travel book france

13 Books That Will Transport You to France

By Matt Ortile

It's a truth universally acknowledged: Books can do wonders to frame and shape your adventures abroad. Delicious food writing might inspire a culinary course through Mexico City , or an exciting detective-noir might let you look at New York in a new light. But what about France , about whom so many songs have been sung, and plenty of poems penned? Bien sûr, beaucoup de littérature signifie beaucoup de possibilités. With that in mind, here are 12 France-related books that might inspire your next trip to the country, or simply shed light on its culture and people—a neat little reading list for someone who’s always dreaming about France (or that annoying friend who slips French into casual conversation).

While this reading list does skew so decadently French— butter and wine and oui oui baguettes ahead, naturally—that they’ll move you to book an Air France ticket as soon as possible, a fair chunk of these are also just fabulous translations of French literary tradition more broadly, and illuminate how (a few, not all) French writers understand themselves and their country. And for the American francophile, there are books by expats and others who have immigrated to France—a field so wide and storied that it may as well be a genre in and of itself: Literary minds like Baldwin and Hemingway, food queens Julia Child and M.F.K. Fisher, and brilliant folks of today like Lauren Collins and Sutanya Dacres. Allons-y , and happy reading.

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The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani, translated by Sam Taylor

What it’s about: This gripping novel opens with a double murder of two children (not a spoiler, it’s literally on the first page) before going into the backstory of their bourgeois Parisian family as well as their nanny, who is under financial and mental duress. The book is less of a whodunit (the source material and the marketing copy give obvious clues) than a whydunit , and author Leïla Slimani’s slick storytelling turns this bread-and-butter thriller premise into a deeply intelligent excavation of fraught themes like class, sexism, motherhood, and moral goodness. It was the most read book in France in 2016—that year, it sold 600,000 copies and won the prestigious Prix Goncourt—so, honestly, to read it is to participate in French culture. The text is efficient and propulsive (in both Sam Taylor’s English translation and Slimani’s original French), featuring sentences that will hold you in suspense until the very last page.

You should read this when: You’re already strapped into your seat on the plane because if you read this before boarding, you may become so enthralled that you miss your flight to Paris.

The book’s opening lines: “The baby is dead. It took only a few seconds. The doctor said he didn’t suffer. The broken body, surrounded by toys, was put inside a gray bag, which they zipped shut.”

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson, translated by Molly Ringwald

What it’s about: This short novel first published in 2017 as Arrête avec tes mensonges (literally, “stop with your lies”) was published as Lie With Me in the United States in 2017, where it was called “ this year’s Call Me By Your Name . ” The comparison is to be expected: Both books feature a romance between two young men in rural Western European settings in a bygone pre-AIDS era, narrated by a cerebral adult narrator trafficking in deep nostalgia and contemplating the impact of first love. Though the premise is familiar, Philippe Besson’s language is graceful (made a joy to read in English by the talented Molly Ringwald—yes, that Molly Ringwald) and his narration is inventive. In the text, his metafictional moves involve and implicate the reader, while challenging the ways storytellers remember past events and past lives. As a reading experience, it all feels unique and—I’m not sure how else to say it—supremely French.

You should read this when: You’re on a TGV, as the French countryside speeds past outside your window, contemplating if you want to let your life similarly pass you by.

The book’s opening lines: “One day—I can say precisely when, I know the date—I find myself in the bar of a hotel lobby in a provincial city, sitting in an armchair across from a journalist, a low round table between us, being interviewed for my latest novel, which recently came out.”

The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway

What it’s about: Think of Americans writing in France, and you’re likely to come up with a handful of names, one of which would surely be Ernest Hemingway. His memoir A Moveable Feast , about his time as a struggling American journalist living in Paris in the 1920s, is perhaps the most often-cited text from the expats-in-France genre, but that was not his only book set in the country. The Garden of Eden takes place primarily along the Côte d’Azur and follows a couple who fall in love with the same woman and experiment with gender roles, presentation, and identities. This novel is an uncompleted work of Hemingway’s, published in 1986 by his literary executors, 25 years after his death. Though it’s hard to say what he ultimately intended for the story, chopped and screwed as it is, the book offers an unexpected side of the author’s oeuvre, in addition to place-writing that’s somehow both lush and sparse, making it an all the more thrilling read.

You should read this when: You’re in between research sprints on where to eat, stay, and play in the French Riviera (though we’ve done part of that for you, at least).

The book’s opening lines: “They were living at Grau du Roi then and the hotel was on a canal that ran from the walled city of Aigues Mortes straight down to the sea.”

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

What it’s about: Jump ahead a few decades to the 1950s, after Hemingway’s and Gertrude Stein’s Lost Generation of artists hit Paris, and you’ll run into James Baldwin on the streets of Saint-Germain-Des-Prés (for a while, he lived at the Hôtel Verneuil , among other auberges in the city). While in France, Baldwin wrote his memoir Notes of a Native Son , part of which examines American culture and identity from an expatriate perspective. However, the influence of his life in France is most keenly evident in his novel Giovanni’s Room , which tells the story of David, an American man in Paris grappling with his intense romantic and sexual feelings for Giovanni, an Italian bartender. It’s an ultimately, tragic story, and an early exploration of queerness, social alienation, and masculinity—groundbreaking when it was published in 1956, and a classic masterpiece of English literature today.

You should read this when: You’re craving a moody escape to Paris that leaves you heartbroken and questioning your personal morals (you know, for a bit of light reading).

The book’s opening lines: “I stand at the window of this great house in the south of France as night falls, the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life. I have a drink in my hand, there is a bottle at my elbow. … I may be drunk by morning but that will not do any good. I shall take the train to Paris anyway.”

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My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme

What it’s about: For those just starting to learn more about Julia Child (or if you’ve already devoured the HBO Max series Julia like everyone else), it’s a good idea to start from the very end. Child and her grandnephew Alex Prud’homme collaborated on this autobiography before she died in 2004, and it was published posthumously in 2006. The book is a treat for any fan of Child’s: It’s a comprehensive and authoritative look at her life, featuring some very lovely archival photographs, an extensive chronology of her rise to icon status, and a supremely detailed index cataloging every person, place, ingredient, recipe, topic, and event discussed in the book.

You should read this when: You’re beginning your very first foray into the world of Julia Child and need a primer on the woman, the myth, the legend.

The book’s opening lines: “At five-forty-five in the morning, Paul and I rousted ourselves from our warm bunk and peered out of the small porthole in our cabin aboard the SS America . Neither of us had slept very well that night, partially due to the weather and partially due to our rising excitement.”

Long Ago In France: The Years In Dijon by M.F.K. Fisher

What it’s about: All that said, if you love everything Julia Child, you must also allow M.F.K. Fisher into your life. Mary Frances Kennedy was perhaps the best American food writer—and one of the best American writers, full stop—working in the 20th century (our “poet of the appetites,” according to John Updike), having written 27 books in her long career, including the definitive English translation of Brillat-Savarin’s The Physiology of Taste . In this memoir of her three years in Dijon , Fisher recounts arriving in the capital of Burgundy in 1929 with her new husband Al and her early lessons in French culture, food, and wine, flexing her sharp and evocative prose across 176 tight pages. You’ll breeze through her writing so quickly that you’ll be glad you have over 20 more books of hers to add to your list: For more French flavors, follow up with Map of Another Town , Fisher’s memoir of her time in Provence after World War II; for a more food-forward account of the Dijon years, try The Gastronomical Me .

You should read this when: You’ve already cooked your way through Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and need a new reading or food-related project to satiate your appetites.

The book’s opening lines: “Someone shrieked harshly to come in. Madame Ollangnier darted from the kitchen, which lay just beyond the dining room, under the first rise of the staircase. She had on a filthy apron, and I could hear someone rattling pans and chopping and beating.”

Dinner for One: How Cooking in Paris Saved Me by Sutanya Dacres

What it’s about: For a more contemporary American-moves-to-Paris story pick up Dinner for One , the debut memoir of Sutanya Dacres, the host of the eponymous podcast . Reeling from the sudden expiration of her marriage to The Frenchman (“let’s call him TFM for short,” she says) for whom she moved to France, she cooks her way through healing and back to joy while rebuilding her life in her Montmartre apartment. These pages are filled with equal parts optimism and realism, hope and loss, American glee and Parisian bite. It’s an absolute must-read.

You should read this when: You’re one slightly-mean email away from snapping and absconding to France in a last-ditch effort to fall back in love with your life (and it just might work).

The book’s opening lines: “The day I reached my breaking point started out like so many others since my husband had left four months earlier—wake up, get ready, and leave my apartment as quickly as possible. Decently sized by Paris standards, the 463-square-foot apartment faced south, overlooking a shared courtyard, with double-door windows that spilled sunlight into the bedroom and living room.”

Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford

What it’s about: Did you ever read that story in The New Yorker from a few years ago, about a writer who moved to Lyon with his family and apprenticed with a baker named Bob (real name “Yves,” mais tout le monde l’appelait Bob), when it truth it was about diligence, humility, and the beauty of community-making? Did you know it was an adapted excerpt from Bill Buford’s latest memoir, published in 2020? This book chronicles his five years in the French heartland in pursuit of why we hold the culinary traditions of France in such high regard—both in our minds and our palates. Buford’s writing is passionate, endlessly curious, and meticulous (a scene of a pig’s butchering is intense, an explanation of the French visa process is illuminating), and this tome—clocking in at over 400 pages—will keep you satiated over multiple trips to Lyon, Bordeaux , Marseille , and elsewhere.

You should read this when: You’re looking to read an adventurous story, like an epic saga, but you’re also in the mood for a glimpse into the culinary world—something like “Odysseus, but in France.”

The book’s opening lines: “On a bright, chilly, autumnal afternoon in 2007, I met Michel Richard, a chef and the man who would radially change my life—and the lives of my wife, Jessica Green, and our two-year-old twins—without my quite knowing who he was, and in the confidence that, whoever he might be, he was someone I would never see again.”

When in French by Lauren Collins

What it’s about: Language is about connection. So what happens when, metaphorically, that gap feels too large to cross, or when there is an invisible wall between you and someone else? The delights, challenges, and intricacies of communicating with another person—these are the major themes of this memoir about learning the infamously finicky French language after moving to Europe (to Geneva , Switzerland, though the author ends up in Paris by the end of it). As evidenced by this fantastic book, Lauren Collins is a supremely intelligent and warm writer, as well as the master of kickers, those snappy and incisive sentences that close out a paragraph, or page, or chapter, whether it be about the monolingualism of American culture, why some cuts of meat in the US are unavailable at francophone butcher shops, or what it’s like to fall in love and build a family. If you’re someone committed to maintaining that year-long streak on Duolingo , consider this the book for you.

You should read this when: You’re dating/married to a French-speaker and you need the motivation to learn a new-to-you language—and the hard-to-find words to describe your love

The book’s opening lines: “I hadn’t wanted to live in Geneva. In fact, I had decisively wished not to, but there I was. … The bell rang. Newlywed and nearly speechless, I cracked open the door, a slab of oak with a beveled brass knob. Next to it, the landlord had installed a nameplate, giving the place the look less of a home than of a bilingual tax firm.”

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

What it’s about: This epic novel consists of 576 pages dripping with pure drama, opulence, and artifice—a true opera of a story, as the protagonist and narrator known as Lilliet Berne would have it. Set in 19th-century Paris, Berne is a celebrated soprano who needs an opera written just for her, which would immortalize her in the canon. But when one is finally presented to her, she discovers she has been betrayed: It is clearly based on the true story of her life that she has kept secret. From there, Alexander Chee’s magnificent tour de force wheels between the past and present, recounting the truth of Lilliet’s origins and following her pursuit of the confidante who threatens to expose her.

You should read this when: You’re longing to be dressed in a voluminous gown of silk and taffeta, running through a Baroque palace like you’re in a glittering French perfume ad

The book’s opening lines: “When it began, it began as an opera would begin, in a palace, at a ball, in an encounter with a stranger who, you discover, has your fate in his hands. He is perhaps a demon or a god in disguise, offering you a chance at either the fulfillment of a dream or a trap for the soul. A comic element—the soprano arrives in the wrong dress—and it decides her fate.”

The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas, translated by Frank Wynne

What it’s about: Sticking to Paris in the 19th century and all its gloriously bizarre truths, this historical novel offers a fictional story based on a very real event: “le bal des folles” (literally, the ball of the mad women ), an annual gathering at the Salpêtrière Asylum, when the upper classes of the city would gawk at Salpêtrière’s wards: women cast out from society—many were sex workers, unwanted by their families, or mentally ill. In Victoria Mas’s captivating telling (rendered in crystalline English by Frank Wynne), an intelligent woman named Eugenie is handed over to Salpêtrière by her bourgeois family and meets Geneviève, a nurse who has forsaken faith for science. Their entwined narratives illuminate the double-edged life that the asylum offered Frenchwomen of that time and place: freedom under constraints.

You should read this when: You’re still longing for the fantasy of gallivanting in a grand gown, but you want the vibe to be a bit dark and Gothic, something grotesquely captivating

The book’s opening lines: “ 3 March 1885 — ‘Louise. It is time.” With one hand, Geneviève pulls back the blanket that hides the sleeping figure of the girl. Curled up in a fetal position on the narrow mattress, her mass of thick, dark hair covers the pillow and part of her face. Lips parted, Louise is snoring softly.”

The Revolt by Clara Dupont-Monod, translated by Ruth Diver

What it’s about: Going a bit back further into history, this short but intense novel about the Great Revolt of 1173–1174 and its aftermath dives deep into the psyches of the historical figures at its center: Eleanor of Aquitaine and one of her sons, Richard the Lionheart, who also serves as the book’s primary narrator. True, the titular revolt concerns English monarchs, but to tell the story of 12th-century England is to also involve the territories of Normandy and Brittany , which today belong to modern France. That aside, Clara Dupont-Monod’s novel is a fascinating exploration of Eleanor’s motivations for conspiring with her sons and attempting to overthrow her husband, Henry II of England—and wonderfully translated from the original French by Ruth Diver, to boot.

You should read this when: You’re on holiday in France with your bickering family who can’t ever agree on the vacation’s itinerary—just to remind you that, hey, it could be a whole lot worse.

The book’s opening lines: “In my mother’s eyes, I see things that overwhelm me. I see vast conquests, deserted houses, and suits of armor. She carries a range within herself that condemns me, and forces me to be a better man. This evening, she comes to us. … It is with a soft voice, full of menace, that our mother commands us to overthrow our father.”

Matrix by Lauren Groff

What it’s about: For more novels based in this era of Anglo-Franco history, pick up a copy of Lauren Groff’s Matrix , in which Eleanor steals the spotlight by being extremely beautiful and deliciously frightening. That said, this story revolves instead around Marie de France, a 12th-century poet about whom extremely little is known—which gives Groff plenty of room for a radical reimagining of Marie's life as the prioress of a royal abbey who grows to lead and protect a community of women, awakening to the world and all its sensations. This is Groff's writing at its most electric and sensual, giving us a book for all seasons. I implore you: Read it now.

You should read this when: You’re itching to read one of the greatest American writers working today take on a historical figure and give her story a feminist and inventive spin

The book’s opening lines: “She rides out of the forest alone. Seventeen years old, in the cold March drizzle, Marie who comes from France. It is 1158 and the world bears the weariness of late Lent. Soon it will be Easter, which arrives early this year. In the fields, the seeds uncurl in the dark cold soil, ready to punch into the freer air.”

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Travel Guide France

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My niece and I attended this terrific workshop. We learned a lot and had tons of fun. The bread and pastries were amazing. It was great to get behind the s...

For all the millions of French people that live in its many vibrant cities, the idea persists that theirs is a rural country. The importance of the land reverberates throughout French culture, something you will truly understand when you travel to France.

Where to go in France

Best time to travel to france, itinerary for when you travel to france, culture in france, cuisine in france, alsace and lorraine, alsatian food, four fabulous alsace fortresses, the route des vins, the wines of alsace, “la grand boucle”.

