« On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. » (One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.) Many people know this line without having read the book it comes from. Published in 1943, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s « Le Petit Prince » has become one of the most read and most translated books in the world.
Here is what it is about, who its author was, and why it is often the first real book French learners read.
Key takeaways
- « Le Petit Prince » was first published in 1943 in New York, in French and English, and in France in 1946.
- It has been translated into hundreds of languages and dialects.
- Its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was a pilot; he disappeared on a mission in 1944.
- Its short sentences and simple dialogue make it a good read from B1 level.
What is « Le Petit Prince » about?
A pilot crash-lands in the Sahara desert. There he meets a little boy from another planet, asteroid B 612, where he left behind a rose he loves. The little prince tells him about his journey from planet to planet, where he met strange grown-ups: a king with no subjects, a conceited man, a drunkard, a businessman counting stars, a lamplighter and a geographer. On Earth he meets a snake and a fox, who teaches him what « apprivoiser » (to tame) really means.
Who was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry?
Born in Lyon in 1900, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a pilot before he was a writer. He flew mail over the Sahara and the Andes, and drew on these adventures in novels such as « Vol de nuit » (Night Flight) and « Terre des hommes » (Wind, Sand and Stars). During the Second World War he wrote « Le Petit Prince » in New York, then joined the Allied air force. On 31 July 1944 he disappeared at sea off Marseille during a reconnaissance mission.
The book’s great themes
| Theme | What to remember |
|---|---|
| A child’s view | The little prince cannot understand grown-ups, obsessed with numbers and self-importance. His innocence becomes a gentle critique of the adult world. |
| The invisible essential | The fox tells him that what really matters cannot be seen with the eyes, only with the heart. |
| Taming | Building a bond takes time, and makes the other person unique in the world. |
| Responsibility | We become responsible for those we love: that is why the little prince wants to return to his rose. |
Did you know? the book’s watercolours were painted by Saint-Exupéry himself. And asteroid B 612 inspired a real name: an asteroid discovered in 1993 was named 46610 Bésixdouze, French for “B six twelve”.
Reading « Le Petit Prince » to learn French
- An accessible text. Short sentences, lots of dialogue, simple vocabulary: from B1 level, it is a realistic read.
- Good practice for the passé simple. The story uses this literary tense, which you learn to recognise by reading.
- A book to reread. You read it as a child, then as an adult, and see different things each time: a great topic for discussion.
- Audio versions. Listen while you read to work on comprehension and pronunciation at the same time.
Going further
For more culture, read our articles on Molière and Émile Zola and the Impressionists. To discuss your reading with a native teacher, try our French conversation course or the Live French Club.
Frequently asked questions
When was « Le Petit Prince » published?
In April 1943 in New York, in French and English. It only came out in France in 1946, published by Gallimard, after the author’s death.
Is « Le Petit Prince » easy to read in French?
Yes, from about B1 level. The sentences are short and there is a lot of dialogue. The story uses the passé simple, which you quickly learn to recognise.
What does « apprivoiser » mean?
To tame, or to create a bond with someone so that they become unique to you. It is what the fox explains to the little prince.
How did Antoine de Saint-Exupéry die?
He disappeared at sea on 31 July 1944, off Marseille, during an aerial reconnaissance mission in the Second World War.
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