Books

Nice and the Riviera have been the stage of extraordinary lives and remarkable stories, an endless source of inspiration and memory.
This is a selection of books I recommend to immerse yourself in local culture and discover history through biographies and true stories,
to read before your journey, during your stay, or afterwards, to let the experience quietly linger.

I also recommend Read the Room, a charming English-language bookstore and coffee shop (menu), very well located near the Port and Place Garibaldi,
offering a beautifully curated selection of novels, guides and cookbooks. Books can be ordered online and collected in store or delivered.

Queen Victoria and the Discovery of the Riviera

A fascinating book that plunges the reader into Nice and the Riviera at the end of the 19th century. It is a wonderful way to travel back in time and understand not only the birth of the Riviera as a destination, but also the political and historical context of Europe during that period.
An absorbing and insightful read. Highly recommended.
Michael Nelson, 2007.

Chanel’s Riviera

The book offers fascinating insights into Gabrielle Chanel‘s life during the interwar years and the Second World War, her deep connection to the Riviera, including her house in Roquebrune Cap Martin. Also revealing lesser-known chapters of her story and of the era on the French Riviera.
Anne de Courcy · 2019

Niçoise

An exceptional cookbook for anyone who loves to cook. Rosa Jackson is an essential voice of Niçoise cuisine, and this book is a true gem.
It beautifully teaches the fundamentals of local cooking and is enriched with stunning photography. A joyful, generous and inspiring book.
Strongly recommended.
Rosa Jackson · 2015

Promise at Dawn

A moving and powerful autobiographical novel about love, ambition and destiny. Through the extraordinary bond between a mother and her son, Romain Gary offers a deeply human story that is both tender and profound, touching on identity, exile and the pursuit of one’s place in the world.
Romain Gary · 1960

La Baie des Anges

A novel deeply anchored in Nice, where the city itself becomes a character. Max Gallo captures the soul, tensions and transformations of the region, offering a rich and atmospheric portrait of the Riviera and its history.
Max Gallo · 1976

Les Fables de la Fontaine

A must-read for anyone learning French and wishing to immerse themselves in French culture.
For over a century, French children have grown up with these fables. Stories such as The Crow and the Fox, The Hare and the Tortoise or The Ant and the Grasshopper are beautifully written, timeless, and deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of France.
Jean de La Fontaine · 17th century