I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, ‘Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.’ So finally I would write one true sentence, and then go on from there. It was easy then because there was always one true sentence that I knew or had seen or had heard someone say.
–Ernest Heminway: A Moveable Feast
This episode takes you on a wander through the Rue Mouffetard area of Paris in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway. It is guided by A Moveable Feast and Annette’s own longtime love for the city, the book, and the art of writing deliberately.
Far from the macho stereotypes, this is a tender exploration of Hemingway’s early years in Paris — of poverty, love, loss, and the quiet moments that shaped him as a writer. Annette shares favorite passages from the book and real-life stops to trace the writer’s footsteps.
Whether you're dreaming of Paris or looking for life lessons or some creative inspiration, this is an evocative journey through time, rooftops, cafés, and stories.
If you’d like to explore further, keep an eye out for the next essay post in Stories Cafe — arriving Saturday, April 26, 2025. This essay will guide you along the exact walking route of this episode, with maps, street names, metro stops, and Annette’s own photos to bring it all to life. If you sign up, it will land directly in your inbox as soon as it is published.
📍 Places & Resources Mentioned
📚 Book:
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
🗺 Hemingway's Paris (1921–1926):
Rue du Cardinal Lemoine (Home Address)
74 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris
🟡 Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10)
Place de la Contrescarpe (Local Square)
Place de la Contrescarpe, 75005 Paris
A few steps from Rue du Cardinal Lemoine
🟡 Metro: Place Monge (Line 7)
Rue Mouffetard (Beloved Market Street)
The historic, bustling food market street mentioned in Hemingway’s book
Runs from Place Saint-Médard north toward Place de la Contrescarpe then changes into Rue Descartes
🟡 Metro (southern end): Censier-Daubenton (Line 7)
39 Rue Descartes (Hemingway’s Writing Room)
Location of his rented writing studio
This is where the French poet Paul Verlaine died, and the street is the continuation to the north of Rue Mouffetard
🟡 Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10)
Show Links:
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Stay tuned for the next episode, airing on Wednesday April 30, 2025.
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