Best Books About Paris: Travel Guides & Stories

Whether you’re dreaming of visiting Paris or simply want to experience it from the comfort of your favorite reading chair, we’ve got the books that will help take you there. From historical fiction to whirlwind romances and thrilling stories, discover the best books set in Paris or experience it through personal memoirs and insightful travel guides. From literary escapes to travelogues, find yourself in France's most captivating city, one way or another.

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As literary as it is mysterious and fantastical, Doerr masterfully blends history and fiction in this epic tale of strangers whose paths spin closer and intertwine in Paris during WWII.

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A sweeping journey that will captivate you from the very first page, The Nightingale is a tale of love and loss, set in war-torn France. Hannah reframes the experience of war from the words of women, and we meet characters inherently good and some shockingly evil.

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A twist of fate unlocks a woman’s journey of bravery, mystery and self-discovery in this incredible novel based on a true story.

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Hoping for a fresh start, Jess arrives in Paris to stay with her estranged brother Ben, only to find him missing in this gripping mystery where everyone is a suspect.

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This wistful and whimsical tale of sorrows, secrets and sweets takes place in a quaint cobblestoned town on the outskirts of Paris. Seeking a much-needed change of scenery, Edith finds herself in a magical bakery hiding an ancient mystery.

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Vividly capturing post-war Paris and the whirlwind romance between Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson, this portrait explores love, betrayal and self-discovery.

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A truly timeless class about revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo is a sprawling adventure inspired by Dumas’s own father. A wrongfully-imprisoned Dante sets off on a course of vengeance, and what a thrilling course it is. If ever there are "must-read" books, this is one.

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Written in majestically lyrical prose, this is one of Baldwin’s best-known novels and often the first that readers discover. A classic of gay literature that was radical for its time, it is considered a pivotal work in LGBTQ+ history.

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Experience Victor Hugo’s epic tale in this highly-readable modern translation. Your ticket to post-Napoleonic Paris, this timeless story about unjust laws and the power of love and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity continues to inspire generations of readers.

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Young Madeline is brave, kind and confident, making her an incredible role model — with an impeccable taste in colorful clothes. This endearing story captures her charming adventures with whimsical drawings set in Paris.

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From must-see tourist attractions to the city’s best-kept secrets, experience Paris through perfect daily itineraries and local recommendations that cover everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter.

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Whether you’re stopping by for a few days or longer, Rick Steves has your Paris visit planned. From popular attractions to little-known nooks and crannies and the best places to eat and sleep, Champs-Elysées is only a short flight away.

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On the cusp of the pandemic, one New Yorker unexpectedly makes Paris her home after spending many months in isolation. What ensues is a celebration of pleasure, adventure and living in the moment.

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When a Minnesota professor finds himself in Paris, he discovers the hilarious reality of the daily life of an expat. From cultural faux pas to endearing adventures, this charming collection of essays paints the French city in a whole new light.

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Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Picasso once wandered Parisian streets and cafés, and now you can follow in their footsteps one cobblestone street at a time in this vibrant walking guide.

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From cheese etiquette to men’s footwear, chef David Lebovitz had to learn the ropes of living as a Parisian expat when he relocated to the city he always dreamed of calling home. Here, he shares the sweet and savory creations he’s invented along the way.

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Experience Paris through the seasons of its Revolutionary-era Republican Calendar. Celebrate the city’s literary and artistic past through the stories hidden in its neighborhoods, one poetic vignette at a time.

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Former Paris bureau chief of The New York Times, Elaine Sciolino, explores the history, mystery and intimacy of this 483-mile estuary river, a beloved source of pride in France and a subject of endless fascination worldwide.

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As the shadow of World War II fell over Paris, the luxurious Hotel Lutetia was transformed by the patrons that stayed within its walls. Jane Rogoyska shares their stories in this gripping narrative tied together by a single cultural landmark.

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Thanks to Elaine Sciolino's razor-sharp observations, this in-depth exploration of the Louvre may even rival treading the hallowed halls yourself. From the storied past of the building to Sciolino's personal connection and art history, there is so much here to enjoy.

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