From the postcolonial perspective of the early twentyfirst century the importance of travel literature for considerations of national and international cultures and identities has become increasingly apparent. Travel literature in French has however received little critical scrutiny. This book contributes to contemporary reassessments of the form in a number of disciplines focusing specifically on the discourses and contexts of travel in twentiethcentury texts written in French. Its scope is interdisciplinary involving theoretical and generic considerations as well as a historical overview of colonial and postcolonial texts. The book provides essential reading for all students of travel literature in French and of travel literature in general.