The Best Novels Set in France for the Arts-loving Traveler
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Looking for novels set in France to read before your trip or to enjoy while traveling through Paris, Provence, and beyond?
These arts-inspired novels bring France’s rich creative heritage to life, from painting and literature to fashion, food, and legendary writers, making them perfect companions for an artsy journey.
When I travel in France, I enjoy reading novels set there that relate in some way to the arts. This list features some of my favorites, along with a selection of guidebooks to help you plan your trip.
Table of Contents
- Villa America by Liza Klaussmann
- Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace
- The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin
- The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
- Paris 7 a.m. by Liza Wieland
- Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands
- Becoming George Sand by Rosalind Brackenbury
- Love Among the Recipes by Carol M. Cram
- The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
- Love Letters from Montmartre by Nicolas Barreau
- The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan
- The Paris H o urs by Alex George
- The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
- The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
- Guidebooks on France
- Frequently Asked Questions About Novels Set in France
Villa America by Liza Klaussmann
In the 1920s, a dazzling cast of characters including Pablo Picasso, Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos, and F. Scott Fitzgerald gather at a villa in Cap d’Antibes.
Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace
The mysteries surrounding the death of Vincent van Gogh in the summer of 1890, and an indelible portrait of his final days, are meticulously explored in this riveting novel.
The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin
As World War II looms, an American woman living in Paris becomes entangled in the intense rivalry between iconic fashion designers Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Monsieur Perdu runs a bookshop on a barge on the Seine in Paris. He can prescribe the perfect book for a broken heart, but can he heal his own?
Paris 7 a.m. by Liza Wieland
The story of poet Elizabeth Bishop during three life-changing weeks spent in Paris amid the looming threat of World War II.
Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands
The author of the Love in Provence series returns with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself through art.
Becoming George Sand by Rosalind Brackenbury
This richly detailed dual-time novel explores past and present, the personal and the historic, through the life of George Sand, the maverick French novelist whose lovers included composer Frédéric Chopin.
Love Among the Recipes by Carol M. Cram
Discover love in all its flavors in this fun, food-infused romp through Paris that is as crisp, sweet, and smooth as the perfect macaron. To follow the main character’s journey through Paris, check out this post.
The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
The Postmistress of Paris revisits the dark early days of the German occupation and is inspired by real-life Chicago heiress Mary Jayne Gold.
Love Letters from Montmartre by Nicolas Barreau
For fans of Nina George, Elena Ferrante, and Valentina Cebeni, an uplifting novel about a man who sets out to fulfil his dead wife’s last wish.
The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan
A charming epistolary novel about the love of books and their magical ability to bring people together, set partly on the Brittany coast.
The Paris Hours by Alex George
Paris in the 1920s and 1930s teems with artists, writers, and musicians. Amid this creative crucible, four ordinary people each search for something they’ve lost.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
An historical novel based on the true story of the American Library in Paris. In 1939, as the Nazis occupy the City of Light, librarians join the Resistance armed with their love of books.
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
When Aurelia Leclaire inherits a lavish Paris apartment, she uncovers a trove of art and couture gowns. One mysterious painting leads her to an art restorer with secrets of his own.
Guidebooks on France
My preferred guidebook writer, hands down, is Rick Steves. I’m not alone in my admiration for Rick’s thoughtfully organized and thorough travel guides. I’ve often seen travelers with one of Rick’s blue and yellow books tucked under their arms, sparking more than a few good conversations when we’ve discovered our mutual admiration for Rick. Here’s a link to Rick’s latest guidebook on France.
Frequently Asked Questions About Novels Set in France
The best novels set in France for travelers vividly capture real places, artistic movements, and cultural history, adding depth to visits to museums, neighborhoods, cafés, and historic sites.
Yes. These novels are ideal both before a trip to build anticipation and during travel to deepen your connection to the places you are exploring.
This list includes a mix of historical and contemporary novels, many inspired by France’s artistic, literary, and cultural heritage.
Many of the novels are set in Paris, but several also explore other regions of France, including Provence and the Brittany coast.
Have you read a novel set in France, particularly an arts-inspired one? Do you have a favorite guidebook? Share your recommendations with other Artsy Travelers in the Comments below.
Here are more posts to enjoy as you plan your adventures in France:
- 17 Must-See Places to Visit in France You Should Know About
- Seven Super Single-Artist Museums in France You Should Visit
- Recommended Places to Stay in France That Will Make You Want to Return
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