10 Must-Read Classic Novels Set in Paris
What better way to become immersed in your Paris experience than to read a classic novel set in The City of Light. Here’s a list of 10 classic novels set in Paris for your vacation reading list. These books beautifully capture the spirit, history, and romance of Paris, making them perfect companions while exploring the City of Light:
1. "Les Misérables"
Author: Victor Hugo
Year: 1862
Description: A sweeping tale of love, justice, and revolution set against the backdrop of 19th-century Paris. It follows the lives of several characters, including ex-convict Jean Valjean, as they struggle for redemption and freedom.
2. "A Moveable Feast"
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Year: 1964 (posthumously)
Description: Hemingway’s memoir of his time in Paris during the 1920s, offering a glimpse into the lives of literary greats like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. It paints a vivid picture of bohemian life in the city.
3. "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame"
Author: Victor Hugo
Year: 1831
Description: Set around the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, this novel weaves a tragic love story involving Quasimodo, the bell ringer, and the beautiful Esmeralda, capturing the gothic grandeur of medieval Paris.
4. "Madame Bovary"
Author: Gustave Flaubert
Year: 1857
Description: While much of this novel takes place in the provinces, Emma Bovary’s visits to Paris symbolize her romantic and materialistic aspirations. Flaubert’s exploration of desire, despair, and disillusionment is a timeless classic.
5. "The Phantom of the Opera"
Author: Gaston Leroux
Year: 1910
Description: Set in the opulent Paris Opera House, this gothic novel tells the story of a masked, disfigured man who lives beneath the opera house and becomes obsessed with a beautiful young singer.
6. "The Count of Monte Cristo"
Author: Alexandre Dumas
Year: 1844
Description: This classic tale of revenge follows Edmond Dantès as he escapes imprisonment and rises to power, with parts of the action taking place in 19th-century Paris’s salons and streets.
7. "Nana"
Author: Émile Zola
Year: 1880
Description: This novel, part of Zola’s larger "Rougon-Macquart" series, portrays the life of Nana, a courtesan in Paris’s high society. It explores themes of decadence, power, and the influence of wealth in Parisian life.
8. "Tropic of Cancer"
Author: Henry Miller
Year: 1934
Description: This semi-autobiographical novel chronicles Miller’s bohemian life in Paris during the 1930s. It’s raw, unfiltered, and a strikingly modern portrait of an artist's life in the city.
9. "Bel-Ami"
Author: Guy de Maupassant
Year: 1885
Description: This novel follows Georges Duroy, a journalist who rises to power in Paris through manipulation and charm. It offers a vivid depiction of Parisian society and ambition during the Belle Époque.
10. "The Three Musketeers"
Author: Alexandre Dumas
Year: 1844
Description: Set in 17th-century France, this adventure novel follows d’Artagnan and his companions as they navigate political intrigue, romance, and swashbuckling action, much of it taking place in and around Paris.
These books not only entertain but also offer readers a deeper connection to Paris, allowing you to see the city through the eyes of its most famous literary figures. Happy reading!
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