France boasts metropolitan powerhouse cities that represent the countries accumulation of wealth, evident in the astonishing variety of places to visit, from the Dordogne's prehistoric cave paintings and the Roman monuments of the south, to the Gothic cathedrals of the north, the chateaux of the Loire, and the cutting-edge architecture of the grands projets in Paris. This legacy of history and culture - le patrimoine - is so widely dispersed across the land that even the briefest of stays will leave you with a powerful sense of France's past. After reading this region-by-region overview, you might want to arm yourself with 20 fun facts about France.

Travelling around France is easy. Restaurants and hotels proliferate, many of them relatively inexpensive when compared with other developed Western European countries. Train services are admirably efficient, as is the road network – especially the (toll-paying) autoroutes – and cyclists are much admired and encouraged. Information is highly organized and available from tourist offices across the country, as well as from specialist organizations for walkers, cyclists, campers and so on.

As for where to go in France, Paris, of course, is the outstanding cultural centre, with its impressive buildings – not least Frank Gehry’s stunning new Fondation Louis Vuitton – and unparalleled art, nightlife and ethnic diversity, though the great provincial cities – Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille – all now vie with the capital and each other for prestige in the arts, ascendancy in sport and innovation in attracting visitors. Marseille, in particular, has a host of exciting new cultural institutions, a legacy of its year as European Capital of Culture in 2013.

For most people, however, it’s the unique characters of the regions that will define a trip. Few holiday-makers stay long in the largely flat, industrial north, but there are some fine cathedrals and energetic cities to leaven the mix. The picture is similar in Alsace-Lorraine where Germanic influences are strong, notably in the food. On the northern Atlantic coast, Normandy has a rich heritage of cathedrals, castles, battlefields and beaches – and, with its cream-based sauces, an equally rich cuisine. To the west, Brittany is renowned for its Celtic links, beautiful coastline, prehistoric sites and seafood, while the Loire valley, extending inland towards Paris, is famed for soft, fertile countryside and a marvellous parade of châteaux. Further east, the green valleys of Burgundy shelter a wealth of Romanesque churches, and their wines and food are among the finest in France. More Romanesque churches follow the pilgrim routes through rural Poitou-Charentes and down the Atlantic coast to Bordeaux, where the wines rival those of Burgundy. Inland from Bordeaux, visitors flock to the gorges, prehistoric sites and picturesque fortified villages of the Dordogne and neighbouring Limousin, drawn too by the truffles and duck and goose dishes of Périgord cuisine. To the south, the great mountain chain of the Pyrenees rears up along the Spanish border, running from the Basque country on the Atlantic to the Catalan lands of Roussillon on the Mediterranean; there’s fine walking and skiing, as well as beaches at either end. Further along the Mediterranean coast, Languedoc offers dramatic landscapes, medieval towns and Cathar castles, as well as more beaches, while the Massif Central, in the centre of the country, is undeveloped and little visited, but beautiful nonetheless, with its rivers, forests and the wild volcanic uplands of the Auvergne. The Alps, of course, are prime skiing territory, but a network of signposted paths makes for great walking too; to the north, the wooded mountains of the Jura provide further scope for outdoor adventures. Stretching down from the Alps to the Mediterranean is Provence, which, as generations of travellers have discovered, seems to have everything: Roman ruins, charming villages, vineyards and lavender fields – and legions of visitors. Its cuisine is similarly diverse, encompassing fruit, olives, herbs, seafood and lamb. Along the Provençal coast, the beaches, towns and chic resorts of the Côte d’Azur form a giant smile extending from the vibrant city of Marseille to the super-rich Riviera hotspots of Nice and Monaco. For truly fabulous beaches, however, head for the rugged island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon and home to an Italian-leaning culture and cuisine and some fascinating Neolithic sculptures.

Discover more places in France

• Languedoc Travel Guide
• The Limousin, Dordogne and the Lot Travel Guide
• The Loire Travel Guide
• The Massif Central Travel Guide
• Normandy Travel Guide
• The north Travel Guide
• Paris Travel Guide
• Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast Travel Guide
• Provence Travel Guide
• The Alps and Franche-Comté Travel Guide
• The Côte d’Azur Travel Guide
• The Rhône valley Travel Guide
• The Pyrenees Travel Guide

The climate in France can be tricky to navigate when deciding the best time to visit. The north experiences similar weather to the UK, often being wet and moderately unpredictable. The south is significantly warmer, particularly behind the Mediterranean coastline. Briefly speaking, the best time to visit is during late spring to early autumn, when the temperature is warm and crowds are not swarmed with tourists.

If visiting for the first time, or as a returning traveller, planning an itinerary ensures you experience as much of the country as possible, particularly if driving. The diversity of France's beautiful landscape means there are many routes to choose from, so if you have a particular mission in mind, check out our range of itineraries , or alternatively plan a tailor-made trip with one of our experts. For inspiration, we've created an itinerary below.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for France, created by local experts

14 days  / from 3860 USD

An active walking tour out of the way in France

Your trip starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards continue south to start a few days walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

10 days  / from 2411 USD

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

12 days  / from 2948 USD

Tasting Eastern France

A delicious yet active journey through Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a 4-day walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting in your guesthouse, soothing for body and soul.

Days 1 - 3: Paris

Your travels to France would not be complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. Tick of the main sites on the checklist; the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy exploring the charming streets, stopping off for macarons in delightful little cafes.

Days 3 - 5: Epernay, Champagne

Take a trip to Epernay, the birthplace of Champagne. Enjoy a glass of authentic bubbly whilst taking in the beautiful landscape of rolling green hills. Go wine tasting, cycle along the vineyards, take morning walks, and explore the charm of the small town. Simply enjoy the countryside of France.

Days 5 - 7: Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a place of fairy tales, explore the many Chateaux and immerse yourself into feeling like you have stepped back in time. Chateaux of the Loire Valley is an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture and is a good starting point. Other monumental castles to look out for include those at Ambroise and Nantes. Take part in a tour, also possible along the Loire River, and explore the historical towns and get a real feeling for French history and culture.

The importance of these traditions is felt deeply by the French state, which fights to preserve and develop its culture perhaps harder than any other country in the world. Private companies, which also strive to maintain French traditions in arenas as diverse as haute couture, pottery and, of course, food, are perfect examples of this. The fruits of these efforts are evident in the subsidized arts , notably the film industry, and in the lavishly endowed and innovative museums and galleries. From colonial history to fishing techniques, aeroplane design to textiles, and migrant shepherds to manicure, an array of impressive collections can be found across the nation. Inevitably, however, first place must go to the fabulous displays of fine art in Paris, a city which has nurtured more than its fair share of the finest creative artists of the last century and a half, both French – Monet and Matisse for example – and foreign, such as Picasso and Van Gogh.

French cuisine is as varied as it's landscape, as the creator of the Michelin Star, France takes its food reputation seriously. Dive in deep to France's food and drink culture, that will have you eager to travel to France as soon as you can.

From traditional village boulangeries cooking fresh bread and croissants to high-class restaurants, you'll notice the always pleasant aroma of delicious dishes being cooked. Popular recipes to look out for include ratatouille, bourguignon and crepes. Drink-wise, France boasts some of the best wines, and of course, there is Champagne.

Top image: Le Mont Saint-Michel, France © canadastock / Shutterstock

Disputed for centuries by French kings and the princes of the Holy Roman Empire, and subsequently embroiled in a bloody tug-of-war between France and Germany, France’s easternmost provinces, Alsace and Lorraine , share a tumultuous history. It’s no surprise then that almost everything, from the architecture to the cuisine and the language, is an enticing mixture of French and German – so much so that you might begin to wonder which country you’re actually in.

Cute Hansel-and-Gretel-type houses – higgledy-piggledy creations with oriel windows, carved timberwork, toy-town gables and geranium-filled window boxes – are a common feature in Alsace, especially along the winding Route des Vins , which traces the eastern margin of the forests of the Vosges mountains. This road also represents the region’s chief tourist raison d’être – wine – best accompanied with a regional cuisine that’s more Germanic than French, although you’ll find plenty of creativity in modern Alsatian cooking. Ruined medieval castles are scattered about, while outstanding churches and museums are concentrated in the handsome regional capital of Strasbourg and in smaller, quirkier Colmar . Bustling Mulhouse stands out for its industrial heritage and entertaining nightlife. A noticeably wealthy province, Alsace has historically churned out cars and textiles, not to mention half the beer in France.

Alsace’s less prosperous and less scenic neighbour, Lorraine, shares borders with Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. The graceful former capital, Nancy , is home to a major school of Art Nouveau and is well worth a visit, as is leafy Metz , with its sparkling new contemporary art gallery. The bloody World War I battlefields around Verdun attract a large number of visitors, as does the zoo in Amnéville , one of the largest in France. Gastronomically no less renowned than other French provinces, Lorraine has bequeathed to the world one of its favourite savoury pies, the quiche lorraine , and an alcoholic sorbet, the coupe lorraine .

Top image: Cathedral of Our Lady, Strasbourg © Travelerpix/Shutterstock

Alsatians are hearty eaters, with their local cuisine characterized by generous helpings of pork, potatoes and spaetzle (a type of pasta usually fried in butter). But the region also has an international reputation for gastronomy, with exciting, new and well-established Michelin-starred restaurants dotted across its towns and villages.

The classic dish is choucroute , the aromatic pickled cabbage known in German as sauerkraut . The difference here is the inclusion of juniper berries in the pickling stage and the addition of goose grease or lard. Traditionally it’s served with large helpings of smoked pork, ham and sausages, but some restaurants offer a succulent variant replacing the meat with fish ( choucroute aux poissons ), usually salmon and monkfish. The qualification à l’alsacienne after the name of a dish means “with choucroute ”. Baeckoffe , a three-meat hotpot, comprising layers of potato, pork, mutton and beef marinated in wine and baked for several hours, is a speciality. Onions , too, crop up frequently on menus, either in the guise of a tart ( tarte à l’oignon ), made with a béchamel sauce, or as flammeküche ( tarte flambée ), a mixture of onion, cream and pieces of chopped smoked pork breast, baked on a thin, pizza-like base.

Alsatians are fond of their pastries . In almost every patisserie, you’ll find a mouthwatering array of fruit tarts made with rhubarb (topped with meringue), wild blueberries, red cherries or yellow mirabelle plums. Cake-lovers should try kugelhopf , a dome-shaped cake with a hollow in the middle made with raisins and almonds.

For the classic Alsatian eating experience, you should go to a winstub , loosely translated as a “wine bar”, a cosy establishment with bare beams, wood wall panels and benches and a convivial atmosphere. The food revolves around Alsatian classics, such as choucroute , all accompanied by local wines (or, in a bierstub , beer).

A thirty-minute drive north of Metz lies Amnéville , an easy-to-overlook town off the A31 motorway. But, just outside, in the Parc Amnéville-Les-Thermes , there is a gigantic tourist site with a conglomeration of attractions, cinemas, restaurants, spas and hotels you'd expect to see in North America rather than Europe. There are three large spas , Centre Thermal St Eloy (with a more therapeutic-medical orientation), Thermapolis (relaxation for all the family) and Villa Pompéi (offering massage and beauty treatments), which have been built over natural thermal springs; there are also sports arenas that include France’s only indoor ski slope, an 18-hole golf and mini-golf course, a “Fitnessium”, an ice-skating rink and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

But the main attraction is the zoo – one of the largest in France. You need a car to get there – and to move around the site. The zoo holds a large number of rare species; many of them are photogenic mammals, such as snow leopards, Siberian tigers, dwarf hippos and a big number of monkey species. In 2015, a new arena was opened to host a choreographed tiger show (1–3 times daily). Feeding of animals takes place several times a day; the wolf-pack feed is the biggest draw.

Alsace is dotted with medieval fortresses, heirlooms from a quarrelsome past. Here’s a rundown of the very best castles in the region:

Bernstein Explore the marvellous ruins of this castle perched 562m up on a rock overlooking Dambach-la-Ville. It’s a 45-minute walk from the village past the chapel of St-Sébastien or a drive up the D35, turning left at Blienschwiller towards Villé on the D203 and then following the sign to Bernstein on the GR5 until the Schulwaldplatz car park. From there it’s a gentle 20min walk uphill through a spruce forest. Free access.

Haut Koenigsbourg A massive pile of honey-coloured sandstone that sits astride a 757m bluff, this castle dates from the twelfth century. It was heavily restored in the twentieth century under the tenacious management of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is today one of the most visited monuments in France – try to come midweek or out of season to avoid the crowds. It is a stunning spot with fantastic views on a clear day.

Château Hohlandsbourg Six kilometres outside Eguisheim, this enormous castle surrounded by massive walls is the largest in the region. It was extensively damaged during the Thirty Years’ War but there’s still plenty to see, including beautiful gardens. The castle is also a venue for cultural activities, music concerts and children’s workshops – check the website for events.

Château Kintzheim Small but wonderful ruined castle built around a cylindrical refuge-tower and located just south of Haut Koenigsbourg. Today Kintzheim is an aviary for birds of prey – the Volerie des Aigles – and puts on magnificent displays of aerial prowess by resident eagles and vultures.

Metz (pronounced “Mess”), the capital of Lorraine, lies on the east bank of the River Moselle, close to the autoroute de l’Est linking Paris and Strasbourg. Today the city has another connection to the capital in the much-lauded satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou . Along with its rather splendid cathedral , a strong dining scene (inspired by the Renaissance writer and famous gourmand, Rabelais, who lived here for two years), large and beautiful flower-lined public spaces and riverside setting, the honey-coloured city of Metz is something of an undiscovered gem.

The city’s origins go back at least to Roman times, when, as now, it stood astride major trade routes. On the death of Charlemagne it became the capital of Lothar’s portion of his empire. By the Middle Ages it had sufficient wealth and strength to proclaim itself an independent republic, which it remained until its absorption into France in 1552. Caught between warring influences, Metz has endured more than its share of historical hand-changing; reluctantly ceded to Germany in 1870, it recovered its liberty at the end of World War I, only to be re-annexed by Hitler until the Liberation.

Metz is, in effect, two towns: the original French quarters of the vieille ville , gathered round the cathedral and encompassing the Île de la Comédie , and the Quartier Impérial , undertaken as part of a once-and-for-all process of Germanification after the Prussian occupation in 1870. Developing with speed and panache is a third section: the Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre , south of the train station, heralded by the Centre Pompidou and the adjacent sports stadium – shops and offices are slowly following.

Centre Pompidou-Metz

The Centre Pompidou-Metz , the first decentralized branch of the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, opened with much pomp and ceremony in Metz’s Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre in May 2010. Designed by architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, it’s a curious, bright white building resembling a swimming stingray and, with its huge glass windows and wooden scaffolding, is extremely light and inviting. The same spirit reigns here as in Paris: showing off a varying percentage of the Parisian stock, the aim of the museum is to bring modern art to the masses, and judging by the queues it’s working. Expect to spend around two hours here; there’s a café, as well as workshops for children (ask at reception for details).

A large, sprawling, industrial city 35km south of Colmar, Mulhouse was Swiss until 1798 when, at the peak of its prosperity (founded on printed textiles), it voted to become part of France. Today it bills itself as a “museum town”, with at least four that might grab your interest. It’s much cheaper to stay here than in neighbouring Colmar (or Basel), plus it offers the best nightlife in Alsace should you find yourself there over a weekend. The hôtel de ville on the central place de la Réunion contains a beautifully presented history of the city in the Musée Historique . The Neo-Gothic cathedral opposite the museum was built in 1866, replacing a twelfth-century church, yet its fourteenth-century stained glass is considered the most beautiful in the Upper Rhine; this is the only Protestant cathedral standing in a main square in France.

Cité de l’Automobile, Musée National-Collection Schlumpf

The city of Nancy , on the River Meurthe, is renowned for the magnificent place Stanislas, cited as a paragon of eighteenth-century urban planning and today the finest in France. For its spectacularly grand centre, Nancy has the last of the independent dukes of Lorraine to thank: the dethroned king of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV, Stanislas Leszczynski. During the twenty-odd years of his office in the mid-eighteenth century, he ordered some of the most successful construction of the period in all France. The city is also home to some impressive examples of Art Nouveau furniture and glassware hailing from the days of the École de Nancy , founded at the end of the nineteenth century by glass-master and furniture-maker, Émile Gallé.

