Ooh-La-La! 12 Cozy Mystery Series Set In France

Anybody else remember that old song, "I Love Paris in the Springtime"? I heard it the other day, and it got me dreaming of the soft light on the Seine, café tables spilling onto cobblestone streets, and walking through the Tuileries.

But cozy mystery readers know that in France, there's a sense that anything might happen around the next corner. Beauty and danger often go hand in hand. From the lavender-scented hills of Provence to the glittering Côte d’Azur, France offers the perfect backdrop for amateur sleuths, culinary adventures, and deliciously twisty crimes.

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Anyway, my daydreaming inspired me to compile a list of 12 standout cozy mystery series set in stunning locations across France. Every one of these series has earned more than 3.5 stars on Amazon.

Long Running Cozy Series

1. Maggie Newberry Mysteries by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

30 books in the series

First book: Murder in the South of France

A richly immersive series that begins with heartbreak and unfolds into a full life in France, the first book follows Maggie Newberry as she relocates from Atlanta to Provence after her sister’s murder. What begins as a search for answers evolves into a long-running journey filled with vineyards, village intrigue, and recurring danger. With clean storytelling, emotional stakes, and a strong sense of place, this series beautifully balances cozy charm with deeper suspense.

2. Aimée Leduc Investigations by Cara Black

21 books in the series

First book: Murder in the Marais

Set across Paris’s iconic neighborhoods, this series features private investigator Aimée Leduc, whose cases often intertwine with history, politics, and identity. Each installment highlights a different arrondissement, giving readers a richly layered portrait of the city while delivering fast-paced, intelligent mysteries.

3. Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

19 books in the series

First book: Bruno, Chief of Police (also published as A Death in the Dordogne)

Set in the Dordogne, this beloved series follows Bruno Courrèges, a small-town police chief who values good food, community, and a slower pace of life. When murder intrudes, Bruno must navigate both modern tensions and historical secrets, all while savoring the pleasures of rural France.

4. Winemaker Detective Mysteries by Jean-Pierre Alaux & Noël Balen

14 books in the series

First book: Treachery in Bordeaux

Wine, murder, and the French countryside come together in this irresistible series featuring master winemaker Benjamin Cooker. Traveling through Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, and beyond, Cooker and his assistant solve crimes rooted in greed, inheritance, and the high-stakes wine industry.

5. Inspector Dupin Series by Jean-Luc Bannalec

12 books in the series

First book: Death in Brittany

Set along the rugged Breton coast, this atmospheric series follows Commissaire Georges Dupin, a Parisian transplanted to a world of seaside traditions and local secrets. The mysteries are layered with regional history, folklore, and a strong sense of community.

At some point, I'll put together a list of individual mysteries set in France. Got any suggestions? Let me know in the comments below.

Newer and Shorter Series

6. Verlaque & Bonnet (Provençal Mysteries) by M.L. Longworth

10 books in the series

First book: Death at the Château Bremont

Set in Aix-en-Provence, this series pairs magistrate Antoine Verlaque with law professor Marine Bonnet. Together, they investigate crimes rooted in academia, old money, and personal rivalries, all while navigating their own complicated relationship.

7. Paris Bookseller Mysteries by Evan Hirst

9 books in the series

First book: Death on the Seine

A charming, bookish cozy series featuring Ava Sext, a Parisian bookseller, and her cat, Mercury. When a mysterious near-death incident disrupts her quiet life, Ava is drawn into solving crimes that ripple through the literary corners of the city.

8. Victor Legris Mysteries by Claude Izner

6 books in the series

First book: Murder on the Eiffel Tower

Set during the Belle Époque, this historical series follows bookseller Victor Legris as he investigates murders in a rapidly modernizing Paris. Rich in period detail, the series captures the energy, artistry, and intrigue of late 19th-century France.

9. An American in Paris Mysteries by Colleen Cambridge

4 books in the series

First book: Mastering the Art of French Murder

Blending culinary history with mystery, this delightful series features Tabitha Knight, an American expat—and friend of Julia Child—living in postwar Paris. Between cooking lessons and café culture, she finds herself solving murders with charm and determination.

10. Sam Levitt Capers by Peter Mayle

4 books in the series

First book: The Vintage Caper

Set in Provence and the Riviera, this lighthearted series follows Sam Levitt, an art-loving sleuth drawn into international capers. Known for its humor and lush descriptions of French food and wine, it’s as much about lifestyle as it is about mystery.

11. Penelope Kite Mysteries by Serena Kent

2 books in the series

First book: Death in Provence

This breezy series follows Penelope Kite, a recently divorced British woman who relocates to Provence for a fresh start—only to discover murder waiting in her new backyard. With humor, romance, and village intrigue, it’s a delightful escapist read.

12. Charlie James Mysteries by Kirsty Manning

2 books in the series

First book: The Paris Mystery

Set in glamorous 1930s Paris, this historical series follows journalist Charlie James as she navigates high society, fashion, and danger. Lavish parties and elite circles provide the backdrop for murders that reveal the darker side of the City of Light.

French-Set Cozy Mysteries

From the bustling streets of Paris to the quiet vineyards of Provence, these cozy mystery series offer the perfect blend of escape, atmosphere, and intrigue. Whether you’re drawn to culinary mysteries, historical settings, or amateur sleuths starting over in a new country, France provides a setting where every corner holds a secret.

Where would you like your cozy mysteries to take you next? How about Mexico or Ireland?

This post contains affiliate links embedded throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.