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12 Best French Workbooks for Language Learners

This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see the disclaimer  here .

The key to learning a new language is variety. I have always found that a variety of learning methods will keep you sufficiently entertained, but also make sure you improve as quickly and significantly as you can.

While some may benefit from reading grammar textbooks from cover to cover, if you don’t practice your new skills, how are you going to really apply what you’ve learned and also understand how you can improve?

No fear. With the workbooks collated in this article, you’ll find a host of available resources to practice whichever French skill or competency you fancy, whether that’s grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, or even pronunciation.

In particular, these workbooks will provide a great learning approach when combined with French textbooks and other learning methods, such as learning through apps or attending classes. The point is about finding the best methods for you.

So, let’s jump into the 12 best French workbooks for language learners.

Best French workbooks for language learners

1. practice makes perfect: complete french all-in-one.

• Heminway, Annie (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 656 Pages – 08/01/2018 (Publication Date) – McGraw Hill (Publisher)

The Practice Makes Perfect series is a great resource for putting all your necessary French skills into practice. While there are a variety of individual workbooks, from grammar to vocabulary, Complete French All-in-One combines all seven into this jumbo edition.

This is a great French workbook for those who want to practice a variety of competencies simultaneously, allowing a focus on vocabulary, grammar, tenses, conversation, and so much more. There is even a French workbook for beginners specifically.

The workbook also has an accompanying app, which provides flashcards to aid vocabulary learning and audio aids.

This workbook is great for :

• Focusing on a variety of French skills
• Practicing vocabulary

2. Easy French Step-By-Step

• Exercises to test what you have learned
• Engaging readings
• Clear and concise explanations of basic rules and concepts

Easy French Step-By-Step is a great French textbook and workbook for working on grammar. The textbook part teaches French through a strong grounding in grammar, using building blocks of grammatical concepts to also give exposure to other skills, such as reading comprehension and vocabulary.

The workbook section of the text will allow you to practice the grammar concepts that you’ve learned. The value of Easy French Step-By-Step is that these exercises are not repetitive fill-in-the-gaps either, but are varied and engaging in nature.

This workbook is great for learners who find it useful to learn French through a focus on grammar, or those who feel they need to improve their grammatical skills.

• Learning French through grammar
• Engaging exercises
• A gradual step-by-step approach to learning languages

3. Exercises in French Phonics

• Used Book in Good Condition
• Francis W. Nachtmann (Author)
• 79 Pages – 10/24/1981 (Publication Date) – Stipes Pub Llc (Publisher)

For many learners of French, speaking and especially pronunciation can be the hardest part of getting to French proficiency . After all, it is well known to be a language that is especially difficult to speak and communicate in.

That’s why this workbook is a must for learners who want to specifically focus on their accent, providing a targeted set of phonic exercises for English learners of French. With examples and comparisons that English speakers can most relate to, there’s no surprise it’s so popular among learners.

Especially since the speaking and pronunciation aspect of learning French is often ignored, with much fewer resources available than other skills, this French language workbook is a great asset in any language learner’s arsenal.

• Developing speaking and pronunciation skills
• Working on your accent
• Explaining comparisons and differences between French and English

4. French Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook

• Christensen, Mary C. (Author)
• 224 Pages – 10/17/2017 (Publication Date) – Teach Yourself (Publisher)

This French workbook features over 200 activities focused specifically on grammar and vocabulary. It is a perfect workbook for those who want to practice their key grammar skills, while also being able to work on their vocabulary.

With clearly expressed goals before each section, along with concise explanations of grammar points, French Tutor helps you progress in an effective and efficient way. These skills can then be put to practice in a wide variety of specific exercises that simultaneously test grammar and vocabulary.

The workbook also features cultural explanations throughout the various sections, allowing you to learn more about French and Francophone culture while improving your language skills.

• Grammar-specific exercises
• Vocabulary development
• Learning about Francophone cultures

5. Mise en scène: cinema et lecture

• Krueger, Cheryl (Author)
• 320 Pages – 11/07/2005 (Publication Date) – Pearson (Publisher)

If you’ve ever wondered if you can learn French by watching and learning about critically acclaimed French films, you don’t need to look any further. This is the best workbook for learning French you’ll find.

Mise en scène allows students to develop and practice their French skills through a focus on Francophone film. It uses the content of authentic French films to not just teach you more about French culture, but also work on your language and communication skills.

And since French film is famous across the world, and a huge part of its cultural export, this book provides a great view into the Francophone world and where your growing language skills can take you.

And, if you’re a big culture fan, be sure to check out how you can learn French through literature !

• Film lovers
• Teaching about French culture
• An emphasis on the use and communication of French

6. French Grammar for Beginners

• Bibard, Frederic (Author)
• 225 Pages – 04/20/2022 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

If you’re a beginner learner of French hoping to get your grammar skills up to scratch, this workbook will be great for you.

Targeted specifically at beginners, it features over 300 grammar exercises on the most important French grammatical concepts that beginner learners should know.

