Looking to get away? Paris is the city of light and love, but it also has one of the most storied literary histories of anywhere on earth. Radiating with vibrant creative energy, few cities have inspired writers and artists from all walks of life the way Paris has. This is fortunate for us because plane tickets are expensive and vacation time is hard to come by. Here are five classic novels that will transport you to Paris, no passport necessary.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
All for one and one for all! This swashbuckling epic follows D'Artagnan from the French countryside to Paris in his hopes of becoming a member of the guard of King Louis XIII. Rich with court politics and intrigue, this is a perfect read for fans of chivalry and action.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Charles Dickens's classic novel focuses on London and Paris in the years before the French Revolution. In this classic historical novel that proved to be one of the best-selling novels of all time, you get two trips for the price of one.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The French Revolution may not have been the safest time to visit Paris, but it was certainly one of the most exciting! Victor Hugo brings the time and place to life through the tragic and existential journeys of Jean Valjean and his dogged pursuer Javert in this story that reminds us of the cost of freedom.
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s memoir of living and writing in Paris during the 1920s is as exquisite and sophisticated as the company he keeps. Featuring illustrious names like Zelda & Scott Fitzgerald and James Joyce, this richly atmospheric story reveals why Hemingway is one of the greatest writers of all time, and Paris one of the greatest cities.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
A classic of LGBTQ literature, James Baldwin’s second novel explores Paris in the 1950s. In a city full of fascinating characters and dangerous allure, an American expat strives to live a conventional life despite all the sexy, seedy, and enticing people & places that reel him in and pull him under.
