What is the best book about living in Paris?

Question

I am thinking of moving from London to Paris some time in the next few years. Does anyone know of a really good non-fiction book that deals with daily life in Paris, what to expect etc? I am not taking about a tourist guide book here. Thanks guys.

Answer 1

A year in the Merde can be funny for somebody from england.

Answer 2

I loved "Petite Anglaise" check out the blog also at www.petiteanglaise.com

Or

A Year in the Merde and In the Merde for Love (Merde Actually I think is the UK title)

French or Foe by Polly Platt also

Answer 3

I like this one but it might be more geared towards Americans;

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Studying-Wo...

I found this one helpful as far as the culture was concerned;

http://www.amazon.com/French-Foe-Getting...

This one is good if you'll be working directly with the French.

http://www.amazon.com/Au-Contraire-Figur...

This written by a British guy living in Paris. He wrote some fiction books on the same theme;

http://www.amazon.com/Talk-Snail-Command...

Since you're British, you might do better with the information on the web.

http://www.expatica.com/fr/main.html

http://britishexpats.com/articles/france...

http://www.expatforum.com/expats/france-...

For entertaining reading, my favorite book is "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull who is Australian and moved to Paris to marry a Frenchman.

http://www.amazon.com/Almost-French-Love...

You may be recommended "A year in Provence", "Paris to the Moon" or "Sixty Million Frenchmen can't be Wrong". I found those to be less helpful and/or a bit snotty. The last one is written by a Canadian couple so that doesn't relate to your situation well. Read them if you want but start with the above.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I also liked Sarah Turnbull's "Almost French"

Another I enjoyed was by Debra Oliver called Entre Nous

XOX

Answer 5

I was born in Paris and i still live here..it's just great!

the streets, the buildings, the monuments, the museums and all.. Paris is really special :)

The french (and parisian) way of living is cool: the food is good, the weather is kind of nice, the landscapes are beautifull and the parisians are nice too (don't believe what people says..^^)

You should read books written by parisians and french people, i think they can be more precise than the tourist's books..

But if you live in London, just take the train and spend a week end in Paris, you'll feel directly if you would be happy here or not :):):)

Bienvenue à Paris ..:)

Answer 6

I like this one:

Living and Working in France: A Survival Handbook

by David Hampshire.

It contains a lot of practical information that will help you settle in France.