black tour in paris

Simply the best way to experience Paris!

Monique Y. Wells Photograph by Entrée to Black Paris

Monique Y. Wells Dr. Monique Y. Wells is a native of Houston, Texas and a 28-year resident of Paris.  She and her husband, Tom Reeves, founded their travel business—which was originally called Discover Paris!—in 1999.  In 2018, they narrowed their focus and rebranded as Entrée to Black Paris (ETBP) tours because of the consistently increasing demand for tours and activities that feature the history, culture, and contemporary life of African Americans and the larger African diaspora in Paris.

Writer of the multi-award-winning Entrée to Black Paris blog, Dr. Wells created twelve of ETBP’s 13 walking tours.  She was named an Outstanding Woman in Travel Research by Women in Travel and Tourism International in 2017 and 2020.  She is the U.S. Delegate for the Académie de l’Art Culinaire du Monde Créole (Academy of Culinary Art for the Creole World).  And she is the creator of Paris - An Afro-centric Perspective, the only continuing education course for travel professionals that features African diaspora Paris.

Tom Reeves Tom Reeves has been a confirmed Francophile since he first traveled to France in 1975 to learn the language, see the country, and pursue a diploma in French language, literature, and civilization.  Returning to California in 1978, he soon realized that while he had left France, France had never left him.  He moved back permanently in 1992. 

Tom’s love of French language and culture inspired him to create Discover Paris!—a travel planning service that catered to Americans interested in cultural travel to Paris.  He and co-founder Monique Y. Wells renamed the service Entrée to Black Paris in 2018 to reflect the demand for walking tours that feature African-American history, culture, and contemporary life in the French capital.

Tom and Monique publish a free, weekly review of Paris restaurants at the following link:  parisinsights.com/restaurants.php .

Join Tom’s Paris Insights Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ParisInsights .

Françoise Treuttel-Garcias Françoise Treuttel-Garcias is a trilingual Parisian who has studied at the Sorbonne and the Ecole du Louvre.  She holds a professional guide-lecturer card issued by the French administration and is qualified to present informed commentary on museum collections.  Her specialties are African art and artifacts and Black Images in European Art.  She provides tours for Entrée to Black Paris at the Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac and the Louvre.

Exploring The Best of Black Paris ... ​Yesterday and Today!!

[email protected] (123) 123-1234

Subscribe to the Black Paris Newsletter

• Free Travel Consultation
• Paris Trip Planning & Itinerary Design
• Tours of Black Paris
• Black History In Paris – Resources
• Josephine Baker
• Harlem Hellfighters in WWI
• D-Day Beaches and Normandy Vacation Packages
• Day Trips From Paris
• Spirit of Black Washington DC
• Tours of Black Paris – Walking And Private Bus Tours
• Paris Walking Tours

Walking The Spirit Tours is a heritage education and travel company that helps people connect to Black heritage in Paris, France and beyond as well as local culture through experiential travel, speaking engagements, and media.

Since 1994, our signature Paris tours and customized itineraries have introduced countless travelers, students, and educators to the rich but lesser known influence of Black history and culture in Europe. Even more so since the global pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement we encourage and make it easy to travel with purpose.

Wanderlust has long guided my professional and personal direction. I was born in England, brought up in Canada, but had a ‘thing’ for all things French since my teens.

Choosing a career in travel naturally appealed to my fascination with how people lived elsewhere. Working as a flight attendant, though, I was never sure, as a Black woman, how ‘friendly’ a town was going to be. From my first trips to Paris right through my first four years as a resident, I was constantly surprised at how little my being Black seemed to register. In fact, I felt oddly anonymous.

And then, taking a course at the Sorbonne University shattered that complacency.

Through my mentor, the late Professor Michel Fabre, director of the Center of African-American Studies, I discovered the jazz musicians, entertainers, writers, intellectuals and artists who had sought out and found personal and professional fulfillment in Paris. Suddenly France became a place where my ‘ancestors’ shared an ongoing, rich cultural exchange with the French. Yet, at the same time, I was becoming aware that others from the African diaspora and former colonies were experiencing a much different, harsher reality.

My ‘raison d’etre’ in Paris shifted. I had finally found my personal connection to this foreign, iconic city, but also to the larger diaspora I’d never experienced anywhere else.

As a researcher by nature, a writer, filmmaker and broadcaster by training, I just had to share this knowledge. That year, 1994, I created my first walking tours and with it pioneered tourism focused on Black Paris.

My mission hasn’t changed: honoring the Black contribution and experience while revealing so many unspoken histories. Our clients come to us from all backgrounds to discover the history and contemporary culture and to actively take part in what I love about France – its quirks, qualities and diverse cultures.

On our tours you benefit from our carefully selected guides who also love sharing their own connection and insights into the city, through their Afro and French roots.

France remains the home in my heart. My guides, trusted partners and I want to welcome you, help plan your exceptional trip. Here where our roots converge.

Josephine Baker’s Chateau des Milandes

Let's Get Acquainted!

Schedule your complimentary getting acquainted session using my convenient online scheduler.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

• Subscribed to our Spirit of Black Paris newsletter
• 17-page guide updated for 2019 : don't miss an event you'd love but don't know exists
• Dates of the best music festivals and cultural happenings
• Month-by-month listing of Afrocentric and traditional events

Sign Up For Newsletter

I hate spam as much as you and promise to never share your info.