This French workbook for beginners is also accompanied by a textbook that clearly explains beginner’s grammar concepts in easy English. Short lessons of half an hour every day will also help you build up a language learning routine, to help you maximize your development on a busy schedule.

This series also includes French Grammar for Intermediate Level , for when you feel ready to take the next step.

  This workbook is great for :

• Building up beginner’s grammar competencies
• A breadth and depth of grammar exercises
• Language learners with a busy schedule

7. The Ultimate French Review and Practice

• Stillman, David M. (Author)
• 464 Pages – 06/25/2019 (Publication Date) – McGraw Hill (Publisher)

The Ultimate French Review and Practice is one of the most popular French workbooks for French learners.

With over 400 exercises to work on, you’ll be well-occupied as you learn and develop a range of French skills. With a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and communication, this workbook provides a great breadth of language learning skills.

One of the best features is the pre- and post-tests, so that you can track progress and crucially see the improvement you’re making and what to continue working on.

The workbook also comes with app-based audio, so that you can work on listening and pronunciation skills at the same time as completing the exercises.

• A variety of interesting language exercises
• Tracking language progress
• Listening skills with authentic French speakers

8. Défi: Cahier d’exercices

• Chabi, Fatiha (Author)
• French (Publication Language)
• 88 Pages – 03/12/2018 (Publication Date) – DIFUSION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y PUBLICACIONES DE IDIOMAS S.L. (Publisher)

Défi is a great workbook option for advanced learners of French who want to continue practicing and developing their language skills.

Through cultural explanations and authentic texts, the workbook tests students on their vocabulary and grammar skills so that they can familiarize themselves with complex structures and language use.

Written completely in French, the workbook also provides a great resource for improving reading comprehension and exposure to the language. However, for this reason, it should be used only by those who have a more advanced reading ability.

• Advanced learners
• Cultural insights
• French comprehension

9. 50 French Coffee Breaks

• Coffee Break Languages (Author)
• 256 Pages – 06/07/2022 (Publication Date) – Teach Yourself (Publisher)

We all know that one of the main obstacles to truly developing proficiency when learning a language is finding the time to dedicate to practice when we live such busy lives. This is where 50 French Coffee Breaks comes in.

This French learning workbook aims to provide an answer to busy schedules through short snippets of language learning that you can build into your daily routine. Organized into 5-, 10-, and 15-minute activities, it helps learners build a learning ritual and be consistent with their learning.

The activities are engaging, such as anagram and idiom challenges to get your brain ticking. They also help develop a range of skills, including reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.

• Learners with busy schedules
• Short bursts of regular language learning
• Fun activities

10. French Verb Drills

• de Roussy de Sales, R. (Author)
• 160 Pages – 10/01/2010 (Publication Date) – McGraw-Hill Education (Publisher)

Verbs are a key part of being able to communicate in any language, but many French learners find them an especially tricky part to get comfortable in.

With a huge number of verb exercises to try, French Verb Drills is a great workbook if you want to target your verb competencies in particular.

The workbook provides clear explanations of different types of verb types, conjugations, and tenses, as well as an emphasis on those pesky irregular verbs. It then provides a wealth of exercises, so that you can target particular types of verb uses or just work your way through as you see fit.

It also comes with access to free online exercises to complement your workbook learning.

• Perfecting your use of verbs
• Conjugation tables
• Working on tenses

11. Schaum’s Outline of French Vocabulary

• Crocker, Mary (Author)
• 448 Pages – 09/13/2013 (Publication Date) – McGraw Hill (Publisher)

For some language learners, vocabulary is the last thing to really come. When you’re spending so long focusing on grammar and learning the basics of the language, it’s easy to let a focus on vocabulary slide.

But Schaum’s Outline of French Vocabulary can be a great resource for those who want to specifically target their vocab learning through the completion of practical exercises.

With over 300 exercises in a topic-by-topic format, as well as review explanations and exercises, it is a useful way to compartmentalize and internalize French vocab. The workbook is also accompanied by a free audio download to simultaneously work on comprehension practice.

• Expanding vocabulary
• Comprehension practice through listening
• Interesting topics relevant to France and language learning

12. Les 500 Exercices de Grammaire

• Jennepin, Dominique (Author)
• 256 Pages – 01/24/2007 (Publication Date) – HACHETTE FLE (Publisher)

This French language workbook is targeted at upper intermediate to advanced learners who would like to practice and hone their grammar skills.

As indicated in its name, this workbook is more than extensive, with 500 exercises for you to get your teeth stuck into. Les 500 Exercices de Grammaire goes deeper into complex grammatical concepts, allowing learners to push themselves to native grammar levels.

Since the workbook is written in French, it is one of the best French workbooks to help strengthen your reading comprehension and writing skills at the same time as working on your grammar capabilities. It also features relevant vocabulary choices and a very useful grammar index.

• Advanced grammar
• Reading comprehension in French
• Advanced vocabulary

And that concludes our 12 best French workbooks for language learners. We hope you were able to find one that meets your requirements.

For a well-rounded approach to learning French, I recommend exploring other French learning resources such as apps, books , websites, podcasts , and more. Happy language learning!

