After living in the 7th arrondissement, Joyce was disappointed at having to move to Passy, near the location of Ludmilla Bloch-Savitsky’s apartment. The Irish author Mary Colum said that it was not the cheeriest home.
Joyce moved into 2 Avenue Saint-Philibert in the 16th arrondissement at the end of October 1931. The apartment was too small to invite guests for his birthday on 2 February 1932.
He had his 50th birthday celebrations at the home of Eugene and Maria Jolas. Sylvia Beach, his publisher and owner of the Shakespeare and Company bookstore did not attend. However, Joyce’s friend, author Samuel Beckett did attend.
The apartment was close to the Ranelagh Garden where Joyce could go for a walk.
When the lease expired, Joyce planned to go to England with Nora and Lucia. They were packed at at the railway station, but Lucia had a crying episode, so they took a taxi to Hotel Le Belmont.
James Joyce stayed in this location for six months from October 1931 to 16 April 1932. He returned here a month later, for three months from 15 May to July 1932.
James Joyce Paris Residence: Number 12 out of 18.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls