The most irresistibly witty and revealing tour of Paris in years...In this enchanting memoir, acclaimed author and Paris resident John Baxter recounts his year-long experience of giving "literary walking tours" through the city. Baxter sets off on the trail of Paris's legendary artists and writers. Along the way, he tells the city's history through a brilliant cast of characters: the favourite cafes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce; Pablo Picasso's underground Montmartre haunts; the bustling boulevards of the late-19th century flaneurs; the secluded "Little Luxembourg" gardens beloved by Gertrude Stein; the alleys where revolutionaries plotted; and finally Baxter's own favourite walk near his home in Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Paris, by custom and design, is a pedestrian's city - each block a revelation, every neighbourhood a new feast for the senses, a place rich with history and romance at every turn. The Most Beautiful Walk in the World is your guide par excellence to the true, off-the-beaten-track heart of the City of Lights.

About the Author

John Baxter is an Australian-born journalist and filmmaker, and author of several books including Cooking for Claudine (Short Books, 2011). Baxter has lived in Paris since 1989, where he is married to the filmmaker Marie-Dominique Montel. They have one daughter, Louise.

Reviews

"A lovely book, full of unexpected pleasures... Parisians claim that walking around Paris is an art form in itself, and Baxter proves them right." Chicago Tribune "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World is as close as a reader can get to the feel of a languid spring walk along Baron Haussmann's boulevards." Los Angeles Times "Anyone who loves Paris and loves to walk will feel this book was written just for them... Charming." USA Today "A splendid memoir... Reading The Most Beautiful Walk in the World is the next best thing to a Paris vacation." Boston Globe "Fabulous - the perfect companion for anyone inspired to hop over to France after seeing Midnight in Paris" NPR.org