Rilke in Paris

At the turn of the 20th century, a young Rainer Maria Rilke arrived in Paris—drawn by the brilliance of Auguste Rodin and unsettled by the city’s contradictions. Over the years, Paris became both muse and mirror for Rilke, inspiring reflections on art, beauty, poverty, and modern life. In these writings—many appearing in English for the first time—we witness a poet transformed by the city’s chaos and charm.

Rilke in Paris offers a rare glimpse into the evolving mind of one of Europe’s greatest poets, featuring his essay Notes on the Melody of Things and vivid impressions captured by his French translator. A luminous portrait of an artist in dialogue with a city that shaped him.