Planning a trip to Paris? Before you wander its cobbled streets or sip coffee in a corner café, dive into a selection of books that capture the city’s rich history, culture, and unmistakable charm. From timeless literary classics and evocative memoirs to beautifully written travel guides, these reads offer a deeper connection to the City of Light. Whether you’re seeking stories set in Paris, reflections from those who’ve called it home, or practical insights for your journey, this curated list will transport you to the heart of Paris long before your plane lands.

Books to Read Before You Visit Paris

“A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway’s memories of his life as an unknown writer living in Paris in the twenties are deeply personal, warmly affectionate and full of wit. Looking back not only at his own much younger self, but also at the other writers who shared Paris with him – James Joyce, Wyndham Lewis, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald – he recalls the time when, poor, happy and writing in cafes, he discovered his vocation. Written during the last years of Hemingway’s life, his memoir is a lively and powerful reflection of his genius that scintillates with the romance of the city.

“Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo

“My Life in France” by Julia Child

When Julia Child arrived in Paris in 1948, ‘a six-foot-two-inch, thirty-six-year-old, rather loud and unserious Californian’, she barely spoke a word of French and didn’t know the first thing about cooking. As she fell in love with French culture – buying food at local markets, sampling the local bistros, and taking classes at the Cordon Bleu – her life began to change forever. We follow her extraordinary transformation from kitchen ingénue to internationally renowned (and internationally loved) expert in French cuisine. Bursting with Child’s adventurous and humorous spirit, My Life in France captures post-war Paris with wonderful vividness and charm.

“The Flâneur” by Edmund White

A flâneur is a stroller, a loiterer, someone who ambles without apparent purpose but is secretly attuned to the history of the streets he walks – and is in covert search of adventure, aesthetic or erotic.
Acclaimed writer Edmund White, who lived in Paris for sixteen years, wanders through the avenues and along the quays, into parts of the city virtually unknown to visitors and indeed to many locals, luring the reader into the fascinating and seductive backstreets of his personal Paris.

“The Little Paris Kitchen” by Rachel Khoo

Rachel Khoo was determined to get to grips with French cooking, so to learn more she moved to Paris, not speaking a word of French, and enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, the world-famous cookery school. From a Croque Madame muffin and the classic Boeuf bourguignon, to a deliciously fragrant Provencal lavender and lemon roast chicken, Rachel celebrates the culinary landscape of France as it is today and shows how simple these dishes are.

“Paris Tales” by Anthology

“A Waiter in Paris” by Edward Chisholm

Edward Chisholm’s spellbinding memoir of his time as a Parisian waiter takes you below the surface of one of the most iconic cities in the world and right into its glorious underbelly. The waiter inhabits a world of inhuman hours, snatched sleep and dive bars; scraping by on coffee, bread and cigarettes, often under sadistic managers, with a wage so low you’re fighting your colleagues for tips. It’s physically demanding, frequently humiliating and incredibly competitive. And with a cast of thieves, narcissists, ex-Legionnaires, paperless immigrants and drug dealers, it makes for a compelling and eye-opening read.

These books offer a window into Paris’s heart and soul, allowing you to immerse yourself in its romance, history, and vibrant culture before you even arrive. Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection to its streets, insights into its history, or tips for living like a Parisian, this reading list will enrich your trip and make your time in Paris unforgettable.