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• How to Say Homework in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you’re a student studying French or simply curious about expanding your vocabulary, knowing how to say “homework” in French is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to refer to homework in French, while also providing useful tips, examples, and even regional variations when necessary.

Table of Contents

1. Formal Ways to Say Homework in French

Let’s start by looking at formal ways to express the concept of homework in French:

The most common and formal word for “homework” in French is “devoirs.” This term is used both in educational settings and in everyday conversation. It is important to note that “devoirs” can, depending on the context, also refer to assignments or duties.

Example: J’ai beaucoup de devoirs à faire ce soir. (I have a lot of homework to do tonight.)

b) Travaux (scolaires)

Another formal expression for “homework” is “travaux (scolaires).” This term primarily refers to academic work, including homework, assignments, or even projects.

Example: Je dois finir mes travaux scolaires avant demain. (I have to finish my homework before tomorrow.)

2. Informal Ways to Say Homework in French

Now, let’s explore some informal or colloquial ways to talk about homework in French:

“Boulot,” though originally meaning “work” in a general sense, is commonly used among younger people to refer to homework or school assignments.

Example: J’ai encore du boulot à faire pour demain. (I still have homework to do for tomorrow.)

“Taf” is a slang term for “work” that can also be used to convey the idea of homework. It is particularly prevalent in casual conversations among friends or classmates.

Example: Je dois me mettre au taf ce soir. (I need to start my homework this evening.)

3. Regional Variations

While the words mentioned above are commonly used throughout French-speaking regions, it’s worth noting that there might be slight variations depending on the specific regional nuances. For instance:

a) Quebec French

In Quebec, you might come across the term “devoir” instead of “devoirs” to refer to homework.

b) Belgian French

In Belgium, the word “devoirs” is also used for homework. However, the term “exercices” is occasionally employed to specifically refer to exercise-based tasks.

4. Additional Tips for Talking about Homework in French

Here are a few extra tips to help you express your thoughts on homework more effectively:

• Vary Your Vocabulary: While “devoirs” and the informal alternatives are widely used, it’s always good to expand your vocabulary and experiment with different expressions.
• Use Verbs Appropriately: When communicating about homework, make sure to use verbs like “faire” (to do), “terminer” (to finish), or “commencer” (to start) to convey the necessary actions.
• Consider Context: Depending on the context, you may need to provide additional information to clarify what type of homework or schoolwork you are referring to.
• Practice Pronunciation: Ensure you practice the correct pronunciation of the words you learn, as accurate pronunciation adds clarity to your conversations.

Learning how to express “homework” in French equips you not only with essential vocabulary but also with a deeper understanding of the language and its nuances. Remember to practice using these words in different contexts to solidify your knowledge.

Mastering vocabulary is a voyage that requires patience, so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to integrate these new words into your French conversations. Enjoy the process, have fun, and most importantly, bonne chance (good luck) with your French homework!

Related Guides:

• How to Say “Do Homework” in French: A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Say “Holiday Homework” in French
• How to Say “Homework Book” in French
• How to Say Homework Diary in French
• How to Say “Math Homework” in French
• How to Say Homework in Another Way
• How to Say Homework in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

About The Author

Mark Kieran

Classroom vocabuary and commands

By: Author David Issokson

Posted on Published: September 13, 2012  - Last updated: July 24, 2024

La salle de classe

Whether you’re a student learning how to speak French or a classroom teacher you’ll definitely want to learn some useful classroom commands and expressions. This list includes common phrases and vocabulary words for both teachers and students. 

Phrases for teachers

Homework, assignments.

• Where is your paper? Où est votre papier ?
• Turn in your homework. Rendez vos devoirs.
• Who wants to correct the work? Qui veux corriger le travail ?
• Make the corrections. Faites les corrections.
• Did you finish? Vous avez fini?
• Good job! C’est bien! Bravo !

During the class

• Show me . Montrez-moi .
• Repeat. Répétez !
• Repeat three times. Répétez trois fois .
• Take your book. Prenez votre livre.
• Open your book to page __ . Ouvrez votre livre à la page __.
• Close your books. Fermez vos livres.
• Do you understand? Vous comprenez…?
• What does that mean? Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire?
• Raise your hand. Levez la main.
• Look at the blackboard. Regardez le tableau noir.
• Take a sheet of paper. Prenez une feuille de papier.
• Read __ . Lisez __ .
• Listen and repeat. Écoutez et répétez.
• Write this word. Écrivez ce mot.
• Spell this word, sentence. Épelez ce mot, cette phrase.
• You understand this word, sentence? Vous comprenez ce mot, cette phrase ?
• How do you say _ in French? Comment on dit _ en français ?
• I’ll explain the word. J’explique le mot .
• Speak louder. Parlez plus fort.
• Ask the question. Posez la question.
• Who can reply/answer? Qui peut répondre?
• What’s the right answer? Quelle est la bonne réponse?
• Who can answer? Qui peut répondre?
• Who wants to read aloud? Qui veut lire à voix haute ?
• Do the exercise. Faites l’exercise.
• Work alone. Travaillez seul.
• Work with a partner, in pairs. Travaillez deux par deux.
• Work in small groups. Travaillez en petits groupes.
• Sit down! Asseyez-vous !
• Who’s absent (not in class)? Qui est absent ?
• Pay attention! Faites attention !
• Leave the room! Sortez de la salle !
• Silence! Silence !
• Stand up! On your feet! Levez-vous ! Debout !
• Shut up at the back of the class! Taisez-vous au fond de la classe !