From the gare SNCF , walk through Porte Stanislas , straight down rue Stanislas to reach the Rococo place Stanislas . Both this gate and Porte St-Catherine opposite are meticulously aligned with place Stanislas’s solitary statue – that of the portly Stanislas Leszczynski , who commissioned architect Emmanuel Héré to design the square in the 1750s. On the south side of the square stands the imposing hôtel de ville , its roof topped by a balustrade ornamented with florid urns and winged cupids. Along its walls, lozenge-shaped lanterns dangle from the beaks of gilded cockerels; similar motifs adorn the other buildings on the square – look out for the fake, two-dimensional replacements. The square’s entrances are enclosed by magnificent wrought-iron gates; the impressive railings on the northern corners frame fountains dominated by statues of Neptune and Amphitrite.

Stanislas Leszczynski

Stanislas Leszczynski , born in the Polish–Ukrainian city of Lemberg (now Lviv) in 1677, lasted just five years as the king of Poland before being forced into exile by Tsar Peter the Great. For the next twenty-odd years he lived on a French pension in northern Alsace, but after fifteen years Stanislas’s luck changed when he managed, against all odds, to get his daughter, Marie, betrothed to the 15-year-old king of France, Louis XV . Marie was not so fortunate: married by proxy in Strasbourg Cathedral, having never set eyes on the groom, she gave birth to ten children, only to be rejected by Louis, who preferred the company of his mistresses, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. Bolstered by his daughter’s marriage, Stanislas had another spell on the Polish throne from 1733 to 1736, but gave it up in favour of the comfortable dukedom of Barr and Lorraine. He lived out his final years in aristocratic style in the capital, Nancy, which he transformed into one of France’s most beautiful towns.

Flanked to the west by the rising forests of the southern Vosges, which stretch all the way down to Belfort, Alsace’s picturesque Route des Vins (“Wine Route”) follows the foot of the mountains along the western edge of the wide and flat Rhine valley. Beginning in Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, the route, on or around the D35, snakes its way over 180km to Thann, near Mulhouse, through exquisitely preserved medieval towns and villages characterized by half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets and neighbouring ancient ruined castles – testimony to the province’s turbulent past. The route is blanketed with neat terraces of vines, which produce the famous white wines. Tasting opportunities are plentiful, particularly during the region’s countless wine festivals that mainly coincide with the October harvest.

The old centre of Colmar , a thirty-minute train ride south of Strasbourg and lying east of the main Route des Vins villages, is echt Alsatian, with crooked half-timbered and painted houses. Its small canals and picturesque narrow streets are a flaneur’s paradise. This is prime Elsässisch-speaking country, a German dialect known to philologists as Alemannic, which has waxed and waned during the province’s chequered history. As the proud home of Mathias Grünewald’s magnificent Issenheim altarpiece – on display in the Musée d’Unterlinden –the town is a magnet for tourists all year round.

Musée d’Unterlinden

Colmar’s foremost attraction, the Musée d’Unterlinden is an even richer experience after a lengthy period of renovation and extension. The core of the collection is housed in a former Dominican convent with a peaceful cloistered garden; it includes the museum’s biggest draw, the Issenheim altarpiece , which is thought to have been made between 1512 and 1516 for the monastic order of St Anthony at Issenheim, whose members cared for those afflicted by ergotism and other nasty skin diseases. The extraordinary painted panels are the work of Mathias Grünewald (1480–1528). The luridly expressive centre panel depicts the Crucifixion: a tortured Christ turns his outsize hands upwards, fingers splayed in pain, flanked by his pale, fainting mother and saints John and Mary Magdalene. The face of St Sebastian, on the right wing, is believed to have been modelled on Grünewald’s own likeness. The reverse panels depict the annunciation, Christ’s resurrection, the nativity and a flamboyant orchestra of angels, all splendidly bathed in transcendental light. On the rest of the panels, you’ll find a truly disturbing representation of the temptation of St Anthony, who is engulfed by a grotesque pack of demons; note the figure afflicted with the alarming symptoms of ergotism.

The renovated convent is now linked via an underground gallery of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art to a brand-new wing, which houses modern and contemporary works, and to the town’s former municipal baths, re-imagined as a venue for cultural events. Highlights include Impressionist paintings by Monet and Bonnard, plus a couple of Picassos.

Verdun lies in a bend of the River Meuse, some 70km west of Metz. Of no great interest in itself, what makes this sleepy provincial town remarkable is its association with the horrific battle that took place on the bleak uplands to the north between 1916 and 1918. In 1916, aiming to break the stalemate of trench warfare, the German General Erich von Falkenhayn chose Verdun as the target for an offensive that ranked among the most devastating ever launched in the annals of war. His troops advanced to within 5km of Verdun, but never captured the town. Gradually the French clawed back the lost ground, but final victory came only in the last months of the war with the aid of US troops. The price was high: hundreds of thousands of men died on both sides. To this day, memorials in every village, hamlet and town of France are inscribed with the names of men slaughtered at Verdun. Not far from Verdun’s railway station, the Rodin memorial , a disturbing statue of winged Victory, stands beside a handsome eighteenth-century gateway at the northern end of rue St-Paul where it joins avenue Garibaldi. Nearby, a simple engraving lists all the years between 450 and 1916 that Verdun has been involved in conflict. The fourteenth-century Porte Chaussée guards the river-crossing in the middle of town. Beyond it, further along rue Mazel, a flight of steps climbs up to the towering Monument de la Victoire , where a helmeted warrior leans on his sword in commemoration of the 1916 battle, while in the crypt below a roll is kept of all the soldiers, French and American, who took part.

The battlefields

The Battle of Verdun opened on the morning of February 21, 1916, with a German artillery barrage that lasted ten hours and expended two million shells. The battle concentrated on the forts of Vaux and Douaumont, built by the French after the 1870 Franco–Prussian War. By the time the main battle ended ten months later, nine villages had been pounded into oblivion.

The most visited part of the battlefield extends along the hills north of Verdun, but the fighting also spread to the west of the Meuse, to the hills of Mort-Homme and Hill 304, to Vauquois and the Argonne, and south along the Meuse to St-Mihiel, where the Germans held an important salient until dislodged by US forces in 1918. Unless you take an organized tour the only viable way to explore the area is with your own transport. The main sights are reached via two minor roads that snake through the battlefields: the D913 and D112.

Despite the long, tall bottles and Germanic names, Alsatian wines are unmistakably French in their ability to complement the region’s traditional cuisine. This is white wine country – if you do spot a local red, it will invariably be a Pinot Noir. Winemakers take advantage of the long, dry autumns to pick extremely ripe grapes producing wines with a little more sweetness than elsewhere in France, but good wines will have a refreshing natural acidity, too. Each of the three main grape varieties listed below can be made with a sweetness level ranging from off-dry right through to “Séléction des Grains Nobles” for the most highly prized dessert wines ( vendages tardives being the label for the slightly less sweet late-harvested wines). Grand Cru labelled wines come from the best vineyard sites.

Riesling The ultimate thirst-quencher, limey, often peachy, excellent with fish dishes and choucroute .

Gewurztraminer Alsace’s most aromatic grape, with roses, lychees, honey, spices and all manner of exotic flavours. Try with pungent Munster cheese or rich pâté.

Pinot Gris Rich, fruity, smoky and more understated than Gewurztraminer. A versatile food wine; try with white meat in creamy sauces and milder cheeses.

Other wines you’re likely to come across include the grapey Muscat , straightforward Sylvaner , and delicate Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois , which also forms the base of the region’s excellent sparkling Crémant d’Alsace . Pinot Noir is used for light, fruity reds and rosés.

• With a land area of 547,000 square kilometres, France is the largest country in the EU; its population of 66 million is second only to that of Germany.

• France has a long secular republican tradition dating back to the revolution of 1789. Yet the majority of its population is Roman Catholic – nominally, at least – and there’s a substantial Muslim minority of around 8 to 10 percent.

• Annual GDP per capita is around $44,000, making France one of the world’s richest countries, but unemployment is a persistent problem, at around 10 percent. Taxes are high, at around 43 percent, but so is social spending, at almost 30 percent.

• France remains by far the world's most popular tourist destination, with some 82 million visitors annually.

• The French film industry is the world’s third most prolific, after the US and India, with around 215 million tickets sold annually.

• Contrary to its self-image as a bastion of gastronomy, the country is also the second largest consumer of McDonalds’ burgers after the US, flipping more than a million Big Macs daily.

• A great source of confusion when meeting and greeting French people is the double kiss, or bise . When it is appropriate, and how many times to do it, which cheek to start with, whether to touch or air kiss, what to do with your hands, or whether it’s better to shake hands instead, are all matters that vex the French just as much as foreign visitors – not least because norms vary between regions, social situations and age groups. When in doubt, hang back, copy what everyone else does, and go left for the first one.

• In 1910, a law was passed in France forbidding couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures. The law is still in place, though no longer enforced.

Each year, in the sweltering heat of July, millions of people take up positions on roadsides around France to cheer, shout and bellow cries of encouragement to a pelaton of nearly 200 cyclists as they speed past in a stream of day-glo lycra. Millions more watch on television – though few of them are cycling aficionados. Because the Tour de France is far more than a mere bike race. For the French, it’s a national institution; a symbol of unity; a chance, as the riders pit themselves against the toughest terrain the mighty héxagone can throw at them, to admire the scenic splendour of the country in all its summer glory, with the fields of the Garonne’s sun flowers in full bloom, the Côte d’Azur at its most sleek, and the craggy Alps basking under boundless blue skies.

Started in 1903, the Tour was born out of the rivalry between two sporting papers, L’Auto and Le Vélo , as a ruse to boost sales. The passion it incited nearly scuppered the event in its second year, when riders were beaten up by rival fans and cheating was rife (racers were spotted jumping into cars and taking trains). These days, in the wake of a series of high-profile doping scandals, performance-enhancing drugs pose the main threat to the survival of the 3600-km (2200-mile) race, though La Grand Boucle (the “Great Loop”), as it’s known, still casts a powerful spell over the nation. And it’s not just an obsession for the French; in 2012, Britain’s own Bradley Wiggins clinched the title – the Tour’s first British winner – successfully ensuring a new and ardent fan base just across the Channel.

For your average Frenchman, any recipe for a relaxing summer’s evening would have to include the three Ps: plane trees (or palms at a pinch); pastis ; and that most quintessentially French of games, pétanque . You’ll see this Gallic version of bowls played on countless squares across the country, where groups of mostly middle-aged men in baggy shorts congregate around gravel-and-dirt boulodromes to lob heavy metal boules at diminutive wooden ones called cochonnets (literally “piglets”). Pétanque matches played after work and on weekends are part and parcel of the daily rhythm of life, especially in the south.

The game was invented in 1907 in the town of La Ciotat on the Côte d’Azur by an enthusiastic bowler whose rheumatism prevented him from making the usual extended run up. Instead, he devised a version of his favourite sport in which the bowler’s feet stayed planted firmly on the ground ( pieds tanqués ). The pitch was shortened accordingly, and after the local bar owner firmed up a set of rules, the new game quickly caught on. A whole lexicon has evolved around pétanque to describe different throws and scenarios. Each team, for example, has a mix of “pointeurs” (pointers), players who place the ball as closely as possible to the jack, and “tireurs” (shooters), whose job it is to displace the opposition’s balls with spectacular lobs. If the throw falls short, it’s a “palouf”. If it nudges one of the other team’s balls, it’s made a “biberon”, or “baby’s bottle”. “Faire la Micheline” means to turn up for a game without your own set of boules. “Faire la chanson” refers to attempts to distract the opposition by chatting between points. And, most insulting of all for wannabe pétanque players from the UK, “faire de l’anglais” describes a totally hopeless throw.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to spectate at a complete whitewash, you’ll experience the most ribald of all pétanque traditions, “Kissing the Fanny”. When a team or individual player loses by 13 points to zero they have to kiss the bare buttocks of a statue or framed picture of a lady named “Fanny”, usually kept in the nearest bar expressly for the purpose.

Travel advice for France

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to France

• Eating and drinking in France
• Getting around France: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips France for planning and on the go
• How to get to France
• Outdoor activities
• Shopping tips for France
• Best time to visit France

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updated 12.03.2024

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The Best Paris Guide Book for Every Kind of Traveler [2024 Update]

Lonely Planet Paris – The Overall Best Paris Guide Book

At press time, the most current edition of the Lonely Planet Paris guidebook was released in 2022 ( order on Amazon here ). This edition still uses the traditional Lonely Planet format (the good one) and is worth buying before the brand switches to their extremely unpopular new format. In fact, if you plan to travel to Paris in 2024 or even 2025, buy this book now.

This edition (with the gold cover, shown above) is great because every single entry in the guidebook was checked to make sure it’s still operating, and the information about opening hours and prices is accurate. A lot changed in Paris in 2020 and 2021, so it’s good to know that the businesses mentioned survived that two-year downturn in tourism.

I was relying on the older edition (published in 2018) when I was selecting a Paris guidebook. Still, it was my favorite Paris guidebook, and the one I’d recommend for anyone traveling to Paris. The Lonely Planet Paris clocks in at 416 pages, and includes absolutely everything you could possibly want: recommended day-by-day itineraries, guides to each arondissement (including attractions, restaurants, shopping and nightlife) and all the most popular day trips from Paris. It has colorful photos, easy-to-read maps and, in the new edition, a detachable card with all the information you need to get from the airport to your hotel.

Rick Steves Paris – The Best Paris Travel Guide for First-Time Travelers

I have such a soft spot for Rick Steves guidebooks, and his 2023 Rick Steves Paris guide book is no exception.  This is a huge book, with 720 pages, but because they use tissue-weight paper it’s hardly any thicker than the Lonely Planet.

Rick Steves’ books are written for novice and first-time travelers, who want a balance of authentic local experiences and can’t-miss attractions during their Europe trip.  This book includes itineraries for up to seven days, with neighbhorhood guides, transportation connections and bistro stops along the way.  A highlight of any Rick Steves book is the self-guided walking tours; the Rick Steves Paris guide book contains eighteen different routes in Paris, complete with detailed maps and information about the sights you’ll see en route.  If I were buying my parents a guidebook for their trip to Paris, this would definitely be my top choice.

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Lonely Planet France – The Best Paris Guidebook for Travelers Going Beyond Paris Too

Released in late 2021, the Lonely Planet France guidebook is the best Paris guide book for anyone whose trip includes Paris and other destinations in France.  Like the LP Paris guidebook, this book is still in the brand’s original format and is worth buying now before it gets updated.

Like their city-specific guide book, this  edition of the Lonely Planet France (shown above) has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure that information is up-to-date and accurate, and reflects any changes over the past two years.

This is a big book, with more than one thousand pages, so it’s not the best choice for people who are packing light.  But for someone like me, with a suitcase and an itinerary that crosses the country from north to south and from east to west, this is the best balance of information about Paris and information about the rest of France. The section on Paris is about 120 pages long, with full-color maps, illustrations and photos.  There’s a further twenty pages about day trips around Paris, including Versailles and Giverny.

National Geographic Traveler Paris – The Best Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Paris Travel Guide

First, I have to say that this book just feels nice in your hands.  I like the cover design, I like the paper, and the whole thing just feels good. The National Geographic Traveler Paris guidebook would be ideal for gift-giving, if someone if your life is planning a trip to Paris.

This book has about 250 pages, including a brief introduction that leads into eleven neighborhoods guides (starting with the islands in the River Seine, ending with the “ peripherique “, or the less-visited districts outside the city centre). Each section contains the top attractions, recommend restaurants and other useful tips, like walking routes and local history.  On the inside back cover there’s a handy map of the Paris metro, and tucked inside the back cover there is a full-sized pull-out map of Paris to help you get your bearings. The only warning that I have with this book is that the font is tiny, so I don’t recommend it for anyone who has vision difficulties.

Moon Paris Walks – The Best Paris Guide Book for Travelers Who Love to Walk

I like Moon Guides because they don’t try to be everything to everyone.  Instead, they focus on one thing and do it really well.  Here, in the Moon Paris Walks guide book , they highlight the very best of Paris through a collection of six self-guided walking tours.

