Le flâneur des deux rives by Guillaume Apollinaire

• Publication Date: 1919

• Genre: Prose poetry, Travel writing

• Themes: Memory, Nostalgia, Paris, The Flâneur

Summary

Le Flâneur des deux rives (The Flâneur of Both Banks) is a collection of prose poems and essays by Guillaume Apollinaire, first published in 1919. The work is a meditation on the city of Paris, its history, and its inhabitants. Apollinaire flâneurs through the streets of the city, evoking memories of the past and reflecting on the present. He writes about the sights, sounds, and smells of Paris, as well as its people, its art, and its culture.

The book is divided into two sections, "Rive Droite" (Right Bank) and "Rive Gauche" (Left Bank). The first section is more focused on the physical city, while the second section is more introspective and philosophical. Throughout the book, Apollinaire celebrates the beauty and mystery of Paris, and he argues that the city is the ideal place for the flâneur, or urban wanderer.

Key passages

• "Paris is the city of the flâneur. It is the only city where one can walk without a purpose, without knowing where one is going or why one is going there."

• "The flâneur is the man of the crowd. He is the observer, the one who sees everything but is seen by no one."

• "Paris is a labyrinth of streets and alleys, of squares and gardens. It is a city that is constantly changing, yet it always remains the same."

Critical reception

Le Flâneur des deux rives is considered to be one of Apollinaire's most important works. It has been praised for its beautiful writing, its evocative imagery, and its insightful observations about the city of Paris. The book has been translated into many languages and has been the subject of numerous critical studies.

Additional information

• The book was dedicated to Apollinaire's friend, the painter Henri Rousseau.

• The book was illustrated by Picasso.

• The book was first published in a limited edition of 100 copies.

• The book was not a commercial success during Apollinaire's lifetime, but it has since become a classic of French literature.