Adult Books Set in Paris and France
There is nothing quite like cozying up with a good book and being transported to a new time or country.
And for many readers (myself included) it can be even more fun to read a book set in a location for an upcoming trip, or a location you are currently visiting!
One of the most popular destinations in the world is Paris (or France generally) and the good news is that there are SO MANY books set in this famous location!
This book list is full of adult books to read solo before your trip, or if you DON’T have a Paris trip on your horizon, you can visit the City of Lights without even leaving your home!
(If you’re looking for picture books or chapter books to read with kids or have them read before you go, check out this big list of kids books set in Paris or France!)
I’ve marked the ones I’ve read with a * (and stacked them at the top of the section) – other books are ones recommended by my Instagram community!
Happy reading and happy travels!
Young Adult and Adult Books Set in Paris or France
*The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I cannot tell you how long I waited in the hold lines for this book when it came out. And let me tell you, when I finally finished it, it was well worth all the hold lines. In WWII France, two sisters face frightening situations that tests their relationship, strength, and sense of right and wrong. It is a true tale of bravery. (Full review here)
*The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
This one was crazy popular 20 years ago (I can hardly believe it!), but it’s still a page turner or one of those books where you sit in your car long after you get to your destination because you just can’t turn it off! It’s about a Harvard symbologist who is called to the scene of a crime at the Louvre – where the curator was murdered and covered in perplexing symbols.
*A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I love this book! It is one of my all time favorites and a classic for a reason. Who knew the French Revolution could be portrayed in such a suspenseful, comedic, and sentimental way!
*Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
This historical fiction Christmas book is set in WWI and is written entirely in letters (a format I don’t normally go for). Evie’s brother and his best friend are headed off to the front, but like most people, they assume the war will be over by Christmas and they have grand plans to spend it together in Paris. Of course, it doesn’t go that way. I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook – the narration is so good! (Full review here)
*Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
In this teen romance that reminds me a bit of Sarah Dessen’s books, Anna is not thrilled to be spending her senior year at a boarding school in Paris after being uprooted from her home, family, and friends. But when she starts making new friends, and the very popular and good-looking St. Clair steps into the picture, will sparks fly?
*The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
I loved this funny spy romantic comedy with a dose of action packed adventure. Zoe wakes up in Paris with zero memory, but when she is mistaken for her spy twin sister, there are a lot of people who want her dead. This one has dual narrators (there are two narrators on the audiobook, which was extra fun) and I just loved every second of this book.
*My Life in France by Julia Child
After seeing the movie Julie and Julia, I wanted to read the book the movie was based on. Julia and her husband, Paul, move to Paris for a government assignment, she falls instantly in love with French food and she begins taking cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu. She gets recruited by two French authors to help them write a cookbook about French cooking for an American audience, since she is, in fact, American, and eventually ends up being the main author of that cookbook (or at least the one who gets all the fame in the US once it is finally published, which is a feat in and of itself). (Full review here)
*Lovely War by Julie Berry
I mean, if you haven’t read this book already, I’m probably falling down on my job here, but truly. THIS is the time to pick up a copy. The story takes place during World War I and follows four main characters. Even more fun? The story is framed by several Greek gods who are in a tiff of their own during World War II. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it works. It’s in the top 10 books I’ve ever read. And while I read a paper copy, I’ve heard the audio version is STUNNING. (Full review here)
*Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Sarah’s Key alternates between WWII Paris, with a young Jewish girl, Sarah, and a middle-aged journalist, Julia, living in Paris with her French husband and their daughter. Despite the decades between them, Julia discovers that her life links with Sarah’s in unexpected ways. (Full review here)
*The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
This epistolary novel (all written in letters) is a delightful WWII novel about a group of book lovers thrown together by the war and their letters to each other that often end up being about their favorite books – my mom gave me a copy years ago when it first came out and I’ve read it multiple times. The audiobook version has a full cast that really brings it to life because the characters are SUCH big parts of the story! (Full review here)
*Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
This was one of the first parenting books I read (mostly because I can’t stand to miss the boat on anything popular) and it made a profound impact on my parenting. Plus it was just a delightful read. (Along these same lines, Say Bonjour to the Lady is a hilarious quick book about the differences between American and French parenting, all shown in illustrations). (Full review here).
*The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
I read this about a decade ago and loved it. It has two timelines, one during World War I and one in the present, and both love stories connect through a portrait. Definitely a fascinating, engaging read.