Connect With Us

Helpful Travel Tips

• Gifts Travelers Love To Receive-A Few of My Favourite Things
• 10 Reasons to Mix Art, Politics and Travel in Paris
• Travel Photography on a Smartphone, Fancy Camera Optional
• 4 Things Online Booking Engines Don’t Tell You
• 10 Ways To Tame Jet Lag

What People Are Saying:

I have learned so much these two weeks from you and your marvelous network! The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of your impressive team was shared with our travelers making their experience rich and rewarding. Our travelers come to learn and all agreed that this trip was exceptional.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

This tour far exceeded our expectations. As a serious history devotee my appetite for local D.C. black history was more than satisfied in an amazing full-day experience with our guide. One tour highlight was the Frederick Douglass mansion in Anacostia. Our guide, along with being an expert in his field, is a warm, energetic individual who loves his work. This was one of the best tours we have ever taken and is highly recommended.

You’re the best!!! This is to reiterate our grateful thanks to you for such a wonderful trip/vacation in Paris. This was our first time in Paris and it was glorious . All of your well planned activities and meals were beyond our expectations. Plus, this was our first time traveling with members of our group.

I am submitting this on behalf of my client and myself, our experience working with Julia was amazing and very impressive. Her specialty tours are golden for Paris as in the words of my client "who would have thought"? She is very professional and provided a wonderful overview of the tours which actually have me excited and eager to book all clients who travel to Paris. Her services are definitely a great asset to Paris!!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Black Travel
• Destinations
• Travel Resources

Le Paris noir, a black walking tour in Paris

28/09/2020 by Roobens 2 Comments

Some links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Before reading the article, be aware that I wrote a 200+ pages book about traveling as a black person. Click here for more info .

When you’re about to visit Paris, especially when it’s the first time, you usually already know what you want to see : the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, the Sacré Coeur Basilica, Notre Dame de Paris… The basics! Those who already visited Paris go back to wander in various areas : le Marais, Belleville, the Seine… I recently found out that it’s possible to visit Paris from another angle : the history of black people in Paris. It’s called le Paris Noir! You should definitely add this walking tour to your black travelers bucket list !

Table of Contents

What is le Paris noir

Le Paris noir was created by Kevi Donat. Originally, Kevi was doing “classic” walking tours in Paris, he started in 2011. Being black, fellow black tourists from the US were often asking him questions “ Why are there so many black people in Paris? Where do they come from? How is it going for them? ” He didn’t address the subject in his walking tours.

Facing the influx of questions about black history in Paris, he had the idea to host walking tours focused on black history in Paris. Those black walking tours are common in the US (especially during the black history month), but a lot less in France. Le Paris Noir was born in 2013!

With the black walking tours in Paris, Kevi allows tourists and locals to discover areas they never would have set foot in. We realize the history of black people in Paris is important, and we realize the impact black people had in the French capital. There are two visits, one in the rive droite (right bank) and one in the rive gauche (left bank).

Paris noir : visit to the rive droite

This visit starts in front of the Moulin Rouge. We’re having a stroll in Pigalle, Barbès and Château Rouge in the north of Paris. We learn about the années folles (the crazy years ie. the 1920s) in Pigalle, and Josephine Baker is a good representative of this era! At the time, negrophilia (love of the negro) was huge in Paris, the Parisians want to listen to jazz (even though they fetishize black people…).

Josephine was often performing at the Carrousel from 1926 to 1928. It was really hard to “make it” in the US for black people because of segregation. Therefore many of them were living in Pigalle, the Harlem of Paris. It was an area with a lot of diversity (it’s still the case to this day).

Still, she went back to the US a few times, for instance in 1963 to speak at the March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King. She died in 1975 and now rests in the Monaco cemetery (because she was Grace Kelly’s friend). Some people campaign to repatriate her in the Pantheon. In the meantime, there’s a place Joséphine Baker in Paris.

Obviously, our guide doesn’t just talk about Joséphine Baker during our visit. We learn about the writers, intellectuals and black artists who got things moving in Paris. I’m thinking about Langston Hughes, an American poet who lived in Pigalle. Or Henry Ossawa Taner who settled in France cause there was no legal segregation there, unlike in the US. Or Eugene Bullard, the first African-American military pilot. We also talk about Lamine Senghor, a Senegalese political activist.

Paris started importing the black American culture in 1917, when the American soldiers went to France to help French soldiers during World War I. The most famous regiment, consisted mainly of African Americans, was called the Harlem Hellfighters. Max Brooks released an interesting comic book explaining who they were. Click here to buy it .

After the war, the African Americans went home but they were suffering discrimination, especially from 1919 to 1921. Fleeing segregation, they went back to France and this is when numerous jazz clubs open in Paris, thanks to the negrophilia at the time.

At the time, the French government naturalized people easily (losing French nationality was also easy), so many foreigners settled in France, especially from 1927 to 1939. Although there was a rise of xenophobia in France, the African American artists were not really discriminated against.

Did you know the boulevard de Clichy was called the boulevard of the dead? Cause you could see numerous men lying on the ground following a settling a scores? Did you know the Americans used to call Pigalle pig alley because of what’s going on there (prostitution…)? Did you know Picasso liked the negro art, and there’s even a photo of him with negro art taken in 1906?

