscriptions to Toussaint L’Ouverture, Louis Delgres, Felix Eboue, Aime Cesaire and Alexandre Dumas.
This afternoon, ride the metro north to the 18th district and immerse into the African/Arabic neighborhood of La Goutte d’Or. But first, you’ll stopping for a tasty lunch on your own. Then your expert Afro-Parisian guide introduces you to a wonderful medley of sites, sounds, smells of West and North Africa.
Sunday May 25
Oh, so soon! Au Revoir! Depart for your flight home in the arranged transfers or stay on for an optional excursion.
YOUR TRIP DETAILS
- -Airport transfers – two way
- -Six nights in a refined Latin Quarter 4*star hotel with concierge service, breakfast, access to on-site hammam
- -Navigo metro and transportation card
- -daily excursions around the city that showcase the many sides of this wonder-filled city
- -welcome and farewell dinner featuring delicious French specialties
- -evening jazz walk followed by a 3-course dinner in a jazz club, hosted by Julia Browne
- -enlightening literary tour with Monique Wells of Entree to Black Paris
- -exciting reading with award-winning author and Paris resident, Jake Lamar
- -art workshop led by a local visual artists in her studio
- -eye-opening African district walk
- -2-day museum pass
- -nightly salon with wine and great conversation
- -expert guides – you’ll never see Paris the same again!
- -trip leader Dr. Michele Simms-Burton, scholar of African Diaspora Studies
- -trip leader Julia Browne, pioneer of Black heritage tourism in France.
Not Included
- airfare, meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary, tickets to venues and sites not in the itinerary, extra services at the hotel ie hammam/spa, luggage porterage, tipping.
MEET YOUR TOUR LEADERS
Michele L. Simms-Burton, PhD is a former tenured university professor and founding board member of the Toni Morrison Society. Her writings have appeared in The Crisis Magazine, DownBeat, D.C. Metro Theater Arts, Auburn Avenue, and San Francisco Chronicle. She has lectured globally on African American culture. Learn more about her at michelelsimms-burton.com.
Julia Browne pioneered Black heritage tours in Paris in 1994. As a professional travel advisor, she also curates Afrocentric customized itineraries.
As a speaker and associate producer, she presents Blue Lion Films’ documentaries ‘Paris Noir – African Americans in the City of Light’ and ‘Fighting For Respect – African American Soldiers in World War 1 France’ across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
RESERVATIONS
To reserve your space, REGISTER here:
Deposit due: December 31, 2024
Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions (see below) before signing up. If you have more questions, contact Trip Organizer:
Julia@walkthespirit.com
To secure your place, mail your deposit cashier’s check of $650 USD, made out to:
Direct Travel / Les Services Direct Travel
400, avenue Sainte-Croix
Suite 1140
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
H4N 3L4
Agent: Julia Browne, Walking The Spirit Tours
If you prefer to pay by credit card, let us know and we will email you a link to Direct Travel’s secure payment portal. Please note, there is a 3.5% or 5%(AmEx) credit card fee.
(Please note: As Walking The Spirit Tours and Direct Travel are based in Canada, foreign transaction charges may be credited by your credit card company or bank and are your responsibility.)
Price includes provincial sales tax.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please read this information carefully, as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.
Trip Prices
Trip prices are quoted in USD, per person. Price includes hotel accommodations on a single or double occupancy basis, breakfast at the hotel, daily transportation as mentioned in the itinerary, entrance fees to museums using a 2-day museum pass, mentioned tours and events, evening salons with wine to share the day’s activities and plans for the next day, and the services of the trip leaders as outlined in the trip description.
Not included in the trip price are entrance fees to museums and other attractions not expressly included; taxis or other forms of city transportation; airfare and airline baggage fees; lunches and dinners not mentioned; hotel, restaurant or airport tips; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, health services, laundry or room service; internet WiFi outside of the hotel; travel, emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance; all personal items.
Please note that we cannot guarantee any special requests for hotel rooms.
Funds received are held expressly for use in contracting travel arrangements for the client as governed by the Office For Protection of the Consumer Quebec, License #703340
—
Registration and Payment
The payment of your deposit confirms your reservation.
Deposits may be paid by cashier’s check made out to:
Les services Direct Travel/Direct Travel
400, avenue Sainte-Croix
Suite 1140
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
H4N 3L4
Agent: Julia Browne, Walking The Spirit Tours
If you prefer to pay by credit card, let us know and we will email you a link to Direct Travel’s secure payment portal. Please note, there will be a 3.5% or 5%(AmEx) credit card fee.
As Walking The Spirit Tours and Vision Travel/Direct Travel are based in Canada, foreign transaction charges may be credited by your credit card company or bank and are your responsibility.
Full final payment is due February 11, 2025.
Cancellation
Vision Travel/Direct Travel and Walking The Spirit Tours act solely as agents for the supplier(s) whose service(s) are being arranged for the client and we are responsible for supplying services, travel accommodations and tour included features as described in our materials.