Phrases for students

Relating to homework.

• Here’s my homework. Voici mes devoirs.
• I forgot my homework. J’ai oublié mes devoirs.
• I haven’t done my homework. Je n’ai pas fait mes devoirs.
• My dog ate my homework. Mon chien a mangé mes devoirs.

During class

• What page? Quelle page
• Where’s my textbook. Où est mon manuel scolaire.
• I lost my notebook. J’ai perdu mon cahier.
• I don’t have a book, a pen. Je n’ai pas de livre, de stylo
• How do you write this word? Comment écrit-on ce mot ?
• How do you say _ in French? Comment dit-on _ en français?
• I’m having a hard time ___ . J’ai du mal à ___.
• Can you teach ? Pouvez-vous enseigner ?
• I already learned this word. J’ai déjà appris ce mot.
• What does that mean? Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire ?
• I don’t understand. Je ne comprends pas.
• I understand. Je comprends.
• How do you pronounce this word? Comment prononce-t-on ce mot?
• Could you repeat, please? Vous pouvez répéter, s’il vous plaît ?
• You’re speaking to fast. Vous parlez trop vite.
• Speak slower. Parlez moins vite.

Related lessons

• Vocabulary for the school
• Names of school subjects

French vocabulary | Lessons by David Issokson

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

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24 French Books (for Beginners + Intermediate Students) 2022

by Marissa Blaszko · December 16, 2021

I’m a polyglot who is obsessed with French books–in fact, reading in French has always been my biggest motivator for improving the language!

Here’s what you can expect to find on this list:

• A guide for how students should pick their next book to read
• A list of French books for beginner and intermediate students
• Diverse voices from around the world (not just France)
• Important language notes from me (a polyglot who has read the books)
• Additional helpful information such as number of pages, country of origin, and links to the first page

I highly suggest reading the “start here” section so you can make sure you’re setting yourself up for success, then reading through a good amount of the book list to build yourself a French reading plan.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for items purchased at no extra cost to you.

(How to pick out your next favorite French book)

When I followed most advice for reading in French (or how to read in any language) I had the same problems as most of the other French students I know:

• I would either look up every word… or look up none. (And either was frustrating.)
• I would get bored with books and quit them but wasn’t sure why.
• I was stuck reading the same classics as everyone else, but they weren’t what I would have read in my own native language.

And after solving all of my own problems, I put together this list to make sure no one else repeats my mistakes!

Here’s how you should use this blog post to make reading in French easier than ever.

How to pick the right French book for YOU

1. Find the right book for your French level .

You’ll see this list is sorted in the Common European Framework so you can jump into the right section for you. (If you’re an American student, just know that A1-A2 is your first 2 years of high school or your first year of university; B1-B2 is AP-level or junior year of university; and C1-C2 is university literature.)

2. Confirm that your school level is also your reading level.

Grade inflation is real, and just because you have a certain grammar level doesn’t mean your reading level is the same. The key is to check the front page. 2% or less of printed words on that page should be new to you. The rest should be familiar. ( Read more here .)

Make sure you read the front page of any book on this list so you can confirm you can get the gist of it.

3. Choose books strategically.

Don’t just read the book that you think is the “best” or “most important” at any given level. Find French books that you truly feel you will like.

You’ll be more motivated to continue through any frustration or confusion that way. (And I promise: every book on this list is amazing and important.)

French Books for Beginners (A1-A2)

This section is for students who have never read in French before but have some knowledge of the language.  If you’ve never played with more than an app before you might find these a bit discouraging. If these are too hard for you, check out a textbook like Assimil or Teach Yourself French from the library and get used to the small dialogues in there first. (Although they won’t be quite as fun as reading a real French book!)

Merde, It's Not Easy to Learn French (France Dubin)

Country: n/a

Genre: Short Stories / Travel non-fiction 

Summary:   This trilogy of fun adventures follows its protagonist as she tries to learn French as an adult. Full of frustration and silly situations, French students will likely not only find it relatable but inspiring.

Follow along with her diary entries, misadventures, and even French exercises as you discover French with her!

Reading Tips:  Honestly, these books are a fantastic starting place if you’ve never read in French before. They’ll start you with super, super basic sentences and bring you up to upper beginner. (That is, A1.1 – A2.2.) 

If you read along with them as you’re beginning to learn French, you’ll have some fun language practice every week and reinforce the concepts you learn in class. (Which makes sense–they were written by a French teacher in Texas!)

Plus, they have the bilingual English translations in the back of the book if you get stuck, so you might want to buy the paper books so you can add notations.

Because it’s also broken up into super-tiny diary entries, this is an awesome book for teachers trying to guide students through reading in a classroom.

