Gérard de Nerval books in order
French writer, poet, essayist and translator
- Lived
- 1808–1855
- Country
- France
- Books
- 6
Gérard de Nerval published 2 novels, 3 novellas and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Voyage to the Orient (1851).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Gérard de Nerval

Start here
Voyage to the Orient
Gérard de Nerval's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Illuminated (1852)
Les Filles Du Feu (1854)
Novellas in order

Sylvie (1853)
La Pandora (Oct 1854)

Aurélia (1855)
Non-fiction in order

Voyage to the Orient (1851)
About Gérard de Nerval
Gérard de Nerval was the pen name of Gérard Labrunie, a French travel writer, essayist, poet, and translator. He was a major figure during the era of French romanticism, and best known for his novellas and poems, especially the collection Les Filles du feu, which included the novella Sylvie and the poem "El Desdichado". Through his translations, Nerval played a major role in introducing French readers to the works of German Romantic authors, including Klopstock, Schiller, Bürger and Goethe. His later work merged poetry and journalism in a fictional context and influenced Marcel Proust. His last novella, Aurélia ou le rêve et la vie, influenced André Breton and Surrealism.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Gérard de Nerval FAQ
- How many books has Gérard de Nerval written?
- Gérard de Nerval published 2 novels, 3 novellas and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Gérard de Nerval's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Voyage to the Orient.
- What is Gérard de Nerval's last book?
- Aurélia (1855).
- What is Gérard de Nerval's most famous book?
- Voyage to the Orient (1851) is Gérard de Nerval's most widely read book.
- Can I read Gérard de Nerval's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Gérard de Nerval is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Gérard de Nerval
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.