The visit ends in Château Rouge then Barbès. Two areas known for its working-class population, where people from North Africa and West Africa mingle. But the area changes, is becoming gentrified. The brasserie Barbès, a popular bar, is a symbol of this gentrification. Anyway, you’ll still find cheap markets, African hairdressers, street peddlers and sapologie stores.

The visit is really interesting and dynamic. We learn many things and Kevi, our guide, knows what he’s talking I couldn’t wait to take the other walking tour, in the rive gauche .

Paris noir : visit to the rive gauche

The visit to the rive gauche starts place du Panthéon. We’re having a stroll in the jardin du Luxembourg (the Luxembourg gardens) and in Saint Michel. We learn a lot about Alexandre Dumas, a famous French author who’s a carteron  (3/4 white, 1/4 black) because his grandmother was black. This visit focuses a bit more on the intellectuals, artists and political figures from Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the US who lived in Paris.

Kevi talks about the history of Félix Eboué, born in Guyana and grandson of an ex-slave. He’s the first black French man appointed to a high post in the French colonies, when appointed as governor of Guadeloupe. He’s also the first black person to have his ashes placed at the Pantheon in 1949 (Dumas was transferred there in 2002). Aimé Césaire followed in 2011.

Then comes one of the highlights of our visit. We go to the abolition of slavery memorial in the jardin du Luxembourg. I didn’t even know there was one! In fact, it’s well hidden… In the 1790s, France was fighting against the whole world (the British, the Spanish, slaves too).

In 1794, France negotiates the abolition of slavery in exchange for the slaves to fight for France. Above all, Haiti had to pay for its independence from France. Between 1825 and 1950, Haiti paid the equivalent of 20 billion euros to France…

We learn about Victor Schoelcher, a white French man known for his work towards the abolition of slavery in France. He’s very famous in Martinique, but unknown in France. We also learn about Gaston Monnerville, a Guianian man who was president of the Senate for 20 years. Kevi also talks about Chester Himes, Richard Wright an of course James Baldwin. All of them were hanging out in this area.

The African American intellectuals were sometimes meeting up at the café Tournon, still open to this day. We also learn about the literary movement called négritude , initiated by Paulette Nardal, the first black woman to study at la Sorbonne, a famous French university.

Kevi, our guide, is clearly passionate about black history in Paris. He speaks with dynamism and humor. It’s not a walking tour for black people, but a walking tour about black people and the impact they had in Paris. We don’t bring up the subject at school and even less during more “classic” walking tours.

With le Paris noir, we quickly understand that the history of France is linked to Africa, slavery, colonization and the migratory flows. Even as a Parisian, I learned a lot about the city. Give it a try, it’s a different way to visit one of the most beautiful cities in France !

How to take a Paris noir walking tour

Head to their website by clicking here . It’s in French. Click on “Réserver”. You have to contact them via email, and they’ll give you the dates of the next walking tours.

When do the Paris Noir walking tours take place

The visits usually take place on the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays.

How long are the Paris Noir walking tours

Each visit lasts two hours.

How much is a Paris Noir walking tour

Each visit costs 20 euros.

In which language are the Paris noir walking tours

Visits are available in English and French. Indeed, many English speakers are interested by le Paris noir, but more and more Frenchies take the Paris noir walking tours!

Thinking about visiting the city of lights? Here are things to do in Paris ! Also check out this list to find out where to stay in Paris .

• Traveling soon? My travel resources page can help you out! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
• If you’re traveling, don’t forget to buy travel insurance before leaving home! Here’s why buy travel insurance !
• About to travel soon and you want a tailor-made trip? Get a free quote here !
• Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it. Here’s why use a VPN when traveling .

Sign up for exclusive updates in your e-mail address!

Related Posts

Reader Interactions

30/09/2020 at 14:00

Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing this opportunity! I cannot wait to do both tours as soon as I get back to Paris. (Which I hope is sooner rather than later!)

01/10/2020 at 23:00

You’re welcome! Yeah I really enjoyed the tours, it’s so interesting!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don't subscribe All new comments Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Explore Paris’ Black History On Foot with This Eye-Opening Walking Tour

• By Sophie Dodd
• May 10, 2022

Paris is a city best seen on foot. The cobbled hills of Montmartre or the pedestrian-friendly microstreets of the Marais are easy to lose yourself in with a kind of aimless wandering that Charles Baudelaire (and later, Walter Benjamin) termed flânerie . But with so much of Paris’ rich history hiding in plain sight — blink and you’ll miss the 9th arrondissement plaque noting that Josephine Baker, the famous entertainer and civil rights activist, opened her first Parisian cabaret ici — it can be a  bonne idée to set out on a walking tour to get the most out of your moseying. Whether self guided or with a group, there’s a niche tour for just about everything: writers, artists, musicians, the Catacombs. 

One of the longest-running tour operators in the city, Entrée to Black Paris (formerly called Discover Paris), now offers 14 different specialized tours focused on the history of Black Paris. T our participants are introduced to the neighborhoods where famous figures spent their time and created some of their most iconic works, from the café where Chester Himes would write to the nightclubs where Bricktop sang. 

“African Americans who travel are always looking for some sort of connection with Black people wherever they’re going, and to know a little bit about the history of Black people wherever they’re going — if there is one, and if there is then what was it?” says the tour’s co-founder, Monique Wells, who launched Discover Paris with her husband, Tom Reeves, in 1999. “So we decided to create some self-guided walks on this topic for Paris.” 