You can find links to the first , second , and third books here.

Les Trois Mousquetaires A2 (Alexandre Dumas)

Country: France 🇫🇷

Genre: Classic fiction / graded reader

First Page Currently Unavailable

Summary:   The Three Musketeers is a classic piece of French fiction, and the publishers Hachette Francais Langue Etrangere have done a great job simplifying the story for beginner readers!

Reading Tips:  If you’re excited about reading classic French books, you’ll love the Hachette Francais Langue Etrangere series, including Les Tois Mousquetaires .

They also have the added benefit of including audiobook CDs, although you need to buy them new and not used in order to make sure you get them.

Out of the three French books listed here for A1-A2 this is the hardest, so I would suggest starting with Merde (above) and the Olly short stories (below). However, I like this series significantly more than Olly’s mass-translated books because of the cultural and historic elements, so I listed it in the middle of the two.

Short Stories in French (Olly Richards)

Genre: Short Stories

Summary:  This collection of simple stories was made with French students in mind. Written entirely in the present tense with easy-to-follow plots, the entire Short Stories by Olly series is a good first attempt for students trying to break out of workbooks and into reading.

Reading Tips:  The Short Stories by Olly books are really well known and features a lot of different genres of short stories, so I added it to the list to give you some variety at the A-levels since decent books are hard to find. 

However, they’re just translations from generic stories and aren’t culturally-relevant to Francophone countries or regions, so just approach it as an exercise in reading in French. (I personally found them helpful but not at all interesting, unlike other stories on this list.)

French Reading Books for Lower Intermediate Students (B1)

This section is for French students who have already done some reading in French, likely in French books written especially for students, but aren’t ready for a full novel yet.  These French books should help bridge the gap between beginner-reader and advanced-reader, although it’ll likely take some real work to do so!

Short Stories in French: New Penguin Parallel Text

Country: France 🇫🇷 / Canada 🇨🇦

Genre: Short Stories 

Summary:  Ready to try reading real French short stories written for natives? This edition of parallel text translates great, short literature into English to help newer language learners start navigating real literature!

Reading Tips:   Once you’ve warmed up with short stories made for readers, check out this bilingual reader. One of the great benefits of bilingual books is that you can see how expert translators make sense of French words or phrases that “have no translation”, and grow your vocabulary in a seriously immersive way. (Plus, being able to follow plots in English will help you not have to look up every single word in French!)

Just make sure to get the paper version for easier notetaking and referencing.

Quatre vies dans le jardin de la Louisiane (Marie-Laure Rosita de Shazer)

Country: USA 🇺🇸

Genre: Historic Short Stories 

Summary:  Four generations of French speakers move through a garden in New Orleans with the backdrop of history playing out in the backgrounds of their four lives.

Reading Tips:  You should at least have a general understanding of (1) the colonization of the US (2) the Louisana Purchase and (3) Hurricane Katrina in order to fully understand this book.

This book was made for English speakers in mind, but specialized vocabulary like oak trees or marble railing make it a hair harder than the short story collections higher up on this list. However, it’s really worth the read: unlike the other short stories it’s the most tied to Francophone history and will be a great first read for readers looking to deepen their understanding of French history outside of France.

(TW: racism, state violence, natural disasters)

Update Dec 2021:  This is my absolute favorite French book at this level, but as of right now it’s sold out on Amazon and out of print. It’s worth hunting for if you can get your hands on it somehow, but will be hard to find.

Le Petit Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

Genre: Fantasy / Illustrated 

Summary:  A traveler moves through the Sahara when he encounters a small child who demands the traveler draw him a sheep. This fantastic and surreal exploration of identity and adulthood was intended for children but has become a literary classic in over 200 languages for readers of all ages.

Reading Tips:  Le Petit Prince is one of the most-recommended beginner books by polyglots to new language learners. It’s an extremely pretty, imaginative read—and reading it in its original language is a treat. Just be prepared to look up a few keywords when you’re starting to make reading it much easier, although the illustrations will help with context a lot.

En Attendant Godot (Samuel Beckett)

Country: France 🇫🇷 / Ireland 🇮🇪

Genre: Play / Existentialism

Pages: 368 (bilingual edition)

Summary:  In one of the most significant plays of the 20th century, two characters wait by a leafless tree in anticipation of Godot…  who never arrives.

Reading Tips:  If you love literature and philosophy, En Attendant Godot (“Waiting for Godot” in English) will be a simple way to help train yourself away from children’s books and graded readers and into adult novels.

To read adult books in French you’ll need not only a higher level of language but also higher stamina for reading in French–so plays are a great way to start. En Attendant Godot is an existential classic for people who (like me) are excited to read more international classics in their original language. (The version linked in the title is bilingual, written originally in French by Beckett and then translated into English by the playwright himself.)

However, if you’re not a real fan of literature or philosophy, this might not be the play for you.

Une Tempete (Aime Cesaire)

Country: Martinique 🇲🇶

Genre: Play / Post-Colonialism

Summary:   A post-colonial reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest puts the island’s original inhabitants at the heart of this story.

