For centuries, Paris has inspired people not only to travel, but also to creativity. I want to talk about life in Paris, sing and write books, although it can be very different. We have collected for you 40+ of the best books about Paris, with Paris in the background and with Paris in the lead role. Artistic and on real events, in a variety of styles and genres.

Victor Hugo
“Notre Dame Cathedral”

This novel is special. It is the first of its kind, that is, the first novel in French based on a historical plot. During the years of publication, he caused a huge resonance, saved the cathedral itself from destruction and drew the attention of the French to the need to protect historical monuments in general. Many times theaters staged it them, but this is no reason not to read it. After all, a book is always better!

Anyone who is afraid of hundreds of pages is recommended to download audiobooks. Many classics are available in this convenient format. Hugo‘s novel Notre Dame Cathedral can be found here.

If you are more interested in the life of ordinary Frenchmen of the 19th century and how the revolution influenced them, then choose another novel by Hugo, Les Miserables also takes place in Paris.

Alexandr Duma
“Three Musketeers”

Perhaps the most famous work, part of the events of which takes place in Paris. We even have an article on the surviving places and houses mentioned in the novel (here it is). You can even book a guided tour on them when you arrive. And a separate article about the cities of France visited by the famous four (read here). Of course, most are familiar with the film adaptation of The Three Musketeers, but reading it can reveal unexpected nuances for you. Here is what our editor-in-chief wrote about the novel.

Gaston Leroux
“Phantom of the Opera”

When Gaston Leroux was writing his novel, the Paris Opera was still quite young. But the fascinating Gothic novel, which instantly became famous, enveloped the magnificent building with an aura of mystery. Many people still believe that what is described in the novel is true. And one of the theater boxes seems to be always empty as a confirmation.

Emile Zola
“The belly of Paris”

This novel is famous for its colorful descriptions of the life of ordinary people in the middle of the 19th century, and not only the rich bourgeois, but also simple hard workers, the lower strata of society. The author called the belly of Paris the central market of the city, which was then located in the Châtelet-les-Halles, where today there is a huge shopping center and the most sophisticated metro and train station in Europe.

Maurice Druon
“Cursed Kings”

Maurice Druon also became a classic of the historical French novel. In his books, events of much deeper antiquity come to life. The events described really took place in the 14th century in France during the Hundred Years War. But the narrative is not at all like a history textbook. If you wanted to know about how palace intrigues are woven, this book is for you.

Eugene Sue
“Parisian Mysteries”

Eugene Sue is not such a famous author as Hugo or Dumas, but his novels also have every right to be called classics. He wrote about what he saw on the streets of Paris every day, in the genre of a feuilleton novel. And now for us this is an old historical novel with a fascinating plot, each chapter of which ends at the most interesting place.