Amazing Books That Take Place in France
Looking for books that take place in France?
I’ve got you covered. Not only do I love France (I spent three months there as an exchange student learning le français, and have been back several times to visit) but I also read 5-6 books every month.
Books set in France are often historical fiction, but there are several other genres too that capture the beauty and charm of France.
Once in a while, it’s nice to read a book that takes place somewhere else. France, with its rich culture and history, is a great somewhere else.
So, bienvenue – here are the best books set in France.
Best Fiction Set in France
Here are the best novels that take place in France, in random order.
1. The Nightingale
By: Kristin Hannah
Published: 2015
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
Genre: Historical Fiction, War Story
The Nightingale is set in Nazi-occupied France. It takes place in Paris, and a small fictional town just south of Paris.
The Nightingale features two sisters experiencing two different sides of France during Nazi occupation.
One of them is a mother who has a Nazi move into her home, while she has to keep her family safe.
The other sister has joined the French resistance against the Germans by volunteering to smuggle Jews out of France, on a boat to safety in the UK (which is based on a true story!)
The Nightingale was the first book of Kristin Hannah’s that I’ve ever read, and afterwards, I went on to read many more. I don’t think anyone can deny that she’s a captivating storyteller and author.I cried more in this book than I normally cry in book. It really moved me and made me feel something. I would recommend it.
2. All The Light We Cannot See
By: Anthony Doerr
Published: 2014
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Genre: Historical Fiction, War Story
All the Light We Cannot See takes place in the coastal city of Saint-Malo, in northern France which was destroyed during WW2.
All the Light We Cannot See is another WW2 France book, but it has a different focus from the last book.
The book takes place partially in Germany, and the rest of it in France. The main German character is Werner, who is accepted to a Hitler Youth program and becomes a Nazi (but with a conscience and struggles somewhat with what he is doing.)
The main French character is a young blind girl named Marie, who is a young adult at the time of WW2 when she meats Werner.
It’s a touching story, and my best friend says that this is her favourite book. I really enjoyed it too, I wouldn’t say it was my “favourite” WW2 book (#1 on this list is) but it’s a good one and worth reading. It also had a Netflix series made of it!
3. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
By: V.E. Schwab
Published: 2020
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue takes place in Villon-sur-Sarthe (a real French town) in the 1600s, but moves through time into the modern-day period.
A young girl named Addie from Villon-sur-Sarthe called begs to be free of her life – as a result, she is given immortality (in exchange for a curse.)
Addie travels around Europe and North America, through different time periods. A good chunk of the book takes place in New York City, where she ends up settling – but she often returns to France, especially to her original village – and observes the changes over time.
Its part historical fiction, and part fantasy and magical realism. I wouldn’t say the majority of this book deals with France and its culture, but good chunks of it are certainly set in France.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, as magical realism isn’t always my favourite. It really made me think deeply, about what it means to make a mark on this world. What would it mean if everyone you met forgot you right after they saw you? It was a memorable book that way.
4. Queen Margot
By: Alexandre Dumas
Published: 1845
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2)
Genre: Classic, Romance, Drama, Tragedy, Historical Fiction
Queen Margot is a French classic that takes place in the 1500s Paris, and is based on true events.
Margaret of Valois is the antagonist, and her mother, Catherine de’ Medici (originally from Italy) is the antagonist who is trying to marry off her daughter
Catherine is also the villain partially behind the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, which took place in Paris and was an attack on protestants.
For an old book, Queen Margot is quite fast-paced and exciting. If you’re a history nerd and a Francophile, then this book might be a gem!
The author, Alexandre Dumas, is the same author who wrote the famous Count of Monte Cristo (which is higher rated and more favoured than this book.) However, I chose to feature Queen Margot because it takes place all in France, whereas the other in several other places.)
I should note, there is some debate about how historically accurate Queen Margo it is, and how the historical figures are depicted. I wouldn’t recommend you get ALL your information regarding the events in the novel from this book. (Read other sources too.) But, it’s a great book to introduce you to a piece of French history that you may not have otherwise known.
5. Paris: A Novel
By: Edward Rutherfurd
Published: 2013
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Saga
Paris: A Novel is the ultimate book for Francophiles and French nerds – it’s an 800-pager that takes place through over a thousand years of history in Paris.
The story of Paris begins in medieval times and follows four families through to the student protests in the late 1960s.
In Paris, you get to experience Paris through the character’s eyes – and get to watch not only Paris, but France too, change and unfold through history, over time.
The four different families features are one aristocrat, one bourgeois and two working-class – so you also get an eye into different lifestyles in France over 1,000 years.
