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Best Books: 5 Books For Understanding French Culture

France is one of the most picturesque and beautiful countries in the world. Its rich culture and stunning food attract millions of visitors every single year.

Below are some of the highest rated books chosen by experts for those hoping to understanding this country and its culture a little better.

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#1 A Garden Wall In Provence – Carrie Jane Knowles

A Garden Wall in Provence is a humorous romp through the countryside of France, complete with quirky neighbors and croissants. Carrie’s lighthearted novella showcases the key components of French culture, like fresh bread, navigating local grocers (and the secret code to finding fresh parsley!), and the importance of community in a small town. Carrie caps the book with entertaining personal stories from when she herself lived in France. Warning: Recipes included. Don’t read on an empty stomach!

Want to read more reviews of this series or buy it? Check out the links below:

Contributor: Cherith Andes from clairemontcommunications.com

#2 Merde Actually – Stephen Clarke

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My favourite book was Merde Actually, a tongue-in-cheek fictionalized memoir of an Englishman's time living in France. Witty and observant, this book is really able to sum up what it's like to move to France.

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Contributor: James Cave from thistravelguide.com

#3 Inspired By Paris – Jordan Phillips

It’s hilarious at comparing the “fairy-tale version of Paris” everyone dreams of and the reality of unfriendly people, confusing systems and twisted way of thinking. So entertaining, and full of surprising tidbits of history that would normally bore you if shared on a tour but comes across as fascinating in the author’s words.

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Contributor: Nicole Faith from 10caratcreations.com

#4 The Perfectionist – Rudolph Chelminski

This is the story of 3* Michelin chef Bernard Loiseau, and his incredible rise to fame and stunning demise at his own hands. While very much a biography, the other aspect of this book is a treatise on French Cuisine, and the machine that is the Michelin Guide.

When thinking about France and its culture, there is perhaps no greater embodiment than food, and this book takes a peek behind the curtains to witness the good and the bad. Not only is it about food, but also about the French psyche and lifestyle.

Want to read more reviews of this series or buy it? Check out the links below:

Contributor: Carrie Wallace from ceruleanworldtravel.com

#5 A Year In Provence – Peter Mayle

A mammoth classic in its own right and established as one of the finest foreign outlooks on settling into French culture, 'A Year In Provence' has cemented itself as a beloved addition in anyone's library. Refreshingly honest with some of the wittiest instances of humour in any book related to the country, the book offers one of the most entertaining guides through France.

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Contributor: James Cave from thistravelguide.com

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Written by James Metcalfe

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