Everyone should get the chance to see France at least once, and if you’re lucky enough to be going, you have plenty to research and plan before your trip. There are plenty of books to help you learn about France, and the best ones cover a little bit of everything, providing useful information while inspiring you to experience all the country has to offer.
The top pick in this category is Rick Steves France because it’s detailed, thorough and offers the best combination of practical advice and inspiring commentary on the wonders of travel. Depending on where your interests lie and what your goals are, you may want to consider different types of books, so ask yourself a few important questions before making your selection.
What to know before you buy a book to help you learn about France
Language-learning tools vs. culture guides vs. cooking books
Learning about France can really be divided into three main topics: the sights, the language and the food. France is a foodie’s dream, so any book on France should talk about the cuisine extensively, and there are also many books full of recipes to help you channel your inner Julia Child. While there is a lot of overlap between guide books and recipe books, the French language is another story. Some guides will teach you a few basic phrases, but if you’re hoping to really learn the language, you’ll need a dedicated foreign language guide, which is really a separate category that deserves its own attention.
Target audience and age range
If you’re hoping to learn about France, the assumption is that you plan to go there, which is why a lot of the best books on this subject take the form of guidebooks. However, it’s possible to learn about France without planning to visit, and there are quite a few memoirs and photography books that relate what’s wonderful about the country without providing recommendations for hotels and restaurants. Many guidebooks are also somewhat dry, so if you’re bringing kids, it’s a good idea to seek out a title that is family-oriented and covers attractions that are of interest to children.
Areas of interest
Everyone wants to see Paris at least once, and authors of books about France know this, which is why the country’s capital is the main focus of a lot of books. There are books specifically about Paris, and any book about the country as a whole will probably dedicate a lot of its pages to the historical sites and cafes of this famous city. However, if you want to learn about other areas of France, there are region-specific books and some titles that focus exclusively on small villages, so you can choose either a general guide to the country or one focused on exactly where you plan to go.
Images
France is a beautiful country with gorgeous vineyards and breathtaking cityscapes, and its majesty can’t be conveyed completely in just words. Many guidebooks have a variety of images, while some coffee-table books are centered entirely around photography, with full-page spreads featuring famous places like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. If you want a book that showcases the fantastic art and cuisine of France, images are probably quite important to you, but if you’re simply looking for something with a lot of information, they may not matter as much.
Current travel recommendations
Travel guides come in all forms: Some tell you a bit about the history and topography of an area, while some provide specific information on where to eat, where to stay and whether or not you should book tickets to certain attractions in advance. If you really want this type of information, you need a book that’s current, so an edition released in the past year is important. If you just want to read about towns in general and don’t require contact information for hotels and restaurants, you can perhaps find an older title that’s in paperback and save a little money.
Audiobooks
The downside to many French guidebooks is that they’re largely reference titles, meaning they aren’t as fun to just sit back and read in their entirety, and they can be quite thick, making them difficult to lug around. If you want something to listen to in the car, consider one of the many audiobooks about France. These titles are usually more in the realm of memoir or essay as opposed to recipes and travel tips but can provide inspiration as you save up for your big European vacation.
Book to help you learn about France cost
The cost of a book about France largely depends on the format. Kindle books usually cost less than $20, while audiobooks can be $30 or more but are sometimes free with a subscription to Audible. Paperback books cost less than hardcover, and if you want a big hardcover reference book about France, you might end up paying around $40, though you’re certainly getting a lot for the money.
Book to help you learn about France FAQ
Do French guidebooks contain historical information?
A. One of the biggest reasons people visit France is because of the country’s rich and interesting history, and if you go to Paris, you’ll likely want to see some important historical sites. Many guidebooks offer tidbits of information about the history of certain places, though if you want to go really in-depth, there are plenty of other books dedicated entirely to French history. These won’t be as good for preparing for a big vacation, but they’ll allow you to learn much more about specific periods in the country’s long and complex past.
Are there books about France during World War II?
A. Because of the country’s involvement in the war, there are plenty of titles about France during World War II. However, a lot of the ones written in English are from an American perspective and will focus largely on the role of US troops in France. That’s not a bad thing if you want to learn about the war, but they might not give you as much information about the country itself and won’t cover anything regarding the way France is now. History and military buffs can find plenty of books full of compelling narratives and fascinating information, but those planning to visit France should remember that the country has changed a lot over the years, and not everything you read about in history books will still hold true today.
Which book to help you learn about France should I get?
Best of the best book to help you learn about France
Rick Steves France: available at Amazon
Our take: From one of the most trusted names in the world of European travel comes this comprehensive guide to France that covers everything from tips on the best places to stay and eat to advice on how to connect with local culture and get the most out of your trip.
What we like: With more than 1,000 pages of information, this book covers destinations throughout the country. It includes detailed maps to help you find hidden gems and popular spots. The 2021 edition has been updated with changes that have taken place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What we dislike: This comprehensive compendium is more of a reference title for those planning a 2-3 week trip as opposed to the type of book you read front to back.
Best bang for your buck book to help you learn about France
A Year in Provence: available at Amazon and Audible
Our take: Peter Mayle’s famous memoir about his and his wife’s first year living in an old country house in Provence has inspired countless readers to journey away from common destinations like Paris and see what everyday life in rural France is really like.
What we like: The narrative spans an entire year, presenting charming characters and local culture in vibrant prose. There is a particular emphasis on cuisine and the nuances of village customs. The audiobook is a quick listen and is narrated by the author.
What we dislike: While you’ll certainly be charmed by Mayle’s tales of quirky rural life, the book only provides information on one region of France and doesn’t have much in the way of current information.
Honorable mention book to help you learn about France
Let’s Eat France!: available at Amazon
Our take: France is legendary for its food, and this book comes at the subject from all angles: history, biography, guides to wine and bread and even some recipes so you can try your hand at creating a few of the country’s most famous dishes.
What we like: Colorful images accompany the text, and there are poster-size guides to different foods. This thick encyclopedia of French food offers fun facts and recipes side-by-side with historical profiles of culinary celebrities and maps of which cheeses come from which regions. The level of knowledge presented is impressive, even for those who already know a lot about the country and its food.
What we dislike: It’s a big hardback book and not very portable, so this is more of a title to read at home than something to take with you to France.
Gregg Parker is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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