Best Paris travel guide book...
 

Besides Fodors, of cours. Looks like we'll be going there, for the first time, for our 25th wedding anniversary, during the last week in April, around April 27. How cool is that? Am I excited. OH YEA, BABY! Even Rod, my husband, is excited. We want to go and do what the Parisians do, whatever that is...sip wine, taste cheese, walk, stroll, smell the flowers, and just enjoy the history and charm...

So, if there is anything you would like to share about this beautiful city, please feel free to post, anything at all. Oh yes, we will be staying at the St. Germaine des pres on Bonaparte, I am hoping for about five nights? And one day trip, or side trip to Normandy.

AAA Spiral Guide - Paris

Orientation & transportation
Eats
Museums
Sights
Walks
Very detailed street map

Only thing it's missing is a bus map.

How about the Rick Steves Guide book? Is that one you would recommend? Or any other one, necessarily?

How about maps? Where would we get the best maps of Paris?

Thanks, merci to all...

The Michelin Green Guide is my Paris Bible. I like to use the Eyewitness Guides for planning, too, but don't bring them with me.

The Streetwise laminated map of Paris is a good one. I usually use my Paris par Arrondissement book, though, which I bought at a kiosk in Paris many years ago.

For the first day, hire an all day guide. We used Michael Osman for 3 of our 17 days. We explored gardens/churches/museums/markets and learned how to metro/bus/walk anywhere. The rest of our trip was easier and a lot more fun because of the orientation. You can do a search for Michael on this website or for other guides.

Printouts from this website - especially the 100 cheap/free things to do in Paris. Don't know where that thread is now.

I actually ate at only 1 restaurant listed in one of the five guidebooks I bought. Most of the "good" info I used came from Fodorites on this board.

If you need to "figure out" the Paris transport situation, please download, print out, and read this book:

<b>http://www.atkielski.com/PDF/data/ParMetro.pdf
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