Read These 6 Books Before Becoming an Au Pair in Paris
Hey Au Pairs,
Before we became au pairs, literally all we could think about was WHAT it would be like when we finally moved to PARIS!
We both bonded over just how many hours we spent looking at pictures of Paris (rather than doing more important French homework, maybe).
If you’re looking to soak up more of Paris before you move, here are a few of our favourite books we think are worth reading. Make sure to let us know the books you love in the comments or on Instagram!
1. Down and Out in Paris and London
You’re becoming an au pair, get ready to know the struggle for money. Perhaps it won’t be quite as bad as George Orwell as you’ll know you have a roof over your head for your whole au pair commitment (unless you get kicked out, that is.)
This fictional memoir is great for throwing you straight into the dirty streets of Paris in 1933. Orwell has the advantage of not having to look after kids, making this book a great way to read about Paris and ignore the responsibilities about to come your way…
2. Read Hemingway
The American writer moved to Paris to become a foreign correspondent and quickly fell in love with the city. Before moving to the city, read (or skim if you’re not into Hemingway) A Moveable Feast.
This book is a memoir of Hemingway’s days in Paris and how he struggled as a migrant in the 20s. Maybe it’ll inspire you to write down your own experiences? (Edwina and I would regularly bond over early journal entries we wrote when we first moved abroad.)
It’s kinda sad how often we read our journals together - anyone else do this with their best friend?
3. Prepare Yourself for Cultural Misunderstandings
We haven’t read this one ourselves (yet!) but were told by an au pair friend that anyone heading to France from America HAS TO. Cultural misunderstandings are going to be abundant when you first move to Paris.
Prepare yourself in advance with the book… Cultural Misunderstandings. Check it out on GoodReads to find out more and let us know what you think if you read. (PS. we’d also love to hear your real-life stories about cultural misunderstandings!)
4. The Little Prince
Although not about Paris, this one is a must read before you head to France. You will see it referenced absolutely everywhere. It’s the most translated French book but we recommend reading it in its original language (perhaps with an English copy on hand too) to help bolster your skills.
Luckily, this book is a children’s book. But don’t be surprised by the philosophical view on life it throws at you. Make sure you pick up a copy with watercolours included!
Once you read this book, you’ll see this guy everywhere. I even saw him selling ice cream in South Korea.
5. A Year in the Merde
This is a “comic novel” but a British author who moved to France. Edwina absolutely HATED this book. I quite liked it (but did read it during my most bitter time in France…) We’re interested to know other opinions on this book!
Edwina HATED A Year in the Merde but she LOVES bunnies.
6. How to Become an Au Pair in Paris
SHAMELESS plug. If you’re moving to Paris soon and want silly stories about being an au pair, this is the book for you.
Edwina and I have both been au pairs and wrote this book as a HOW TO guide. We wrote the book we WISHED we’d had as au pairs. If you read it, please leave us a review on Amazon - it would mean the world to us :D You can check it out, here.
Just like Le Petit Prince, our book also has many watercolour images…
(We JUST realised how super male-writer heavy this list is so we’ll be reading some more books by female writers based in Paris and promise to update it soon! Or recommend your favourite books for us to add.)