If you’re visiting France soon and looking for a book to read, I’d recommend Paris. If you want to be persuaded to book a ticket to Paris, then I again recommend Paris. It’s such a great book for appreciating the rollercoaster of a journey of this country’s history. *I do recommend the print version because the story flips back and forth from present and past. Since there are 4 different families it can get a little confusing.*
6. The Da Vinci Code: A Novel
By: Dan Brown
Published: 2003
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Genre: Novel, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Mystery
The Da Vinci Code is an exciting, fast-paced book that is set in Paris in the early 2000s.
In case you’ve never read this (and I highly recommend it if you like exciting page-turners) then it deals with a murder in the Louvre museum, and there are clues in Da Vinci’s paintings.
Ultimately, the characters in the book have to look to history to solve the murder. It takes you back to the Jesus times. The book has been criticized for the portrayal of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and the author calls it ‘alternative religious history.’
I read the Da Vinci Code a few years after it came out, and it was the kind of book that I couldn’t book down. I’ve read a few other of Dan Brown’s books, including some that are set in Italy– but Da Vinci Code was by far, my favourite.
7. Good Night, Irene
By: Luis Alberta Urrea
Published: 2023
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Good Night Irene is one of the newest books of award-winning Mexican author. It’s set in France during WW2, and is about a woman who joins the Red Cross.
I’m personally taking a short break from WW2 books, so I haven’t read this one yet – but I’ve read other books by Luis Urrea, and he’s a beautiful writer and storyteller. If you haven’t read one of his books yet and you’re looking for a book set in France, then this one is well-researched and historically accurate for the Red Cross in France during WW2
8. Dragonfly in Amber Outlander # 2
By: Diana Gabaldon
Published: 1992
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Novel, Adventure
Dragonfly in Amber is the 2nd book in the Outlander series, which primarily take place in Scotland and in colonial America.
It’s set in Paris during the mid-1700s, before the French Revolution. It’s a really interesting glimpse into upper-class France during that period.
Dragonfly in Amber largely explores the French elite during the 1740s, but also ventures into lower-income areas in Paris too, such as brothels, hospitals run by Nuns, etc.
It would be ideal if you were planning to read the series from the beginning, however, you could read Dragonfly in Amber on it’s own; it’s only one book ahead of the 1st Outlander and the books are pretty good at catching up on what you may have missed in the previous book.
To be honest, Dragonfly in Amber was one of my least favourite of the Outlander series; I found it very long. However, the ratings for this book are extremely high, and it’s a very detailed book with so much historical relevance to France.
9. Perfume: the Story of a Murderer
By: Patrick Suskind
Published: 1985
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2)
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a story about a serial killer who was born with an exceptional sense of smell, and becomes obsessed with it.
He figures out a unique way of making the most rare, exceptional-smelling perfume – and that’s with young women.
Perfume being a very French thing, and with the story taking place in 18th century Paris – it’s a popular one, and was made into a movie in.
I can’t stomach this book personally – I’m not a fan of stories of serial killers who repeatedly victimize women. I’ve seen the movie, and didn’t enjoy it, for that reason. However, the ratings for this book are so high, that I couldn’t not include it in this list!
10. An American Wife in Paris: Gripping and Heartbreaking World War 2 fiction (The Diplomat’s Wife Book 2)
By: Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
Published: 2023
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Genre: Historical Fiction
An American Wife in Paris is set in Paris in 1941. The antagonist is Kitty, who is trying to undermine the Nazi regime, while her husband Edgar is secretly a Nazi spy.
The book is # 2 in a series called Diplomat’s Wife – the first book is called The American Wife only (no Paris.) You can read this book as a standalone, but its a bit better if you read the first book to understand the main characters.
11. Les Misérables
By: Victor Hugo
Published: 1862
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
Genre: Classic
Les Misérables is one of the most famous works of fiction by Victor Hugo, classic French writer.
It takes place in Paris (with a strong focus on Jardins de Luxumboug) and Montreuil-sur-Mer, a northern seaside town in France.
It’s over 1,400 pages long but has been called one of the best novels of all time.
12. The Paris Wife
By: Paula McLain
Published: 2011
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3)
Genre: Novel, Historical Fiction
The Paris Wife takes place in The Jazz Age Paris, which was primarily in the 1920s.
It’s about the real-life wife of writer Ernest Hemmingway, Hadley Richardson.
Both Ernest Hemmingway and Hadley Richardson are American, but the story takes place during their two years living in Paris in the early 1920s.
The life of post-war Paris is captured beautifully, and the book is full of twists and turns of Hemmingway and Richardson’s turbulent marriage.
