Harlem in Paris: Birth of Jazz in France Small Group Walking Tour
5.0
23 Ratings
Paris
Discover the captivating story of how jazz music made its way from Harlem to Paris, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of the Jazz Age. Join our small group walking tour and explore the birth of jazz in France.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Place Blanche - Just next door to the Place Blanche is the location of Josephine Baker’s club, called “Chez Josephine”. Known as the “Black Venus of Paris”, Baker became a French national and lived here from 1925 until her death in 1975.
    After starting her career in vaudeville shows in Harlem, Baker arrived in France in 1925 as a dancer for the NY Syncopated Orchestra, accompanied by a young clarinet player named Sidney Bechet. She headlined the orchestra’s new show, the “Revue Negre”, which was commissioned by the Theatre des Champs Elysées. It was an audacious show featuring 13 dancers, 12 musicians…and Josephine Baker, aged 18 & wearing very little more than feathers. Her erotic dancing fascinated the French & turned her into an immediate star, an icon.
What's Included
  • Live music during the tour
  • Photo opportunities
What's Not Included
  • Food & beverages not included
Additional Information

New Orleans is acknowledged as the birthplace of Jazz… yet, it was in New York and Paris, specifically in Harlem and Pigalle, that the Jazz Age thrived. When World War I ended, many African American artists migrated from Harlem to Paris, introducing a new genre of American-born music : jazz. Towards the late 1920s, Paris boasted more than 300 jazz clubs, bars, and cabarets, primarily located in Pigalle. This intriguing tale follows the men and women who established Paris as a Jazz hotspot, paving the way for the Roaring 20s.

Location
10 Rue de Bruxelles
Rue de Bruxelles
The tour begins at in front of the hotel Maison Souquet (https://goo.gl/maps/BS4DYfc4oXzbVcPp7)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
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Dionne_h
May 2, 2024
Great tour - This was one my most favorite parts of my visit. The tour was very informative and Ellen is a great guide. Definitely worth doing
Review provided by Viator
Discover07535375089
Apr 21, 2024
So much, African American History in Paris! - The Magnificent “Mrs. Ellen” will guide you on your Harlem in Paris! The “Harlem in Paris: the Birth of Jazz in France” walking tour is a fascinating exploration of a unique cultural infusion that reshaped the Parisian music scene. This tour delves into the warm reception of African American service members by the French during World War I, a pivotal moment that laid the groundwork for an enduring friendship. This connection facilitated the flow of Harlem’s jazz into the heart of France, where it found a passionate audience. The tour brilliantly highlights the remarkable accomplishments of African American entertainers, musicians, and writers who made Paris their home. These pioneers not only brought their art to the European stages but also thrived as entrepreneurs, with many owning clubs, homes, and businesses that became central to their communities in Paris. The narrative includes tales of legendary figures like Josephine Baker, who became a star on the Paris stage and an icon of the Jazz Age, and writers like Langston Hughes, whose work resonated with themes of freedom and racial harmony. As you walk the streets of Paris, the tour vividly brings to life the vibrant atmosphere of the jazz clubs during the Roaring Twenties and the profound impact of these artists on French culture. The “Harlem in Paris” tour is not just a historical journey; it is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of a community that, despite facing adversity, left an indelible mark on the world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Celestine_s
Apr 12, 2024
Great storytelling - Ellen was extremely knowledgeable & kind. She’s a phenomenal storyteller who clearly did a great deal of research & pulled together a cohesive & detailed tour.
Review provided by Viator
Joybu5875fg
Sep 2, 2023
The Best Tour Ever - Ellen is amazing!. She is an amazing storyteller. I’ve been looking forward to this tour with her for a while. She provided pictures, videos, songs of artists and a souvenir booklet, something I’ll always cherish. Joy B.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_c
Aug 10, 2023
So Good - Very well delivered history with nice walk. The iPad added pictures and recordings of these amazing musicians. So good!
Review provided by Viator
Tanisha_g
Jun 2, 2023
Fascinating - The tour starts meeting in an old brothel in the red light district Great History lesson and some interesting facts.
Review provided by Viator
Debra_w
Mar 18, 2023
Paris Jazz - Ellen was the perfect tour guide. Her extensive research and love for jazz was evident as she shared the Harlem experience in Paris with me and my daughter. I highly recommend this tour that revealed unknown facts about the African-American presence in Paris.
Review provided by Viator
Y5718ajjodys
Mar 13, 2023
Learned a lot - Very informative and pleasant experience with Ellen. I highly recommend to anyone who loves jazz and Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smorgan831
Nov 22, 2022
Stories that everyone should know! - This tour exceeded my expectations. I was particularly interested in Josephine Baker. There were so many musicians covered, including many unknown and untold stories of Black Jazz musicians who earned their place on this tour and in our history books. The tour started in a speakeasy-style bar that was fascinating in and of itself. Ellen has done such a beautiful job putting together the stories of the black musicians who made Paris home and shared so much history and context of the time. The tour included music clips of the artists discussed and pictures to accompany Ellen's amazing storytelling. I plan to take other tours with Ellen when I return to Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
724jennyj
Nov 10, 2022
Both the tour AND the guide were amazing! - Traveling with friends, we ended up being the only four on this tour with Ellen and it was amazing! She was accommodating when we had to reschedule at the last minute and still made our tour feel scandalous even though it was during the day with coffee instead of cocktails! Between the detailed presentation Ellen showcases along with the history of jazz, we were captivated. Ellen is a dream and we will definitely be taking more of her tours next time we are in Paris. Thank you!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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