With its rich culture, breathtaking sights and intriguing landmarks, it’s not surprising that France is on the travel bucket list of so many people. From romantic cities like Paris to food and wine destinations like Bordeaux, the country has something for everyone. With a prolific history including the French Revolution, World War II and stories of love, drama, politics and culture, it’s ripe for unforgettable historical fiction. Indeed, there’s no shortage of historical fiction books set in France.
So we rounded up our favorite books in the genre. In the pages of these novels, you can immerse yourself in tales from every era. From the much-beloved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah to Pam Jenoff’s latest, Last Twilight in Paris, you’re sure to find a story that enthralls—and educates. Keep scrolling for our complete list of historical fiction books set in France.
Readers are transported to 1953 London and 1943 Paris in this captivating tale. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a secondhand shop. She’s sure she’s seen the necklace before—and it’s linked to a time in Nazi-occupied Europe when her friend Franny died mysteriously. Following clues to Paris, Louise and her former boss, Ian, uncover old truths. A sweeping, dual-timeline story!
What readers are saying: “Pam Jenoff has written many riveting historical novels about WWII and its aftermath. Last Twilight in Paris is a powerful story that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the German occupation of Paris that might be unknown to readers: the story of Lévitan. Jenoff has created two strong female characters and an intriguing mystery. If you are a fan of historical fiction, chances are you are familiar with this author. If not, this book is a perfect introduction to one of the top authors in the genre, who writes stories that need to be told.”
This #1 New York Times bestselling novel paints a powerful portrait of love and strength amid war. In a sleepy French hamlet, Vianne must say goodbye to her husband as he heads for the front and to her sister, who will join the resistance. Vianne never believed the Nazis would invade France, but here they are, requisitioning her home as she tries to save herself and her daughter from the perils of war. A haunting and rich tale that celebrates the strength of the human spirit.
What readers are saying: “Gosh! This book was so worth the read. I really appreciate the author’s inspiration and approach. She amazingly blended truth and fiction for such a believable story. The characters sucked me in and had me questioning at every turn: what would I have done in that moment? I grieved and felt all the emotions reading this story. Early in the book, I was able to keep my emotions together, but once I hit the halfway mark the events started hitting me fast, one after the other, and I think from the halfway point, I cried most of the way to the finish line.”
In this best-selling, beautifully written novel, a blind girl named Marie-Laure lives in a walled French city where she’s hidden from the war. In Germany, an orphan boy named Werner reluctantly uses his knowledge of radios to help Hitler track the resistance. Neither knows the other exists, but their convergence over the paths changes their lives forever.
What readers are saying: “I find this review a bit difficult to write because, honestly, I don’t know where to start! All the Light We Cannot See is like no other book that I’ve read before. On its surface, this book is about a young German boy with a talent for fixing radios and a blind French girl who possesses a curiosity and courage way beyond her years – both thrown helplessly into a world torn apart by war and devastation and the impact this has on their lives. But this book is so much more than that! It is about survival, love, courage, family, friendship, etc., but on a deeper level it is also a “study” on human nature and what it means to “do what is expected” versus “do what is right.”
In the summer of 1942, the French police arrested thousands of Jewish families and held them captive. On the 60th anniversary of this horrific event, Julia, an American journalist living in France, uncovers a shocking personal connection to one of those families—in particular, to a 10-year-old named Sarah.
What readers are saying: “From the moment I picked up Sarah’s Key, I was unable to put it down. I have not had that experience in quite some time. The book switches between past (Sarah) and present (Julia) every few pages. Each “chapter” provided just enough information to pique my interest to continue.”
Heartwarming, heartbreaking and beautifully written, this story begins in the present day as semi-retired Eva Traube Abrams is stocking shelves at the library when she sees a photo in a magazine. It’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in 65 years: The Book of Lost Names. THis sends her back in time to 1942, when Eva is forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. What follows is a testament to strength and the human spirit.
What readers are saying: “One of the best books I have read in a long time. Story of WWII and those brave ones who risked their own lives to save the lives of others. Couldn’t put it down as I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Highly recommend.”
New York/Paris 1942: Jessica May, an American model who recently arrived in Europe to cover the war as a photojournalist for Vogue, is determined to do her job even though the soldiers are making life difficult for her. However, Martha Gellhorn and Captain Dan Hellworth’s friendships and the love of a little orphan named Victorine give her the strength to keep going.
Fast forward to France in 2005, where D’Arcy Hallworth is working to curate a collection of wartime photos. While D’Arcy knows this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she doesn’t realize the photos will help her discover secrets of her past. Soon, everything she thought she knew about her mother, Victorine, was not what it seemed.
What readers are saying: “Natasha Lester never disappoints, and this might be her best work yet. The Paris Orphan is a meticulously researched piece of historical fiction. Upon reading the author’s note, I learned that the fictional character of Jessica May is loosely based on real-life war photojournalist and former model Lee Miller. There are touches of other real people throughout the book (Martha Gellhorn, Iris Carpenter, Lee Carson) and many of the other characters, descriptions, and events are loosely based on real life. It all comes together to create a book that you can’t put down.”
This beautiful and bold novel follows three powerful women in various eras. It begins in 1774 with Adrienne Lafayette, the loving wife of Marquis de Lafayette. The story then picks up in 1914, where socialite Beatrice Chanler is dealing with the horrors of the first World War. Finally, in 1940 teacher Marthe Simon begins to question who she really is as the Nazis begin to invade her hometown. An astonishing, empowering tale.
What readers are saying: “I couldn’t put this book down. It is an utterly wonderfully woven story. I know you will enjoy it. The author keeps the characters true to historical findings with such imagination. You will love this book.”
In this captivating story set during WWI, readers are transported back in time to 1917. Kate Moran’s friend Emmeline Van Alden convinces her to join the Smith College Relief Unit and volunteer to help French villagers impacted by the war. Four months later, Kate and the Smith volunteers set sail for France. Soon, however, differences arise, and women must learn to band together to survive.
What readers are saying: “This is an amazing book that transports you back to World War I in France. You become a member of the Band of Sisters helping the local French people and trying to survive in a war zone. The letters at the beginning of each chapter give great insight into what it was like for the Smith women.”
Based on a real-life female spy network in France during World War I, this story spans 1915 and the aftermath of the war in 1947. Fearless Eve trains as a spy to gather intel under the Germans’ noses until everything falls apart. Three decades later, Eve encounters Charlie, a headstrong young woman desperate to find the cousin she lost contact with during World War II. The unlikely pair join forces on an adventure that exposes the heartache and sacrifices of unsung wartime heroes.
What readers are saying: “Whether you’re a historical fiction fan or not, I recommend this book! Kate Quinn does an amazing job going back and forth from a spy during WW1 to a girl post WW2 looking for her lost cousin. The two characters meet up during the story and it just goes from there! This story will make you mad, sad, giddy and happy! Kate Quinn is a phenomenal writer!”
In 1714 France, Addie LaRue is cursed to live forever and be forgotten by everyone she meets. Determined to be remembered, her story takes place over centuries as she tries to make her mark on the world. That is, until she meets a man in a bookstore 300 years later who remembers her name.
What readers are saying: “This book is poetry. Every sentence is carefully crafted, beautiful in its own right, weaving together into a tapestry of emotions that burrows into your soul and refuses to leave. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t just sit with you—it stays, carves out a space in your heart, and fills it with its beauty. It makes you think deeply, about time, death, life and the choices we make. It lingers long after the final page, asking you to carry its questions with you.”
