I’ve been exploring some of France this summer; attending the Paris Olympics, spending a month in the French Riviera, and… well… watching the latest season of Emily in Paris. So, I’ve needed some books set in France to add to my to-read list.
France has long been a source of inspiration for writers from across the globe. Its landscapes, culture, and historical significance are intricately woven into some of the best works of literature.
Whether you’re looking for a tale of revolution, romance, or self-discovery, France has a book for you. Below are some of the finest novels set in the country, including a special focus on Paris, a literary capital of the world.
I’ve included Amazon links to each recommended book, but you can also see my post on where to get e-books and audiobooks for free. Note that the prices may be given in dollars, but the link will take you to your local Amazon store.
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1. “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
Set during World War II, the Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See takes you on a journey through France, particularly the walled coastal city of Saint-Malo.
The story revolves around a blind French girl, Marie-Laure, and a German boy, Werner, whose paths cross amidst the chaos of the war. It’s a story of resilience, hope, and the complexities of war.
The book has also been turned into a Netflix series.
“Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.”
2. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
The Nightingale is a powerful story of two sisters living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Vianne and Isabelle face very different fates, with Vianne staying behind in her village and Isabelle joining the French Resistance.
The novel explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the moral dilemmas that arise during times of war. France’s rural villages and war-torn cities serve as a backdrop for this emotional and gripping tale.
“In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”
3. “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle
For a lighter, more humorous look at life in France, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle is a must-read. This memoir recounts Mayle’s real-life experiences after moving to Provence, a sun-drenched region known for its lavender fields and picturesque villages.
Through the seasons, Mayle describes the quirks of French rural life, from navigating local markets to dealing with slow renovations. It’s a charming exploration of the beauty and challenges of adapting to a new culture, and I can certainly relate to the ups and downs of expat life.
“There are few things more pleasant than a village drenched in evening sunshine, the air full of the scent of flowers, and the sound of far-off church bells.”
4. “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery
Set in an upscale apartment building in Paris, this philosophical novel is a contemplation on life, art, and human connections. The Elegance of a Hedgehog follows Renée, a middle-aged concierge, and Paloma, a brilliant but depressed twelve-year-old, as their lives intersect in unexpected ways. Through the characters’ reflections, readers are treated to meditations on beauty, class, and intellect.
“We never look beyond our assumptions, and what’s worse, we have given up trying to meet others; we just meet ourselves.”
5. “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George
For book lovers, The Little Paris Bookshop is a heartfelt tribute to the power of literature. The story centers around Jean Perdu, who runs a “literary apothecary” on a barge moored along the Seine River in Paris.
Perdu prescribes books to heal his customers’ emotional wounds, but he struggles with his own heartbreak. The novel takes readers on a journey not only through Paris but also along the French riverside as Perdu seeks closure. It’s a love letter to Paris, books, and the human soul.
“Books are more than doctors. They take us to a place where we feel safe and calm, reveal meaning in life, and give us the power to be strong.”
The Best Books Set in Paris
Paris has captivated the imaginations of countless writers, from great French novelists, poets, and playwrights (Moliere, Voltaire, Balzac, Victor Hugo, Proust etc.) to those visiting from far-off lands (Henry James, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, James Baldwin, and many more).
Here are some of the best books that bring Paris to life:
1. “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast is a must-read for anyone interested in the bohemian literary scene of 1920s Paris.
In this memoir, Hemingway reflects on his time living in the city with his first wife, Hadley, and his interactions with other famous expatriates, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. Hemingway’s Paris is a city of cafes, late-night conversations, and artistic exploration.
The memoir is both a nostalgic look at a vanished time and an intimate portrait of one of the 20th century’s most iconic authors.
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
2. “The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain
If you’re fascinated by Hemingway’s Paris years, The Paris Wife offers a fictionalized account of his first marriage through the eyes of Hadley Richardson, Hemingway’s first wife.
McLain portrays the couple’s highs and lows as they navigate love, ambition, and the pressures of expatriate life. The novel also delves into the complex dynamics of the literary circle surrounding Hemingway.
“Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris.”
3. “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo
No list of Parisian novels would be complete without Les Misérables, Victor Hugo’s sweeping epic that captures the spirit of revolutionary France, which inspired the famous musical.
The novel follows several characters—most notably Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption—as they navigate the social and political upheavals of 19th-century Paris.
Hugo’s detailed descriptions of Parisian streets, from the grandeur of Notre-Dame to the squalor of the city’s slums, make the city a living character in its own right.
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
4. “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” by Victor Hugo
Another Hugo masterpiece, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is set in the heart of medieval Paris, with the towering Notre-Dame Cathedral playing a central role in the narrative.
This Gothic novel tells the tragic story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer, and Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy girl. The cathedral itself is a symbol of the city’s grandeur and mystery, and Hugo’s descriptions of it are so vivid that the book helped spur efforts to restore the then-neglected building.
As a child of the 90s, I’m more familiar with the Disney version, which has a lot of changes from the original.
“Love is like a tree: it grows by itself, roots itself deeply in our being, and continues to flourish over a heart in ruin.”
5. “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles
The Paris Library is a dual-timeline novel that connects the story of Odile, a librarian at the American Library in Paris during World War II, and Lily, a lonely teenager in 1980s Montana.
The novel explores themes of friendship, loss, and the importance of books during trying times. The Paris setting, particularly the American Library, is lovingly rendered, and the novel sheds light on the often-overlooked role of libraries in preserving culture and knowledge during wartime.
“Libraries are lungs… books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive.”
6. “Paris to the Moon” by Adam Gopnik
For a modern-day take on life in Paris, Adam Gopnik’s Paris to the Moon is a witty and insightful collection of essays. Gopnik, a journalist for The New Yorker, recounts his experience living in Paris with his family in the late 1990s.
From navigating French bureaucracy to observing the cultural differences between Americans and Parisians, Gopnik offers a humorous yet thoughtful exploration of what makes Paris so enchanting for expatriates.
“There are two kinds of travellers: those who go to get away and those who go to go.”
More Books Set in France
Whether you’re captivated by the romance of Paris, looking to learn more about France during the World Wars, or immerse yourself in rural French life, these books offer something for every reader.
If you have any more books set in France to recommend to be added to this list, let me know in the comments below!
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