Tom’s tour (Black History in and Around the Luxembourg Garden) is often more popular, as it is open to the public and bookable more last minute; Monique’s tours are private, and need to be booked at least six weeks in advance. For that reason, she often works with study abroad groups or group travel tours, as they tend to be obligated to plan in advance, she tells Frenchly. ( Tom’s tour is available to book online.)

Soon, demand for the tours grew, with more people requesting guided experiences as well; she and Tom adjusted their self-guided routes and now lead 14 different tours, ranging from ‘Black History in and Around the Luxembourg Garden’ to ‘Black Images in European Art,’ which is a tour of the Louvre. “We have 14 set walking tours, and they range from looking at a geographical area in Paris and all kinds of things and people can be involved, or we have tours that are focused on individual people,” Monique says. The tours can revolve around Black luminaries such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker or Beauford Delaney, her favorite (and previously largely unknown) artist. 

In 2009, Wells launched a foundation in his honor, Les Amis de Beauford Delaney , to raise funds in order to purchase a tombstone for his previously unmarked grave. She continues to champion and advance his legacy through her writing and the foundation, as well as her Beauford Delaney’s Montparnasse tour , which she says is one of her personal favorites. 

That’s perhaps one of the most wonderful parts of Entrée to Black Paris: Monique and Tom will introduce you to some, or several, characters you’ve never heard of, in addition to those who are more familiar (think Josephine Baker and James Baldwin). No matter how well you think you know Paris, the history gleaned on their tours informs a new and nuanced perspective of the city and how people of African descent have shaped it.  

On a recent rainy day in April, I met Tom for his tour of the Luxembourg Gardens; it was the two of us and a British mom and her two kids. We met in front of Le Petit Journal, a jazz bar across from the park. Tom began by telling us about the early history of jazz in France, showing us photos from a binder in a charmingly old school presentation. 

As we skirted around the park, he told us about some of the most iconic Black writers who made their home in Paris, from Richard Wright to Chester Himes. He gave us the opportunity to sit down as often as possible and kept stops to under 10 minutes, which allowed both the young children and my own ADHD-riddled self to focus and absorb the information in manageable blocks. 

The tour ended at France’s monument to formerly enslaved people, a sculpture of three interlocking and open chain links by artist Fabrice Hyber , called ‘ Le cri, l’écrit,’ (The Cry, The Writing).  The sculpture has prompted particularly poignant reactions from tour goers in the past, Wells tells Frenchly, with a number of them growing emotional or exasperated over the fact that this history isn’t taught in America. 

“After I explained the significance of the space and the sculpture, [one] woman was actually very upset. She was saying out loud, ‘I just feel so stupid.’ And one of the young women [on the tour] said, ‘You shouldn’t feel stupid. They don’t teach this. You had to come all the way here to learn about this.’ Another young student started to cry, and she said, ‘I’m just overwhelmed. I just can’t believe that the nation of France has put this here. We have nothing in the United States,’” Wells recounts. “This whole encounter was incredible. I had never seen anything like that before or since.”

For those unable to travel to Paris, Wells also offers a virtual version of the tour , which she launched in partnership with her nonprofit organization, the Wells International Foundation , during the pandemic. “There are so many people that cannot afford to travel, and this is a wonderful way to dip your toe in,” says Wells, who adds that the tour is particularly great for middle and high schoolers. The focus is “to help underserved minorities get a taste and a love for travel.”

Sophie Dodd is a staff writer for Frenchly who covers all things Paris , travel, wine and lifestyle. She also writes for Travel + Leisure and PEOPLE . You can follow her adventures in Brooklyn, Paris and beyond on Instagram . 

Frenchly newsletter.

Get your weekly dose of frenchly’s news..

Things to do in Cannes, France 

How to get from charles de gaulle airport (cdg) to paris by public transport, how to navigate public transportation during the 2024 paris olympics, working hard in the salt marshes of the camargue.

You love France? This is your site! As an Amazon Associate, Frenchly earns from qualify purchases.

• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Editorial Guidelines
• Privacy Policy
• Get in Touch
• Advertise with us

Frenchly Newsletter.

Get your weekly dose of frenchly stuff..

The Many Sides of Black Paris (and How to Find Them)

Black heritage tours are still a niche, something special, but that’s changing. black heritage isn’t just african history, it’s world history..

• Copy Link copied

Julia Browne, owner of Walking the Spirit tours, on the Pont des Arts in Paris

Courtesy of Julia Browne

Editor’s note: As the owner of Walking the Spirit walking tours, Julia Browne has been guiding travelers through the history of Black Paris since 1994. Here, she tells us the company’s origin story and why people are increasingly recognizing “Paris Jazz,” “Africa in Paris,” “Pioneers of the Left Bank,” and more as valuable world-history lessons to add to their itineraries.

I had moved to Paris in 1990, and I knew very little about Black history there. I was taking classes at the Sorbonne and my professor had founded the Center for Afro-American Studies and put out a book, A Street Guide to African Americans of Paris. I took this book and walked around the streets with it.

I knew about Langston Hughes from studying literature in school, but I discovered that he had lived just down the block from me. Paris became not just a city I chose to live in with my French husband, but there was something there for me, with my roots. I’m Canadian, born in Britain, but still Black—that is part of my heritage, too. With this book, I could see there was so much unknown heritage.