Reading Tips:  If you’ve never read The Tempest, or need a refreshing, check out any of the many dramatized or staged versions of it. (And if you’re not a confident reader in English, the No Fear Shakespeare version will help you out.)

(TW: slavery)

Reading in French for Upper Intermediate Learners (B2)

This section is for French learners moving away into novels for the first time.

Reading novels is way harder than it seems, so if these are difficult don’t get discouraged! Hopefully these will help you advance into the next level of French literature if that’s your goal.

L'Odeur du café (Dany Laferrière)

Country: Haiti 🇭🇹 / Canada 🇨🇦

Genre: Nonfiction Prose 

Summary:  The author invites readers to explore the warmth and color of Petit-Goâve, Haiti, where he spent his childhood. Full of love and magic, he recounts stories from the feet of his grandmother and the ever-present smell of her coffee.

Reading Tips:   Haitian-born Canadian writer Dany Laferrière is one of the most important contemporary writers in either country. A former journalist who now serves on the international Académie Française, he is not only one of the central-most authorities on the language but an integral part of how the language is shaped going into the future.

These short prose are written in bite-size chunks and would make for a great one-month reading challenge (for all of my fellow habit trackers out there) but also an amazing resource to work on with a teacher.

Manikanetish (Naomi Fontaine)

Country: Uashat / Canada 🇨🇦

Genre: First Nation Contemporary Fiction / Prose

Pages: 119 

Summary: A French teacher working at the Innu land in northern Quebec tells a story of her students’ struggle and hope in this open and accessible novel.

Reading Tips:  Manikanetish tells the story of an Indigenous woman returning to her home to begin her career as a teacher. The book is not only slim, but broken up into mini-chapters 1-6 pages each. Each of these sections tells it’s own story through prose and fragments of dialogue. The descriptive vocabulary is challenging, but because it’s broken up into so many individual parts a student trying to transition from short stories into larger novels will find it a great tool for intensive reading.

Consider reading 1-3 passages at a time, looking up all of the words, studying the words, and finally rereading them for a fuller picture.

This is an absolute must-read if you want to really feel how diverse the speakers of French are. Naomi Fontaine is a writer from the Innu Nation, the people whose land is currently occupied by Canadian Quebec. Her novels have won several awards, making her one of the most prominent French-speaking First Nation writers of today. (It’ll be an especially nice read for language learners and lovers.)

(TW: colonial schooling of Indigenous people)

Arsène Lupin (Maurice Leblanc)

Genre: Classic fiction 

Summary:  Maurice Leblanc is often credited for two things: first, being the French Agatha Christie (that is, THE most beloved mystery writer). Second, writing the iconic character  Arsène Lupin , who was not only the original inspiration for the Pink Panther, but the historic nemesis of Sherlock Homes. Always the gentlemen, Lupin is the villain readers over 100 years later still cheer for–and who is often referenced in French media and conversation.

Reading Tips:  There are a lot of stories in the linked-to anthology but don’t get overwhelmed. Start with the first story which introduced Lupin to the French public: Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur .

After that, head over to Lupin contre Sherlock Homes for a super fun cross-over (yes, written by the real author.) Nearly all of them have various audiobook adaptations since they’re in the public domain, so feel free to see if you can find some free ones online if you want to try reading and listening at the same time.

Finally, make sure you check out the Netflix modern-day adaptation of the classic. It’s the single best French series I’ve watched on Netflix and highly recommend it to French learners!

L'etranger (Albert Camus)

Country: France 🇫🇷 / Algeria 🇩🇿

Genre: Existentialism

Summary:  After the death of his mother, Meursault moves through his daily life with little regard to anything around him–his work, his lover, or even his confinement in prison for the murder of another man.

Reading Tips:   L’etranger is a French classic and is the most-recommended novel to French students by teachers, so I had to put it on this list. What’s nice is that it’s in the present tense and the plot is incredibly easy to follow. 

But it’s not for everyone. I warn readers that they should be fans of philosophy and literature in order to get anything out of this one, but again: its slow plot, present tense, and simple vocabulary make it an easy first novel to attempt.

Meursault, contre-enquete (Kamel Daoud)

Country: Algeria 🇩🇿

Genre: Existentialism, Post-Colonialism

First Page currently unavailable

Summary: “The Arab” in L’estranger is an unknown man central to the plot. But as Algerian writer Kamel Daoud explains in an LA Times book review: “the white man has the habit of naming Africa and Asia’s mountains and insects, all the while denying the names of the human beings they encounter.” [ source ] This is the story of Camus’s  Arab: a man named Musa with his own story to tell.

Reading Tips: Make sure you’re familiar with not only L’etranger but its place in modern French culture and the relationship between France and Algeria to understand this book fully. 

(And pay attention to which edition you’re purchasing. The link in the title is to a fully French version, but the English versions outsell and out-rank the French ones on Amazon. There are also some official books by the author which are nods and critiques but not the book itself.)

