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Whether it’s Georges Simenon’s Maigret taking us around France as he solves a new crime (and often Belgium and other parts of the world as well) or Elizabeth David’s food and travel memoirs sharing her driving (and dining) tours around the French countryside, getting to know France through the books we read gives us the tickets to travel whenever the mood strikes us.
In my pile of books that I am reading, there is usually at least one that is set in France in some way, whether a piece of fiction or a look back through history or a travel memoir. It is as though even when I cannot be in France, I want to be in contact with it in some way. And reading gives me that freedom.
In today’s post, as we begin TSLL’s 11th Annual French Week, and with our theme of traveling around France beyond Paris, I thought that books would be our gateway into the travel excursion to a country and culture so many of us hold dear.
Below is a list, and it is absolutely one I will be adding to (and please do share titles that you recommend), that takes the reader not only through a worthwhile plot if it is fiction, but also introduces us to sites, places, and destinations depicted so invitingly we will want to visit someday in person on our own. Or is written in such an engaging way, sharing the history of a time and place in France, that our appreciation of the culture is deepened, further strengthening our endearment with the culture. Case in point, the series that tops the list is what inspired me to go visit Brittany and specific places included in the books. Books really can be a most wonderful travel guide. Let’s take a look and start traveling around France!
Mystery Series
1. Jean-Luc Bannalac’s Brittany Mystery series
Currently, there are eleven books in the series with the twelfth set to be published this coming spring. The lead detective, Commissaire Georges Dupin, may be Parisian born, but he is most at home in Brittany. In each book, Bannalec introduces specific locations in Brittany, along with the Celtic history paired with the Breton language, and don’t forget the food. Dupin loves his food, so anytime he is able to sit down for lunch, breakfast or a late dinner after working on a case, the food is described in wonderfully delicious detail.
2. M.L. Longworth’s Provençal mystery series
Set in Aix-en-Provence, M.L. (Mary Lou) Longworth is a favorite mystery author of mine and of many TSLL readers. Her 10-book series involves chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque and professor Marine Bonnet. The series was even adapted for television sharing three of the mysteries in Murder in Provence, found on BritBox, starring Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll.
Discover Aix through the characters, and enjoy the food both Marine and Antoine cook for each other as they navigate their the romantic tension in each book while also trying to solve a mystery. You can listen to my two interviews with ML Longworth here, and in both, while talking about her latest book, we also talk about food and traveling around the South of France. In fact, below is the post of the tour she gave me when I visited the city back in 2018.
3. Martin Walker’s Detective Bruno series
Set in a small village in the southwest of France in the Perigord region, Benoît Courrèges, also known as Bruno, a former soldier wounded while serving in UN peacekeepers, now chief of police, is solving crimes and eating very well while he does. Or should I say enjoying cooking and eating very well. In fact, a cookbook came out in 2023, inspired by the series, written by both Martin Walker and his wife, Julia Watson. With 20 books now in the series, Walker continues to give us an in-person tour by Bruno, revealing the history, terrain, and culture of this part of the country.
The consistency of Bruno’s character is what I have found endearing in the couple of books I have read in the series so far. He detests carrying a gun, loves his basset hound and his horse, and while hopeless with women, is drawn to the strong, fiercely independent type.
Inspector Jules Maigret heads up the 75 mysteries created by Belgian author Georges Simenon. And with all of the different locales Simenon takes us with each case, we are offered a variety of insight in different corners of France. The restaurants or specific places are less the focus and more general and often fictionalized, but it is the towns, canals, cities and way of life that Simenon portrays so well, along with the consistent, steadiness of Maigret.
Having read and listened to a few of the many mysteries, I have come to like the main character and his calm nature, caring approach and observant eye. Adapted for television many times over the years, the latest rendition of Maigret (airing on PBS) has retired the pipe-smoking ways, but still pays homage to this identifying characteristic of the famed character.
5. Jean-Pierre Alaux’s The Winemaker Detective series
There are 14 books in the series, and each are available in English. Travel all over France to various vineyards and even to cognac estates, learn about the varietals of wine and wine making process all the while solving a crime with master winemaker Benjamin Cooker and his sidekick Virgile. The books pair food and wine, so along with the excursions to all corners of France, your appetite will be whetted as well.
6. Alexander Campion’s Capucine Culinary Mystery series
A series of five books, Commissaire Capucine Le Tellier, while set in Paris primarily, does travel outside of the city to try to take a holiday, but crime seems to follow him there as well.
7. Greg Mosse’s The French Village mystery series
Zoe Pascal, a British woman who has moved to a small village in the south of France and opens a bookshop, is the amateur detective leading the way in so far four books with a fifth on the way.
Engaging Books of French History
8. Judgment of Paris: Judgment of Paris by George M. Taber
Released in 2006 and inspiring the 2008 film Bottle Shock (starring Alan Rickman, Chris Pine and Bill Pullman), Judgment of Paris is written by the only reporter who was at the historic tasting in 1976, George M. Taber.
