Best guide book to Paris
 

Hey Fodorites, What is the best guide book for Paris? I wasn't impressed with Lonely Planet the first time. Any other suggestions? Thanks so much

I really like the unofficial guide for restuarants and sights. They have always been on the money for us.

hi
see this thread on this same topic, started earlier today

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568535

Michelin Green Guide, beyond a doubt.

Paris for Dummies

I don't believe there is one best guide, and much depends on your interests. If I were packing, I'd take the Insight guide for Paris, the Zagat restaurant guide, and because I'm still young at heart, if not otherwise, the Time Out Paris guide. And for one day at least I'd be sure to leave them all closed and just let things happen!

For me, it is Access Paris.

Agree on Time Out, and also the new Discovery Channel Insight Guide to Paris.

For planning the trip (flights, hotels, restaurants, etc.) we mostly use the web. For taking with you as a detailed guide to the sights, I prefer the Michelin Green Guide. It is very descriptive and included history and practical information such as opening days and times, prices, etc.

Everyone has their favorites, mine is "Eyewitness Paris"

Margie,

That's exactly what I meant to say when I said "Insight"! Could you tell me where I left my car keys?

What is the Discover Channel Insight Guide like, i've been browsing recently and haven't seen that one.

La, I have such a pile of guides here on this desk right now!
My son wants me to bring the Rough Guides book for him.
I will bring my Zagat Paris for us.
The Streetwise Map and the Middleditch Mapguide.
And my dear, stained, bent and crumpled Access Paris.
I don't bring everything with me, there is also Frommers Irreverant Guide to Paris :D

Dave - jacket pocket?

In the ignition?

jahlie:

Michelin Green Guides are the first guides I consult when planning any trip. For Paris, I also have Fodor's Exploring Paris and Eyewitness Paris. I never use guide books to choose hotels or restaurants, as they are often out of date and thousands of other travelers have the same information. I always check HERE and Tripadvisor for recent hotel and restaurant recommendations.

For walking, please check out "Pariswalks" - its a great book. You can also downlod from Audible.com, of you want an audio tour:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s&n=507846

Regards Ger

JMyra, if you were browsing the travel section you'd see a thick red and white book with Insight Paris in big letters on the cover, and the Discovery Channel logo on the bottom right corner. They're colorful books loaded with pictures, and spend a lot more time discussing the culture and day-to-day life of said place - Paris, in this case - than most. It's got the requisite hotel, dining, travel and other practical information in the back, but the meat of the book is a description of Paris, section by section, and its people. All the major sights are covered, along with some a lot of travel guides won't cover.

Margie, Scarlett,

In the ignition --or in the jacket pocket. Right! I left the jacket in the car. But where did I leave the car?

thank you for the information on the Discovery Channel book, i hadn't seen that one in my bookstore. i'll look for it on line.

My only guide when I first went to Paris over 40 years ago was the Michelin Green Guide. Over the years I have used many guides, and have gone through three or four editions of the Michelin. It is still my first choice.

You might want something else for hotels and restaurants, but you can choose these from the internet. In fact, unless you have a specific restaurant in mind, by simply wandering around the neighbourhood of your hotel you will have no trouble finding good restaurants to match your taste and budget. That's what I always do.