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35 Best French Classic Books You Need To Read

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These are the books that have been revered for their cultural and historical significance in France and other countries. The French language has been labeled as one of the most beautiful in the world, this makes Frech classics to be received with the same love and admiration.

Many of the classics have had a significant influence on world literature as well as helped shape the way authors approach literary realism. Here are some of the famous French classics that have influenced the world of literature we know today. Many of the legendary French authors have been the source of inspiration for a number of aspiring writers.

1. Les Miserables

It is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo. The book was considered to be one of the greatest from the 19th century. There have been several alternatives have been used including The Miserables, The Poor Ones, and The Wretched. The novel shows the history of France, politics, religion, and the nature of romantic as well as familial love.

2. Madame Bovary

Also known as Madame Bovary: Provincial Manners, it was written by Gustave Flaubert. The book’s plot takes place in provincial Northern France and follows the life of Charles Bovary and his wife Emma Bovary. Readers follow him through his marriage life and the tragedy that follows it.

3. Dangerous Liaisons

It is a novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The book was originally published in four volumes. It tells the story of the Marquise de Mer and Vicomte de Valmont who are amoral lovers turned rivals. Over the course of the book, readers see them enjoy ruining others. Essentially Marteuil tries to convince Vicomte to seduce Cecile because she is about to marry Merteuil’s previous lover.

The entire plot of the book reveals how toxic and destructive Marteuil and Vicomte are to each other and the people around them. The book has numerous adaptations including the most recent one which was released in 2022 under the same title.

4. The Stranger

The novella was written by Albert Camus and was the first novel published in his lifetime. The book follows the life of Meursault who is an indifferent settler in French Algeria. The plot is divided into two parts that present Meursault’s narrative before and after the killing.

The book shows Meursault’s life in isolation and his relationships that seem to lack emotion and attachment. However, it also shows how Meursault was more interested in the physical aspects of the world than the social and emotional aspects.

5. Candide

It is a French satire that was written by Voltaire. The novella has been translated into numerous English versions including The Optimist, Optimism, and All for the Best. It begins with Candide a young man who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise. The book became famous for its erratic, fantastical, and fast-moving plot. 

The book has been listed as one of the 100 most influential books ever written even though it wasn’t well received when it was first published. In fact, when the book was published, it was widely banned because it contained a variety of harsh topics.

6. The Red and The Black

The novel is a historical and psychological book that is usually published in two volumes by Stendhal. It follows the attempts of a young man to rise socially beyond his modest upbringing. Julien Sorel uses his talent, hard work, deception, and hypocrisy. At the end of the book, we are shown how his passions lead to his untimely end.

7. The Count of Monte Cristo

It is an adventure novel that was written by Alexandre Dumas. The story takes place in a number of locations including France, Italy, and the islands in the Mediterranean. It begins on the day that Napoleon left his island of exile. Readers have shared that the historical setting plays a huge role in the adventure story with themes of hope, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness.

The main character of the book is Edmond Dantes a sailor with good prospects. In the beginning, we are shown that he is engaged to Mercedes, a Catalan girl, but we see him gradually fall in love with Haydee.

8. The Three Musketeers

It is another book by Alexander Dumas. The book is a French historical adventure novel. It follows the adventures D’Artagnan who is based on Charles de Batz-Castelmore D’Artagnan. He leaves home to travel to Â鶹APP in hopes of joining the Musketeers of the Guard.

The book is a historical and adventure novel that portrays various injustices and absurdities o the Ancien Regime which was the political and social system of the Kingdom of France. Even though D’Artagnan didn’t immediately join the elite corps, he is befriended by three musketeers named Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.

9. Le Pere Goriot

Also known as The Father Goriot or Old Goriot is a novel by Honore de Balzac. The book is set in Â鶹APP in 1819 and follows three characters whose lives are intertwined. It is based on an elderly doting Goriot, a naive law student named Eugene de Rastignac, and a mysterious criminal-in-hiding named Vautrin. 

10. Bel-Ami

The novel was written by Guy de Maupassant. In 1903, the book was published with the English title The History of a Scoundrel: A Novel. The story revolves around the upper-middle class in Â鶹APP and follows the life of Georges Duroy. After spending three years in military service in Algeria, he comes back home and begins his career as a journalist.

Readers follow Georges as he slowly climbs the social ladder and becomes one of the most successful men in Â鶹APP. The book shows how he manipulates a series of intelligent, powerful, and wealthy women. 

11. Les Fleurs du Mal

Also known as The Flowers of Evil is a volume of French poetry written by Charles Baudelaire. The poems in the book deal with themes that relate to decadence and eroticism but also focus on suffering and its relationship to disgust toward evil, obsession with death, and aspiration toward an ideal world.