*The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
I read a very abridged children’s version of this as a kid – I was delighted to enjoy the full version even more a few years later. An unbeatable story and a classic I would recommend to anyone, and everyone.
*The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City by David Lebovitz
I read this memoir right after we left Paris in 2013, and it made me laugh quite a bit. Also, it made me very hungry.
The Postcard by Anne Berest
After a mysterious postcard is sent to her home with the names of her Jewish grandparents who were killed in Auschwitz, Anne is determined to find out who sent it and why. As she gathers up all her resources – family, detectives, and even a graphologist, will she be able to handle the family secrets that begin to unravel?
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
Who knew the petty crime of bag snatching could result in bringing two people together!? Maybe just in Paris. When Laurent, a bookseller, finds an abandoned handbag sitting on top of a bin, he is determined to find its owner. His detective work begins as he rummages through the contents for clues to find this mystery woman – the most intriguing item though is her red notebook, full of all of her innermost thoughts. (Another book of his that came highly recommended was The President’s Hat )
The Grace Kelly Dress by Jennifer Robson
Grace Kelly’s wedding dress was all the rage, and every woman in Paris was wanting to recreate the look. This story follows three generations of women: the dressmaker, Rose in 1958 Paris, daughter Joanie in 1982 and granddaughter, Rocky in 2020, and shares their connection to an heirloom wedding dress that was inspired by Princess Grace of Monaco.
Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard
In this fun memoir, Elizabeth Bard, just your typical American girl, shares the story of her love affair between her new Parisian boyfriend and French food.
The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel
Elise is from America, but is now married to a Frenchman and living in Paris. When she meets Juliette at the park, the two newly married women become fast friends. Their bond continues to grow as they each have baby girls at the same time. But as war spreads across Europe, Elise is forced to flee and leave behind her daughter in the care of Juliette. Unfortunately, Juliette’s little book shop is bombed while Elise is away and both of their worlds are upturned in the worst of ways. (Her books, The Book of Lost Names and The House on Rue Amelie also come highly recommended as well!)
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
This is one of those classics that has everything a good adventure novel should have – a smart and witty hero, a clever and bold heroine, daring rescues, disguises, and even a love story with a twist. What more could you need from a novel set during the French Revolution all about a hero saving innocent people from the guillotine?
Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
In this memoir, Jennifer recounts her time as an exchange student in Paris, specifically paying attention to what makes her host mother, Madame Chic, so sophisticated and French. She shares 20 of the biggest lessons she learned from her experience including things like fashion, makeup, grooming, lifestyle, and eating.
Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
In the darkest days of German occupied France, a young American heiress helps artists escape from war-torn Europe as they are hunted by the Nazis. Full of courage, danger, and even a love story, this historical fiction has it all.
The French Ingredient by Jane Bertch
You can’t have a memoir set in France, and it not be about food. Jane shares her adventures as an American living in Paris. After working several years working as a banker in the City of Lights, she gave it all up to start a cooking school for the general public to learn about French cuisine.
On Rue Tatin by Susan Hermann Loomis
If you are looking for a French food memoir that is filled with cooking and recipes, this one has just that. It also is full of detailed descriptions about various French locations, their history, and a brief pairing of their local food.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico
Mrs. Harris is one of London’s favorite and humblest house cleaner of the wealthy. One day while cleaning a closet, Mrs. Harris comes across a Dior gown and is determined…one day she will earn one too. After scrimping and scraping, she has enough money to take a trip to Paris. Not surprisingly, her trip to Paris does not go as she expected.
24 Hours in Paris by Romi Moondi
This classic haters to lovers romcom takes place within just one day in Paris. After ending her engagement, Mira flies to Paris to clear her head and figure things out. But when every travel mishap occurs and she is stuck with her coworker Jake…will sparks fly, even in the City of Lights?
The Paris Wife by Paula McClaine
I love books about books and authors. In this historical fiction novel, Hadley Richardson Hemingway recounts her marriage to literature’s original “bad boy”, Ernest Hemingway while he was writing his book The Sun Also Rises.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
The American Library in Paris supported many patrons during the Nazi occupation in WWII including Jews and soldiers. This historical fiction (which follows the very real American Library in Paris)follows the wartime experiences of a young and ambitious librarian, as the library becomes a major target for the Nazis.