When I started out, I was the only guide for about 10 years or so. Then I hired other guides, people living in Paris, and trained them. Our clients want information, but to also connect with somebody who is of Black heritage. There are a lot of mixed cultures in Paris—maybe you are Black Caribbean or one parent is Polish and the other is African. What is the Black French experience?

I wish more people were more aware of the contribution of Black culture to France—not just African American, but the African culture, the African soldiers during the war, for example. Black heritage tours are still a small niche, something special, but that’s changing. I’m working with more travel agents and tour companies to put together programs, and more people are asking for it. Black heritage isn’t just African history, it’s world history. Think about how jazz has influenced the world, or African art, or literature—there has been a big focus on James Baldwin and his experience in Paris, and France was life changing for him.

In our “Black Images in the Louvre” tour, I think of Portrait of Madeleine [ originally Portrait of a Negresse] , by Marie-Guillemine Benoist. It’s a side view portrait, and she has one breast bared. The question is, what does that symbolize? It’s a woman from the very beginning of the 19th century and she’s not enslaved, but probably a freed woman, so she’s her own woman with her own status. The baring of the woman’s breast has symbolized liberty in other French paintings. Of all the paintings in the Louvre with Black people, she’s the only one seated on her own. There is a sense that she is regal but it tells a major story behind the scenes of a freed woman.

Nowadays, I would say Jacqueline Ngo Mpii [deserves a spotlight]. She’s doing wonderful work as the founder of Little Africa in Paris and brings so many members of the community together. They’re creating a physical space cultural center and concept store in the Goutte D’Or district, where people can meet and plug into the Black community. She also put out this book, City Guide: Africa in Paris , and is such a great resource.

There is more in the works: The city of Paris voted unanimously this month to create a new cultural space, the James Baldwin Mediatheque, in the 19th district, opening in 2023—it will pay homage to Baldwin, his values, and activism for human rights. The organization Collectif James Baldwin is also petitioning City Hall to have an Afro-Francophone Cultural Center created in Paris.

There’s a growing thirst and desire and acknowledgement of the perceived value—it has always been valuable—of Black heritage in French history.

Julia Browne is also the associate producer of Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light, available for purchase and viewing here .

As told to AFAR Luxury Travel + Advisor editor Annie Fitzsimmons.

>>Next: A Black History Tour of Paris

Explore The History And Culture Of Black Paris With These Tours

Paris has a deep and interesting Black history, which includes numerous notable contributions and areas of influence from people of African descent . What better way to discover the city’s Black heritage than through a guided tour from the Afrocentric perspective? There are several reputable companies offering Black Paris tours on a variety of topics. Here are a few tour companies providing tours focusing on the Black experience in the City of Light .

Ayah A. • Dec 30, 2021

Paris has a deep and interesting Black history, which includes numerous notable contributions and areas of influence from people of African descent .

What better way to discover the city’s Black heritage than through a guided tour from the Afrocentric perspective? There are several reputable companies offering Black Paris tours on a variety of topics. Here are a few tour companies providing tours focusing on the Black experience in the City of Light .

1. Entrée to Black Paris

Entrée to Black Paris is a company providing visitors a look at Black Paris and its legacy through its various informative tours. The company offers more than a dozen different tour options, including:

•   Black Paris After World War II , a walking tour highlighting the lives of various Black writers as well as contemporary Black French associations.
• The Spirit of Africa , which explores the Château Rouge area and its various African restaurants, shops, and food vendors.
• On the Grandest of Avenues , a tour taking you to the iconic Champs Elysées and the surrounding area, delving into its little known Black history.
• Josephine’s Suburban Paradise , a three-hour tour in the Parisian suburb of Le Vésinet, to visit Le Beau Chêne, the mansion that Josephine Baker owned and called home for eighteen years, as well as the church she attended.

2. Walk the Spirit Tours

Founded in 1994 by Julia Brown, Walk The Spirit Tours pioneered Black heritage tours in Paris. Today, the company offers various walking and bus tours, which include:

• The Entertainers in the 1920s Lower Montmartre , which transports you back to Black Montmarte in the 20s to hear the stories of Black artists and entertainers, such as Josephine Baker, Ada “Bricktop” Smith, and Sidney Bechet.
• Africa in Paris , during which tourists visit the city’s La Goutte d’Or neighborhood with its bustling and vibrant open-air markets, salons, cultural venues, and shops, to explore both the neighborhood’s past and where it is today.
• Black Images in the Louvre , a tour exploring and discussing depictions of Black people in art throughout time.
• Colonialism, Slavery & AntiSlavery walk , a tour visiting famous sites and  uncovering the stories behind the institutions of colonialism and slavery in Paris, as well as those who worked to end them.

3. Le Paris Noir

Le Paris Noir was created in 2013 by Parisian tour guide Kévi Donat. He was inspired to launch the company after seeing how many visitors seemed to be surprised and intrigued by the city’s Black populations.

Le Paris Noir offers a Right Bank tour, from the Moulin Rouge to Château-Rouge, and a Left Bank tour, from the Place du Panthéon to the Place de la Sorbonne.

• The Right Bank Tour begins in Pigalle, delving into the arrival of African American artists in France in the 1920s, and continues on to the Goutte d’Or district, with its incredible history and diversity, and continuous evolution over time.
• The Left Bank Tour visits places where some of the city’s most influential Black figures have gathered and made history, f rom the Place des Grands Hommes to Saint-Germains.