9. En Route: A Journey Through France in the Company of Great Writers by Peter Fiennes
Published just last month, if you are intrigued by the lives of French writers such as Guy de Maupassant, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, George Sand, Colette, John Berger, Katherine Mansfield, François Mauriac and even American writer living in France for much of her life Edith Wharton, this is book will give you the author’s first-hand account of seeing the places where each writer visited, lived and worked.
10. Émile Zola’s Au Bonheur des Dames (The Ladies Paradise)
Currently reading this book now, I am quite enjoying it as you get an insider’s look into the workings behind the scenes, the psychology that goes into marketing and planning, as well as the lives the workers lived. While yes, a novel, Zola’s book is a commentary on what he observed in society and wanted us to become aware of as to either not fall prey or to be conscious of the effects of our involvement.
Originally published in 1883, this novel takes us back to 1860s in Paris when department stores were just beginning to enter the market place, and drawing throngs of women shoppers. Zola takes us inside the department store and shares the secrets of the department store owners and managers to discover their approaches to capturing the attention and money of the shoppers.
11. Edward Rutherford’s Paris: A Novel
A historical novel, and an in-depth (read – thick book) telling of Paris’ history told through the people from all walks of life and as they “come of age, seek their fortunes, and fall in and out of love.” I read this book back in 2013 when it was originally released and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters may be fictionalized, but the historical events they live through are not, and to get to know Paris over the centuries and how it came to be what it is is a fascinating history worth knowing before you head there on your next trip.
12. Claudine Lesage’s Edith Wharton in France biography
American author Edith Wharton lived the last 35 years of her life in France, and while there are many biographies about Wharton, this most recent one published in 2018 is written by a French scholar who focuses specifically on those years between 1907-1937 (the year of her death). With Lesage’s “innate knowledge of French culture, [she] uses previously unknown or untranslated sources to provide a unique look into French society and Wharton’s place within it.”
I recently ordered this book, and while it is taking some time to arrive, I look forward to reading it.
Explore more French focused books in the posts below
Explore all of the Posts shared during this year’s French Week
Hi, I quite like Fiona Valpy who has a series set in France during the second world war. They often have a two person storyline with a person in the present and one in the past. I would definitely recommend giving them a try.
Thank you very much for sharing Nicola! 🙂 I look forward to exploring this series further.
It was so fun to read through this book list. I just added multiple books to my ‘want to read’ list on Goodreads! Thank you for pulling this together!
My pleasure Rebecca! 🙂 Tickled you found some that spoke to you 🙂
What a fantastic selection! Shannon you are always my most trusted source of inspiring book recommendations! The first on my list will be “En Route”.
Laura,
It is definitely an intriguing book. He has a different tone of voice than I prefer, but he has a genuine curiosity for each of the writers he explores. I appreciate his travels to all of the places he goes and the detail and background knowledge of each other he shares. He does share more than I expected about his own life and his father’s time in France as he makes some parallels. Not sure if that was necessary, but overall, it is an intriguing book. The history of France during which each of the writers lived reveals details I didn’t know which I really appreciated.
Hmmm. Many thanks for these insights, Shannon, I still would like to read it, but it most likely will be relegated to a Thriftbook/Alibris purchase or seeing if it’s available through the local library. xx
Shannon, excellent list, merci! While I have several of these titles already on my shelves, there are others that I definitely must find room for. “En Route” looks especially irresistible , that is absolutely going on the TBR list.
If I might, I’d like to add to the list. Peter Mayle’s books, both non-fiction and fiction, are awfully good. So good in fact, I think I’ve just created my reading menu for Autumn, with yours leading the pack. x Gros Bisous x
Hi Rona – I love the idea of a seasonal reading menu!
Oh it’s so lovely, I really must have one, otherwise I’m rabbiting all over the place and will have forlorn piles of half-read books lying everywhere. And I do so love lists and schedules. 😂
Oh goodness, yes. His books are a treat. Loved all of them for his ease of putting the reader vicariously into the setting and introducing us to the daily ways of French life. 🙂
Isn’t his books simply lovely? I, too, enjoy a seasonal reading list. Shannon, I love your recommendations of Nigel Slater(sorry I know it’s French week) and he’s English) but there are books I love re-reading during the seasons. PS right now I am enjoying Paris by Edward Rutherford-thank you!
Noreen, Nigel Slater is such a treasure, I think we will be allowed a mention, as certain people transcend borders, I think. Bonne santé et gros bisous. xx
What an intriguing list, especially the book you’re reading about historic marketing. Also loved Bottle Shock, an interesting point in time to think about in the west coast wine boom. So many good things here. Happy Week! Very excited.
Isn’t Bottle Shock great 🙂 I too thoroughly enjoyed it and what a fascinating story and history for wine in California. Thank you for sharing Liz and I do hope you enjoy the week!
I’ve never looked much at French inspired novels, leaning toward British ones instead, but I will need to remedy that soon based on this list! I have several French “coffee table” books, cookbooks etc, that are dear. Nice to have a week that inspires locating them all and getting reacquainted.
