A big list of children’s books about Paris & Paris movies for kids including both Paris picture books and Paris chapter books.

I love trying to find documentaries, movies, and books set in the places where we’re visiting before we go and there were SO many options to choose from before we headed to Paris, France! This is not an exhaustive list; I checked out most of these from our library and the ones I didn’t enjoy I didn’t include of course. Please leave a comment if I’ve missed any that your family enjoyed!

If you like this post, check these out while you’re here!

Pin this list of children’s books about paris for later with this link or collage image:

children’s books about paris

Don’t forget that many of the chapter books are also available as audiobooks! I have tips for listening to audiobooks with kids here – check your library for free audiobook options, or try Scribd, or pay for Audible.

Picture Books

General Paris:

A Walk in Paris by Salvatore Rubbino [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a sweet picture book without a ton of text, following a Grandpa and Grandson as they walk past some of the main sights.
Lonely Planet Kids Pop-up Paris by Andy Mansfield [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a pop up book for younger kids or kids into 3D paper creations.
Good Night Paris by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop]- a board book for littles, showing some of the main sights.
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay] (also has a movie listed below!)- a classic picture book following a little girl’s story and includes a few landmarks in the pictures/storyline.
Paris hide-and-seek by Masumi & Anita Conrade [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a seek and find book incorporating some of the sights.
Where is Claris? In Paris by Megan Hess [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]-a seek and find book incorporating some of the sights and a very frou frou fancy mouse.
Babar’s Guide to Paris by Laurent de Brunhoff [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a classic cartoon takes on some of the sights.
Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a sweet picture book that practices one of the most important french phrases!
Crêpes by Suzette by Monica Wellington [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- this picture book introduces some famous art pieces in Paris along with our favorite street food, crepes.

Based on famous French people & famous French artists/art:

I focused on French Artists – you could also consider learning about Leonardo da Vinci before viewing the Mona Lisa, there are several Vincent Van Gogh pieces at the Musee d’Orsay, and there is work by Frida Kahlo at the Centre Pompidou.

Katie and the Mona Lisa [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- this series is a blend of fiction/non-fiction, using a fun storyline where the protagonist “jumps into” the paintings and meets them.
Katie and the Impressionists [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- this series is a blend of fiction/non-fiction, using a fun storyline where the protagonist “jumps into” the paintings and meets them.
Marie Antoinette : fashionable queen or greedy royal? [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a denser book that had lots of illustrations, but keeping it here for little kids who might just looking at photos before going to Versailles, talking about the famous queen.
Rosa’s animals : the story of Rosa Bonheur and her painting menagerie by Maryann Macdonald [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a text-heavy book talking about the painter and her life; see some of her work at the Musee d’Orsay.
Mornings with Monet by Barb Rosenstock [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a short picture book introducing the famous author and some of the Impressionist principles. There are works by Monet at the Musee d’Orsay & Musee de l’Orangerie.
Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a short picture book introducing the sculptor’s work, There are works by Degas at Musee d’Orsay.
The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a short picture book looking at the artist’s life. There are works by Matisse at the Centre Pompidou.
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a short picture book looking at the artist’s life.There are works by Matisse at the Centre Pompidou.
Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall’s Life and Art by Barb Rosenstock [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a short picture book looking at the artist’s life. There are works by Matisse at the Centre Pompidou.
The Mona Lisa Caper by Rick Jacobson [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a picture book talking about when the famous painting was stolen and explaining why it got so famous.
Napoleon vs. the Bunnies by J. F. Fox [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a picture book talking about Napoleon, who you’ll see in several works of art in The Louvre.

Based on monuments/specific places:

The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris by Nicolas Jeter [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- this is a beautifully illustrated new picture book talking about the famous cathedral.
Tricky Vic : the impossibly true story of the man who sold the Eiffel Tower by Greg Pizzoli [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- based on a true story, teaching about the con man who “sold” the Eiffel Tower to a scrap metal dealer!
Sylvia’s Bookshop: The Story of Paris’s Beloved Bookstore and Its Founder [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- based on the popular bookstore.
Gustave Eiffel’s Spectacular Idea: The Eiffel Tower by Sharon Katz Cooper [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- some background on the Eiffel Tower before you visit.
Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs by James Rumford [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- This story tells about why France was gifted the Luxor Obelisk (within walking distance of the Louvre to see for yourself!) when Frenchman Jean-François Champollion was key in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. If you have a kid that’s super into this story or geeks out on historical stuff, there is an adult book specifically about how they moved the giant monument back in 1836 too.
Underworld: Exploring the Secret World Beneath Your Feet by Jane Price [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- this is a nonfiction book NOT all about Paris, but it does have a solid 2 page spread about the catacombs and Metro tunnels under the city with nice illustrations.