4. Black Paris Tours

Black Paris Tours CEO Ricki Stevenson founded her company in 1998. The former news anchor and talk show host holds a master’s degree in history, with an emphasis on African and African American studies.

Black Paris Tours’ full day tour is offered as a walking or bus tour, and allows tourists to get acquainted with the city and its rich Black heritage through interesting stories and little known facts.

The tour company also offers private tours as well as sit-down breakfast orientations for those who have difficulty walking.

5. American Concierge

Established in 2014, American Concierge ‘s Black history tours include several walking tours and a driving tour.

• Pioneers of the Left Bank takes visitors on a tour of what is now the city’s Latin Quarter. The neighborhood is the birthplace of the Pan-African literary and political movement known as “La Négritude.” From there, continue on to the Saint-Germain neighborhood, an area popular among many famous Black American expats after WWII.
• Swing of the Right Bank takes participants on a tour of Paris’ Piagalle neighborhood, once known as “Harlem sur Seine.” After delving into its early jazz scene, the tour ends in the city’s largest African neighborhood, La Goutte d’Or .
• Like Entrée to Black Paris, American Concierge also hosts a Black Paris Post World War II tour highlighting the lives of many Black literary icons. The company also offers special tours dedicated to individual writers like Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, and James Baldwin.

6. Colesville Travel

Colesville Travel ‘s Black Paris Tour is an 11-day adventure providing a complete immersive cultural experience. Beginning in Paris, the tour explores the lives of the city’s historically influential Black residents and neighborhoods.

From Black art, entrepreneurs, and jazz of the 20s and 30s to Black images at the Louvre, contemporary Black music, and dining at Black-owned restaurants , the tour is designed to give you the knowledge of the city’s vibrant Black past and present.

After leaving Paris, the tour continues in the Bordeaux wine region to explore vineyards , wine cellars, and the life and home of the legendary entertainer Josephine Baker.

Related:  Blackissime: A Travel Company That Celebrates Black Culture In France

Subscribe to travel noire

Get more travel content

Subscribe to Travel Noire, a free daily newsletter that features the best of travel, destinations, and guides to the cities you love from a new point of view — yours.

By subscribing to this newsletter, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Popular posts

Did You Know? Queen Elizabeth Once Stepped In To Prevent Snoop Dogg From Being Banned From The UK

United Airlines Flight Attendant's Armrest Announcement Sparks Social Media Frenzy

‘Basketball Wives’ Star Mehgan James Speaks Out About Popular Bahamas Island With Flesh-Eating Bacteria After Friend Loses Leg

Serena Williams Calls Out Paris Restaurant After Being Denied A Table

Trending stories in world travel

If you're contemplating a trip south of the border, you'll want to read our Cabo vs. Cancún guide to ensure you have the best experience.

Wondering the best places to visit in Ireland? The Emerald Isle, with its green hills, ancient castles, and vibrant culture, is a must-visit.

Are you planning a summer vacation and thinking of Greece? You are just on time because here are the best places to visit in Greece

Virginia Christine Vinton is the woman who died August 8 at a baggage claim area in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Gayle King’s Bermuda Vacation has people online wondering if the celebrity has taken a baecation with a mystery man.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

• Trending Stocks
• Ola Electric  INE0LXG01040, OLAELEC, 544225
• Suzlon Energy  INE040H01021, SUZLON, 532667
• Adani Enterpris  INE423A01024, ADANIENT, 512599
• Rail Vikas  INE415G01027, RVNL, 542649
• IRFC  INE053F01010, IRFC, 543257
• Mutual Funds
• Commodities
• Futures & Options
• Cryptocurrency
• My Portfolio
• My Watchlist
• FREE Credit Score ₹100 Cash Reward
• Fixed Deposits
• My Messages
• Price Alerts
• Chat with Us
• Download App

Follow us on:

Is BLACKPINK’s Lisa doing a solo Europe tour in 2025? Here's what we know

The report speculated that Lisa could visit several European countries, including a potential concert in Paris. While no official confirmation has been made, fans are eagerly anticipating the news, as it would mark a significant milestone in Lisa’s solo career.

BLACKPINK’s Lisa has had a whirlwind year, keeping herself busy with solo music releases and cementing her position as a global K-pop icon. After making her much-anticipated comeback with the smash-hit track ROCKSTAR, she followed up with another successful single titled New Woman, featuring Spanish singer Rosalia. Now, rumours are rife that Lisa may be gearing up for a solo Europe tour in 2025.

A French media outlet Arena Tour reported that Lisa might embark on a solo world tour next year. Given her recent accomplishments in her solo music career, the possibility of a solo tour seems more likely than ever.

If the Europe tour becomes a reality, Lisa would be the first BLACKPINK member to embark on a solo world tour, showcasing her expanding influence on the international stage. This potential tour would come ahead of BLACKPINK’s expected group comeback in 2025, allowing Lisa to further solidify her presence as a solo artist.

Beyond the music, Lisa’s career continues to evolve in exciting directions. The recent launch of her fashion label LLOUD and her signing with American label RCA Records hint at bigger ventures for the K-pop star. These moves, combined with her successful music releases, have only fueled speculation about what’s next for the BLACKPINK rapper.

Related stories

Lisa’s comeback single ROCKSTAR, released on June 28, 2024, marked her triumphant return to the music scene. The track, her first major release since LALISA and MONEY, quickly gained global attention, earning 10 million views within just six hours of its release. It also soared up the Billboard charts, solidifying Lisa’s status as a hitmaker in the K-pop industry.

