Jazz Age Paris: The Fitzgerald Trail

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1

   Start at La Closerie des Lilas

   wine Price: moderate

   Hemingway's corner table

   Begin at La Closerie des Lilas (171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Metro Vavin). Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also Rises" at the corner table - find the brass plaque with his name. Order champagne at the bar (from €18/glass). Fitzgerald introduced Hemingway to the Ritz from this neighborhood.

   BACKUP: If La Closerie is too expensive, just peek in and move to Le Select.

   Log Memory
2. 2

   Walk to Le Select

   history Price: low

   Lost Generation headquarters

   Walk to Le Select (99 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 5 min). This was "Lost Generation" headquarters - Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Picasso, Man Ray, and Isadora Duncan all drank here in the 1920s. The zinc bar is original. Order a glass of wine or beer (€5-8).

   BACKUP: If Le Select is closed, La Rotonde across the street has the same history.

   Log Memory
3. 3

   Locate the Fitzgeralds' Ghost Apartment at Rue de Tilsitt

   history Free

   Free literary pilgrimage

   Walk to 8 Rue de Tilsitt (8 min from Le Select, near Arc de Triomphe). Fitzgerald and Zelda lived here in 1925-1926 during the glittering months that inspired "The Great Gatsby." The apartment building still stands - now luxury residences. Stand outside, read the brass plaque, and imagine the Jazz Age parties that shaped American literature. No ticket needed - this is a free literary pilgrimage.

   BACKUP: If the street is crowded, photograph the plaque from across the street.

   Log Memory
4. 4

   End at Le Dome

   Optional

   wine Price: moderate

   Champagne and oysters finale

   Finish at Le Dome (108 Boulevard du Montparnasse). Order champagne and oysters - the Fitzgerald staple. He wrote "The Great Gatsby" in Paris while champagne flowed freely (Prohibition made it impossible in America). "Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars."

   BACKUP: If Le Dome is too formal, Le Coupole (102) is equally historic and more casual.

   Log Memory