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir is a French philosopher and one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. This is her memoir, where she shares what life was like growing up in a bourgeois French family, how she rebelled as an adolescent against the traditional expectations of her class, and how she ambitiously took life into her own hands which was so uncommon for a young woman in the 1920s.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
When Jess visits her brother’s apartment in Paris hoping to move in to escape her life in England, she find out he is not there. As days pass, he stays missing and Jess begins to dig into her brother’s situation and talks to his neighbors. His neighbors are not very friendly with her and they all seem to have reasons for not wanting him around. Where is her brother? Did something bad happen to him? If so, who did it?
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn always comes highly recommended for historical fiction novels. Embarrassingly, I haven’t yet gotten around to reading The Alice Network, about two women spies in both World War I and World War II.
Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
If you ever wondered what goes on in a posh Parisian apartment building, this book explores just that. It mainly focuses on two outcast characters, the apartment concierge (a 54 year old intellectual widow), and a 12-year-old girl genius. They both hide their true talents because they believe the society they live in won’t appreciate them, but they begin to see each others true selves.
All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio
Spanning from World War II to present day, two women are connected by the city of Paris, a mysterious stack of love letters, and shocking secrets. This historical fiction sounds intriguing!
How to Make a French Family: A Memoir of Love, Food, and Faux Pas by Samantha Verant
At 40 years old, Samantha has been given a second chance at love. She moves to France to live with her Love, Jean-Luc and his two children, prepared to to take up her new role as a wife and stepmom. But she quickly finds out that making a French family takes more than just good intentions – especially as she navigates culture shock, language barriers, meeting new friends, and trying to find acceptance from stepchildren. I have heard this memoir is a funny one.
Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo and James Patterson
When Laurie surprises her mother, “Dr. Liz”, with a mother-daughter vacation in Paris, France, she doesn’t anticipate a trip that will bring to light a lifetime of secrets. You won’t want to miss the surprise ending of this one.
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
In a tiny French town where little has changed in decades, a newcomer arrives with her exquisite chocolate shop. As you can imagine, this begins to wreak havoc on the villagers, especially during a time they have made Lenten vows. Soon though, the villagers abandon themselves to temptation with unforeseen results.
The Paris Novel by Ruth Riechl
Ruth writes some of my favorite memoirs (I have read three of hers), but I have not read any of her novels. After the passing of Stella’s mom, an estate lawyer hands off a short note: “go to Paris” written by her late mother. So off Stella goes to find herself in the City of Lights. And in true Riechl fashion, being the true food writer and cook she is, there is plenty of talk of food!
The Baker’s Secret by Stephen Kiernan
After her kind mentor is arrested because of his Jewish heritage, a young baker’s apprentice in Normandy engages in discreet resistance activities, baking contraband loaves of bread for the hungry using surplus ingredients taken from occupying forces.
The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown
Madeline seemingly has it all – the perfect husband, wealth, high society – but behind closed doors she craves more from life than being her husband’s arm piece. When Madeleine stumbles upon her grandmother’s diary all about the love she found in Paris during the Jazz Age, Madeleine soon discovers that her grandmother had another side to her that she never knew.
To Dance with Kings by Rosalind Laker
For the most avid of historical fiction fans, this story of Chateau Versailles’ royal court during the reigns of three kings is told entirely through the lives of four generations of women.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
In this memoir, Peter shares a month-by-month account of his first year restoring a 200 year old stone farmhouse in Provence, France.
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
It’s 1942 Paris and Architect Lucien Bernard accepts a commission that will bring him little acclaim, but will bring him immense wealth. The caveat… there is an air of danger about it. He is hired to design a secret hiding place for a wealthy Jewish man, and one that even the most determined Nazi soldier won’t discover. However, when one of Lucien’s designs fails horribly, the problem of hiding Jews becomes personal and Lucien finds himself in way over his head.
A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K Runyan
In this wartime historical fiction, two remarkably strong women—one under siege during the War of 1870 and the other struggling in the aftermath of WWII—both find strength and hope within the walls of a tiny Parisian bakery.
The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
In a dual timeline historical fiction – one set in WWII France following two female SOE operatives, and the other set in 1970 England – one survivor is trying to uncover the mystery surrounding the betrayals and death of the SOE operatives.
Riviera House by Natasha Lester
During the height of Nazi occupied France in WWII, a young woman risks her life to record the Nazi’s pillage of fine artworks. Little did she know that the repercussions of her actions years later, would help another woman in her greatest hour of need. (Her book Paris Seamstress also comes highly recommended.)