The routes covered include Montmartre, the area around The Louvre, Le Marais, The Latin Quarter, the Eiffel Tower and Canal St. Martin (plus some of the adjacent districts).  The routes are illustrated on easy-to-read maps and described using turn-by-turn language like “Go back, and facing the direction you came from, take Rue Lepic, which veers to the right.” It doesn’t get much easier to follow than that!  There are about 120 pages of walking routes, plus another 30 pages of general information about the city. This book doesn’t have great information about hotels, transportation or day trips, but it’s ideal for active travelers.

National Geographic Walking Guide: Paris – The (Other!) Best Paris Travel Guide for Travelers Who Love to Walk

It was totally a tie between the Moon Guides and this Paris travel guide. This is a series that I love- in fact, I kept the Berlin edition from this series in my purse on my most recent trip to Germany. Because it’s designed to be used while you’re out walking, The National Geographic Walking Guide: Paris really does fit comfortably into your bag so you can carry it around Paris every day.

Updated in 2020, this guidebook consists of fourteen different walking routes around Paris.  There are “whirlwind” tours showcasing the highlights of the city in just one or two days, or there are more leisurely routes through distinctive neighborhoods and around famous attractions. Throughout the book there are colorful photos, illustrations and maps.  If there’s a downside to this book it’s that there is minimal information about accommodation and dining, but if you’ve already booked your hotel and enjoy finding restaurants en route , this is a great Paris guide book.

Fun fact: There’s a French term for someone who spends their days sauntering around town without a specific purpose. Fl â neur is the masculine form, while fl â neuse is the feminine.

Lonely Planet Discover Paris – The Best Basic Travel Guide Book to Buy Second-Hand

About half the length of the original Lonely Planet Paris guide book, the brand’s Discover Paris guide book focuses on the most essential experiences in the city.  This series used to be updated quite regularly (there are editions from 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 available on Amazon) but it no longer appears to be focus for the brand. So, the most recent edition I could find is the one shown above, which came out in fall 2018 (yes, I know it says 2019 on the cover, but trust me!).

Honestly, I don’t really recommend this Paris travel guide book, since it’s already four years old.  It would be easy to accidentally purchase this, thinking it was the Lonely Planet’s main guidebook for Paris, but you’d be paying almost the same price for half the information that they include in their regular Paris guidebook (scroll up to see that one!).  What you can expect from this book is a two-page spread for each of the city’s twenty or so top attractions, followed by short sections about dining, shopping, nightlife and entertainment. It’s not really organized geographically, and there’s a lot of stuff that’s not included.  That being said, if you can buy a used copy for a good price it might be a nice addition to your Paris trip planning bookshelf.

Eyewitness Top 10 Paris – The Best Paris Guidebook for Visual Travelers

This is one of the few Paris guidebooks to get a fresh update for 2024!  If you’re not much of a reader but love to look at pretty pictures, the Eyewitness Top 10 Paris guidebook is perfect.  Short on text but dense with full-color photos and illustrations, this is a feast for the eyes.  It’s also another purse-sized Paris guide book (it’s actually smaller than my wallet!) so it would be perfect for carrying around during a day of sightseeing.

Like all Eyewitness books, the Eyewitness Top 10 Paris puts as much emphasis on images as it does on text.  The book starts with a quick introduction (including suggested itineraries for two or four days) and then jumps into its distinctive collection of Top 10 lists: Top 10 Museums, Top 10 Historical Buildings, Top 10 Parks and Gardens, etc. The lists are followed by about 100 pages of neighborhood guides and general travel information. This would be an easy book to read on the plane to France, and as one of the more affordable Paris guide books on the list it’s also good for travelers on a budget.

Michelin Green Guide Paris – The Best European-Style Paris Travel Guidebook

Michelin guides are not common in North America, so many travelers coming from the USA and Canada are surprised to learn that oui, it’s the same company making the tires, awarding stars to restaurants and publishing guidebooks, including The Michelin Green Guide Paris .

As with the Lonely Planet Discover Paris, the first thing you need to know is that this book was last updated in 2018, so some of the information may be outdated. Still, it’s interesting to see how the book reflects the tastes of European travelers, who tend to purchase this series most often.  This one opens with about 40 pages of trip planning advice, then spends another 40 pages talking about the history, arts and culture of Paris, and finally it gets into the Paris-specific travel information, including neighborhoods guides, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and tips for partaking in les sports during your trip.

Frommer’s EasyGuide to Paris – The Best Paris Guide Book for Luxury Travel

I have always disliked Frommers guide books, and the Frommers EasyGuide to Paris isn’t an improvement over their other titles. Plus, with this publication now being two years old, it may not be the best source of up-to-date information on traveling in Paris.  To get it out of the way, I don’t recommend you buy this book, but I’m including it on the list since Frommer’s such a well-known name.

The book opens with fifteen pages of color photos of Paris, and after that it’s mostly just a wall of text.  It covers the same attractions as any other guidebook, but with a more upscale perspective.  For example, in the “inexpensive” hotel listings they recommend a hotel where double rooms are €300 per night.  The restaurant recommendations are equally pricey, with a recommended lunch spot costing €90!  The expensive recommendations aren’t balanced out with more affordable options, so this is really only a useful Paris guide book for travelers who don’t look at the price tags.  (If that’s you, please marry and/or adopt me!)

Planning your own trip to Paris? I’ve got a guide to the best areas to stay in Paris , whether you’re backpacking on a budget or indulging in a luxury trip to France, as well as a guide to the best FIFTY things to see in Paris .  Yes, fifty!

You might also like my post about how to find delicious, healthy French food while you’re there!

Of course, I also recommend learning some French for travel before you depart!

Planning a trip to Paris? Pin this post to your trip planning board!

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Book Scrolling

Best Book Lists, Award Aggregation, & Book Data

The Best Travel and Guidebooks For Visiting France

“What are the best Travel and Guide Books For Visiting France?” We looked at 101 of the top French guidebooks, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

The top 14 titles, all appearing on 2 or more “Best French Guidebook” book lists, are ranked below by how many lists they appear on. The remaining 75+ titles, as well as the lists we used are in alphabetical order at the bottom of the page.

Happy Scrolling!

Top 14 French Travel Guides

14 .) dk eyewitness travel guide: france by dk travel.

• Barnes & Noble
• French Culture

The DK Eyewitness France Travel Guide is your indispensable guide to this beautiful part of the world. The fully updated guide includes unique cutaways, floorplans and reconstructions of the must-see sites, plus street-by-street maps of all the fascinating cities and towns. The new-look guide is also packed with photographs and illustrations leading you straight to the best attractions on offer. The uniquely visual DK Eyewitness Travel guide will help you to discover everything region-by-region; from local festivals and markets to day trips around the countryside. Detailed listings will guide you to the best hotels, restaurants, bars and shops for all budgets, whilst detailed practical information will help you to get around, whether by train, bus or car. Plus, DK’s excellent insider tips and essential local information will help you explore every corner of France effortlessly. DK Eyewitness France Travel Guide – showing you what others only tell you.

Purchase / Learn More

13 .) Fodor’s France

From the Most Respected Names in Travel and Language Instruction Fodor’s French for Travelers makes it easy to speak and understand French, even if you’ve never studied it before. And it’s all backed by the experience of Fodor’s, the most trusted name in travel, and Living Language, publishers of best-selling language courses for more than half a century. •2,200 words and phrases •A 1,600-word two-way dictionary •Speak French right away — Just read straight from the book. Accurate, easy to use phonetics help you speak like a native. •Find what you need right away — Words and phrases are grouped by topic. •Handle every situation — You’ll find all the words and phrases you need for every part of your trip, from arrival to departure. •Travel Smart — Fodor’s correspondents share their know-how throughout.

12 .) Frommer’s EasyGuide to Paris… by Anna E. Brooke

• Love To Know

A strong case can be made that Paris leads the world’s other cities in art and cuisine, in architecture and history, in music and sculpture, in philosophy and political ferment, in nearly every other area on interest to the visitor. It has to be seen and experienced, and with the euro dipping in value, now is an ideal time to make a visit come true.

11 .) Frommer’s France Travel Guidebook

Lists It Appears On:

Written by outspoken, authoritative experts, Frommer’s France shows travelers how to experience the country the way the locals do. This classic Frommers series includes exact prices, candid reviews of the best and most authentic restaurants, attractions and hotels in every price range (from hostels to guest-welcoming chateaus), and dozens of detailed maps. We also include advice the tourist board wouldn’t approve of: which sites to skip, how to avoid the crowds, and how to stretch your travel budget further, whether you’re on a lavish honeymoon or backpacking it. Vive La France!

10 .) Lonely Planet Paris by Lonely Planet

• Experience Plus

From the heights of Sacre Coeur to the gently rolling Seine, feel the joie de vivre of Europe’s crowning glory. Watch Parisian life pass you by from an outdoor cafe, deck yourself out in fashion finery or escape on an enticing excursion to a chateau. With discerning information on everything Paris has to offer, this guide gives you the city at your fingertips. Be Awestruck – the city is an open-air gallery and this book your private tour guide. Flash That Credit Card – from “haute couture” to flea markets our expert authors take you inside the Parisian shopping scene. Rest Your Tete – we’ve trawled the streets of Paris to bring you this hand-picked selection of sleeping establishments. Devour the world’s finest cuisine with our delectable eating reviews. Find Your Way around with our 32 easy-to-use color maps.

9 .) Michelin Green Guide France

The location of France in Europe and its tumultuous history have shaped the nation into a land of many regions, each with its own distinctive traditions. This diversity, the wealth of cultural heritage, and the great variety of natural landscapes offer the visitor an array of destinations to meet every desire. THE GREEN GUIDE, the perfect travel companion: a discerning and up-to-date source of information. Practical and comprehensive, it offers suggestions on what to see and what to do, background on history and cultural heritage and a selection of hotels and restaurants. Ideal guides for the independent tourist, THE GREEN GUIDE explores destinations both near and far. Sights are rated – 3 stars “worth a journey, ” 2 stars “worth a detour” and 1 star “interesting.” Map itineraries make planning easy, whether visiting the highlights or venturing off the beaten path. Travel with THE GREEN GUIDE for an exciting and memorable experience.

8 .) My Life in France by Julia Child

• CN Traveler
• Santorini Dave

The bestselling story of Julia’s years in France–and the basis for Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams–in her own words. Although she would later singlehandedly create a new approach to American cuisine with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef, Julia Child was not always a master chef. Indeed, when she first arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, Paul, who was to work for the USIS, she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself. But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, her life changed forever with her newfound passion for cooking and teaching. Julia’s unforgettable story–struggles with the head of the Cordon Bleu, rejections from publishers to whom she sent her now-famous cookbook, a wonderful, nearly fifty-year long marriage that took the Childs across the globe–unfolds with the spirit so key to Julia’s success as a chef and a writer, brilliantly capturing one of America’s most endearing personalities.

7 .) Paris For Dummies

There’s so much to see and do in Paris that it’s hard to know where to start. With this friendly guide, you’ll see the light. You’ll take in the dazzling nightlights and vibrant nightlife… the historic sites and monuments and the tres chic boutiques…the treasured art masterpieces and tomorrow’s fashion trends. Linger over a gourmet French meal, relax in a sidewalk cafe, or enjoy a picnic in the park. Stroll beautiful formal gardens or pick Monet’s Water Lilies at the newly opened Musee de l’Orangerie. Take a boat tour of the Seine or a bike ride to Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes. This friendly guide gets you in a fun, French fame of mind with info on: How to use the fantastic transportation system and make sense of the euro Must-see sites, including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tour, Musee d’Orsay, the Cathedral de Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and more Incredible parks and gardens, including the Jardin des Tuileries, the Jardin du Luxembourg in the Latin quarter, Parc de la Villette with its theme gardens, and more Where to shop for over-the top luxury items, find discount or overstock stores, and buy kids’ clothes Culture and entertainment options, ranging from theater, opera, symphony, and ballet to live comedy and inexpensive organ recitals in glorious churches Diverse clubs in different neighborhoods, including Barrio Latino, Batofar (an Irish light ship docked in the Seine), Red Light where the trendiest kids wear the latest fashions, Le Wax with its psychedelic decor, and more Like every For Dummies travel guide, Paris For Dummies, 4th Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages Whether you would rather tour cathedrals with glorious stained glass, explore quaint neighborhoods, hit the happening scenes, or sip fine French wine overlooking the City of Lights, this guide will help you experience Paris with joie de vivre.

6 .) The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough

The Greater Journey is the enthralling, inspiring – and until now, untold – story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, ambitious to excel in their work. After risking the hazardous journey across the Atlantic, these Americans embarked on a greater journey in the City of Light. Most had never left home, never experienced a different culture. None had any guarantee of success. That they achieved so much for themselves and their country profoundly altered American history. As David McCullough writes, “Not all pioneers went west.” Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in America, was one of this intrepid band. Another was Charles Sumner, who enrolled at the Sorbonne because of a burning desire to know more about everything. There he saw black students with the same ambition he had, and when he returned home, he would become the most powerful, unyielding voice for abolition in the U.S. Senate, almost at the cost of his life.

5 .) The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart

Walking his two young children to school every morning, Thad Carhart passes an unassuming little storefront in his Paris neighborhood. Intrigued by its simple sign — Desforges Pianos — he enters, only to have his way barred by the shop’s imperious owner. Unable to stifle his curiosity, he finally lands the proper introduction, and a world previously hidden is brought into view. Luc, the atelier’s master, proves an indispensable guide to the history and art of the piano. Intertwined with the story of a musical friendship are reflections on how pianos work, their glorious history, and stories of the people who care for them, from amateur pianists to the craftsmen who make the mechanism sing. The Piano Shop on the Left Bank is at once a beguiling portrait of a Paris not found on any map and a tender account of the awakening of a lost childhood passion. Praise for The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: [Carhart’s] writing is fluid and lovely enough to lure the rustiest plunker back to the piano bench and the most jaded traveler back to Paris. San Francisco Chronicle Captivating .

4 .) The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

Like so many others, David Lebovitz dreamed about living in Paris ever since he first visited the city in the 1980s. Finally, after a nearly two-decade career as a pastry chef and cookbook author, he moved to Paris to start a new life. Having crammed all his worldly belongings into three suitcases, he arrived, hopes high, at his new apartment in the lively Bastille neighborhood. But he soon discovered it’s a different world “en France.” From learning the ironclad rules of social conduct to the mysteries of men’s footwear, from shopkeepers who work so hard not to sell you anything to the etiquette of working the right way around the cheese plate, here is David’s story of how he came to fall in love with–and even understand–this glorious, yet sometimes maddening, city. When did he realize he had morphed into “un vrai parisien”? It might have been when he found himself considering a purchase of men’s dress socks with cartoon characters on them. Or perhaps the time he went to a bank with 135 euros in hand to make a 134-euro payment, was told the bank had no change that day, and thought it was completely normal. Or when he found himself dressing up to take out the garbage because he had come to accept that in Paris appearances and image mean everything. The more than fifty original recipes, for dishes both savory and sweet, such as Pork Loin with Brown Sugar-Bourbon Glaze, Braised Turkey in Beaujolais Nouveau with Prunes, Bacon and Bleu Cheese Cake, Chocolate-Coconut Marshmallows, Chocolate Spice Bread, Lemon-Glazed Madeleines, and Mocha-Creme Fraiche Cake, will have readers running to the kitchen once they stop laughing. “The Sweet Life in Paris” is a deliciously funny, offbeat, and irreverent look at the city of lights, cheese, chocolate, and other confections.

3 .) Lonely Planet France Travel Guide Book

France is a country that seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets and lace-curtained bistros with their plat du jour (dish of the day) chalked on the board. – 10 months of research in France and thousands of calories consumed along the way – clear, easy-to-use maps and 3D plans of iconic sights – 70 evocative châteaux – comprehensive planning tools Coverage Includes: Planning chapters, Paris, Around Paris, Lille, Flanders, the Somme, Normandy, Brittany, Champagne, Alsace, Lorraine, The Loire Valley, Burgundy, Lyon, the Rhône Valley, French Alps, the Jura Mountains, Massif Central, Limousin, the Dordogne, the Lot, Atlantic Coast, French Basque Country, The Pyrenees, Toulouse Area, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, The French Riviera, Monaco, Corsica, Understanding and Survival chapters.