Any cancellation or modification of services and tours of our suppliers’ products is subject solely to the conditions specific to each supplier.
Deposit
Your deposit is refundable for 7 days from the date it is received by Walking The Spirit Tours except for deposits made less than 120 days before a trip departs; those deposits are completely nonrefundable.
Seven days after the receipt of the deposit by Walking The Spirit Tours, deposits are not refundable for any reason and will be forfeited if you cancel your trip reservation.
Cancellation
For any cancellations made before February 11, 2025, you will forfeit your deposit plus $300 administrative fee, credit card fees on any amounts paid.
Specific suppliers, including hotels, may have different cancellation deadlines and supersede the refund policy.
Cancellations received Feb 12-March 17 forfeit 50% of the trip cost.
Cancellations received March 18 – April 17 forfeit 75% of the trip cost.
Cancellations received April 18- May 18 forfeit 100% of the trip cost.
If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification, which must be made in writing either by email, scanned document or registered letter.
There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy. It is for this reason we HIGHLY RECOMMEND trip insurance at the time of deposit.Cancellations must be in writing by email or scanned document to julia@walkthespirit.com.
You will be offered insurance as soon as your deposit is received. To qualify for Cancel For Any Reason you must purchase insurance within 7-10 days (depending on the provider) of making your deposit.
No refunds are made for unused meals, services, or lodging. Changes made after deposit may incur additional fees to be determined at the time of the change.
Cancellations become effective on the date they are received by Walking The Spirit Tours.
We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.
Vision Travel/Direct Travel and Walking The Spirit Tours do not guarantee refund of any amount paid to our suppliers in good faith for the contracting of services on behalf of the client.
MINIMUM Number of Travelers
This trip requires a minimum of 10 travelers. In the event that fewer than 10 people register and pay the deposit BY DECEMBER 31, 2024, the departure may be canceled. The deposit and amounts paid will be refunded minus credit card or mail processing fee, where applicable.
SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE-During the period of COVID-19 or any other pandemic or epidemic or contagion, you should refrain from joining a trip if you are feeling unwell, exhibit fever or other symptoms of contagious disease, or have been in contact with a person exhibiting symptoms of contagious disease within 14 days of trip departure.
If cancellation is necessary due to COVID infection or other illness, the cancellation fee schedule herein will apply. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE WILL BE OFFERED AFTER DEPOSIT PAYMENT AND YOU WILL HAVE THE CHOICE TO PURCHASE OR WAIVE. AN APPLICATION WILL BE SENT AFTER YOU RESERVE.
Final documents can only be released with proof of travel insurance or a decline waver.
Once your reservation deposit has been paid, you will receive a confirmation email and further information to help you plan your trip.
We reserve the right to cancel any reservations that are not paid in full at any time after the final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment due date, payment in full will be required immediately.
Full final payment is due February 11, 2025.
Travel Documents
You are responsible for securing your own passport, valid for at least six months after the completion of your trip.
Health and Medical Issues
We welcome all travelers, but you must be in good health to participate in this trip. The explorative nature of this Paris trip requires a reasonable amount of walking at a regular pace, possibly several hours a day, uphill or on uneven or narrow streets or streets without curbs. You must be able to climb stairs and board metro trains and buses on your own.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance if you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you.
You are responsible for assessing whether this tour is suitable for you.
If you are unable to navigate this amount of walking, you will not be able to participate fully in the trip. We cannot provide individual alternatives to the planned group activities. If your fitness level does not allow you to keep up with the group and/or travel on public transportation, you will be responsible for planning your own activities and for any additional costs incurred (for instance, but not limited to, personal taxis, train tickets, and entrance fees).
Arrival and Departure Dates
It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive on the specified trip start date of May 18, 2025. We cannot refund part of your trip if you arrive late or leave early, unless you have notified us of your different start or end date 90 days before the trip start date.
Responsibility
Vision Travel/Direct Travel and Walking The Spirit Tours act solely as agents for the supplier(s) whose service(s) are being arranged for the client and we are responsible for supplying services, travel accommodations and tour included features as described in our materials. We do not assume responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment to
you or your traveling companions or group members, resulting from:
A the acts or omissions of anyone other than us or our employees acting properly on your behalf
B no employee, agent or representative of ours has the authority to modify, waive or alter any provision of this Notice
C we are not responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused in conjunction with, or as a result of, any terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions or conditions outside our control.
In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations shall be made.
Les Services Direct Travel hereby confirms that it is duly licensed to operate as a travel management company under OPC license #703340 and carries both consumer Liability and Errors and Omissions insurance.
Participation is on a first come-first serve basis. Reserve now to ensure your spot.
Walking The Spirit Tours is an Independent Contractor of Direct Travel. I Les Services Direct Travel, 400 avenue Saint-Croix, Suite 1140., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4N 3L4 I Phone Toll-Free 514 748-2522. Direct Phone 519.497-0933 or +33 76898-8633. I OPC license #703340
Email: jbrowne@dt.com. I Terms and Conditions of Direct Travel here