Private tour in Paris Ellen L

Literary Tour of Hemingway's Paris - Follow his footsteps

5.0

(3) reviews

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Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Ellen L.

4.8

Guide rating

83

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi there ! I am a friendly Franco-American who has lived in Paris for 30+ years. I know the best secrets of the city - where to eat, shop, visit. Stroll with me on my unique Paris tours & discover the hidden Paris. I am a trained historian with a Masters in Medieval History. Through my commented walks you will learn about the city's rich history. My tours are thoroughly researched, documented & scripted to ensure accuracy & interest, using illustrations, photos & video material. Paris is a great city to visit, but most of the tourists who come to Paris end up visiting the same monuments & attractions. Come walk with me & experience the real Paris, the city beyond the monuments. I will show you the hidden Paris, ​the places you won't find online or in the guide books. The secret side of a city where people live, shop, work, eat. . . a city that is 2000 years old ! Let me be your personal tour guide & discover the authentic Paris !! Master's Degree (MA) in Medieval History I am not a licensed guide. I am not a driver. I can arrange for taxis or Ubers for those who require transportation.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ellen L.

Overview of your Paris tour

Hemingway was a man larger than life, and this tour will tell the tale of the amazing life he led. I will take you to the places that Hemingway frequented. Along the way I share documented research on his life & exploits, rare archival photos of Hemingway, and excerpts of his work. From his first trip to Europe with the Red Cross in WW1, to his journey embedded with the American troops liberating France in WW2, I will share Hemingway's experiences in Paris, his life, his loves, his work. Hemingway spent his formative years in Paris. Surrounded by fellow authors such as James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound & F. Scott Fitzgerald, he transitioned from struggling journalist to seasoned novelist. These men & women, known as the "Lost Generation", flocked to Paris for artistic inspiration. We end the tour over a drink in the bars he frequented, where he wrote, drank & met friends. If you are a Hemingway fan, or just want to know more, then this is the tour for you!

Recent Reviews

Scott K.United States
August 2026

Besides a visit to Hemingway's haunts, Ellen provided a full and thorough history of his life and times. Very informative.

Ben C.
May 2025

Ellen began the tour in a cafe in the 5th arr with a video about Paris in the 1920s and the Hemingway gang. I was not surprised since other reviewers have mentioned the video show. Then we did a walking tour around Montparnasse area to see the highlights. Ellen also showed us many photos from her collection of the writers and painters of the era that are quite rare. To get a feel for the background I suggest reading A Moveable Feast by Hem and watch Midnight in Paris, a movie from 2010).

Judi B.United States
September 2021

What a lovely afternoon we spent immersed in the "Paris" of Hemingway and his friends and haunts. I would recommend Ellen for this and any other Paris-related tour she offers. Bravo!

Your Paris tour itinerary

- Mouffetard District : The tour starts in a literary café over coffee. We learn about Hemingway's early experiences in Europe during WW1, and his first heartbreak with Nurse Agnes. Next we see Hemingway's first flat, when he was young & poor but in love (with his wife Hadley but also with Paris!). - Odeon: We move on to the location of his favorite bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, in its original location. Then we'll see his posh last flat in Paris, where he lived with Pauline & wrote his 1st novel. - Luxembourg Gardens : Along the way we "meet" Hemingway's friends, family, lovers. . . . his 4 wives, his fellow authors (Dos Passos, Sylvia Beach, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound) and others he encountered). - Montparnasse : Over a drink in a 1920s café, we learn of his final years, from the glory of his Nobel Prize to his poignantly sad end in Ketchum, Idaho. Visitors can choose : a Montparnasse café, Harry's NY Bar or the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz (advance notice only).

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

This is a private walking tour of Paris, transportation costs to the starting point & from the end point are not included.

What's included
Other: We will take public transportation in between locations. However a private car can also be arranged if customers prefer.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. This tour can be customized, please feel free to contact me prior to booking. The tour ends either at the Art Deco cafés of Montparnasse, Harry's NY Bar, or the Hemingway Bar of the Ritz. Beverages not included in the cost of the tour. Appropriate dress required for the Ritz - advance notice 48 hours is needed.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Paris, Île-de-France, France

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: We will meet in front of the Café La Contrescarpe, a charming café with a yellow awning located on the Place de la Contrescarpe (street address 57 rue Lacepede). If you copy/paste these coordinates into Google Maps, you can see the exact location (48.84444297581748, 2.349350369311436).

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
831771
Languages
English
French
Activity level
Minimal

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Paris best suited for?

This private tour in Paris is perfect for Hemingway fans or anyone interested in literary history. It's also ideal for those who want to explore Paris through the lens of one of its most famous expatriates, Ernest Hemingway. Whether you're a literature enthusiast or simply curious about Hemingway's life and times, this tour offers a unique perspective on the city.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Paris be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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