2 .) Rick Steves Paris by Rick Steves

• Frugal First Class Travel
• Paris Escapes

Explore every centimeter of Paris, from the top of the Eiffel tower to the ancient catacombs below the city: with Rick Steves on your side, Paris can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Paris 2018 you’ll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Paris Rick’s strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Notre-Dame and the Palace of Versailles to where to find the perfect croissant How to connect with culture: Chat with artisans in open-air markets, take in the works of Degas, and browse the multi-colored displays of macarons Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick’s candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over a glass of vin rouge Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums and churches Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, French phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 500 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Annually updated information on the Historic Core, Left Bank, Opera Neighborhood, Champs-Elysees, Marais neighborhood, Montmartre, and more, as well as day trips to Versailles, Chartres, Giverny, and Auvers-sur-Oise Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Paris 2018. Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket Paris.

1 .) Rick Steves France by Rick Steves

Wander the lavender fields of Provence, climb the Eiffel Tower, and bite into a perfect croissant: with Rick Steves on your side, France can be yours! Inside Rick Steves France 2018 you’ll find: Comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to France Rick’s strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Louvre and the Palace of Versailles to neighborhood restaurants and delicate macarons How to connect with local culture: Stroll through open-air markets in Paris, or bike between rustic villages and local vineyards Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick’s candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over a vin rouge Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and museums Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, French phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Annually updated information on Paris, Chartres, Normandy, Mont St-Michel, Brittany, The Loire, Dordogne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, The French Riviera, Nice, Monaco, The French Alps, Burgundy, Lyon, Alsace, Reims, Verdun, and much more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves France 2018. Planning a one- to two-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of France.

The 75+ Additional Best Guide Books For Visiting France & Paris

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Paris Guide Books

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Best Paris Travel Guide Books - 2024

Planning a trip to Paris?   Travel guide books give you a quick, easy way to find all the information you need about the top attractions, fun and historic neighborhoods to explore, best hotels to stay in, places to eat, and even interesting things to do with kids if you're traveling as a family. 

Some also include excellent Paris city maps, others provide insights into Paris culture and history, and still others may inspire you with their gorgeous color photos of everything Parisian from the Eiffel Tower to steak-frites. 

But with so many appealing choices available, what is the best guide book for planning your trip to Paris?

Well, that depends because everybody is different.  Maybe you love details - or maybe you just want highlights. Maybe you want to find out about "hidden secret" spots as well as famous bucket list attractions - or maybe a quick list of the 10 best things to see and do, top hotels and restaurants in a few price ranges, and few travel tips is more your style. 

The good news:  there's something for everybody.   This article provides our top picks in a variety of categories:

• Best Paris Travel Guides for Planning your Trip
• Paris Guides to Walking Tours & Getting Around   
• Guides to Hidden Paris
• Guides to Paris Culture & Special Places
• Books about Paris Markets & Food

Guides to Paris History & Architecture

Paris travel & guide books to buy in paris.

Top photo:  Paris guide books in a local bookstore

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Best Comprehensive Guide Books for Planning Your Paris Trip

Looking for the best Paris guide book for planning all aspects of your trip? 

Here's where to start:

Rick Steves' Paris Travel Guide

By Rick Steves, Steve Smith, & Gene Openshaw

Rick Steves'  love of travel and enthusiasm for making it accessible to everyone comes through loud and clear in the 700+ pages of this comprehensive guide.  Despite the size of this book, the thin but surprisingly sturdy pages make it light enough to pack and bring with you without worrying about the weight.

If you're a first-time visitor, you'll appreciate his focus on on top attractions such as the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, and Pere Lachaise Cemetery and his recommendations about what to see at each site. 

If you're a return traveler, check out his recommendations for the best hidden gems.

In addition, Rick Steves' Paris provides a thorough "orientation" to Paris, including tips on getting around, shopping, and dining.  If you're planning a family trip, you'll find lots of good tips in his suggestions about things to do with kids in Paris.  A foldout map is a nice plus.

Recommended for:   First time and return travelers to Paris, especially if you want get the most out of your time and money without breaking the bank.

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Want an even more compact version?  Check out Rick Steves Pocket Paris - it's packed with trip-planning tips, itineraries, suggested walks and tours, a pull-out map, and lots more.

The Rough Guide to Paris

UK publisher Rough Guides honed its reputation by providing straightforward information to budget-minded travelers on the younger end of the demographic scale, and The Rough Guide to Paris reflects that. 

You'll find decent recommendations for bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues (just beware that Paris nightlife constantly evolves, so no doubt some of the information will be out of date).

Sections on Paris neighborhood attractions include areas that most other guides don't mention: La Villette (home to the newish Philharmonie de Paris concert hall, a huge science and technology museum focused on kids and teens, and a top exhibition hall), Passy (cool market street plus other attractions in the 16th), Belleville (awesome street art, which the guide book doesn't mention, and the spectacular Parc des Buttes-Chaumont), and Ménilmontant (Pere Lachaise Cemetery and the Edith Piaf Museum).  You'll also find a section of some of the interesting but often overlooked suburbs.

Otherwise, The Rough Guide to Paris covers all of the top attractions (sometimes with a "chilled out" twist on how to visit), favorite neighborhoods, and general travel advice that you'd expect and want in a comprehensive guide.   There are quite a few useful maps, plus nice photos.

And finally, if you're interested in lesser-known Paris locations (a.k.a. "hidden gems"), it's clear that the author has ventured fairly off the usual beaten tourist paths and discovered some cool spots that other publications generally miss.  (We felt rather sad to see a few of our favorite unknown-to-most-visitors spots revealed.)

Recommended for:   Budget-minded Paris visitors who want to do and see the city's top attractions but also explore the nightlife and wander a bit from the touristic center.  And if you're already a Rough Guide fan, you're sure to love this one.

DK Eyewitness Paris Travel Guide

If you're the type of traveler who draws inspiration from gorgeous photos paired with just enough text to let you know what you're looking at, DK Eyewitness Paris may be your top choice guide book planning your trips.

Details take a back seat to inspiration in the first sections of this book but don't be deceived:   DK Eyewitness Paris packs a hefty amount of interesting facts, useful tips, and logistical details into the guide's later chapters.  Beautifully detailed drawings, diagrams, and even timelines make the information interesting and accessible. 

Recommended for:   Anyone who wonders why Paris is worth visiting, wants ideas about what to see and do, or simply enjoys gazing at photos that capture the beauty and magic of this special city will find a lot to love in this book.  The fact that you'll also learn a lot about the City of Light is a bonus.

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Paris

If you love lists, you may find DK Eyewitness Top 10 Paris hard to put down once you start looking through it.  With "top 10" lists for everything from top attractions to museums to places to eat near the Eiffel Tower, this small almost pocket-sized guide book contains a huge amount of useful information as well as a laminated pull-out map. 

"Top 10 things to see" lists for each of the top 10 Paris attractions such as the Louvre Museum and Army Museum give you useful information to make sure you don't miss anything. 

Annual updates keep the recommendations on point, and plenty of small photos, drawings, and maps mean you still get the rich visual images that make DK Eyewitness guides stand out from the competition.  A small section with practical information about getting around the city, etc, and recommendations for around 80 hotels based on price range and style round out the guide.

Recommended for:   Anyone who loves lists and/or wants a small-format (4" x 7.5"; 10cm x 19cm) guide book filled with useful information.

Insight Guides Explore Paris 

If you're looking for the perfect combination of detailed Paris travel information, a large number of excellent photos, and a few maps and diagrams, Insight Guide's Paris City guidebooks may be the perfect fit for your needs.

As you might expect in a comprehensive guide book, topics such as "Chic Shopping" and "Paris After Dark" give you a good overview of things to do in the city.  But you'll find some of Paris City Guide's best information in the coverage of specific things to do and see in 10 neighborhoods including not only those with the best known tourist attractions (Ile de la Cité, the Latin Quarter, etc) but also interesting but less well known areas such as Bastille, East Paris, and Montparnasse.  Don't miss the useful section on Paris Disney and other day trip destinations.

There's also a smaller Pocket Edition of this guidebook.  It's not as comprehensive but if you're packing as little as possible, it's definitely worth considering.

Recommended for:   First time and return Paris visitors who want a comprehensive guide packed with useful details.

Please note:  As of early 2024, neither of these Insight guides has been updated since 2019, so some information may be out of date.  The books still contain lots of useful information and offer lots of value.  If you're considering buying one or both of them, consider buying a cheap used copy.

Lonely Planet Paris

Although Lonely Planet's guide books originally earned their reputation by highlighting off-the-beaten-trail attractions, the current Lonely Planet guide to Paris focuses primarily on popular attractions and experiences - but it does that very well by packing in a lot of information within a lively framework.

Starting with brief descriptions of top Paris highlights, itineraries, and top events each month, Lonely Planet Paris then provides detailed information for important attractions in eight central Paris neighborhoods before ending with brief sections on topics such as family travel, architecture, and food and wine.

What makes this guide book a standout, though, is the balance between the 50 or so maps (marked with walking routes), color photographs, diagrams, and "Don't Miss" pages that help you focus on the most important attractions. 

Another big plus:  The pull-out "Just Landed" card with wifi, ATM, and Paris transportation information provides everything you need to go to get from the airport to your hotel or apartment.

Recommended for:   First time and return visitors who like to get comprehensive travel information in a well-organized, lively, easy-to-digest format.

Blue Guide: Paris

By Delia Gray-Durant

When you want the most  in-depth information possible in a comprehensive Paris guide book, Blue Guide: Paris is where to turn.  For example, it devotes almost 60 pages to detailed descriptions of the most important pieces in the Louvre's collections, along with site plans.  As a bonus, the lively writing style brings the art to life with its vivid descriptions.

Also impressive is how Blue Guide: Paris provides detailed descriptions to small attractions as well.  The little-known but fascinating National Marine Museum (Musée National de la Marine), which many guide books don't even mention, gets almost 3 pages including a photo and by the time you finish reading them, you'll know exactly what to look for and expect in the museum's model ship collection.

For each neighborhood, Blue Guide: Paris also suggests walking tours (with maps) and places to eat nearby.  A small section at the end contains a nicely curated list of hotels in three price categories. 

Recommended for:   Anyone who wants detailed information about things to see in Paris museums, historic churches, concert halls, and other cultural and important institutions.

Please note:  This book hasn't been updated since 2015.  If you want detailed and comprehensive information about places that don't change much (such as the Louvre), this book is still totally worth getting.  But it's astonishing that the publisher (Blue Guides) hasn't produced a more recent editition about Paris, one of the world's most-visited cities.

But a couple of caveats:  information about any site that's undergone a recent renovation, such as the National Marine Museum mentioned above, may be out of date, and you should also (mostly) disregard the restaurant and hotel information.  For the best value, look for a cheap used copy.

Michelin's Paris: The Green Guide

Michelin guide books are known for their comprehensive coverage and numerous details, and their Paris: The Green Guide is no exception.  Color photos, site plans, maps (with walking routes), and diagrams help bring the text to life.

Starting with the first four Paris arrondissements, the guide includes descriptions of the top attractions in the arrondissements' major neighborhoods.  In the often overlooked 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements, for example, the section on the Javel-André-Citroen neighborhood includes brief descriptions of several themed gardens in Parc André-Citroen, the Beaugrenelle complex (although strangely, there is no mention of the shopping center), the huge Aquaboulevard water park.  Just like Michelin does with restaurants, this guide assigns 0-3 stars to each attraction.  You may or may not always agree with them.

Paris: The Green Guide also includes small sections on getting around, Paris history, contemporary Paris culture, shopping, where to stay, and where to eat - although for restaurants, you may prefer to get the latest edition (2021, in French) of their Paris restaurant guide if you can read French well enough to glean at least the basics. 

Please note:  This guide has not been updated since 2018.  However, as long as you disregard pricing and similar details, it delivers lots of useful still-timely information.

Michelin Green Guide Short Stays: Paris Travel Guide

This Michelin Guide "Short Stays" guidebook to Paris is packed with useful, mostly evergreen (luckily, since the last update was in 2020) information about Paris neighborhoods, things to do, and itineraries.  Like the regular Green Guides, this guidebook uses Michelin's star-rating system for most of the categories it reviews.

Travel tips, though brief, are to the point.  And restaurant and hotel recommendations are solid, because the guide sticks with the "classics" that don't change much over time.  You won't find the newest and trendiest places to eat or stay, but you'll find enough in this book to do 90% of your trip planning.

Small maps of specific location and appealing photographs add to the book's appeal.

How does Michelin's "Short Stay: Paris" book compare with the regular Green Guide for Paris?

If you're planning a first or return trip, you'll probably find this "Short Stays" version much easier (and more interesting, thanks to the photos, format, and writing style) to use.

If you want to do a deep-dive into the history and details about a particular site, then go for the regular Michelin Green Guide (or Blue Guide's Paris book, which includes even more details). 

What you should ignore this book are the pricing and cost details - although surprisingly, they haven't changed by a huge margin.

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Paris Guides to Walking Tours & Getting Around the City

Paris in Stride: An Insider's Walking Guide

By Jessie Kenelos Weiner & Sorah Moroz

Delightful watercolors and maps with walking routes illustrate each of Paris in Stride's 10 chapters devoted to showing you the best places to visit in a specific Paris neighborhood.  Of course you'll find areas popular with tourists such as the Marais, Montmartre, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, but equally fascinating and perhaps even more interesting to explore are lesser-known areas such as Rue de Charonne/Place d'Aligre and the corner of the 16th arrondissement dubbed "Museum Hub" by the authors. 

In addition to all the places you'd expect to find profiled, you'll also discover (perhaps) new-to-you concept stores, chocolatiers, galleries, and places to eat and drink in Paris in Stride.   Each chapter also contains bonus how-to sections with useful information for you use during your walk:  how to navigate an open-air street market, how to "apero" (ie, the Parisian tradition of enjoy a glass or two of wine or an apéritif accompanied by snacks or small plates during the early evening hours, and incidentally, a short list of the best natural wine specialists in the city), and how to choose cheese in a fromagerie.

Recommended for:   Everyone who's planning to walk around Paris and explore, eat, and drink along the way.  (Warning: This book may make you hungry - so if you're reading this book at home while plotting your trip to Paris, be kind to yourself and have a glass of wine, some chocolates, and ideally a few macaroons close at hand.)

Moon MapGuide Paris

By Aurelia d'Andrea

Ten fold-out maps at the beginning of MapGuide Paris cover popular neighborhoods from the Latin Quarter to Grand Boulevards to Canal Saint-Martin, each with location markers for top choices in a half-dozen categories: sights, restaurants, nightlife, shops, arts and leisure, and hotels.

Following the maps, sections devoted to each of these categories provide descriptions, addresses, and other pertinent information for attractions marked in each map, from Map 1 to Map 10.  Although MapGuide Paris doesn't recommend specific walking routes, you can easily do this yourself after you pick out exactly what you want to see in each neighborhood.  Although almost every page of this handy guide features small photos, the maps are the real stars.

Recommended for:   Paris visitors who love a methodical approach to planning and like the idea of plotting your own walking route based on your own specific interests.

Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local

If you like the detailed maps of Moon MapGuide Paris but would prefer pre-defined walks along with commentary about what you'll see and experience plus detailed fold-out maps, Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local may be the guide book for you. 

Although Paris Walks includes only six routes, each one covers two or more distinct neighborhoods, such as Walk 1: Batignolles & Montmartre, or Walk 6: Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin & Ménilmontant.   And as you can see from these examples, several of the walking routes introduce you to interesting lesser-known neighborhoods where you can see more of the "real" Paris.  But don't worry, others such as Walk 5: Eiffel Tower, Invalides & Champs-Elysees cover all the famous attractions.

You could certainly cover any of these six walking routes in a day or perhaps less if you don't linger over lunch - but Paris Walks designs them so that you can pick the segments of most interest to you and do a leisurely exploration.

Recommended for:   Paris first time and return visitors who want to follow defined walking routes.

