Harlem in Paris : the Birth of Jazz in France (Small Group Walking Tour)

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

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.

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.

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.

So Good

Very well delivered history with nice walk. The iPad added pictures and recordings of these amazing musicians. So good!

Fascinating

The tour starts meeting in an old brothel in the red light district Great History lesson and some interesting facts.

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.

Learned a lot

Very informative and pleasant experience with Ellen. I highly recommend to anyone who loves jazz and Paris.

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.

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!!!

Harlem In Paris, October 2022

Harlem to Paris Jazz Tour was more than I expected. It was thorough and filled with information I wasn't aware of. The setting at the velvet Brothel-themed hotel was a great segue into the tour, as it set the mood. I felt transplanted to the times of Josephine Baker and all of the Black Americans who launched their careers and businesses there. I look forward to the literary tour on my next trip. Ellen was a great tour guide! The tour was 5-star all the way!

A must do for history fanatics

The experience starts at a local cafe where the host provides a lot of rich history and facts. It was a great touch with the ability to listen to some of the music. Then we proceeded to walk to where some of the historical clubs used to reside. Really good tour! I learned a lot.

Wow!

I'm so, so glad we did this Walking Tour. Ellen provided a wealth of knowledge, about the origination of Jazz in Paris, and Jazz Artists (known and unknown) who left an impact on the renaissance music scene. This is for anyone who wants to pull back some layers and go beyond the typical tourists excursions, and dive deep into some of Paris' best kept secrets. I've already shared the stories learned with some of my family and friends back home. Another plus - we traveled w/ our 1 year old, and the route was very easy to walk with a stroller. Thank you Ellen!

It was lovely and we wish...

It was lovely and we wish we could of spent more time wandering the streets of Paris to unveil more hidden gems of Black Americans that lived in Paris.

The unknown history of Harlem in Paris

Ellen was a wealth of knowledge on the history of Harlem jazz in Paris. She shared intriguing (and sometimes scandalous) information on jazz icons while also introducing me to a few lesser known jazz greats. The stories kept me eager to hear more. The walking multi-media tour is a must for jazz aficionados and history buffs!

History among us

This is full of history and story telling that brings the lives of well and lesser known black artist to life that makes their achievements inspiring today. Definitely a great renewal for black Americans as the walking tour provided history of a race, while sharing the story of the building’s they owned.

Walking Tour of Harlem in Paris

Our tour guide was highly informative and provided excellent insights and personality into the guided tour. Left with a desire to want to learn much more

Great for lovers of Jazz or Black history - detailed stories of musicians lives

Great for jazz lovers or those interested in black history. 2.5 hours in the Pigalle area. Majority of time spent in front of location of old jazz clubs, with Ellen telling detailed stories about the musicians, their music and their lives. She adds some video clips and photos and plays some music - all on her iPad - to enhance the storytelling. Just as she advertises, detailed, well researched, clear script. Ellen originally from U.S. so great for English speaking guests. Something very unique for your time in Paris. I highly recommend both Ellen, and this particular tour.

A Hidden Paris you don't want to miss!

This tour was amazing and definitely a highlight of my time in Paris. It was clear that Ellen had put a great deal of time and passion into compiling the backstories and videos that tell the story of many of these forgotten performers. As we walked through the neighborhood, she pointed out their incredible influence and contributions to Paris culture, music and in some cases assistance in both world wars. I really felt as if I traveled back in time as we stopped at several locations that used to be clubs either owned or frequented by African American performers. The pad that Ellen provides is full of pictures and videos and really brought these talented people back to life. It also helped me envision what the area looked like in the years following the first war when Pigalle was filled with night clubs and jazz music. This tour is definitely worth the money and the time and will give you a slice of Parisian history often overlooked. Thank you, Ellen, for offering it. I really had a great time!

Add this to your must do in Paris list.

The Guild is move than a history buff, she has a passion. It turned out to be just the 4 of us. So we were able to go at our own pace. There were pictures and music from the past as we stood in the present. So many things I didn't know. Fascinating. This should be on everyone's "must do" list when you come to Paris.

Harlem à Paris

Ellen est incroyable, une charmante américaine qui me fait découvrir "mon Paris" comme personne. S'était la deuxième visite et maintenant que j'ai quitté la capitale, elle sera mon guide à chacun de mes passages. Elle à pensée à tout, gel hydroalcoolique, petites attentions en continues et tablette avec musique et vidéos.... j'avais l'impression de rentrer et de danser dans chaque lieux. Me suis remis à écouter du jazz évidemment lol. Merci Ellen.

Une visite riche recouverte !!

j'ai été ravie de la visite fournie par notre guide, elle était excellente. Il s'agissait d'une déambulation sur les traces des plus grands artistes afro américains. J'ai adoré et apprécié le commentaire a la fois historique et musical. Le tout agrémenté de photos et vidéos d'époque. Une visite riche recouverte !!

Excellente visite pour redecouvrir Pigalle des années 20/30

Ellen est très amicale, pédagogue et a réponse à toutes vos questions. La visite est très bien organisée, avec un contenu intéressant et en parfaite adéquation avec nos attentes. Le parcours dans le quartier de Pigalle permet de le voir avec un oeil nouveau, les anecdotes sont enrichissantes et très complètes. Ellen fait un gros travail de recherche et présente avec passion la visite qui vous fera découvrir énormément de choses. je recommande vivement ! merci Ellen