French Stories/Contes Français: A Dual-Language Book

Genre: Classic Short Stories 

Summary:  Do you dream of reading Voltaire in a Parisian cafe, or Balzac on the French Riviera? This collection of short stories written by the giants of French literature helps French students deepen not only their vocabulary but their understanding of the language’s history and structure.

Reading Tips:  This bilingual reader isn’t for early beginners–it’s for French students who already have reading experience but are looking to ease themselves into real French literature. This book is a great stepping stone for many of the more classic French books in the next section.

French Books for Advanced Level Students (C1-C2)

This section is for French books with difficult language or whose main points are difficult to follow because of the style.

At this point, readers should be comfortable reading long texts in French to a certain degree– although they won’t be expected to be native-like for these books.

Le ventre de L'Atlantique (Fatou Diome)

Country: Senegal 🇸🇳 / France 🇫🇷

 Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Summary:  Salie lives in France, and her brother dreams of joining her there one day. How can she navigate the weight of his dreams–of living in a northern promised land where Senegalese refugees find paradise as football payers–with the reality of what happens to African immigrants as they cross the sea? This contemporary novel explores not only the relationship between two continents but the daily lives and dreams of the people who move across them.

Reading Tips:  Enjoy the style of this one. Diome mixed French literary tradition and the oral traditions of Africa on top of exploring the mixture of cultures on the two continents she calls home.

(TW: systematic violence and racism)

Hygiene De L'Assassin (Amelie Nothomb)

Country: Belgium 🇧🇪

Genre: Thriller

Summary: The shocking, morbid tale follows Pretextat Tach, a brilliant Nobel Prize-winning author who’s also an obese, embittered, reclusive, racist, and sexist old man dying of a rare form of cancer. When the world learns Tach has only months left to live, journalists scramble for an interview. Five are selected, and the first four leave their interviews humiliated by the offensive author. But then the fifth journalist arrives. Unlike the others, Nina has not only read Tach’s work but also investigated his life, discovering appalling secrets the author had thought were buried forever.

Reading Tips:  Hygiene de l’assassin was the first book by beloved Belge author Amélie Nothomb. 

If you’re a bit tired of haughty French literature, this is a fun read.

There have also been several theatre adaptations, an opera, and a movie made of it, so if you want to do a little bonus emersion see you can track some down online.

En finir avec Eddy Bellegueule (Edouard Louis)

Genre: Autobiographic / Contemporary LGBT+

Summary:  This autobiographical retelling of the author’s life became an instant bestseller in France and in over 20 other countries. At the intersection of the working class and LGBT+ struggles, it offers a compelling story that doesn’t shy away from today’s political taboos.

Reading Tips:  This book is awesome for French learners who struggle to understand both sentences that are too slang-filled and sentences that are too formal. It’s written really vernacularly, but with plenty of elegant phrases, so make sure you take note of some great new expressions you’ll pick up. (This is a great one for students who want to read how people in today’s day  really speak on the streets and in real life.)

(TW: alcoholism, abuse)

Chéri (Colette)

Genre: Edwardian Romance

Summary:  Full of lust, love, scandal, and opium dens, to summarize  Chéri as a romance novel doesn’t do it justice. Based on some semi-autobiographical events in Colette’s own life, the pre-war opulence of the French bourgeois is glaring, harsh, and delightful. 

Reading Tips:  The French version of this book can be harder to find than the English version, especially since they have the same title, so make sure you check your edition language . However, because it’s relatively short, it’s a nice first novel once you’ve exhausted the B2 list. The language is a bit tricky, but it’s a great one.

(And if you want to keep reading, check out Fin de Chérie for a post-war sequel that I think history buffs will like more than the first.)

(TW: drug use)

Thérèse Raquin (Émile Zola)

Genre: Thriller / Naturalism

Summary: Thérèse Raquin tells the story of a young woman, unhappily married to her first cousin by an overbearing aunt.  When the opportunity arises, Thérèse enters into a turbulent and sordidly passionate affair with a friend of her sickly, egocentric husband. 

In his preface, Zola explains that his goal in this novel was to “study temperaments and not characters”. Because of this detached and scientific approach, the book is considered an example of literary naturalism.

Reading Tips:  This is one of those French books that is important in the country’s literary tradition, but isn’t as widely read in high schools outside of literacy programs. Because of that, there are a number of plays, TV series, and film adaptations that you might want to watch first. (This way you’ll have an understanding of the plots and “personalities”, as Zola put it, so you can concentrate more on the language and details when reading.)

Zola was a friend of Cézanne and contemporary of Balzac, so Francophiles who adore French history should dive into this one.

L'historie de la sexualité (Michel Foucault)

Genre: Philosophy / Non-Fiction

Pages: 221, 234, 334 (each book)

Summary:  In this French philosophic classic, Michel Foucault explores the roots of our modern sexuality–one which he believes is still firmly rooted in Victorian modesty and encased in fear and politics. The series takes on topics of sexual deviancy (such as the LGBT+ communities), the national policies around sex and sexuality, and even broader topics such as what “normal” really means.

Reading Tips:  There are 3 books in the original series: La volonté de savoir , L’usage des plaisirs , and Le souci de soi . (There is also a fourth book , but it’s generally not considered part of the original 3.)

