Imagine a comfortable living room filled with thoughtful conversations and engaging stories. That’s the essence of a French salon, a tradition that has captivated Parisian society for centuries. From the 19th century, when hostesses fiercely competed to attract the most captivating speakers, to the booming 1920s and 30s, where the legendary gatherings of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas became a haven for intellectuals and socialites, the salon has always been a place where ideas flowed freely and minds sparkled.
The Paris Writers’ Salon: Reviving a Tradition
In the heart of Paris, high above the vibrant sixth arrondissement, a new salon has emerged. Nestled in the very building where Sylvia Beach once ran the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore, the Paris Writers’ Salon is a modern-day homage to the Golden Age of salons. Their mission is to rekindle the spark of those fascinating gatherings while offering a unique window into the city’s creative spirit. The Paris Writers’ Salon believes in the power of dialogue to educate and inspire. A significant portion of their sessions is dedicated to thought-provoking discussions on life, literature, and the challenges and rewards of being a writer in Paris.
A Literary Journey Through Time
The Paris Writers’ Salon has crafted a compelling literary calendar, inviting attendees on a captivating journey through time and Parisian literature. Each month, they explore a unique theme, delving into classic and contemporary works that capture the essence of Parisian life.
The Modernists
December 2021 brings the Modernist movement to life with iconic works like Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room, and Gertrude Stein’s Paris France.
The Roaring Twenties
Fast forward to February 2022 and immerse yourself in the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties. This session features titles like Tom Clavin and Phil Keith’s All Blood Runs Red: The Legendary Life of Eugene Bullard, Zelda Fitzgerald’s Save Me the Waltz, and John Baxter’s The Golden Moments of Paris.
April in Paris
April 2022 offers a poetic exploration of Parisian springtime with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night, Louis Aragon’s Paris Peasant, and John Baxter’s A Year in Paris.
The Furthest Shores of Bohemia
July 2022 takes us on a journey to the fringes of Parisian society with Jean Rhys’s Quartet, Diane Johnson’s Le Divorce, and John Baxter’s Paris at the End of the World.
A Sense of Place
October 2022 focuses on the powerful connection between writers and their surroundings with Colette’s Ripening Seed, Edmund White’s The Flaneur, and John Baxter’s Saint Germain des Pres: Paris’ Rebel Quarter.
Un Certain Regard: Christmas Special
December 2022 celebrates the holiday season with a special selection of Parisian tales, including Guy de Maupassant’s Madame Tellier’s Establishment, Simone de Beauvoir’s The Inseparables, and John Baxter’s Immoveable Feast.
Hopes & Dreams on the French Riviera
February 2023 takes us beyond Paris to the sun-drenched shores of the French Riviera with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, Graham Greene’s Loser Takes All, and John Baxter’s The French Riviera & Its Artists.
A City of Dark & Light
April 2023 explores the contrasting sides of Parisian life with George Orwell’s Down & Out in Paris & London, Emile Zole’s Nana, and Octave Mirbeau’s Diary of a Chambermaid.
Strangers in Paradise
July 2023 delves into the experiences of foreigners in Paris with MFK Fisher’s Long Ago in France: The Years in Dijon, Harry Matthews’s My Life in CIA: A Chronicle of 1973, and John Baxter’s We’ll Always Have Paris: Sex & Love in the City of Light.
Night Songs for the Sleepless
September 2023 offers a collection of captivating stories for the night owls with Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, Albert Camus’s The Fall, and John Baxter’s Five Nights in Paris.
Paris, Love & Memory
November 2023 explores the romantic and melancholic side of Paris with Francoise Sagan’s Bonjour Tristesse, Patrick Modiano’s In the Café of Lost Youth, and John Baxter’s Of Love and Paris: Historic, Romantic and Obsessive Liaisons.
Montmartre from A to ???
January 2024 ventures into the vibrant artistic heart of Montmartre with Georges Simenon’s Inspector Maigret and the Case of the Strangled Stripper, Qiu Miojin’s Last Words from Montmartre, and John Baxter’s Montmartre: Paris’s Village of Art & Sin.
Discover Parisian Literature and Join the Conversation
The Paris Writers’ Salon is a vibrant hub for literary enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by Parisian culture. Their engaging discussions and carefully curated book selections offer a unique opportunity to explore Parisian literature and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re a avid reader or just starting to discover the magic of Parisian literature, the Paris Writers’ Salon promises a rich and rewarding experience.
