For anyone making plans to visit Paris, I have a must-do tour for you. In fact, I recommend making a special trip to Paris to take the Black Paris Tour -- just as I did! It was one the most educational, inspiring and memorable experiences I’ve had in all my years of travel.

By WAYNE JOHNS
C&P Travel Writer

For anyone making plans to visit Paris, I have a must-do tour for you. In fact, I recommend making a special trip to Paris to take the Black Paris Tour -- just as I did! It was one the most educational, inspiring and memorable experiences I’ve had in all my years of travel.

“Black Paris Tours” is owned and operated by Ricki Stevenson. Mme Stevenson has served as lead guide since its inception in 1997. The idea for Black Paris tours grew out of her lifelong dream of living in Paris and six years experience as an international travel reporter with a California-based TV network.

I first learned of Black Paris Tours when reading an article on Black expatriates. I contacted Mme Stevenson to book the tour for Oct. 15, 2010. After following her directions and answering a few questions, she sent me a detailed confirmation letter. The letter informed me of what to wear e.g. comfortable walking shoes, clothes suitable for the weather, a tote bag or backpack to hold souvenirs, along with magazines and information that she provides. Miscellaneous information included banking and ATM locations.

I was also informed about basic cultural do's and don'ts. For instance, "always" start a conversation with "Bonjour Madame" or "Monsieur," and always say "Au Revoir Madame" or "Monsieur" whenever leaving any establishment. Don't take offense when restaurant waiters are slow -- that's part of the culture. She also taught us how to look out for pick pockets and various scams. Mme Stevenson explained that guns and serious crime are not a major factor in Paris which explained the fact that people were out and about on the streets all hours of the day and night.

We were even told to bring a journal so we could write about the restaurants we would go and our daily impressions of Paris lest we forget.

The morning of our tour we all met at the Left Bank for a brief orientation on how to navigate the city's bus and metro system. We were also given an orientation about the rich legacy of African, West Indian and African American history found in Paris. (Note: even though I lived in Paris during the late 60s, I was totally unaware of the extensive Black history there.)

Mme Stevenson explained that Africans were an integral part of the early courts of the French Kings, coming to France as explorers, diplomats, astronomers, musicians and educators. They taught methods of animal husbandry, farming and the natural healing arts. Stevenson explained that as far back as the 1800s African Americans began coming to France, noting that more than 50,000 free people of color fled New Orleans and parts of Louisiana in the years following the 1803 Louisiana Purchase when Napoleon Bonaparte sold the territory to the United States.

Paris, she said, became a haven for Black Americans during the '20s, '30s and '40s when racism was deeply embedded in American society. African Americans in the US were not allowed opportunities to showcase their talents whether it be in music, art, literature dance or academics. Black Paris Tours takes you to the various landmarks that were made famous by African Americans.

We passed the former US Embassy where Thomas Jefferson and his Black "mistress," Sally Hemings, began a 38 year relationship in 1787. We stopped for pictures and a story at "Place Josephine Baker," a square honoring the African American dancer and singer who exploded onto the French stage in 1925. She attained world fame during her 50 year reign in France, serving as a spy for the French resistance during World War II, and later adopting a "Rainbow Tribe" of 12 children of every race, nationality and color. We visited Place Alexander Dumas and the statue dedicated to this man of African origin, who in the 1800s would become the most prolific writer in French history ("The Three Musketeers," "Man in the Iron Mask," "The Count of Monte Cristo"). Along the way we stopped in at a hotel where Dr. W. E. B. Dubois hosted the 1919 Pan African Congress

Mme Stevenson makes you feel a part of this history. She imparts so much detailed information that you will definitely feel the need for the journal that she suggests. I came away with a new awareness of the rich legacy of African and African American history in France and Europe.

I suggest you begin any Paris sojourn with Ricki Stevenson's Black Paris Tour. Contact her by going to her website: www.blackparistour.com, you will be PROUD that you did!

Cutline: Various Black artists and entertainers left the states for Paris.