National Geographic's Walking Paris: The Best of the City

By Pas Paschali and Brian Robinson

National Geographic's Walking Paris: The Best of the City combines "whirlwind tour" walking guides designed for a day, a weekend, fun, and a weekend with kids with more detailed walking guides for nine different Paris neighborhoods. 

Each section has its own map marked with a walking route plus information about the attractions you'll see, interspersed with gorgeous color photos.   One of Walking Paris's strengths is its contextual information in each section about history, culture, architecture, cuisine, street markets, and more.

The final part of the book provides basic travel information and recommendations for about 60 hotels.

Recommended for:   Paris visitors and return visitors who want walking routes through the city's best-known neighborhoods. 

Guides to Secret Gardens & Special Places

Secret Paris

By Thomas Jonglez

Want to know about truly obscure secret places and sights in Paris? 

Esoteric and unusual suggestions pack this compact Secret Paris guide book, such as where to see a chunk of French King Philippe-Auguste's 12th century city wall in an underground parking garage, where to visit a hidden Zen garden, where to find a little-known church in the 7th arrondissement with a 14th century Italian Renaissance masterpiece by Tintoretto of the Last Supper.  

And you definitely should not miss the wine-making firefighters or the war-wounded palm trees.  (Yes, Paris really does have palm trees - more than you might expect!)

Secret Paris also includes numerous high-quality color photographs, maps, and suggestions about other secret places to visit near the major sites covered, plus a wealth of other details, tips, and information.  In the "hidden Paris" genre, this book stands out!

Recommended for:   You, if you like to explore and discover interesting things beyond the usual tourist attractions when you travel.

Hidden Gardens of Paris

By Susan Cahill

The 40 or so gardens covered in Hidden Gardens of Paris include well-known parks such as Luxembourg Garden and Champ de Mars as well as less obvious spots such as the garden at Musée Zadkine and Musée de la Vie Romantic, where Chopin and writer George Sand used to hang out in the 19th century. 

Hidden Gardens of Paris includes color photos along with the descriptions of what you might see and experience in these gardens, but as a bonus also includes "nearby" suggestions for each destination.  This is where you'll find truly hidden city Edens, such as the gorgeous rose-filled (and fairly hard to find) Jardin Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur and the lovely formal flower beds and orange trees in the garden behind Hotel Sully near Place des Vosges.

Recommended for:   Everyone who loves parks, gardens, and the thrill of discovering places off the well-worn tourist track in Paris.

Hidden Parks of Paris

By Gregory Ross with Julian Darius

Part memoir, part travel guide, and part ode to a lost love named Caroline, Hidden Parks of Paris contains short but evocative descriptions of over 100 of Paris's almost 500 parks, public gardens, and green spaces accompanied by black and white photos.

You'll find useful suggestions related to well-known places such as Jardin des Plantes and the magnificent Musée Rodin garden, but this book's strength comes from descriptions of what do see and do at obscure and hidden spaces such as Square de Santiago du Chili, Square Roger-Stephane, and Square Boucicaut, all in the 7th arrondissement.

Recommended for:   Anyone who likes travel memoirs and enjoys discovering less known and hidden places in the middle of Paris.

Where to Buy?   Unfortunately, this book is out of print, so you'll need to look for a used copy.  Goodreads provides some links for you to search.

Guides to Paris Culture, Special Places, & Hidden Treasures

Stuff Parisians Like

To get a taste of contemporary Parisian culture and perspectives, you can't find a better introduction than this fun book of very short essays by Parisian Olivier Magny (who, incidentally, also owns the popular Ô Chateau wine bar/bistro in the 1st arrondissement). 

Stuff Parisians Like covers everything - tongue in cheek, of course - from why Parisians like the sun to their love affair with "le burger."  In between, you'll find out why Parisians like to go to the movies on Sundays, why young Parisians are more likely to spend their time hanging out with friends at house parties instead of bars, and lots, lots more.  "Useful Tips" and "Sound like a Parisian" sections at the end of each chapter are priceless. 

Even better:  When you arrive in Paris, stop by Ô Chateau (68 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau) for a drink and perhaps some charcouterie, and if Olivier happens to be behind the bar that day, you can tell him how much you like his book.  You can also sign up for one of their special wine-tasting experiences while you're there (or reserve a spot in advance before you travel).

Recommended for:   Paris visitors who want light-hearted (but serious) tips at understanding Parisians and their unique social culture.

Want more from Olivier Magny?  Get his latest book, WTF?! (which stands for What the French, vs what you may have thought), packed hilarious insights about modern France and its various idiosyncrasies.

Paris, paris:  Journey into the City of Light

By David Downie

Each of the short essays in Paris, paris:  Journey into the City of Light focus on places and people observed by writer and long-time Paris resident David Downie during his rambling walks around his adopted city.

A view of Rue Saint-Martin from Centre Pompidou's rooftop terrace starts his musings about how this road predates the Romans, which then leads more thoughts about historic sites along other ancient Paris roads (and a 3-month trek with his wife along Roman roads criss-crossing France, although that's another story).  A glass of white wine on a spring night turns into an exploration of the boat people of the Seine.  And so on.  Each essay in Paris, paris transports you to places, people, and information you might not discover on your own - information that will enrich your own experience of this ever-fascinating city.

Recommended for:   Anyone who loves to be transported beyond their own experiences - and of course anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the strands of history and people who make up Paris.

300 Reasons to Love Paris

By Judith Ritchie

Even if you plan to focus your first trip to Paris on visiting iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, it's still fun to squeeze in a hour or two each day to explore a hidden garden, indulge in a superb but out-of-the-way pastry shop, shop along a quintessentially Parisian market street, stop by the latest trendy juice bar or wine bar, shop at the below-the-radar outlet stores for famous Paris designers, gaze at the best historic jewelry collections by world-famous jewelers, make your own custom perfume, dine at at hip rooftop bar, and have a drink in the city's coolest underground bars.

That's what 300 Reasons to Love Paris is about - an insider's list of secret or little-known places as overlooked pleasures at better-known attractions that most tourists never discover on their own, especially on a first visit.  Need more inspiration?  Numerous color photos and detailed location maps make finding these places easy!

Recommended for:   First-time and return visitors who want to experience a bit of the "real" Paris.

Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart

By Janelle McCulloch

The beautifully designed Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart focuses on all things related to creativity in Paris - and yes, that covers a lot of ground.

Neighborhood strolls in a dozen arrondissements form the heart of Paris: An Inspiring Tour.   In the Montorgueil neighborhood which crosses the 2nd and 9th, that means a look at the popular bars and bistros, bakeries and pastry shops, produce and cheese sellers along the famous market street as well as detours into 19th century covered passages and the design showrooms such as Pierre Frey on Rue Montmartre/Rue du Mail.

In Bastille (11th) and Canal Martin (10th), you'll learn about trendy boutiques, artisan workshops lining the labyrinth of passages and courtyards, the Viaduc des arts arcade, and bars and nightspots you shouldn't miss.  And finally, toward the book's end, you'll find useful addresses: where to buy great lingerie, fabrics, Chanel's latest collection, ballet flats, and so forth - plus a curated list of tea rooms, bistros, bakeries, and gourmet food markets.

Recommended for:   Anyone who wants to learn about and explore Paris's hubs of creativity - or even just find the best bakeries, jewelry makers, antique and vintage shops, tea salons, and ice cream.  This is also a fabulous book for when you want to curl up in a comfy chair, look at lush photos, and dream about your future trip to Paris.

111 Places in Paris That You Shouldn't Miss

By Sybil Canac, René Grimaud, Katia Thomas

The three authors of the somewhat quirky, always fascinating 111 Places in Paris That You Shouldn't Miss have dug deep to come up with secret places and hidden treasures, and as a result, you'll learn about some very cool things here.  For example, a Japanese-inspired cat cafe for when you crave feline company with you café au lait.  Or the oldest fountain in Paris, when you can find near Centre Pompidou (and stop by the wonderful Stravinsky Fountain while you're there.  Or in the hills of Montmartre, a secret staircase in Passage de la Sorcière ("The Witch's Passage) which is close to the public but, as the book reveals, there are two ways you might get in.

One or two photographs accompany each place described in 111 Places,  plus the authors recommend other things to do and see nearby.  One thing to be aware while a few of the cafes and bars have closed or moved on, other recommendations have evolved.   For example, Place #48, Halle Pajol, is still a great suggestion and nearby Marché de la Chapelle is still a wonderful market, but there's now more to see and do in the neighborhood:  the Rosa Luxembourg Garden and on the other side of the railroad tracks, the large modern Eole Garden (which is more like a park).  Watch for an updated edition!

Recommended for:   First time Paris visitors who want to visit a couple of "hidden treasures," and return visitors who want to see the "real" Paris, and everyone else who likes to seek out cool things.

Books about Paris Food & Markets

Sundays in Paris

By Yasmin Zeinab

Sundays in Paris grew out of a curated list of the best places to eat on Sundays started by the author years ago when she first arrived in Paris from Lyon and discovered that some places close on that day.  Although she includes her recommendations for places to enjoy coffee, brunch, and dinner and drinks in almost all 20 Paris arrondissements (strangely, she omits the 15th, a mostly upscale residential district with tons of good places open on Sundays), she also devotes almost the second half of the book to cultural attractions, gardens, shopping areas, and markets for you to visit on Sundays.

Dip into Sundays in Paris at any point in the book, and you're sure to find a mouth-watering description of food or cultural experiences.  Some are well-known, like Gregory Marchand's Frenchie bistro on Rue de Nil in the 2nd district, but others like the hidden terrace at Ralph's, the extension of the Ralph Lauren store on the Left Bank, may be a surprise.

Recommended for:   Everyone who wishes for a Parisian friend willing to share her favorite addresses for food, culture, and shopping on a leisurely Sunday.

The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs

By Elaine Sciolino

Rue des Martyrs runs for about half a mile from Montmartre through the heart of SoPi , the newly trendy neighborhood south of Pigalle in the 9th arrondissement.  Lined with unassuming butchers, fruit shops, bakeries, wine sellers, cafes, and an assortment of other businesses, it harkens back to an older working-class Paris, even as cute clothing boutiques and modern bistros catering to newly arrived bobos ("bourgeois-​bohemians") threaten to erode its authenticity.

In The Only Street in Paris, former New York Times Paris bureau chief and Rue des Martyrs resident Elaine Sciolino, brings the street to life with stories about the neighborhood's history, merchants and residents, and most all all its food.  Read the book before you travel, and once you arrive, stroll down the rue and savor its pleasures for yourself.

Recommended for:   Anyone who enjoys mesmerizing travel writing that brings a place and its people to life.

The French Market Cookbook:  Vegetarian Recipes from My Parisian Kitchen

Written by Clotilde Dusoulier

You may already know Clotilde Dusoulier's fresh perspective of French cuisine from her popular Chocolate and Zucchini blog (chocolateandzucchine.com), where she writes about cooking and shares recipes for (mostly) simple dishes based on fresh ingredients straight from the markets of Paris. 

In The French Market Cookbook, Dusoulier shares 90 new vegetarian recipes such as an asparagus buckwheat tart and peach, almond, and cardamom clafoutis.  Best of all (unlike many recipes posted on the web by people who you suspect have never actually made the dishes because when you do, the results are, let's just say, not great), these recipes are virtually foolproof and produce delicious results.

Why, you may be wondering, is a cookbook included in an article about Paris guide books?  Simple - if you rent an apartment for your stay in Paris, you'll have the opportunity to shop in Paris' wonderful markets for fresh produce, cheese, and other ingredients and then use them to prepare meals in your apartment's kitchen.  This cookbook and its mouth-watering photographs will give you lots of inspiration!

Recommended for:   Anyone who loves to cook and wants to make contemporary French vegetarian cuisine - either in your own home kitchen or in your apartment in Paris.

Markets of Paris

By Dixon Long & Marjorie R. Williams

Planning to visit any of Paris's wonderful markets?

If so, Markets of Paris will be an essential resource for you as you decide which markets to visit.  In 20 chapters, one for each of Paris's 20 arrondissements, the authors provide details about the district's open-air and covered food markets (the stars of this book), as well as other markets:  flea markets, a bird market, book markets, antiques markets and dealers, the booksellers (les bouquinistes) along the Seine, arts and crafts markets, and even the historic covered passages and arcades. 

Lush color photos will make you a) feel really hungry, and b) wish you were in Paris RIGHT NOW!  As a bonus, the authors include a list of their favorite restaurants in each district, which will make you feel a) even hungrier, and b) even more impatient to be there.

Recommended for:   Everyone who plans to shop in any of Paris's huge spectrum of traditional markets.

Join a Paris Food Tour

Some of these food tours typically involve trips to markets:

Paris, City of Dreams:  Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and the Creation of Paris

By Mary McAuliffe

If you're interested in learning (while also being entertained) about how Paris made the transition from a dank, congested, and smelly medieval center to the beautiful metropolis with broad boulevards and excellent sewer and transportation systems of today, you may be too fascinated by Paris, City of Dreams to put it down once you start reading. 

Paris, City of Dreams focuses on the years between 1848 and 1871 when Napoleon III and his right-hand person, Baron Haussmann, transformed the metropolis during the Second Empire.  But although this book provides plenty of interesting details about their efforts and successes in remaking the city, the descriptions of the upheavals taking place in Paris society, art, theater, and even banking that will keep you riveted.

Why read this book?   You'll not only get an appreciation for Napoleon III and Haussmann's profound contributions to the Paris of today, but you'll also get a much deeper understanding for the foundations of modern Parisian society.

The Architecture of Paris

By Andrew Ayers

Paris is unquestionably one of the world's most beautiful cities, packed with breathtaking medieval jewels, modern masterpieces, and everything in between.  The overall effect is harmonious, but once you start looking at specific buildings, you'll become aware of the incredible variety and richness of detail.  Every building has a story - and The Architecture of Paris is the book to turn to when you want to find out what it is.

In the 400+ pages of The Architecture of Paris,  you'll find detailed descriptions of the history and architectural details of the most important and interesting buildings (and sometimes fountains and other structures) in each of the city's 20 arrondissements, nearby suburbs including Versailles and Fontainebleau.  There are even short sections on 19th century covered arcades, Seine River bridges, and "street furniture" - lamps, trash bins, and other city street furnishings. 

Occasional black and white photos break up the tightly packed text but the value of this book is the information conveyed by the written content.  Fortunately, Ayers' writing is succinct but never dull or boring.

Who will get the most enjoyment from this book?   You, if you want to know the history and architectural details behind Paris's most important buildings, either while you're there or before you visit.

The Making of Paris

By Russell Kelley

History and architecture share center stage in The Making of Paris, a fascinating look at how Paris has evolved during the past 2,000+ years from a tiny fishing village on the banks of the Seine River to the beautiful, exciting, and people-friendly city of today.  

Numerous black and white drawings and vintage photos as well as timelines bring the book's factual content to life.  The special strength of The Making of Paris, aside from Kelley's lively writing style, is focusing on places such Notre Dame, the Vendôme Column, and the city's famous open air markets and covered arcades that you'll see as you walk around the city today.  Thanks to this book, you'll also know and appreciate their backstory.

Why you should read this book:   It's a fun read while you're planning your visit to Paris, and you'll absorb lots of interesting details that will add to your appreciation and enjoyment when you see the city's famous monuments, buildings, bridges, and other features.

Why wait to buy these guides when you're in Paris instead of before you travel?

Simple - they are published in France and may not be available in your home country, at least not at a reasonable price.

The two books in the middle, Paris Pratique and Paris Districts (this is an English-language version; the French version is called Paris Arrondissements ), contain detailed maps of each arrondissement, an index which lists every street, park, and other places and tells you the page and coordinates where you can find it in the book, and metro, train, RER, and bus maps.  They are invaluable for when you need better views than you can get on your phone - and also for when you don't want to use up your data supply or can't get a connection.

Of the two, Paris Districts is thinner, smaller, and lighter weight, so it is the best one to carry with you.  It costs about 9€, which is a bargain considering how useful it is.  Almost every news kiosk in the city used to carry them before mobile phones and cheap data became so ubiquitous, but now they're a little harder to find - but worth the search.  The one in the photo above came from the news kiosk on Champs-Elysees.