Chapter Books

Non-Fiction or Historical Fiction

Horrible Histories: France by Terry Deary [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- this series uses somewhat of “gross out” humor/funny language to talk about history, gives some context for things you might see in museums.
Where Is the Eiffel Tower? by Dina Anastasio [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a biographical series that explains the history of famous people and landmarks, with more text than illustrations.
Who Was Joan of Arc? by Pam Pollack – there is also a graphic novel version of this! [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a biographical series that explains the history of famous people and landmarks, with more text than illustrations.
The Royal Diaries: Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a longer chapter book written from her perspective.
Who Was Marie Antoinette? by Dana Meachen Rau [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a biographical series that explains the history of famous people and landmarks, with more text than illustrations.
The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- another novel that has a young tween meeting Marie Antoinette and becoming friends, offers a look at life in the palace and the revolution’s beginnings.
Who Was Napoleon? by Jim Gigliotti [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]-a biographical series that explains the history of famous people and landmarks, with more text than illustrations.

Fiction

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay] (also has a movie listed below!)- an innovative chapter book that uses illustrations heavily, following a Parisian orphan living in a train station.
Diva and Flea by Mo Willems [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a sweet illustrated smaller chapter book following two buddies through the city.
Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duarte Armendariz [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a newer caper chapter book set in the Louvre.
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a classic novel following a homeless man connecting with kids who need his help on the streets of Paris.
The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre by Claire Povey [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a newer novel that follows an orphan solving a mystery through Paris with his friends.
Les Miserables by Monica Kulling [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a kid’s version of the classic play.
Thea Stilton and the Mystery in Paris by Thea Stilton [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a silly series following its mouse protagonist through the city.
Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures #11: Framed in France by Jeff Brown[Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a younger novel where the protagonist helps solve the missing painting caper.
Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novels: We’ll Always Have Paris by Geronimo Stilton [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a silly series following its mouse protagonist through the city.
Night of the New Magicians (Magic Tree House Merlin Mission) by Mary Pope Osborne [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]-this popular series is great for early elementary kids,
Madame Pamplemousse and the Time-travelling Cafe by Robert Kingfisher [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a magical time travel adventure novel set in a Parisian cafe.
Peril in Paris by Katherine Woodfine [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a historical espionage novel set in 1911.
Dodsworth in Paris by Tim Egan [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- an early reader with more illustrations than text, following a sweet storyline through the city.
Charlotte in Paris by Joan MacPhail Knight and Melissa Sweet [Shop: Amazon – Used on Ebay]- a dense text, illustrated book following a girl meeting famous artists in the city.
Harley James and the Puzzle in Paris by Leah Cupps [Shop: Amazon ]- a mystery novel for 9-12 year olds, following a stolen item from the Louvre.
City Spies by James Ponti [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a thriller set in Paris with spy/hacker kid protagonists.

Travel Guides

Mission Paris: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure by Catherine Aragon [Shop: Amazon]- an interactive scavenger hunt book that has questions and real life seek & find prompts at popular destinations, you carry it with you.
Lonely Planet Kids City Trails by Helen Greathead [Shop: Amazon – Bookshop – Used on Ebay]- a nonfiction guide to paris that is jampacked with trivia, history, and fun illustrations/photos.

Paris movies for kids

Aristocats– see an overview here; animated cats loosely set in Paris
Hunchback of Notre Dame– see an overview here; animated set at Notre Dame Cathedral
Hugo (also has a book listed above!)- see an overview here; live action set in Paris
Ratatouille– see an overview here; animated rat set in Paris
Madeline (also has a book listed above!)- see an overview here; live action set in Paris
Leap!– see an overview here; animated ballerina movie set in Paris
A Monster in Paris– see an overview here; animated movie set in Paris

Also, not a movie but the TV series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is also set in Paris- see an overview here!

A big list of children’s books about paris & paris movies for kids