Asbjørn Aarnes (20 December 1923 – 8 January 2013) was a Norwegian professor and literary historian.

He was professor of European literary history from 1964 to 1993, as well as head of literature department from 1966 to 1970.

He was co-editor of the book series Idé og tanke, jointly with Egil A. Wyller, and principal editor of the book series Thorleif Dahls Kulturbibliotek from 1978 to 2001.

He has also written several works on French literature and on Norwegian poets.

He received several French honorary decorations, including l'Ordre national du Mérite in 1970, the Légion d'Honneur in 1979 and l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques in 1984.