@FrankScience Definitely. Even for French natives who are somewhat versed into philosophy Sartre is not that easy to read. Even with a strong background in philosophical concepts I'm afraid a too limited command of French might be a real drawback. A dictionary will help with vocabulary (and that's not the main problem in philosophy where the technical vocabulary is often transparent in Western languages)

but it won't help in understanding sentence structure and nuances in the handling of philosophical concepts. I'd say a B2 or C1 level of French would be better before you tackle Sartre's philosophy.

His novels or plays will probably be easier to start with.

@Laure Thanks, but I don't know whether L'existentialisme est un humanisme is easier to grasp, as says wikipedia: Il constitue une introduction extrêmement claire, bien que simple, à l'existentialisme, et peut sans la moindre difficulté être lu par des personnes non habituées à des textes philosophiques plus ardus. I was not referring to Sartre's philosophy as a whole (hardcores such as L'Être et le Néant)

I've also bought Rousseau's Discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes and Du contrat social: Principes du droit politique. I don't know, among them (including Sartre's), which one is the easiest. Does Rousseau's writings contain some old French?

In addition, these books are comparably cheap.

@FrankScience that sentence refers to fluent French speakers

that work doesn't require a lot of philosophical culture, but it might not be so easy if you're struggling with the language

that being said, I don't know, I've never read L'Existentialisme est un humanisme

@FrankScience Rousseau isn't old French. It's 18th century French, and while the language does appear slightly dated, there isn't much there that would be difficult if you're used to modern French.

Evidently not easy, but I need to know whether it's so difficult to be completely wasting time, say.

@Gilles Thanks.

You can try out Rousseau on Projet Gutenberg

I'd expect easy Sartre to be about on par (and difficult Sartre, I'd only venture into with footnotes, and I'm a native)

Thanks a lot. I didn't know Gutenberg before.