Dragonfly by Leila Meacham
In this WWII spy thriller, a team of five young American agents with French and German language skills (also known as Dragonfly) are airlifted into 1942 Paris and placed in key jobs with the assistance of the French Resistance. As the young team, each with a hidden personal mission, gradually begin to make mistakes, they fear for what could be their inevitable capture.
Bruno, Chief of Police Series by Martin Walker
Bruno Courreges is the only police officer in St. Denis. He hates carrying a gun and prefers talking to lawbreakers and teaching the village children rugby and tennis. He enjoys the slow pace of village life. But when a North African man is found murdered with a swastika carved into his chest, will he accept the help of a policewoman from Paris sent to help him with the investigation?
The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis
Soline, the owner of a bridal salon in Paris, is proud that the dresses her family has made for generations are supposed to bring a lifetime of joy to those who wear them. But when tragedy strikes during World War II, Soline’s life is forever changed. Decades later, Rory leases the property owned by Soline’s family to open an art gallery. When she finds letters and a dress with special meaning, Soline and Rory’s paths cross in an unexpected way
Paris by Edward Rutherfurd
Spanning 700 years with 6 intertwined families, this historical fiction covers many significant historical and cultural happenings during that time including the expulsion of the Jews, the building of the Eiffel Tower, the French Resistance to German occupation, and of course, Coco Chanel.
The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy
I’ve heard that this is a great read if you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but it has a little bit more romance. This one takes place in World War II occupied Guernsey, as it tells the story of a housewife and mother, as she is torn between loyalty and love.
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
I love these stories about women who changed the course of history. Virginia Hall went undercover as an American journalist and managed to recruit thousands of people to the Resistance as she went. And even though her prosthetic leg made her stand out, she was able to assume multiple identities in a single day. She was even given a license to kill by her British handlers. But when her cover was blown, she escaped over snow covered mountains, and was sent to work in what is now known as the CIA.
Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen
This is the 16th book in the Royal Spyness series. Lady Georgie comes from a long line of royalty, but after becoming penniless, she finds work spying for Her Majesty the Queen. In this installment, pregnant Lady Georgie becomes restless, so when her husband suggests a trip to Paris, Georgie is delighted. But when someone winds up dead at a Paris fashion show, and Georgie is a prime suspect, will she be able to find the true killer and clear her name?
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
You have probably heard of this classic, or even seen the motion picture or Broadway play. But it is a classic for a reason, and purely French. It’s about a former convict struggling for redemption during the social and political upheaval in 19th century France. Keep in mind, if you want to tackle this one, be ready for some hefty reading (it is just shy of 1500 pages)!
The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
In the midst of Nazi occupied Paris, two women risk their lives and those of their families, to save the city that they love. With the couture houses closing and precious art being stolen and destroyed, they are determined to keep the things that make the City of Lights truly magical.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
When Grace finds a suitcase with pictures of the female WWII agents, she becomes intrigued, and learns the stories of Eleanor and Marie. Eleanor recruited and trained women to be special agents and saboteurs, while Marie was one of the special agents she recruited who was sent on an important mission.
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
Who knew the Chateau of the Lafayettes could connect three heroines (two of whom are actual historical figures) through three different time periods? This historical fiction follows Adrienne de La Fayette, the wife of the famous Marquis de La Fayette (you know…the one who served alongside George Washington during the American Revolution), Beatrice Chanler, an American socialite who eventually acquires the Lafayette’s Chateau during World War One, and Marthe Simon (the fictional character) who helped cure children of tuberculosis and harbored dozens of Jewish children during World War II at the Chateau.
The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
Happily-ever-after isn’t working out the way upper-class newlywed Grace Monroe thought it would. But when a sudden and mysterious inheritance takes her to Paris, she discovers scents and sensations of another life entirely.
Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah
After her diplomat husband is given a new assignment in Paris, journalist Ann Mah couldn’t be happier – especially when French food will be involved. But after her husband leaves for a year-long post, her dreams for a French life shift as she cooks her way to happiness.
My Husband by Maud Ventura
Taking place over the course of one week, you find out all about the main character’s obsession with her husband. On the outside, she is a loving wife, mother, teacher, and translator, but inside….well, it looks quite a bit different! In her inner world, everything must be perfect and she obsesses and overanalyzes every little thing people say or do, especially her husband.
And if you’d like a printable copy of this book list set in Paris/France that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!
