French cuisine is celebrated all around the world for its exquisite flavors and nuanced cooking techniques. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced home chef, learning to cook French food can be an enjoyable experience. With the right tools and guidance, anyone can master classic French dishes like coq au vin, bouillabaisse, and of course – crêpes! To help make this culinary journey easier and more delicious than ever before, here are some fantastic French cookbooks so you can start mastering all your favorite traditional French recipes today. 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1: A Cookbook by Julia Child

Featuring 524 delicious recipes and over 100 instructive illustrations to guide readers every step of the way, Mastering the Art of French Cooking offers something for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners who love good food and long to reproduce the savory delights of French cuisine.

Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle break down the classic foods of France into a logical sequence of themes and variations rather than presenting an endless and diffuse catalogue of dishes—from historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. Throughout, the focus is on key recipes that form the backbone of French cookery and lend themselves to an infinite number of elaborations—bound to increase anyone’s culinary repertoire.

My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories by David Lebovitz

In 2004, David Lebovitz packed up his most treasured cookbooks, a well-worn cast-iron skillet, and his laptop and moved to Paris. In that time, the culinary culture of France has shifted as a new generation of chefs and home cooks—most notably in Paris—incorporates ingredients and techniques from around the world into traditional French dishes. 

In My Paris Kitchen, David remasters the classics, introduces lesser-known fare, and presents 100 sweet and savory recipes that reflect the way modern Parisians eat today. You’ll find Soupe à l’oignon, Cassoulet, Coq au vin, and Croque-monsieur, as well as Smoky barbecue-style pork, Lamb shank tagine, Dukkah-roasted cauliflower, Salt cod fritters with tartar sauce, and Wheat berry salad with radicchio, root vegetables, and pomegranate. And, of course, there’s dessert: Warm chocolate cake with salted butter caramel sauce, Duck fat cookies, Bay leaf poundcake with orange glaze, French cheesecake…and the list goes on. David also shares stories told with his trademark wit and humor, and lush photography taken on location around Paris and in David’s kitchen reveals the quirks, trials, beauty, and joys of life in the culinary capital of the world.

French Cooking for Beginners: 75+ Classic Recipes to Cook Like a Parisian

The French may not have invented cooking, but they certainly have perfected the art of eating well. In this definitive French cookbook that’s perfect for beginners, you’ll discover how to make the timeless, tasty cuisine served up at French dinner tables and in beloved bistros and brasseries.

Author François de Mélogue breaks down classic French cookbook dishes like Duck Confit with Crispy Potatoes, Bouillabaisse, and Coq au Vin into easy-to-follow steps perfect for the newcomer. Along the way, you’ll learn how to put together a cheese board any Parisian would be proud of, fry the perfect pommes frites, and pair food and wine like a pro. Let’s get cooking the French way! Bon appetit!

This essential French cookbook for beginners includes:

• Classic flavors―Discover more than 75 recipes you’ll love, from Steak Tartare to Tarte Tatin.

• A taste of Paris―Learn to shop like a Parisian and how to prepare 4 classic cocktails from the City of Light.

• Essential extras―Beyond French cookbook recipes, you’ll find 12 tips for souffle success, expert advice on how to make a pan sauce, and a guide to French wines.

Classic Parisian cooking comes home in this French cookbook for beginners.

Tasting Paris: 100 Recipes to Eat Like a Local by Clotilde Dusoulier

Tasting Paris features new and classic French recipes and cooking techniques that will demistify the art of French cooking and transport your dinner guests to Paris. Whether you have experienced the charm of Paris many times or dream of planning your first trip, here you will find the food that makes this city so beloved. Featuring classic recipes like Roast Chicken with Herbed Butter and Croutons, and Profiteroles, as well as newer dishes that reflect the way Parisians eat today, such as Ratatouille Pita Sandwich with Chopped Eggs and Tahini Sauce and Spiralized Zucchini Salad with Peach and Green Almonds. With 100 recipes, 125 evocative photographs, and native Parisian Clotilde Dusoulier’s expertise, Tasting Paris transports you to picnicking along the Seine, shopping the robust open-air markets, and finding the best street food—bringing the flavors and allure of this favorite culinary destination to your very own kitchen.

Mastering French cuisine has never been easier, thanks to cookbooks like these. Not only will you learn how to make incredible French dishes, but you’ll also develop techniques and flavor profiles that will take your cooking skills to the next level. With these books as your guides, you’ll become a master of the art of French cuisine and be able to impress friends and family with deliciously prepared meals. Bon appetit!

***All book descriptions courtesy of Amazon