A poet of thwarted impulses and melancholy verses, Paul Verlaine 's relationship with Paris is intimate, sometimes luminous, sometimes stormy. Born in the capital, he wrote his first poems there, loved there, suffered there, drank there, and left a deep imprint.
Let yourself be carried away by this stroll in the footsteps of Verlaine in Paris.
Paul Verlaine was born in Metz in 1844, but spent most of his life in Paris, where he made a living from his pen, frequented literary circles and published his first collections, including Romances sans paroles. The capital was the scene of literary cafés, nocturnal discussions and thwarted love affairs, and the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre and Montparnasse still vibrate with Verlainian resonance.
His tumultuous affair with Arthur Rimbaud, his decadence, his religious conversion and his internments weave the portrait of a human and tormented poet whose style influenced the Symbolists and far beyond.
The Latin Quarter (5ᵉ arr.). Verlaine spent a long time roaming the Quartier Latin, occupying modest rooms in hotels that have now disappeared, in search of literary journals, publishers' salons, fellow travelers and ideological struggles. During his evenings, he frequented poets' magazines, publishing houses and bookshops, where he exchanged, sometimes bitterly, with Mallarmé, Banville and Leconte de Lisle. After the Rimbaud shooting, Verlaine returned to Paris profoundly transformed, devoting himself to spiritual poetry and prayer, frequenting the churches of Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Catholic circles and religious bookshops.
Rue Campagne-Première (14ᵉ arr.). He rents a garret - at an address now demolished when Boulevard Raspail was built in 1902 - where he and Rimbaud spend tumultuous nights.
Batignolles cemetery (17ᵉ arr.). This is the site of the Verlaine family vault.
Luxembourg Gardens (6ᵉ arr.). The most visible tribute in Paris is located in the western part of the garden. It consists of a marble bust on a pedestal by sculptor Auguste de Niederhausen, inaugurated in 1911.
Villa Paul-Verlaine (19ᵉ arr.). Although it was never Verlaine's home, this street has been named after him since 1906.
Place Paul-Verlaine (13ᵉ arr.). This square in the Butte-aux-Cailles district took its name in 1905 as a tribute to the poet, particularly in reference to his - symbolic - involvement with the Communards.
The Jardin du Luxembourg, an exotic setting in the heart of Paris
The Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris is a popular park with Parisians, who call it "le luco", and tourists alike. A bucolic and lively garden, it's a delight for those who choose to stroll here, especially with the arrival of fine weather! [Read more]
In the north-west of Paris stands a cemetery that’s a little unloved and somewhat overlooked by both tourists and locals: the Batignolles Cemetery. It’s up to you to change that and discover its 15,000 tombs, including those of illustrious French artists. [Read more]
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Location
Luxembourg Gardens
19 rue de Vaugirard
75006 Paris 6
Route planner
The Jardin du Luxembourg, an exotic setting in the heart of Paris
The Batignolles Cemetery, a discreet burial ground that is home to several eminent figures.
