What to Watch & Read Before Visiting France
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In preparation for my inaugural Gals Abroad Getaways group trip to Paris & the Loire Valley, I’ve been brushing up on my French (taking lessons with the Alliance Française de Chicago), watching movies set in France and reading A LOT of books about France.
While there are many books and movies that focus SOLEY on Paris, I wanted to come up with a list that highlights some of the other incredible regions of the country. While Paris is well, PARIS, the rest of France is pretty magical and WELL worth devoting some time to discovering it through the pages of a book or on the big screen.
IF you are looking for books that specifically focus on Paris - CHECK OUT THIS LIST.
AND if you’re looking for movies or TV shows that are set in Paris - CLICK HERE
These recommendations are in no particular order, and while I adore each of them, I do have to say that my favorites are the four that are pictured at the top of this post.
BOOKS ABOUT FRANCE:
Mastering the Art of French Eating
BEWARE - this book will make you hungry lol.
The memoir of a young diplomat’s wife who must reinvent her dream of living in Paris when her husband is called away to Iraq on a year-long post. Journeying through Paris and the surrounding regions of France, Ann combats her loneliness by seeking out the perfect pain au chocolat and learning the way andouillette sausage is really made. She explores the history and taste of everything from boeuf Bourguignon to soupe au pistou to the crispiest of buckwheat crepes.
This is such a unique way to learn about some of France’s most iconic dishes!
A Year in Provence
I read this book last summer and ADORED it.
It’s a true story and a lively month-by-month account of a British expatriate's first year in the Provencal region of southern France.
Some of their more somewhat relatable experiences that first year include being inundated with builders and visitors, grappling with the native accent, taking part in goat races and supervising the planting of a new vineyard.
My Life in France
This funny autobiographical work follows Julia Child’s time in France, beginning with her move across the pond.
When she arrived, she knew nothing of the French language or culture but dove right in and began learning as much as she could.
A now fateful decision, she enrolled in cooking courses at the Cordon Bleu, the famous culinary school, and worked on her French by shopping at local markets and practicing whenever she could
She writes in the introduction: “This is a book about some of the things I have loved most in my life.”
The Nightingale
I read this book a few years ago and I remember not wanting it to end. Bestselling author Kristin Hannah illuminates an intimate part of WWII history seldom seen: the women’s war.
The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France.
The Count of Monte Cristo
This classic tale centers around Edmond Dantes, a young sailor living in Marseilles, who is unjustly accused of conspiring with Napoleon after the former Emperor makes his (infamously unsuccessful) attempt to regain power.
He is imprisoned for more than a decade and it’s there that he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo. He becomes determined to escape so he can find the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration.
DK Eyewitness France
Linda SWEARS by these travel guides and I happen to think this is a fabulous book that gives you a great overview of what the country has to offer!
Here you’ll find France’s must-sees, top experiences, hidden gems, and the best spots to eat, drink, shop, and stay.
Plus I think the detailed maps and walks help to put everything in perspective.
MOVIES SET IN FRANCE:
Les Miserables
The critically acclaimed film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic book.
Just make sure you have plenty of tissues when you watch.
A Little Chaos
The perfect movie to watch before a trip to Versailles.
This romantic historical drama stars Kate Winslet opposite Matthias Schoenaerts, who plays the famous gardener Andre Le Notre, the man who not only designed the gardens of Versailles, but also the gardens for various other royal residences and palaces throughout France. There’s love and beauty and lots of dramaaaaa. This film also stars Alan Rickman (who directed the movie), Stanley Tucci, Helen McCrory, Adrian Scarborough, and Jennifer Ehle.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
If you’re interested in French cuisine - this is a fabulous, light-hearted movie to watch.
Helen Mirren stars in this film about a fancy French restaurant waging an all-out war against a new Indian eatery opening across the street. What ensues is a battle of cultures and cuisine.
What I love best is that the film introduces you to the religion that is French cooking and sheds some light on the significance restaurants place on Michelin stars.
Chocolat
This charming romantic film stars Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche and centers around a chocolate shop in a small French village.
It’s a story about a mother and daughter who move to a conservative French Village and struggle to fit in. But it’s not long before Vianne Rocher (played by Binoche) quickly wins over the hearts of the locals with her chocolate shop and its somewhat magical ability to heal their problems
PS this film earned 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture!
Julie & Julia
An absolute CLASSIC and such a feel good movie that will give you a crash course on French cuisine.
The movie stars Meryl Streep as the famous chef Julia Child and flips between the life of Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a struggling New Yorker in modern times, who has decided to make every single one of Julia Child’s 524 recipes in a year - and Julia Child’s early days in Paris, where she wrote her now infamous cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
To Catch a Thief
A famous cat burglar who has retired to the Riviera catches a thief imitating his old style.
This movie is an adaptation of a novel by the same name. Interestingly enough it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and is Grace Kelley’s last film before she becomes Princess Grace of Monaco.
The movie is a pretty big break from Hitchcock’s typical spooky thrillers and instead is more of a romantic comedy.
If you’re looking for a movie that highlights the French Riviera - this would be it!
The Man in the Iron Mask
An oldie but a goodie, this movie was recommended to me by a tour guide and I gotta say it holds up!
The movie tells the story of three retired musketeers who are debating how to overthrow a tyrannical king Louis XIV so that they can restore order to a struggling France by replacing him with his long-hidden twin brother.
PS - it stars a young Leonardo DiCaprio which is just an added bonus.
Marie Antoinette
A biopic depicting the life of the infamous Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, who ultimately lost her head with the fall of France. I love how colorful and extravagant this film is. And while historically speaking, the movie is really only a loose portrayal of her life, it does acknowledge some of the famous rumors about the controversial queen.
TV SHOWS SET IN FRANCE:
Escape to the Chateau
I’d be lying if I didn’t say this show was partially the reason I chose the Loire Valley as one of the destinations for my very first Gals Abroad Getaways trip.
This reality television series follows the story of a family who buys & restores a 19th-century chateau all while raising two young children and starting a business hosting weddings and other events.
IT’S FABULOUS and takes you to some of the coolest Chateaux in the region.
Reign
OMG this is one of my all-time favorite period dramas BUT to be very clear, there are a lot of artistic liberties taken in the show and it’s definitely more about the grand costumes, drama, and loose historical plot lines than an accurate depiction of French history lol.
The show centers on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots- beginning from her start at the French court and marriage to King Francis II to her return to Scotland and eventual execution.
Versailles
While not exactly all that historically accurate, if you’re looking for a good drama to binge before visiting Versailles that will transport you to the golden age, this would be it.
This mini-series, which lasts 3 seasons, centers on King, Louis XIV, and his infamous decision to move his court from Paris to a chateau outside the city and had it built to honor his reign - you now know it as Versailles.
The show has it all: history, politics, romance, epic costumes and sets and a whole lot of drama.
IF YOU NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP TO PARIS OR ANY DESTINATION FOR THAT MATTER - DON’T HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO LINDA’S AGENCY SCORBY TRAVEL AND CRUISE FOR CUSTOM TRAVEL PLANNING.
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