Dreaming of flight over Paris? Right here we stand at Place Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This place honors a man of words and wings. He was a writer poet and aviator. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lived a life as captivating as his stories.
Who was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? He was the author of “The Little Prince”. He wrote it in New York during the war. The book was published in 1943. It came to France in 1946 after his death. “The Little Prince” became a global phenomenon. It touched hearts with its lightness and philosophical depth.
Saint-Exupéry’s Paris life is a fascinating tale. He frequented Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This was the heart of Parisian intellectual life. He felt more at ease writing at Lipp brasserie than at home.
Can you imagine him rushing to meet Jean Prévost? He left his manuscript for “The Aviator” at Les Deux Magots. This was his first published work. He entrusted it to his friend.
Saint-Exupéry’s Paris wasn’t always glamorous. In 1919 he lived in a modest room at Hotel La Louisiane. It was located at 60 rue de Seine. Yvonne de Trévise lived nearby. She was a distant cousin of his mother.
Later Saint-Exupéry found success. He received the Prix Femina for his novel “Vol de Nuit” or “Night Flight”. He then rented an apartment at 10 rue de Castellane. It was a very chic area.
However Saint-Exupéry faced financial difficulties. He was even evicted from an apartment at 5 rue de Chanaleilles for not paying rent. A plaque remembers that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry lived in an apartment at 15 place Vauban from 1934 to 1940.
Saint-Exupéry’s connection to aviation also has Paris roots. In 1922 he was stationed at Le Bourget airport. In 1923 an accident occurred during an unauthorized flight. Saint-Exupéry crashed a plane causing injuries to his passenger.
Today Place Antoine de Saint-Exupéry reminds us of his life. It links literature aviation and Parisian history. Saint-Exupéry’s spirit lives on. His words continue to inspire dreamers of all ages. As we leave this place remember “The Little Prince”. Remember his words his flights and his Parisian life.