If you can't find the Paris Districts arrondissements map book, Paris Pratique is an excellent second choice, although slightly larger and 2-3 euros pricier.  You can find it (or other similar arrondissement map books) in most bookstores and also in many Paris Fnacs. - try the one at 74 Champs Elysees.  (Fnac is a popular French chain known for its electronics, books, toys, and household appliances.)

Some cheese shops (fromageries) sell Les 54 Fromages, which will tell you everything you need and want to know about the most important French cheeses.  It's a fun souvenir, plus a great gift.

Look for Paris Visite Guidée in Pavillon de l'Arsenal (21 Boulevard Morland, 4th arr).  It's a wonderful book that details the history of Paris from an urban planning and architectural perspective, starting with the "enclosed" city of 1190, continuing through Baron Haussmann's modernization of Paris in the 1850s, and ending with the continued renovations, re-imaginings, and planned developments of today.  Despite the title, the book is in English. 

Pavillon de l'Arsenal, by the way, combines a center for urban planning and architecture, a related museum, and a fabulous bookstore (free admission to all).  Most books are in French, but you'll find a small but interesting selection of titles in English, German, Spanish, and Italian.  It's close to the Seine (and the Sully-Morland metro station) and well worth a visit.

Fun Ways to Tour Paris

More articles about planning your trip to paris.

• Why Visit Paris?
• Top 10 Paris Attractions
• Get acquainted with Paris arrondissements 
• Should you get travel insurance?  (Hint: the answer is yes!)
• What to expect in Paris hotels 

Need a Paris Hotel or Apartment? 

Planning to visit Paris soon?  Use this Paris hotel and apartment booking map to find accommodations and make your reservations:

Check out the newest Paris hotels

Top Attractions & Tours

• Eiffel Tower - Enjoy sweeping views of Paris
• Louvre Tour - Soak up art & see the Mona Lisa
• Palace of Versailles - Best way to see the famous Chateau
• Paris Museum Pass - Choose 2, 4, or 6 days
• Paris Disneyland - Get express tickets & transport from Paris

Happening in Paris

January in Paris

• The famous Paris winter sales, concerts, new museum exhibits

February in Paris

• Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year Parades

March in Paris

• Mardi Gras, Fountain Shows at Versailles, French Open

April in Paris

• Paris Marathon, Easter concerts, spring flowers

May in Paris

• Mother's Day, jazz festival, concerts

June in Paris

• Summer sales, Pride week, music fests, air show

July in Paris

• Bastille Day, Tour de France, beaches

August in Paris

• Free concerts & movies, Rock En Seine

September in Paris

• European Heritage Days, Fashion Week

October in Paris

• Wine festival, Halloween, Motor Show

November in Paris

• Armistice Day, Salon du Chocolat

December in Paris

• Christmas, New Year's Eve

Hanukkuh in Paris

• Menorah lightings 

Christmas in Paris

• Holiday celebrations & decorations

Christmas Markets

• Gifts, holiday food, mulled wine, and Santa

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Plan Your Paris Trip

• Why visit Paris?
• Best Paris guide books
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• What to do & see in each Paris district
• How to spend your first day in Paris

37 Books Set in + About France

O ut of everywhere you could travel by book, France might be one of the most popular places. Wine, bread, cheese, love, art. These books about France have them all! These books will transport you not just to Paris, but to the French countryside, through history, social examinations, and, of course, into the kitchens and cafes.

So turn on some French music, grab a glass of wine, and take a trip to France from your couch with a good book!

Want more Europe book lists? You might also like the books set in Spain or books about Greece .

Novels Set in France

The paris wife by paula mclain.

This fictionalized version of the marriage between Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson is poetic and heartbreaking. We know how the story ends for them: not well despite their deep love for each other. But this is a book whose journey you’ll still want to go on. And I really loved the writing in this one. It’s so beautiful! For fans of historical fiction.

Suite Française by Irène Némirovksy, Translated by Sandra Smith

This book tells the story of French citizens beginning in 1940, just as the Nazi occupation begins and the characters’ lives are falling apart. But perhaps the most fascinating part of this book is the backstory: Irène Némirovksy was a Jew living in Paris, a successful writer who died in Auschwitz. This manuscript was only recently uncovered after over 60 years. For fans of historical fiction.

The Vexations by Caitlin Horrocks

This fictionalized telling of the life of composer Erik Satie flings you into la Belle Époque as Satie composes music and lives in the aftermath of his tragic childhood. But it also tells the story of his siblings and friends and the bohemian Parisian world they inhabited. For fans of literary historical fiction.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This award-winning and bestselling novel tells two parallel stories: Marie-Laure is a blind girl living in Nazi occupied France, and Werner is an orphan in Germany who has been enlisted in the army. This is a beautiful book, and if you haven’t already made the time to read it, definitely bump it up on your TBR list. For fans of literary and historical fiction.

The Nightingale by Kirstin Hannah

This wildly popular novel tells the story of women in WWII, particularly two sisters who must use their strength to survive. Vianne must learn to live with the enemy and stay alive, while her sister Isabelle joins the Resistance to fight. For fans of historical fiction.

The Porcelain Moon: A Novel of France, the Great War, and Forbidden Love by Janie Chang

Set during WWI France, this novel focuses on two women in the French countryside both trying to escape a relationship. Pauline is a Chinese women looking to hide from an arranged marriage. Camille is a French woman wanting to escape an abusive marriage. The two women become friends, but danger lurks for both of them. For fans of historical fiction.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Translated by Alison Anderson

In this book we see the unlikely relationship of a hotel concierge in Paris and a twelve year old girl who lives at the hotel. They each have their own secret interior lives and discover the ways they are connected when a guest from Japan arrives. Content warning for talk of suicide. For fans of contemporary novels with a philosophical bent.

Three Strong Women by Marie NDiaye

A novel examining the lives of West African immigrants in France, Three Strong Women tells the story of Norah, a French-born lawyer traveling to Senegal; Fanta, who follows her boyfriend to France; and Khady, who is kicked out of her husband’s family. These women’s stories overlap, but really this is about their resilience and how they uncover their own strength. Ndiaye won the Prix Goncourt for this book, the first Black woman to do so. For fans of literary fiction.

Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin, Translated by Hildegarde Serle

Violette spends her time as caretaker of her local cemetery in rural France. But then Julien, a police chief shows up to scatter his mother’s ashes and the discover the ways their lives are connected. For fans of literary fiction and women’s fiction.

You Can’t Stay Here Forever by Katherine Lin

After her husband dies in a car accident, Ellie discovers that he had also been having an affair. Driven by both her anger and grief, she cashes in his life insurance policy for an extended stay at a luxury hotel in the French Riviera. But she can’t hide from dealing with her life forever. Plus, there’s a couple at the hotel she and her friend become close to, but is everything as it seems? For fans of contemporary women’s fiction and books about grief and privilege.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

You may know Chocolat as a movie, but first it was a book. When Vianne Rocher arrives in a small town in France, her chocolate shop (and the otherworldly powers that comes with it) upends life in the village. For fans of contemporary novels and books with food.

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Described as a “love letter to books” The Little Paris Bookshop tells the story of Monsieur Perdu who operates a bookstore on a barge that floats along the Seine. When he reads a letter from a lost love though, he sets out on a journey to mend his broken heart. For fans of contemporary novels, easy reading, and heart warming stories.

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst

Lucy works as a hotel manager at a ritzy NYC hotel. But when her plans for her future fall apart, she moves to France for a chance to start over and takes charge of a hotel in Rennes. But there’s a lot more work to do at the hotel than she expected. Plus there’s a little romance in this one too. For fans of contemporary women’s fiction.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Of course we have to include Les Miserables in any list of books set in France. This classic novel about injustice and love has been a cultural touchstone around the world. And if you want to read it but are feeling intimidated by the length, try tackling just a chapter a day. There are 365 short chapters, most just a few pages long, so one chapter a day will have you completing the book in a year. For fans of classics.

Take a trip with a book! Check out our list of books set in England !

Non-Fiction Books About France

A moveable feast by ernest hemingway.

You can’t have a list of books about France without including Hemingway’s classic A Moveable Feast . Here he recalls his days in France, holed up in his writing room, sharing meals and conversation with other writers, and walking through the beautiful streets of Paris. This book made me want to go to Paris as soon as possible. For fans of memoirs (and don’t let the fact that it’s Hemingway intimidate you).

My Life in France by Julia Child

When Julia Child arrived in France in 1948 she knew nothing about the country or French food. But then a dish of Sole Meurnière changed her perspective and spurred her onto culinary school at the Cordon Bleu, which changed her life. This memoir is delightful and will have you running to your own kitchen. For fans of foodie memoirs (and just good memoirs in general).

Bringing up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman

I think you can learn a lot about a culture by learning about their parenting theories, and that is certainly the case here. From sleeping to eating to childcare, I found this book about French parenting both fascinating and helpful. For fans of narrative driven parenting books.

Lives Other Than My Own by Emmanuel Carrère, Translated by Linda Coverdale

This somewhat unusual book doesn’t start in France, but rather in Sri Lanka as the 2006 tsunami strikes. Two families (including the writer’s own) become linked together in loss. Back in France though, there is more loss — a family member dying of cancer, a judge who has tried to make a different in the lives of French citizens. This books examines loss and grief and the kind of impact we make on the world. Plus you’ll unexpectedly learn a lot about the French credit system. For fans of really amazing writing.

Dirt – Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford

This book about France takes you to the modern culinary world. Determined to master French cooking, Bill Buford moves his family to Lyon, France. He becomes obsessed with understanding what makes French cooking so loved and tells the story in an accessible and often funny way. For fans of food memoirs.

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City by David Lebovitz

Of course books set in France have to include pastries. Here, after years of a professional pastry chef career, David Lebovitz fulfills his lifelong dream of moving to Paris. But the city isn’t quite what he expects, and here we read about his adventures in understanding – and cooking in – his new city. For lovers of ex-pat memoirs and books with recipes.

Master the Art of French Eating: From Paris Bistros to Farmhouse Kitchens, Lessons in Food and Love by Ann Mah

Ann Mah has always been a Francophile, so when her husband gets an assignment in Paris, it’s her dream come true. But then he gets called away for a year (he’s a diplomat) and her dreams of them exploring France together disappear. So she decides to use the time to set out on solo adventures across the country and learn about the different foods of the regions, hoping to staunch her loneliness. This book made me want to book a trip to France, and it’s perfect for readers who love books about food.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

While the first part of Me Talk Pretty One Day consists of stories from Sedaris’s childhood in the States, the second part concerns his move to the north of France. In his classic wry humor, he talks about French society and especially about learning the language. For fans of humor collections.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

When Peter Mayle and his family move to a stone farmhouse in Provence, they learn to live a little more slowly. From the humorous village happenings to needing patience as they try to get work done on their house, you’ll be transported to France as Mayle and his family learn to live by the seasons. For fans of ex-pat memoirs.

The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World by Cathy Yandell

In this non-fiction title, Yandell explore French culture, art, and food and how it contributes to the French joie de vivre (enjoyment of life). And she explores how non-French people can apply those lessons to their own lives to perhaps find more joy. For fans for books about cultural exploration with a self-help bent.

Children’s Books Set in France

Madeline by ludwig bemelmans.

Perhaps one of the most quintessential children’s books set in France, here is the story of Madeline, a little girl living in an orphanage in Paris who is not afraid of anything (until something truly does go wrong). Bonus for adults reading children’s books: I still think all the time about Emily St. John Mandel discussing the timing of this book and how the story takes place right before the Nazis invaded France . Recommended ages: 3 and up.

Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman, Illustrated by Sarah McMenemy

In this colorful picture book you’ll visit French landmarks and sights, learning how everyone says hello! This book is adorable and a great introduction to the country of France. Recommended ages: 3-7 years.

This is Paris by Miroslav Sasek

Walk through the streets of Paris with this classic children’s book. From museums to cafes to gardens, get to know Paris — and its cats! Recommended ages 4 and up.

The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks, Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben

Take a tour across France with a cat who is trying to find his way back home after the death of his owner sends him off to a new city. Recommended ages: 4-7 years.

Adèle & Simon by Barbara McClintock

In early twentieth-century Paris, Adèle picks her little brother Simon up from school and makes him promise not to loose any of his belonging. But as they make their way home, his possessions are gradually left throughout Paris. Recommended ages: 4-8 years.

Anatole by Eve Titus, Illustrated by Paul Galdone

In this classic book, French mouse Anatole becomes a cheese connoisseur and unknowingly helps a local factory improve their cheese. Recommended ages: 5-8 years.

Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews

Ever since childhood, Coco Chanel was always different. In this picture book about her life, we see how her uniqueness and creativity led her to become a fashion icon. Recommended ages: 5-9 years.

Middle Grade and Young Adult Books Set in France

The story of diva and flea by mo willems, illustrated by tony diterlizzi.

In this adorable chapter book for young readers, you meet Diva, a prissy dog, and Flea, a stray cat from the streets of Paris. Diva thinks she understands the world, but Flea is going to show her just how amazing Paris really is. Recommended ages: 5-8 years.

Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne

The popular Magic Treehouse series gives us a book set in France with a Merlin Mission book (a spin-off for slightly older children.) Here, Jack and Annie travel to the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris to find four magicians they must deliver a message to. Recommended ages: 7-10 years.

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

When 11-year-old Isabelle delivers lace to the Palace of Versailles, she finds herself with a job: companion to the princess. But rumors of revolution are starting to swirl, and Isabelle isn’t sure what side to believe. Recommended ages: 8-12 years.

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson, Illustrated by Garth Williams

Armand is an old man living under a Paris bridge. But when he finds three young children there one day, he knows he has to find them a family. This books is set at Christmas, making it a good holiday read. Recommended ages: 8-12 years.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo is an orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station and spends his time keeping clocks. He stays safe by staying secret, but this is about to be upended. This is a thick book, but that’s no cause for intimidation; the story is largely told in beautiful illustrations. Recommended ages: 9-12 years.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This books has quickly become a classic young adult romance, popular with teens and adults alike. Anna is not happy about being sent to boarding school in France, especially because she’ll miss out on the opportunity of a relationship with her crush at home. But then she meets Étienne. Recommended ages: 12 and up.

More Book Lists

• Books Set in + About England
• Books Set in + About Iceland
• Books Set in + About Morocco
• Books Set in + About Ireland

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19 best books about France to read before you visit

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 6, 2021

France is one of the most visited destinations in the world with over 82 million annual visitors. Its capital Paris is consistently one of the top three most visited cities with only Bangkok and London attracting more.

Culture, art, food, wine, history, lakes, beaches, mountains, wonderful villages, sophisticated cities, and more France has it all in abundance.

After living in France for 18 months and visiting numerous times over the decades it still remains one of my favourite European cities and is the subject of many famous quotes .

Choosing where to go can be the most difficult part of planning any trip to France – the lure of Paris with its historical buildings, museums and culture or the beauty of the Dordogne with its castles and vineyards, the villages of Provence, the beaches of the Cote D’Azure or the beauty of the mountains (Alps or Pyrenees!) and lakes. Your choices are endless.

If you can’t decide or simply want to prepare for your French vacation why not check out some of these best books about France ?

If you want to learn to speak French or simply a few key French phrases why not check out my posts about the best French movies on Netflix or the best French TV series on Netflix ?

This post may contain compensated links. Please read our  disclosure  for additional information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank

A beautifully written novel exploring both the delights of life in Paris and a love affair with the piano. A wonderful novel for anyone who loves pianos and Paris with equal passion!

Murder On The Eiffel Tower (Victor Legris Mysteries)

A murder-mystery set in the Paris of 1889. The Eiffel Tower is brand new but the scene of a mysterious death. Caused by a bee sting or where there other forces at work? Young bookseller Victor Legris makes it his mission to uncover the truth!

City of Darkness, City of Light

"City of Darkness, City of Light" is the story of two women who are driven to join the French Revolution. Claire Lacombe and Pauline Leon both come from poor families, but their lives take very different paths.

Claire is an actress whose theatre group performs at lavish homes for aristocrats; Pauline is a laundress who works for those same nobles.

