The lease on their Passy apartment expired so the Joyce family decided to holiday in England. On 17 April 1932, James Joyce, Nora, and daughter Lucia went to the railway station in Paris with their luggage, but Nora had a severe crying episode which put a stop to their plans. They took a taxi to Hotel Le Belmont.
The Joyce family moved into the Hotel Le Belmont at 30 Rue de Bassano in the 8th arrondissement near the Avenue des Champs-Elysées.
Hotel Le Belmont still exists. It was renovated in 2013.
The area was familiar to them because it was near the Hotel Grand Powers and near La Résidence. It is halfway between the Arc de Triomphe and the River Seine. It is also close to one of their favourite restaurants, the Chez Francis at 7 Place de l’Alma.
James Joyce stayed here for one month from 17 April to 14 May 1932.
James Joyce Paris Residence: Number 13 out of 18.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls