The Backstory:
France

Edward Rutherfurd

This is a dazzling epic that tells the story of Paris across the centuries by following the lineage of several families through time.

You meet characters from every age of Parisian history. This story introduces you to important historical moments while bringing the City of Light to life.

This is an entertaining way to get a solid overview of the places you will encounter in Paris.

David McCullough

The story of the young Americans that flocked to Paris in the 1800’s to study in the world's capital of science, art, and culture.

Kristin Hannah

France, 1939 - In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn't believe that the Nazis will invade France ... but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne's home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.

Victor Hugo

A tale of the tragic love story of a hunchback, Quasimodo, and the beautiful gypsy, Esmerelda. The story takes place in and around the great cathedral of Notre Dame which will be the first site you’ll see in Paris.

Stephen Ambrose

An epic story of the heroic soldiers that stormed the beaches of Normandy to gain a foothold in Europe. One of the greatest war stories ever written.

Anthony Doerr

A fantastic book about a young blind girl who plays a pivotal role in the French Resistance in Brittany leading up to the D-Day invasion in WWII. The story is set in the town of St. Malo where we will spend a few nights. This is a Pulitzer Prize winning book that will add much to our interest of this amazing place.

Charles Dickens

This classic tells a fantastic story of self-sacrifice during the French Revolution. It has probably the most famous opening line of any book in history.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

1962

This is a classic movie about the D-Day invasion and was shot on location at several places we'll visit.

2006

A movie about the Austrian Princess turned French Queen who becomes a central figure in the French Revolution. This is a great intro to the French revolution.

2012

You've probably already seen this, but if you haven't, watch it!

1982

This is about a British double agent who risks everything to rescue endangered royalty during the French Revolution. The story is a rollicking good tale told with a lot of whit and humor.

1982

This is an excellent movie about French Revolutionary Gorges Danton who initially supported the Reign of Terror, then spoke against it. Eventually he fell victim to it. This movie is in French with English subtitles.

1999

This is a movie about the most famous French heroine from the 100 Years War. Believing that she heard voices from Saint Catherine, this peasant girl sets out to lead France's army in a war of liberation. She feels called by God to put a French prince—Charles—on the throne. Ultimately it is a sad story of betrayal that leads to her sainthood.