It has a powerful influence on numerous notable French poets like Stephane Mallarme, and Arthur Rimbaud. Les Fleurs Du Mal has been cited in numerous films and television shows.

12. The Little Prince

It is a novella written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It follows the life of a young prince who visits various planets and addresses themes like Friendship, loneliness, love, and loss. Even though the book has been categorized as a children’s book, it makes observations about life, adults, and human nature. When the book was first published, it sold an estimated 140 million copies worldwide. The book has been translated into 505 different languages.

13. My Father’s Glory

The book is an autobiography novel written by Marcel Pagnol. It is a poetic novel that shows readers Marcel’s early years. The novel shows how he was in awe of his rationalist dad, Joseph Pagnol.

14. In Search of Lost Time

The novel is in seven volumes by Marcel Proust. The book follows the nameless narrator’s recollections of childhood and experiences into adulthood in the high society of France during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The narrator focuses on the loss of time and lack of meaning in the world. The main theme seen in the book is the persistence of memory.

15. Germinal

It is a twenty-volume series by Emile Zola. The book tells the story of Etienne Lantier who is the central character. He is a young migrant worker who arrives in a coal mining town in Montsou which is far north of France. During his first days in the town, he befriends Maheu who is a veteran miner who helps Etienne find a place to stay and gets him a job.

Emile portrays him as a hard-working idealist who is also a naive youth. She depicts Etienne’s life in the mining community and highlights the relations between the bourgeoisie and the working class. The main idea of the book is to create the perfect image of the lives of miners and their struggles. The main characters have to face issues like socialism.

16. The Plague

Written by Albert Camus, it is one of his best-selling books. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the book was widely acknowledged worldwide. The narrator of the story remains unknown until the last chapter. It is set in 1849 in Oran and paints a picture of how people were struck by the cholera epidemic several times. Aside from the narrator, the other main character is Dr. Bernard Rieux.

17. Journey to The Center of The Earth

Also known as Voyage au Centre de la Terre. It is a science fiction novel written by Jules Verne. The book follows the life of Professor Otto Lidenbrock who is a hot-tempered German scientist who believes that there are volcanic tubes that reach the center of the earth.

18. The Lover

It is an autobiographical novel written by Marguerite Duras. It won the 1984 Prix Goncourt and has been translated into 43 languages. The novel shows the intimacies of a clandestine romance between a French pubescent girl and an older wealthy Chinese-Vietnamese man. It is set in 1929 when a nameless girl, 15 years old, attracts the attention of a 27-year-old.

Many of the readers believe that the book is based on Marguerite’s personal life. She wrote about her experience with Leo, the Chinese man who inspired her story, in three works.

19. Indiana

The novel has strong themes of love and marriage. It was written by Amantine Aurore Dupin. It has the perfect blend of romanticism, realism, and idealism. The book begins in France and is partly based in the French colony of Reunion.

Indiana is a young noblewoman descended from French colonial settlers. The book shows how tired Indiana is with her loveless marriage and decides to search for passionate love.

20. Tartuffe

It is a theatrical comedy that was written by Moliere. The characters Elmire and Orgon are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles. It tells the story of Orgon who is the head of a wealthy family but is slowly influenced by a shady character known as Tartuffe. Elmire is the wife of Orgon who is seduced by Tartuffe.

21. Beauty and the Beast

Widely known for the Disney adaptation, La Belle et la Bete is a fairy tale written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. The original version is about the youngest daughter of a widower merchant known as little beauty. When she is forced to live with the gentle-hearted beast and ends up falling in love with him. The 

22. Froth on The Daydream

The novel was written by Boris Vian. It follows the plot lines of two couples, a man who ages years in a week, and talking mice. The main plot line involves a newlywed man, Colin, whose wife, Chloe, has a rare and bizarre illness. Some of the themes explored include emotional and psychological anguish, trauma, and stress.

The book has been adapted into three films, an opera, and two music albums. It has also been translated into English numerous times under different titles.

23. The Phantom of The Opera

It is a novel by Gaston Leroux and is partially inspired by historical events that took place at the Â鶹APP Opera during the 19th century. It is believed that the Opera house is haunted by an entity known as the Phantom of the Opera. The entity is Erik who is a deformed stage magician and skilled opera enthusiast who is also known as the Angel of Music.

The book is a mystery novel that focuses on the investigation of finding the Phantom’s identity and motive. Many of the readers believe that the book is more of a Gothic horror.