Tickled you enjoyed the list Melissa. 🙂 Happy reading and slipping away vicariously to France!
Bonjour, Shannon! Great recommendations. I’m adding Greg Mosse’s series to my list!
Doesn’t the protagonist sound lovely! Happy reading! 🙂
Love this list and adding to my to read. On this topic, since reading All The Light We Cannot See years ago I have longed to visit Saint-Malo. I am finally doing it in 3 weeks and am so excited to walk the ramparts. Here’s to books that inspire and transport us!
Have an amazing visit Trish! And enjoy the delicious butter! Oh my goodness the town is a must visit. Thank you for sharing what inspired you to visit. The books we read are full of so many gifts for us to receive along with the primary premise of reading a good book 🙂 Bon voyage! So excited for you!
Thanks for your many, many French themed book recommendations. I am looking forward to reading the Edith Wharton book about her life in France, especially after reading many of her books and stories. Merci.
It sounds like a fascinating read. Currently reading the biography by Hermoine Lee and discovering how much time she spent in Europe as a child with her family. She really was more inclined to be European more so than American. I do hope you enjoy the book and thank you for sharing what spoke to you 🙂
Thank you Shannon for this great list! I love the first three author series listed and now have more to explore❤️
Tickled you enjoyed it Mindy and found more books to whisk you away to France! Happy reading!
Great list! I love the M.L. Longworth series and have dabbled in a few of the others. Top of my list is the Emile Zola book; it sounds so interesting.
He is a wonderful writer and this is definitely one of his lighter books but still full of indirect commentary, great character development and vividly clear setting description to give us a real feel for the places in Paris and way of life by the characters. I do hope you enjoy.
I just love books and reading, and I’m thankful for all these recommendations! Where to start, which one to find and pick up first? What a sweet trouble 😀
P. S. A few years ago, I watched a then new Italian tv series, Paradiso delle signore. If I’m not mistaken, it was loosely based or, to be precise, inspired by Zola’s novel. It was set in Milano in the 50s and it was beautiful. I watched the first two seasons, later they focused on some other characters and I missed the old ones =) As an Italophile, I absolutely enjoyed it and it was tickling to find its connection to Zola and the French culture. So, for me, it would be interesting to read the original novel and for you (and maybe some other dear readers of TSLL) it might be interesting to see the Italian adaptation!
Thank you VERY much Mateja for sharing this series. Definitely will be something I will check out following having read the book. I also learned there is a film adapted from the novel, one of the last French silent films made in France (1930) and it continues to receive strong reviews and be played at French film festivals. Here is the link to San Francisco’s film festival when they showed the film – https://silentfilm.org/au-bonheur-des-dames/
Thank you again for alerting us to the Italian series as seeing an Italian version would be a delight as well 🙂
Good morning Shannon!
I’ve spent countless hours reading your recommendations and this list is no exception. They are the perfect mix of engaging, informative and immersive. And I’m always introduced to something new!
Thank you, Shannon for another powerhouse book list and yet another stellar French Week.
Kind regards,
Julie
You are most welcome Jules! Tickled you have found books that you enjoyed 🙂 I love books. And just knowing there will always be more out there to read is a great comfort. 🙂
I’m traveling next week, and I just downloaded the first book of the Brittany Mystery Series to my Kindle as it’s part of Kindle Unlimited! Thank you for the recommendation!
You are most welcome Kirsten! I do hope you enjoy! Be prepared that his chapters are long because they constitute a full day in the working of the case. So you will have maybe three chapters literally in each book. I had to remind myself that it was okay to not read until the end of the chapter before I put down the book. 🙂
Merci, Shannon, for sharing such a delightful list of book recommendations! I am tickled to see some of my favorites among them, thanks to your earlier recommendations, and to discover so many new ones. I have already reserved a couple from my local library. There is nothing quite like escaping to France, one delicious and intriguing page at a time. I am especially looking forward to reading your latest book, Savoring the Sojourn: Contentment Through the Seasons as You Unearth Your Masterpiece, soon! Quel plaisir!
So tickled so many caught your eye and you were able to put your finger on them at the library! 🙂 Beautifully said – escaping to France is always a deliciously wonderful way to unwind. And I we are so close now to the release of TSLL’s 4th book! Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm! 🙂
Zola is one of my favorite authors. You are the one that grows my “want to read” list the most. Thank you for this list.
My pleasure!
Echoing others in thanks for compiling so many possible next-reads. I also just came across “A history of France in 21 women” at the bookstore and have a copy in route. Maybe it will appeal to the community, too!
So many interesting reads on this list. I would also include Peter Mayle’s books to the list. This post reminded me to add M.L. Longworth’s Mysteries to my TBR list. Merci, Shannon!
Oh, how I love a good mystery! Set in France? I get to travel too 😉 Thank you for this list, Shannon. I am adding a few to my post-degree list.
I am very behind on my blog reading but was so happy to see the first post of French Week was a list of books 😊
Hello Krislen! And whenever you stop by is a great time! 🙂 Tickled you enjoyed this post. 🙂