The cover featured here is the first book, if you want to read the full L’historie de la sexualité  be prepared to buy or rent all three.

(As for the language, the individual words aren’t that hard–but following the many concepts and sometimes meandering narrative can be tough, so be prepared to take notes or use a graphic organizer.)

L'histoire des Acadiens (Bona Arsenault)

Country: Canada 🇨🇦 / USA 🇺🇸

Genre: History / Non-Fiction

Pages:  268

Summary:  Sure you’ve heard of the famously French-speaking Quebecois… but what about the other Francophone groups of North America? L’histoire des Acadiens is a detailed and moving recounting of the massacres, forced migrations, and life stories of the Acadian people–all the way from New Brunswick Canada to ‘Cajun New Orleans.

Reading Tips:  You should be at least somewhat familiar with the history of Canada and the US to read this. (European readers might find themselves struggling to place certain dates within the context of things like the colonization of the Americas and American Revolution.) But if you’re like me and have a real love for the many variates of American French, this is a must-read.

Update December 2021:  This book is awesome so I don’t want to take it off the list, but it’s unfortunately out of print and now sold out on Amazon. If you have the time to hunt it down somehow, I highly recommend it.

Anthologie de la littérature louisianaise

Genre: Literary Anthology

Pages:  491

Summary:  Who were the French people who settled in Louisiana? How did they live? What did they think? In this anthology, unlike any other compiled in French, readers can explore letters, poetry, songs, and prose about the Francophone American South–from 1682 to today.

Reading Tips:  Like many anthologies, reading this cover-to-cover will be a challenge. I highly recommend this book for teachers looking for super unique material for upper-level students, as well as true language-lovers who really want to get to know a whole new side of French.

Just be warned that not only is much of this anthology a very old French, but it largely exists outside of standardized language–so for even advanced students, it will likely feel very foreign. (However, for polyglots or people who want to venture into older French works, you’ll find the language and spelling super super interesting and hopefully not too hard.)

(TW: colonialization of Indigenous people)

Texaco (Patrick Chamoiseau)

Genre: Historic Fiction 

Summary:  This epic tale follows its protagonist and setting, the neighborhood of Texaco, through a century and a half of racial struggle, creole fables, colonial bitterness, and pure joy.

Reading Tips:  If you’re unfamiliar with the history of Martinique, take note of the mini-history lesson offered at the beginning of this book (or read up on Wikipedia). Since this novel takes place over 150 years, you may also want to take additional notes on specific locations, the relationships and lineage between characters, or historic notes throughout the book. (There’s nothing wrong with note-taking when reading! It doesn’t make you a bad reader–but a strategic one!)

(TW: slavery, brutality)

Samarcande (Amin Maalouf)

Country: Lebanon 🇱🇧

Genre: Historic Fiction

Summary:  In this ancient story, Francophone literary master Amin Maalouf imagines the life of Persian philosopher, scientist, and poet Omar Khayyám in the 11th Century. Readers will be transported back in time through rich descriptions and bold characters.

Reading Tips:  Amin Maalouf is another one of the members of l’Académie Français on this list, making him an international authority on the French language. This story from le Moyen-Orient is yet another reminder that the French language does not belong exclusively to French European citizens.

Additional Tips on Reading in French Books

Now as I said before, this list isn’t some random assortment of Amazon affiliate links–these are books I have read. (And if I haven’t, they were recommended to me by friends who also study French.)

French is by far my favorite language to read in, but before you hit any “order now” button, I want to leave you with a few words of advice for how to read French books from a student perspective.

• Be mindful of tense.  Books that are written in the present tense are perfect for beginners–but the overwhelming majority are written in some mix of tenses. On top of checking the first page for vocabulary, make sure you’re familiar with the tense that it’s written in.
• Familiarize yourself with the French literary tense.  If no one has told you by now, French used to be spoken in the simple past tense –a tense which is no longer used, but still reigns supreme in literature. Make sure you familiarize yourself a little bit with it if you haven’t already (although speakers of other Latin languages won’t find it too tricky.)
• Consider starting at a level lower than you’re currently at.  Grade inflation is real! I was at the cusp of French B2 in group classes, only to find myself repeating A2 themes once I hit private classes. My level ranking here is more strict tot he CEFR definitions than most classes are, so really make sure you’re comfortable with the first page (and not just optimistic like I once was).
• Build a habit.  Want to really improve your French? Download my free habit trackers here , which can be used for any language in a variety of creative ways.

Do you know of any other French books which should be included on this list? Leave them in the comments for consideration!

Tags: books language immersion reading tools and resources

Marissa Blaszko

Not only did I fail out of high school Spanish, but I also managed to forget my native language (Polish) in the process. After 10 years of establishing my career in the arts I decided to give language learning one last chance, and many years (and languages) later, I now help others online learn or relearn languages. I now speak English, Spanish, French, Catalan, Portuguese and am relearning Polish, my heritage language. I've also studied Italian, German, and other languages to low- or intermediate-levels for fun. If you want to relearn a language, I'd love to help!

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