Following the success of ROCKSTAR, Lisa released New Woman, a collaboration with Rosalia. The track further showcased Lisa’s versatility as an artist, blending her signature style with Rosalia’s unique sound.

In addition to her music achievements, rumours have emerged about a collaboration with American rapper Nicki Minaj. The speculation suggests that Lisa’s debut solo album is on the horizon, with her recently released songs set to be accompanied by two more tracks.

Trending news

• Bengaluru Google techie shares hair loss woes due to hard water, internet reacts: 'To be bald is...'
• Temple flower seller forced to buy iPhone for son after he goes on 3-day hunger strike. Watch
• Kolkata doctor rape-murder: 'Left kitchen to join protests for our daughters' safety,' say mothers
• Bengaluru AI startup CEO alleges ex-employee stole his passport after layoff amid unpaid salaries dispute

You got 30 Day’s Trial of

• Ad-Free Experience

• Actionable Insights
• MC Research
• Economic Calendar

You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user.

Why was U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles stripped of her bronze medal?

Loss of medal taints viral moment of olympic gymnastics' first all-black podium.

Social Sharing

It was one of the iconic images of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris: U.S. gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles kneeling on the podium to honour Brazilian gold medallist Rebeca Andrade, as the three women shared Olympic gymnastics' first all-Black podium.

#TheMoment Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed to Rebeca Andrade

But Chiles has since been stripped of her medal, and that memory now carries a complicated and emotional postscript.

What happened? Here's a breakdown.

Chiles seemingly finishes 5th

On Aug. 5, Chiles was competing in the women's floor exercise and appeared to have finished fifth.

Ana Bărbosu believed she had won bronze and began celebrating with a Romanian flag.

While Bărbosu was celebrating, U.S. head coach Cecile Landi made an inquiry — essentially a challenge of the judges' score, which can be changed after video review.

Olympian John Roethlisberger  said on NBC's broadcast that the inquiry was about a leap called a tour jeté full, which the coach felt she didn't get credit for.

"At this point, we had nothing to lose, so I was like, we're just going to try," Landi said after the awards ceremony. "I honestly didn't think it was going to happen, but when I heard [Chiles] scream, I turned around and was like, 'What?"'

Judges had awarded the appeal, adding 0.1 points to Chiles's score and pushing her past Bărbosu and another competitor — leading to what the athletes thought was the first all-Black gymnastics podium at the Olympics.

4 seconds apparently costs Chiles the bronze 

Romania took their case to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), saying the U.S.'s inquiry was not made within the one-minute window stated in the rules. Romania argued that the Americans missed that time limit by four seconds.

The CAS on Saturday ruled in favour of Romania and ordered Chiles's bronze medal to be reallocated to Bărbosu.

But wait! U.S. says timing was wrong

On Sunday, USA Gymnastics said it submitted newly discovered video evidence to the CAS that showed the inquiry was submitted 47 seconds after the score was published, well within the one-minute time limit. They say another request was made at the 55-second mark.

But on Monday, USA Gymnastics said the CAS won't reconsider its decision because it said the rules "do not allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered even when conclusive new evidence is presented."

• ROUNDUP Biles bested by Brazil's Andrade for Olympic gold in floor exercise on final day of artistic gymnastics
• Female Olympians are often judged on their looks. Now, some are taking control of their image

The fallout

USA Gymnastics said Saturday that Chiles had been "subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media."   On Saturday, Chiles posted on her Instagram stories a series of broken hearts on a black background, followed by this statement: "I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you."

Chiles's mother, Gina Chiles, called out the critics in a post, writing she was "tired" of the derogatory comments being levelled at Jordan.

"My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched," Gina Chiles posted. "And she's being called disgusting things."

The Romanian side hasn't been much happier.

Romanian gymnastics legend and 1976 Olympic champion Nadia Comăneci feared for Bărbosu's mental health because of the wrenching sequence in which she went from bronze medallist to fourth-place finisher.

"I can't believe we play with athletes' mental health and emotions like this — let's protect them," Comăneci posted on X earlier in the week.

Bărbosu made it a point after returning home to Romania that she had no problem with Chiles.

"I only want for everybody to be fair, we don't want to start picking on other athletes of any nationality," Bărbosu told reporters. "We as athletes don't deserve something like that, we only want to perform as best as we can and to be rewarded based on our performance. The problems lie with the judges, with their calculations and decisions."

What's next?

The dispute over such minute details sets up what could be a months- or years-long legal battle over the gymnastics scores.

USA Gymnastics says it will continue efforts to let Chiles keep the medal.

Any appeal could go to Switzerland's highest court, the Swiss Tribunal, or the European Court of Human Rights.

With files from CBC News and Reuters

Related Stories

• Yukon gymnasts gather inspiration from Olympic gymnastics finals
• How Hamilton's Eleanor Harvey went from thinking about retirement to an Olympic medal
• More than just medals — these Olympians also marked some notable firsts

Recommended

Lady gaga kicks off new era with dramatic black hair transformation and bruno mars single: ‘legendary look’.

She’s marrying the night .

Lady Gaga surprised fans with a new dark hairstyle on Instagram Tuesday, and along with her fresh color, she announced a surprise single with Bruno Mars.