13. The Lost Bookshop
By: Evie Woods
Published: 2023
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
Genre: Novel, Magical Realism
The Lost Bookshop takes place partially in Paris, but primarily in Ireland. The book flips back and forth to the scenes in Paris and in Ireland.
The Paris part of the book is set in Paris in the early 1900s; a young woman escaping an abusive situation flees to Paris and starts working in a small bookshop.
I personally did not love this book, but it is very, very popular. I read it with a book club and I think I was the only one in the room who didn’t really like it. There was nothing wrong with it, but it just didn’t grab me and the story didn’t make sense to me. But, it has very high ratings and I’ve met so many people who loved it, so I believe I’m in the minority. That’s why it still deserves a spot on this list.
Best Non-Fiction Set in France
France has been the setting of many travel memoirs, autobiographies and several interesting works of non-fiction. Here are my recommendations for real-life stories (written by the author) that took place either completely, or partially, in France
1. The Art Theif: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
By: Michael Finkel
Published: 2023
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2)
Genre: True Crime, Biography, Travel Literature
The Art Theif is based on the true story of Stéphane Breitwieser, a now 50-something (still living) French author and art thief.
Stéphane has stolen over 200 works of art in his lifetime, and has been declared one of the most successful art thieves of all time.
He is not still stealing art- this book takes place between 1995 and 2001, when he was actively stealing from museums and art galleries around France.
One unfortunate detail about this story is that his crimes lead to several works of art being destroyed – (by his family, to hide evidence of his theft.) You see, he wasn’t stealing the art to sell it – he simply hoarded it, keeping it at his house.
The Art Thief is an interesting read about a crazy obsession and compulsion that that dire consequences.
2. My Life in France
By: Julia Child
Published: 2006
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Genre: Biography
My Life in France is a memoir written by the woman behind Julie and Julia (a movie starring Meryl Streep) which was based on an American chef who spent time living in France, and inspired her love and education for cooking.
Julia Child lived in France with her husband and studied at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. She went on to have her own TV Show called The French Chef, and is also an author of cookbooks.
If you love French cuisine, then you may really enjoy reading the story behind this woman’s culinary experiences in France!
3. A Year in Provence
By: Peter Mayle
Published: 1989
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Genre: Biography
A Year in Provence is about a couple who do what many people dream of doing – they rent out an old stone house in the French countryside and decide to move there for a year.
I read A Year in Provence as a teenager before embarking on my exchange in France, and it was such a fun way to engage a little bit with French culture and get excited about my upcoming trip!
Life in rural France is quite different from Paris, and this book focuses on that lifestyle; the foods, ways of life, festivals and culture.
There were a few things in the book I couldn’t relate to, being a teenager (the couple is middle aged, and retired) but I know I’d appreciate it even more if I were to read it now.
4. Bringing Up Bébé
By: Pamela Druckerman
Published: 2012
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Genre: Autobiography
Bringing Up Bébé is a memoir about an American mother who is living as an expat in Paris with her husband and her baby.
She notices that the French raise their children very differently from how Americans do (at the time anyway- this was written in the early 2010s.) She notices that French kids tend to be much better behaved, well adjusted -and gasp – eat all their veggies with no complaints!
She seeks to find out the how and the why for French parenting techniques, and teaches them to us.
I found Bringing Up Bebe to be one of the most memorable, and influential parenting books I’ve ever read. It really inspired me, and in some ways, reaffirmed by beliefs for what I’ve already been put into practice. She also includes recipes that some of the French use in the kitchens that they let their kids prepare. I highly recommend it to all parents, or even just people interested in French parenting
4. Some Kind of Magic: A True Story of Love, Life, and Wanderlust
By: Sonya Moore
Published: 2023
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
Genre: Travel Memoir
Some Kind of Magic takes place in several countries; mainly India and Myanmar – however (without spoiling the story) there is a French romance, and the author travels to France at least twice during the course of the events in the book.
I had been thinking of reading Some Kind of Magic for a while, and was so glad that I bit the bullet and finally decided to read it. I would recommend the audiobook; the author’s voice is so calming to listen to, and I loved her descriptions of all the places she visited (including France.)
Resources for Books set in France
- Gibert Joseph is large chain bookstore in France, with several locations (almost 30 of them) in Paris. The majority of books are in French, but there are small sections devoted to other languages, including English
- Furet du Nord (FNAD) was once the largest bookstore in the world, but is still a chain of bookstores mainly in northern France, and a few outside of France too
- Check out these adorable English-language bookstores in Paris, which will undoubtedly have many translated books by French authors set in France!
Final Thoughts on Books that take Place in France
I hope that this list of books that take place in France has inspired you to pick up some interesting reads, set in time periods and different places throughout France that you may not have known about.