When they see the stark disparity between their lives and those of their wealthy employers, they become determined to change society.

The Little Paris Bookshop

Translated from German this bestseller is a perfect summer read to accompany you on your French vacation. Set on a floating barge on the Seine this is a beautiful novel about the power of books and a lost love.

All the Light We Cannot See

From Anthony Doerr, the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning author of Cloud Cuckoo Land, the beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestselling work of historical fiction All the Light We Cannot See is about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.

Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo.

Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French (How the Collision of History, Tradition, and Globalization Led to France's Unique Culture)

A historical and cultural guide revealing the French approach to land, food, privacy, language, and more and how globalization led France to become one of the unlikeliest influential countries in the world.

The French drink, smoke and eat more fat than anyone in the world, yet they live longer and have fewer heart problems than Americans. They work 35-hour weeks and take seven weeks' paid vacation each year, yet they are the world's fourth-biggest economic power. So how do they do it?

My Life in France

If you have seen the film Julie and Julia this book will be a must-read. Telling the story of Julia Child and her move to France at the age of 36 and her subsequent transformation into the internationally renowned expert on French cuisine.

Let's Eat France!

There’s never been a book about food like Let’s Eat France! A book that feels literally larger than life, it is a feast for food lovers and Francophiles, combining the completist virtues of an encyclopedia and the obsessive visual pleasures of infographics with an enthusiast’s unbridled joy.

Here are classic recipes, including how to make a pot-au-feu, eight essential composed salads, pâté en croûte, and blanquette de veau.

Paris in Color

The perfect gift for the Francophile in your life, this book features photographs of Paris arranged by color. From a blue bicycle against a fence to an orange café chair, from a weathered white door to a bright red fire hydrant, these sumptuous images capture the distinctive details of one of the world's most romantic cities.

An ode to art and design, Paris in Color will surprise and delight those who love art and design as well as Paris!

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris

Almost finished her backpacking adventure around Europe Sarah is about to return home to Australia when a chance meeting in Bucharest is about to change her life forever. A visit to spend a week in Paris with the Frenchman she met ends in some hilarious adventures and a girl falling in love with French culture and life.

A History of France

France has a long and storied history, from its earliest days as a Roman colony to the present. In this classic history of France, eminent historian J. M. Roberts traces the country’s development from Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul in the first century BC to the end of World War II.

He covers both French history and that of France’s colonies and territories around the world, including Canada, India, Algeria, Vietnam and modern-day Haiti.

A Bite-Sized History of France: Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, War, and Enlightenment

A Bite-Sized History of France is a thoroughly original book that explores the facts and legends of the most popular French foods and wines. Traversing the cuisines of France's most famous cities as well as its underexplored regions, the book is enriched by the "authors' friendly accessibility that makes these stories so memorable" (The New York Times Book Review).

This innovative social history also explores the impact of war and imperialism, the age-old tension between tradition and innovation, and how food has been used to express political dissent.

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits

The Parisian way is to live well, and to take pleasure in the little things. They know how to dress, entertain, flirt and attempt to behave themselves. In short, the quintessential Parisienne knows how to have fun!

In this book you will find their very original views on style, beauty, culture and men. The authors—Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas—are unmarried but attached (to their children), talented bohemian iconoclasts with careers in music, film, fashion and publishing.

Books set in France

Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great War

Set during the first world war this novel follows the life of a young woman as she follows her destiny from London to a field hospital in France. A love story portraying love, war and a world divided by class.

The Little French Bistro: A Novel

A novel about self discovery and new beginnings. Set in Brittany this novel depicts life in a Breton village as Marianne endeavours to embrace a new life. If this novel doesn’t have you booking a trip to Brittany nothing will!

Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside

Follow the investigations of Bruno the Chief of Police of St Denis, France. Set in the wonderful Dordogne this series of books all about Bruno will have you gripped and enthralled in equal measure. If retiring to a life in France was your dream (pre-Brexit) at least you can enjoy what life might have been before 52% of the British population ruined it for the rest of us.

The Burning Chambers

Another wonderful book by Kate Mosse set in Carcassonne in the 1500’s. If you are a fan of her previous books – Labyrinth and Sepulchre this eagerly awaited 2018 publication will be a must-read!

Uncorked: My year in Provence studying Petanque, discovering Chagall, drinking Pastis, and mangling French

Who does not dream of a life in Provence? One of my favourite regions in France is depicted by Paul Shore who was lucky enough to spend a year living in Provence.

Enjoy these best books about France! Plan your trip to France & more to read from around the world

If you are planning a trip to France you will find these articles useful reading:

• What NOT to do when visiting Paris – Tips to ensure you make the most of your trip to Paris in this guide to things to avoid doing when you visit the French capital.
• Guide to French food and drink and where to find it in Paris – Don’t miss out on some of the most delicious food and drink France has to offer in this guide including a map.
• Best gifts for Francophiles

If you are interested to read more great books from around the world I have a number of posts including best book lists for these countries: Canada , Croatia , England , Australia , South Africa – read more on my A-Z of books from across the globe.

Enjoy watching shows from around the world?

• Best Scandinavian and Nordic Noir Netflix series to watch in 2021 and beyond
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Best Travel Books For South Of France

Exploring the rich culture of the south of France is bound to be a memorable experience. There is so much to see in this remarkable region, it can be difficult to decide while planning which destination will be the best and worth the trip. For those looking to get the most out of a visit to the south of France, Travel Books are a great way to make sure they get the best out of the time there. Here is an analysis of the Best Travel Books for South of France to ensure you have the ultimate experience in this unique destination.

A Guide to the Best South of France Travel Books

Before deciding which book to purchase or borrow from the library, it is essential to know what kind of experience is being sought. Some may want to simply get a sense of the culture and history of the area without having to worry too much about budget traveling. Others may be trying to save as much as possible to spend more time exploring the untouched landscapes and pristine beaches. Understanding what the ultimate goal of the trip is can make it easier to select the right book.

1. Rick Steves’ France

For those who are looking for a comprehensive view of the South of France, then Rick Steves’ France is an excellent choice. Written by the best-selling author and traveller of the same name, this book provides in-depth coverage of the region. From the art of Paris to the stunning vineyards of Provence to the beaches of Nice, this guide is an all-rounder, providing a comprehensive overview of the area, including maps, recommendations for great places to stay, and insider tips on how to make the most of any budget. It also includes a calendar of festivals and events taking place around France, so readers can time their trips accordingly.

2. Pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel: A Guide to the Monastery

Most people never miss this magnificent World Heritage Site when they visit the South of France. To help in understanding the history of this ancient fortress better, Pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel: A Guide to the Monastery is a perfect choice. This book provides an in-depth look at the history, culture, and mystery of this landmark while providing practical tips and recommendations for visitors of all interests. From how to find accommodation nearby to the best activities inside the grounds, this guide is sure to make any trip to this breathtaking site more enjoyable.

3. Michelin Green Guide: Provence, French Riviera and Corsica

This pocket guide from the Michelin travel book series is invaluable for their comprehensive coverage of areas. Covering the entire Provence, French Riviera, and Corsica, this guide will help travellers get the most out of their visit. From detailed maps and advice on getting to and around the south of France to easy-to-follow itineraries, Michelin Green Guide: Provence, French Riviera and Corsica will ensure no site or secret spot is left unnoticed. The Guide also provides recommendations for accommodation, activities, and restaurants in all price bracket, making it the perfect companion for any budget-savvy traveller.

4. 50 Walks in Provence and the Cote d’Azur

This book is an ideal choice for those looking to explore the hidden gems and ‘off-the-beaten-track’ routes of the South of France. 50 Walks in Provence and the Cote d’Azur provides concise routes of various lengths and difficulty levels, allowing readers to choose the best stroll, hike, or trek for their holiday. Giving tips on where to find local delicacies and fascinating historic sites, this book is sure to enhance any outdoor adventure. It will show readers where they can discover the best views, sample some of the region’s best wine, and experience the stunning regional flora and fauna.

5. The South of France: A Grand Tour

A great book for avid history buffs, The South of France: A Grand Tour goes beyond the usual guide book to provide readers with an entertaining yet detailed look at the region’s long and rich history. Packed with information on battles, empires, and wars, this book covers the full scope of what has shaped the south of France over time. Each chapter also serves to focus on a separate region, allowing readers to delve deeper into the culture, traditions, and gastronomy that each area brings. Perfect for those who want to get more out of their travels, this book provides a fascinating journey of discovery into the region’s past.

From discovering the grandeur of Mont Saint-Michel, to venturing off the beaten track to uncover the secrets of the South of France, selecting the right book can make all the difference to your trip. With so much to see in this wondrous area, picking the right book is essential. Whether one is looking for budget travel tips or in-depth exploration of the area’s history, these five books are the best travel books for south of France. So, before planning a trip to the South of France, consider one of these books to make sure the voyage is unforgettable.

Shirley Blanc

Shirley J. Blanc is a French expat and a passionate Francophile. She has been living in France for over a decade, and loves to share her experiences and knowledge about the country with others. Shirley has written extensively on topics such as French culture, language, travel, and cuisine.

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Getting to France from the UK

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Reading time: 0 min Published on 21 March 2024, updated on 23 April 2024

Being the UK’s nearest neighbour and boasting one of the best transport infrastructures in the world, France is wonderfully easily accessible to us Brits, whichever way you choose to travel. Airlines are expanding French routes every year, with maximum flight times of two hours; ferries are a great option for families or road trippers; and France’s reliable rail network spans all four corners of the country, making train travel a delightfully scenic option for those with more time.

France’s air connections with the UK are growing every year, and today it’s possible to fly from and to more cities than ever before, both in and out of season.

For those landing in Paris , the capital has two airports: Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle (25 km north of the city) and Orly (14 km south), both linked to the centre by shuttle buses and the suburban rail service (RER). Several other cities also have an international airport: Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg, Toulouse ... and these cities also have good air links with Paris. Many smaller cities and towns are served by airports that connect through the capital. Low-cost carriers Easyjet and Flybe offer an extensive range of flights from the UK to France – look up your route options and book online now.

Did you know France is separated from the UK by just 18 nautical miles at the narrowest part of the Channel, between Dover and Calais? Multiple daily ferries make this straightforward, speedy journey, but no need to depart from Dover if you’re travelling by sea – from Plymouth to Brighton , many other British ports are connected to France by both Brittany Ferries and P&O Ferries , with a range of crossing times (including overnight) either as a foot passenger or with your car. Look up your route options and book online now.

A car is probably the best way to explore France in total freedom – make sure you read our dedicated guide to driving in France before you set off.

The extensive, centralised French rail network is without doubt the most practical form of transport for travelling around the country, with every major city boasting a comprehensive network of services to its suburban areas. Towns are linked by TER (Trains Express Régionaux) trains , while major cities are served by high-speed TGV (Trains à Grande Vitesse) services .

From London, take the Eurostar direct from St-Pancras to Paris, Lille, Lyon, Avignon or Marseille, before connecting to the TGV or TER for any onward journeys. In many cases you’ll only need to make one change of train, meaning less hassle and more time to sit back and enjoy the French scenery.

Those wishing to travel by train with their car can choose the Eurotunnel option, with Channel crossings taking just 35 minutes between Folkestone and Calais. A car is probably the best way to explore France in total freedom – make sure you read our dedicated guide to driving in France before you set off.

Voyages-sncf.com is your European rail expert. Trains from London to Paris, onward connections throughout France and rail passes can all be booked via their website or call centre.

With Eurolines , you can travel from UK city centre to French city centre on a modern, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, plenty of legroom and onboard toilets. You'll even get free Wi-Fi and power sockets so you can keep in touch while you travel. Don't worry if you're not travelling from London Victoria. Eurolines offers a simple add-on fare with National Express from anywhere in the UK to save you money – one-way or return, adult or child, for just £15 each, so if you're booking a return it's really great value!

Learn more about Driving in France

La sécurité routière

La vitesse est limitée sur l’ensemble du réseau routier français et est adaptée en fonction des conditions météorologiques. Cette réglementation s’applique à tous les conducteurs et à tous les véhicules.

Pour les voitures et deux-roues de plus de 50cm3 :

• Sur autoroute  : la vitesse maximale est de 130km/h et de 110km/h par temps de pluie.
• Sur autoroute urbaine et route à chaussées séparées par un terre-plain central  : la vitesse maximale est de 110 km/h et de 100 km/h par temps de pluie.
• Sur les routes nationales  : la vitesse maximale est de 90 km/h et de 80 km/h par temps de pluie. Depuis le 1er juillet 2018, la vitesse maximale autorisée sera réduite de 90 km/h à 80 km/h sur les routes à double-sens, sans séparateur central.
• En ville  : la vitesse maximale est de 50 km/h.

Bon à savoir : Ces vitesses peuvent être revues à la baisse par les autorités locales chargées de la circulation. La vitesse requise fait l’objet d’indication par des éléments de signalétique (panneaux, marquage au sol…).

Les autres réglementations de circulation

Par ailleurs, le port de la ceinture de sécurité est obligatoire à l'avant comme à l'arrière du véhicule. Il est également obligatoire d'avoir dans l'habitacle de son véhicule un gilet de sécurité fluorescent ainsi qu'un triangle de signalisation de danger.

L'usage d'un téléphone tenu en main en conduisant est interdit tout comme le port à l’oreille de tout dispositif susceptible d’émettre du son. Cela inclut les oreillettes permettant de téléphoner ou d’écouter de la musique.

En France, il est également interdit de conduire avec une alcoolémie supérieure à 0,5 g d’alcool par litre de sang et de prendre le volant après avoir fait usage de stupéfiants.

Le stationnement

Le stationnement est également règlementé et payant dans 800 communes françaises. Depuis le 1er janvier 2018, le stationnement payant sur la voie publique est géré par les mairies, qui peuvent en fixer le tarif et confier sa gestion et sa surveillance à des entreprises privées.

L’amende pour non-paiement de stationnement est remplacée par un "forfait de post-stationnement" qui peut atteindre jusqu'à 75 euros. Il est à payer dans les trois mois après réception d’une notification sur le véhicule en infraction ou après son envoi par la Poste. 

Conseils et Recommandations Pouvoir conduire en France peut présenter un avantage certain lors d’un voyage en France. Toutefois, les réseaux de transport en commun (train, tramway, métro, bus) s’avèrent très développés et permettent de se déplacer facilement sur tout le territoire français. De même, de nombreuses solutions de mobilité douce sont mises à disposition dans les villes de France. Alors, au moment de choisir votre moyen de transport, pensez à vous tourner vers l’option qui allie sérénité et préservation de l’environnement. Excellents déplacements dans les régions et villes de France !

En savoir plus

• Conduire en France avec un permis européen UE/EEE
• Conduire en France pour un court séjour ou des études avec un permis étranger
• Forfait post-stationnement en cas de stationnement non payé

À lire aussi

• Où trouver des recharges électriques en France pour sa voiture ?
• Louer une voiture en France

By Redaction France.fr

The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.

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30+ common French phrases for your trip to France

There's no better way to level up your trip to France than by practicing your French! Learning a few key phrases will help you feel more confident ordering in a French pâtisserie (pastry shop) and chatting with locals at a marché (market). 

Here are the most important phrases you'll need in France. On y va !

You don't have to be fluent to have fun with French.  You're on vacation, so don't stress! Enjoy using the French you know and see what else you learn along the way. (And you might be pleasantly surprised that even beginners can have real conversations !)

It's the effort that counts.  Using some French shows locals that you're interested in their culture and community .

Study smart, not hard.  Focus on the most useful French words and phrases , and worry less about getting every grammar detail right. A few key words go a long way!

Asking for help

Getting around town, ordering food.

Local language

Bonjour ! It's considered polite to greet people with "good morning" or "good afternoon" when you enter stores, cafés, or souvenir shops.

Le truc.  A favorite of the French, you might overhear locals use this casual word for "thing."

The beginning of your journey with French 🇫🇷

These basics will get you far in France, but there's a lot more French where that came from. To make real connections during your trip, let Duolingo be your guide! Our bite-sized lessons make it easy to fit study time into your busy schedule, and our entire French course is free—so you can save your euros for souvenirs.

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