However, some of the most popular and widely read French books throughout history include:
* "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: This beloved children's book has captivated readers of all ages with its timeless themes of love, friendship, and imagination.
* "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo: This epic novel exploring themes of social justice, poverty, and redemption remains a classic of French literature.
* "Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert: This realistic novel about a dissatisfied woman in provincial France is often credited as one of the first examples of literary realism.
* "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas: This swashbuckling adventure story is known for its intricate plot, colorful characters, and themes of revenge and justice.
* "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo: This gothic novel set in medieval Paris features a deformed bell-ringer and a beautiful gypsy girl.
* "Germinal" by Émile Zola: This naturalistic novel depicts the harsh realities of life for miners in 19th-century France.
* "The Plague" by Albert Camus: This existential novel examines themes of mortality, human nature, and the absurdity of life through the lens of a plague outbreak.
* "The Stranger" by Albert Camus: This philosophical novel follows the life of a man who commits a seemingly senseless crime and challenges traditional notions of morality and responsibility.
Ultimately, the "most popular" French book will depend on individual preferences and the context in which the question is being asked.