HI kerouac, I think we stumbled across part of this area when we were heading for Montmartre but got off at the wrong metro stop. At the time (May 2006) we were very confused and a little intimidated as we didn't realise that there was this amazing cultural group living so close to the centre of Paris. It's lovely now to have it explained, and when we return in May this year, will return with your notes in hand. Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this post (and so many others!) Cathie

My favorite parts of Paris - thank you so much! I'll be there soon, soon, but not soon enough . . .

Loved reading your walking tour, kerouac ! I'm sure I would like to live in a neighbourhood like yours.

The value of fodor's such incredibly great local resources like Kerouac, Kendrina, etc

Thank you so much for the effort this took. I have printed and will read on the metro going home tonight - we are leaving for Paris in 2 weeks, and I hope to follow in your footsteps. Again, this site and its posters are the greatest.

P.S. Did you ever add more and repost as you planned to do in January?

No, but I haven't forgotten that I plan to! :)

kerouac,
This is awesome information. I don't know if I'll have time this visit to Paris but I will take the information with me. I don't want to insult anyone with this question but Is it a safe area for a women to walk alone? Not knowing Paris that well I know there are areas in any city that may be best visited with two or more persons.

bookmarking for November.

Long story short - if you are a young, attractive woman who walks in these districts you will probably be harassed by persistent, but not immediately dangerous, men. So just learn to say, convincingly, "Laissez-moi tranquille!"

But you only talk to them if totally ignoring them doesn't work.

Nevertheless, the neighborhood is totally full of women, so I can't really imagine it being a problem. Anyway, even though some of the women are in hijabs, there are also plenty of African women dressed like total hussies and you probably can't compete in the booty department.

After our Fodors GTG on Monday, Nikki gave me her printout of the walk, which I took on (rainy and chilly) Tuesday. It is NOT for everyone but I found it interesting. Skipped some of the latter bits. There would likely have been more street life on a nicer day.

The main "event" we witnessed was a big Afro-French funeral -- over-the-top hats, sky-high stiletto heels, shiny black cars and every manifestation of human emotion, except grief, apparently.....

WillTravel and Kerouac,
I guess I'll be safe. I definitely don't fall into the young and attractive category. Thanks
kygirl

I recently took the walk around Kerouac's neighborhood upon his highlighting the area

and i did not see any reason for anyone not to feel totally safe

And say hi to Kerouac - he is usually in front of the church by the MacDonalds with a cup and the letters SVP written on it. At least he was when i was there. Gave him a few sous

Don't give any money to the gypsy woman sitting at the top of the Marx Dormoy metro stairs. I can't stand her. (Competition!)

Thanks so much Kerouac! This is one of the best, most entertaining posts I've read on Fodors for a long time! I don't know if I'll be checking the neighborhood out when we're there in May, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about it!

bookmarking

Maybe not a good idea since so many places have changed since back then. However, the actual route is just as interesting as it ever was.