Writer's Tour near Pont Neuf~ Walks in Paris

Recently I took a Writer's Tour/Walk in Paris

following online directions to several late writer's home addresses. 

But before I began, taking full advantage of late spring's perfect weather,

I took my little baguette sandwich from a nearby stand

and (joined the crowds) for my own little 

Picnic Partay for One! 

I parked myself on a bench in the shade 

in this sweet little park just adjacent to the Pont Neuf

(which, of course, I don't ever recall seeing before). 

It was the perfect place to begin an afternoon

to myself in Paris. The Chef had business to attend to 

so it was just me and a few dead writers. 

After I finished my sandwich,

I followed the directions to the last home of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.

At Rue Dauphine at the end of the Pont Neuf,

go just two blocks up to Rue Christine and make a left. 

According to this online source,

it was here at 5, rue Christine that Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas lived

(after they left the more famous rue de Fleurus address and with a few absences)

 until Stein's death in a Neuilly sur Seine hospital (a suburb of Paris) in 1946.

Toklas stayed on until 1964.

(Unfortunately the only car on the entire block

had to be a huge white van parked directly in front of their door,

limiting my photo capabilities of their address.)

In the mesmerizing glow of warm sunshine and Gertrude Stein's ghost,

it took me awhile to make myself leave the block

so I took a few more photos as I haunted the street's treasures. 

 I found an interesting shadow pattern inside one entry...

...and the lovely courtyard of a hotel at the other end of the block.

Just a few doors down from 5, rue Christine, this restaurant 

left me wondering if it had also been a food establishment during their years here.

Maybe they popped in on warm afternoons like this one for an aperitif before dinner. 

And maybe they stayed on for a plat de poisson or a souris d'agneau 

before walking the few steps back to their own door, their books and their art. 

I finally made it off the block

to continue on the tour to a few more artist's addresses.

Next week we'll continue our Walk in Paris with a few more pictures
of my one day of the 8-day 'American Writers in Paris' Tour.

And if you wish to see the full tour, 

Click Here. 

(Photographs copyright: Kirsten Steen)