Guides Mystérieux

Step into the shadowy, wondrous corners of France with these Les Guides Noirs—a cult series of mid-century travel books dedicated to the forgotten, the folkloric, and the deliciously strange. First published by Éditions Tchou, these guides were created for wanderers who prefer back-alleys to boulevards, legends to landmarks, and mysteries to museums.

Each hardbound volume features its original gilt-stamped typography and surreal, jewel-toned illustration on the cover, a collectible object in its own right. Inside, you’ll find. These are not guides in the modern sense—they are portals. Perfect for travelers, collectors, writers, and anyone who prefers their France a little uncanny.

These guides feel like something pulled from a novelist’s desk drawer: scholarly yet strange, charmingly outdated yet timeless in atmosphere. They pair beautifully with a candlelit evening, a glass of wine, and a sense of curiosity.