Walking Tours of Pan-African Paris

Walking Tours of Pan-African Paris

Paris can be explored through the lens of African, Caribbean, and African American history. These self-guided walking tours connect historic sites, bookstores, cultural institutions, neighborhoods, and gathering places that tell the story of the Black presence in France.

Tour 1: The Intellectuals of the Left Bank

Theme: Négritude, Pan-Africanism, African American Writers

Duration: 2–3 hours

Stop 1: Présence Africaine

Begin at the legendary bookstore and publishing house founded by Alioune Diop.

Writers associated with this institution include:

Léopold Sédar Senghor

Aimé Césaire

Frantz Fanon

Richard Wright

James Baldwin

Spend time browsing books on African history, literature, and Pan-African thought.

Stop 2: Sorbonne University

Walk through the historic Latin Quarter.

Many African leaders and intellectuals studied in Paris, including future presidents, writers, and scholars from Senegal, Mali, Congo, and Cameroon.

Stop 3: Luxembourg Gardens

A peaceful place to reflect on the intellectual movements that emerged from African students studying in Paris.

Stop 4: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This neighborhood was frequented by African American writers and artists during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

Richard Wright and James Baldwin spent time in this area.

Stop 5: Café Discussion

End the walk at a traditional café and discuss:

Négritude

Pan-Africanism

The African diaspora

Contemporary African Paris

Tour 2: Little Africa Walking Tour

Theme: Contemporary African Paris

Duration: 3 hours

Stop 1: Little Africa Village

Begin with an introduction to the history of African migration to Paris.

Stop 2: Rue Dejean Market

This is one of the most African streets in Paris.

Look for:

Senegalese products

Malian fabrics

Congolese foods

West African spices

Listen for Wolof, Bambara, Lingala, and French being spoken.

Stop 3: African Shops and Tailors

Explore:

Textile shops

Hair salons

Music stores

Cultural centers

Stop 4: African Restaurant Lunch

Enjoy cuisine from:

Senegal

Côte d'Ivoire

Cameroon

Congo

Stop 5: Cultural Conversation

Discuss:

Migration

Diaspora identity

Entrepreneurship

Contemporary African culture

Tour 3: African American Paris

Theme: Black Americans in Paris

Duration: Half Day

Stop 1: Josephine Baker Sites

Learn about Baker's extraordinary journey from the United States to becoming one of France's most beloved cultural icons.

Topics:

Jazz Age Paris

French Resistance

Civil Rights Movement

Stop 2: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Visit places associated with:

James Baldwin

Richard Wright

Chester Himes

Stop 3: Seine River Walk

Read passages from Baldwin or Wright while walking along the river.

Stop 4: Shakespeare and Company Area

Although not specifically African American, this literary district attracted writers from around the world.

Stop 5: Evening Discussion

Reflect on why many Black American artists found freedom and opportunity in Paris.

Tour 4: Pan-African Paris and Modern Africa

Theme: Contemporary African Creativity

Duration: Half Day

Stop 1: MansA - Maison des Mondes Africains

Explore exhibitions featuring:

African artists

Filmmakers

Designers

Scholars

Stop 2: Canal Saint-Martin

A popular gathering area for young creatives and entrepreneurs.

Stop 3: African House for Entrepreneurship

Learn about African startups and innovation connecting Paris with Dakar, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, and Kigali.

Stop 4: Pan-African Discussion

Topics:

Technology

Wikimedia projects

Digital heritage

African futures

Tour 5: Black Paris for Wikipedians

This tour is designed especially for AfroCrowd and the Alkebulan Wiki Edit and Study Group.

Stop 1: Présence Africaine

Photograph and document the site.

Stop 2: Little Africa Village

Document exhibitions and public programs.

Stop 3: MansA

Research contemporary African artists and cultural leaders.

Stop 4: National Museum of Immigration History

Visit Palais de la Porte Dorée and explore exhibits on African migration to France.

Stop 5: Edit-a-thon Gathering

Meet with:

African students

Scholars

Artists

Community historians

Create or improve Wikipedia articles related to:

African Paris

Black French history

Pan-African organizations

African American expatriates

A Full-Day "Black Paris and Pan-African Paris" Route

Morning

Présence Africaine

Sorbonne Area

Luxembourg Gardens

Lunch

African restaurant in Goutte d'Or

Afternoon

Little Africa Village

Rue Dejean Market

Evening

MansA

Canal Saint-Martin

This route provides an excellent introduction to the historic and contemporary African presence in Paris and could serve as the basis for a Wikimedia heritage tour, cultural exchange program, or educational travel experience.

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