24. Therese Raquin

It was written by Emile Zola and is widely known for its adultery and murder themes. It tells the story of a young woman, Therese, who is unhappily married to her first cousin. Therese Raquin is the daughter of a French sea captain but has to live with her overbearing aunt after her mother’s death. 

Over the course of the book, we see how toxic and self-destructing the marriage between Therese and Camille was. By the end of the book, we see that even after his death things don’t change for Therese in fact they get worse.

25. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

It is a science fiction adventure novel that was written by Jules Verne. It is set in the year 1866 and tells the story of how various ships of different nationalities have sighted a mysterious sea monster which many believe is a gigantic narwhal. The book’s narrator is Professor Pierre Aronnax who is a French marine biologist.

However, it mainly focuses on three men who go to sea in search of the famous giant whale. They end up being prisoners of the Nautilus which is a ship that travels through the seven seas. Through the book, they get to explore the deep sea and its amazing creatures.

26. Sentimental Education

It is a novel by Gustave Flaubert and focuses on the romantic life of Frederic Moreau. It is set during the French Revolution of 1848 and the founding of the Second French Empire. Through the book, we see how Frederic falls in love with an older woman. Most of the experiences of Frederic are based on the life of the author.

27. Journey to The End of The Night

This semi-autobiographical book was written by Louis Ferdinand Celine. It follows the life of Ferdinand Bardamu and his adventures in the First World War, the United States, and colonial Africa. Even though the book reflects a negative pessimistic view of human conditions like suffering and death, it has been noted as one of the greatest novels.

28. Au Bonheur des Dames

Also known as The Ladies’ Paradise is part of the Rougon-Macquart series and another Emile Zola book. It is based on the life of Denise Baudu who is a 20-year-old woman from Valognes but chooses to move to Â鶹APP. The book has been adapted into a film, television series, and stage performance several times including Zum Paradies der Damen, The Department Store, and ll Paradiso delle Signore.

Readers get a glimpse of her life in the first chapters while she works as a saleswoman at the department store Au Bonheur des Dames. Zola writes a keen description of the store and the perspective of the employees as well as the bare lodgings for the female staff.

29. Bonjour Tristesse

It is known for being a coming-of-age novel by Francoise Sagan. It follows the life of Cecile, a wealthy and careless 17-year-old girl, who spends her summer in a villa on the French Riviera. The book explores the themes of jealousy and complex father-daughter relationships. When the book was first published, it was a sensation in both France and the United States.

It is a fancy and old-fashioned style book but intriguing plot lines make the book a fast read. When translated the book means Hello, Sadness which reflects on Cecile’s life.

30. Nausea

It is a philosophical novel that was written by Jean-Paul Sartre. The main character is Antoine Roquentin who is a former adventurer who lives alone in Bouville. Slowly, we see how he begins to doubt his own existence when he exhibits signs of boredom and lack of interest when interacting with others.

31. The Misanthrope

Also known as The Cantankerous Lover, it is a Moliere play. It follows Alceste who is the protagonist who finds peace in criticizing the flaws of everyone around him. Celimene is the love interest of Alceste, she is playful and flirtatious and also likes to point out the flaws of everyone she meets. However, unlike Alceste, she only shares her opinions of people behind their backs.

32. The Second Sex

It is a book by Simone de Beauvoir. She describes the treatment of women in the society of 1949 and throughout all of history. The book has been noted for being a feminist philosophy novel that shares the plea for equality in society. Over the course of the book, Simone argues that women are not inferior to men but are just different.

33. Around The World in Eighty Days

It is an adventure novel that was written by Jules Verne. It tells the story of two travelers who slowly grow in number and struggle to reach home. The plot line begins when Phileas Fogg decides to travel across the world in eighty days. He bets with his friends at the Reform Club that he will travel around the world and will meant them at the same time and place in eighty days.

34. Cousin Bette

Also known as La Cousine Bette is a novel by Honore de Balzac. It is set in mid-19th century Â鶹APP and is based on an unmarried middle-aged woman, Bette, who plots to destroy the lives of her extended family. With the help of Valerie Marneffe, Bette seduces and torments a series of men. One of the men is Baron Hulot who is the husband of Bette’s cousin Adeline.

35. Belle du Seigneur

It is a novel by Albert Cohen who is a Swiss writer. It was written in French and well received by readers. It is set in the 1930s and is based on a Mediterranean Jew, Solal, who works for the League of Nations, and his romance with a married aristocrat, Ariane.

These books have been able to cover several genres including novels, poetry, and plays. They have shaped the literary standards of books as well as created a unique way of describing fantasy stories and fiction into an addictive, page-turning book.