Reading novels in « easy French »

Learning French by reading novels, classics as well as recent titles, crime fiction or even short stories, is entirely possible. Books in « français facile » (easy French) are adapted to your level so you can read with pleasure from the start.

The essentials

Books in « français facile » are adapted, simplified novels, graded by level.
Two reference publishers: CLE International and Hachette FLE.
Major authors are adapted: Balzac, Jules Verne, Dumas, Hugo…
Illustrations, glossary, cultural pages and sometimes audio.
Pick a title slightly below your level to read without a dictionary.

The easy-French publishers

Two FLE publishers specialise in these books, with 3 or 4 levels depending on the number of words.

Publisher	Collections
CLE International	« Français Facile »
Hachette FLE	« Lecture Facile » and « Lire en français facile »

Balzac, Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Maurice Leblanc, Simenon, Gaston Leroux: authors whose texts are adapted and simplified, both in syntax and in vocabulary.

Who are these books for?

They are for lovers of French literature whose level is not yet enough to read the original text, for those who want to broaden their knowledge of the language, culture or literature, and for anyone who wants to vary their materials. These short books are easy to access, whatever the level you choose.

What is inside these books?

Element	Detail
Length	40 to 120 pages depending on the level, sometimes in one to three volumes.
Illustrations	Included in every book to aid comprehension.
Glossary	A glossary of the difficult words.
Cultural pages	Cultural background and learning activities.
Audio	Audio versions (audiobooks) for some titles.

Tip: pick a book slightly below your level so you can read with pleasure and without a dictionary. You will build fluency and vocabulary without getting discouraged.

Going further

Reading regularly is one of the best ways to make progress. To talk about it and stay motivated, join our book club, or work on comprehension and speaking with a native French teacher in online lessons over Zoom. You can start with a free trial lesson with an assessment.

Book a free trial lesson

Frequently asked questions

What is a book in easy French?

A novel or story adapted and simplified, in syntax and vocabulary, graded by level for French learners.

Which publishers release easy-French books?

Mainly CLE International (« Français Facile ») and Hachette FLE (« Lecture Facile », « Lire en français facile »).

What level is it for?

There are 3 or 4 levels depending on the number of words, from beginner to advanced. Pick a book slightly below your level.

Which authors are adapted?

Balzac, Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Maurice Leblanc, Simenon, Gaston Leroux, among others.

How does reading in French help you progress?

Regular reading builds vocabulary, anchors grammar in context and improves comprehension. Audio versions also help pronunciation.