The Geography of Bohemia

Bohemia, bordered on the North by hope, work, and gaiety, on the South by necessity and courage; on the West and East by slander and the hospital.

-Henry Murger, Bohemian Life, 1849

Bohemians had a long history as outsiders. Even before the counterculture movement started in Paris, Bohemians in the Czech Republic were considered outcasts. Bohemians used their location in Paris to their advantage, visiting cafes and watching the bourgeoisie from the Latin Quarter and Montmartre. Many choose to see Bohemia not as a place, but as a state of mind.

"Bohemiens" is traditionally the French word for gypsies. Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, was home to these nomadic people. When the young French bourgeoisie adopted the term "Bohemians," it was out of defiance to the French government, who disapproved of the gypsies.

Bohemia in the mid-1800's was located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine River. Later, many Bohemians moved to Montmartre, another area of Paris, but the Latin Quarter is still a gathering place for students and artists to this day.

Bohemian writers, artists, and thinkers gathered around tables in Parisian cafes to discuss the important issues of the day. These cafes quickly became the center of Bohemian life.

The Geography of Bohemia Bohemia, bordered on the North by hope, work, and gaiety, on the South by necessity and courage; on the West and East by slander and the hospital. -Henry Murger, Bohemian Life, 1849 Bohemians had a long history as outsiders. Even before the counterculture movement started in Paris, Bohemians in the Czech Republic were considered outcasts. Bohemians used their location in Paris to their advantage, visiting cafes and watching the bourgeoisie from the Latin Quarter and Montmartre. Many choose to see Bohemia not as a place, but as a state of mind.
	"Bohemiens" is traditionally the French word for gypsies. Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, was home to these nomadic people. When the young French bourgeoisie adopted the term "Bohemians," it was out of defiance to the French government, who disapproved of the gypsies.
Bohemia in the mid-1800's was located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine River. Later, many Bohemians moved to Montmartre, another area of Paris, but the Latin Quarter is still a gathering place for students and artists to this day.
Bohemian writers, artists, and thinkers gathered around tables in Parisian cafes to discuss the important issues of the day. These cafes quickly became the center of Bohemian life.
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