The “Bad Romance” singer, 38, teased the duet by sharing a video of herself playing the piano in some of the “24K Magic” crooner’s merch, showing off her newly dyed black hair for the first time in the process.

Gaga, who normally rocks platinum blond hair, also shared a pic of her updated look on Instagram Thursday morning, posing against a wall in a leopard print coat and enormous white sunglasses.

The “Poker Face” singer then shared a promotional photo for her new single with Mars, “Die With a Smile” — which releases at midnight EST Friday — wearing a curly honey blond wig and matching the “Uptown Funk” musician in shades of bright blue and red.

Both pop stars rocked retro outfits for the pic, with Gaga sporting red tights and a super-short blue minidress with a red bow-tie blouse underneath while Mars wore a blue suit and unbuttoned red dress shirt with a cowboy hat.

Unsurprisingly, fans went wild for her hair transformation, like one who wrote, “THE DARK HAIR IS GIVING ICONIC ERA.”

Shop 'til you drop with Post Wanted

Save time and money with the latest deals, discounts, trends, reviews and more.

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Never miss a story with New York Post newsletters.

“hot girls have no brows and black hair,” another commented, while a third fan wrote, “Brunettega is back! 😍.”

One called it a “legendary look” another others compared her to “Brat” singer Charli XCX as well.

The new single drop (and new look) comes at an exciting time for the “A Star is Born” actress, who performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics last month.

She also seemingly confirmed her engagement to boyfriend Michael Polansky while chatting to France’s prime minister, Gabriel Attal at a swimming event, referring to him as her “fiancé” in a video Attal posted on TikTok .

Plus, she’s getting ready for spooky season as her forthcoming “Joker: Folie à Deux” movie hits theaters this October.

As for her black hair era, stay tuned to see if it sticks around.

Advertisement

Black Culture Was Center Stage at the Olympics, and It Meant So Much to Fans Like Me

Each Olympics is historic and memorable, but there was something special in the air this year.

From Snoop Dogg's role as the ultimate hype man to the return of the greatest of all time Simone Biles , Black excellence was at the forefront of the entire Games. Aside from these athletes' record-breaking performances and awe-worthy moments, when you look a bit closer, you can catch something else — flashes of Black culture, from grillz to decked-out nails and more.

When an unprecedented celebration of Blackness takes center stage . . . it's necessary to commemorate the moment.

This year, Biles, Sha'Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and other prominent Olympians made me — and the entire Black community — proud to call ourselves American. Black culture is bold, impactful, and full of creativity, but it is often underappreciated, criticized, and deemed "ghetto." Seeing the most elite athletes continue to uplift and support our community not only through their excellence and advocacy but also through their own sense of style was incredibly moving, and these moments are worth reflecting on and celebrating at least one more time.

Let's start with Richardson, who brought home her gold and silver medals in style with her red, white, and blue Team USA manicure . Like track legend Florence Griffith Joyner , Richardson has become known for showing up and showing out for her races, especially when it comes to her nails. You can expect to see her rocking a beautifully designed long acrylic set anytime she competes, and this was no exception. Acrylic nails have been a staple in the Black community for decades. After their invention in the 1950s, Donyale Luna wore acrylics in her Vogue spread back in 1966 as the first Black woman to grace the cover.

When the US won the women's gymnastics team all-around, Chiles celebrated by doing the iconic medal-biting pose. This not only showed off her gold medal, but also her diamond-encrusted gold grillz, which have always been a big part of hip-hop and Black culture.

Biles had a phenomenal comeback this Games, winning three gold medals and one silver. After winning the women's individual all-around, Simone commemorated the moment by donning her 3D diamond goat necklace. As the greatest gymnast of all time, wearing a goat necklace is nothing short of iconic, and accessories like chains and finely crafted diamond necklaces are a very common and beloved part of Black culture. Rapper Flava Flav even reportedly offered to give Chiles a one-of-a-kind bronze clock chain after she had her bronze medal stripped by the International Olympic Committee.

My favorite way US athletes chose to highlight our culture, by far, was in their diverse range of hairstyles. From Tara Davis-Woodhall 's box braids to Noah Lyles's cornrows to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's natural curls to Melissa Jefferson's locs, there was no shortage of representation.

Seeing the best of the best wear their hair proudly is profound because even in 2024, we have to actively fight to not be discriminated against for our natural hair. Only 22 states have enacted the CROWN Act or something similar to protect us against race-based hair discrimination in schools and in the workplace.

As a Black American, it is so easy to become jaded, but when an unprecedented celebration of Blackness takes center stage at a monumental event like the Olympics, it's necessary to commemorate the moment. With the killing of Sonya Massey occurring mere weeks before the opening ceremony and the anti-Black rhetoric that has come from Kamala Harris's presidential race , it often feels like people only care about Black people when it's convenient. You can't love our rhythm but hate our blues.

That's why I'm grateful to be alive at the same time as Biles, Gabby Thomas, and the countless Black Olympians who showed up and out for us. Watching these athletes represent a country that often mistreats and discards people like them while being unapologetically Black is one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I hope that this will not only change people's negative perceptions surrounding Black culture, but also give all Black Americans the freedom to express themselves however they see fit.

Daria Yazmiene is a freelance writer, social media manager, and advocate for BIPOC communities. She is a proud graduate of Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

• Personal Essay
• Simone Biles
• Sha'Carri Richardson
• Jordan Chiles

Book Your Tour Here

Wind-Flower Web Design