Molière published 1 novella, 1 non-fiction book and 29 plays, beginning with The Misanthrope (1666). The best-known is Tartuffe (1669).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Molière
Novellas in order
Psyché (Jan 1671), with Pierre Corneille and Philippe Quinault
Non-fiction in order
L' Avare (1674)
Plays in order
Les Précieuses Ridicules (Nov 1659)
The Imaginary Cuckold (1660)
Les Fâcheux (1661)
The School for Husbands (1661)
The School for Wives (1662)
La Critique De L'École Des Femmes (1663)
La Jalousie Du Barbouillé (1663)
L'Amour Médecin (1665)
Le Médecin Malgré Lui (1666)
Mélicerte (1666)
The Misanthrope (1666)
Pastorale Comique (1667)
Le Sicilien Ou L'Amour Peintre (1668)
The Miser (1668)
Monsieur De Pourceaugnac (1669)
Tartuffe (1669)
Les Amants Magnifiques (1670)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (1671)
Scapin the Schemer (1671)
George Dandin Ou Le Mari Confondu (1672)
Les Femmes Savantes (1672)
Princess of Elis (1673)
The Imaginary Invalid (1673)
Dom Garcie De Navarre Ou Le Prince Jaloux (1682)
Don Juan (1682)
L'Impromptu De Versailles (1682)
Amphitryon (1950)
Lovers' Quarrels (2007)
Film and TV adaptations
- Tartuffe (1925)Film · from Tartuffe
- Le tartuffe (1984)Film · from Tartuffe
- Žorž Danden (1970)TV · from George Dandin Ou Le Mari Confondu
- Don Juan (1998)Film · from Don Juan
Free to read
All free classicsThe Middle-Class Gentleman
The Impostures of Scapin
The Learned Women
The Flying Doctor
The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman
The Pretentious Young Ladies
The Countess of Escarbagnas
The Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques)
Don Garcia of Navarre
The Jealousy of le Barbouillé
The Bores
The Love-Tiff
Sganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived Husband
About Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the great writers in the French language and world literature. His extant works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and more. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today. His influence is such that the French language is often referred to as the "language of Molière".
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Molière FAQ
- How many books has Molière written?
- Molière published 1 novella, 1 non-fiction book and 29 plays that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Molière's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Tartuffe.
- What is Molière's last book?
- L' Avare (1674).
- What is Molière's most famous book?
- Tartuffe (1669) is Molière's most widely read book.
- Which Molière books have been adapted?
- 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Tartuffe (film, 1925), George Dandin Ou Le Mari Confondu (as Žorž Danden, TV, 1970) and Don Juan (film, 1998).
- Can I read Molière's books for free?
- Yes. 21 books by Molière are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Molière
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.