Leaving for Paris in a few weeks and have yet to buy a city map. I keep looking at the popular maps in the bookstores but none of them really stand out. Looking for some knowledgeable opinions on which one to use. <BR>I was thinking that I might wait and buy one in Paris; perhaps at the airport or elsewhere. Any recommendations on buying a map there? <BR>Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Pick up "Paris Par Arrondissement" at any tabac when you get there. It is all we needed this year. Ours cost 36FF. <BR>

Ditto what Sharon says. The Paris par Arrondissement is indispensible - alphabetical listing of streets, maps of the RER, metro, bus routes, as well as complete maps of each arrondissement. With that and a free map from the tourist office, you are set to jet. <BR> <BR>I have lots of maps of Paris - free from McDonald's, the tourist office; as well as some odd bits from guidebooks - and I live and die by the "Paris par".

oops, sorry, Shayne...brain cramp.

Still, I'd buy a map here and study it in advance to familiarize yourself with the city. Great selection at Barnes and Noble.

I bougyht both copies of my "Paris par arrondissement" at Borders here in Chicagoland. It's got a blue cover and I think it's #14 in whatever series it's in.

Paris par Arrondissement for infinite detail, which some people need occasionally. <BR>The mall-chain bookstore The Civilized Traveler also carries them I think. <BR>However for walking around and having with me always, I swear by "Streetwise Paris." It folds easily, is pockt-sized,laminated,gives you an overall view as well as a metro map, and street names that can be looked up, has 98% of the detail most people need, and is fairly discreet, if that matters to you. <BR>If I'm looking for a very obscure location I usually plot my route in my hotel room first anyway, and that's where the Plan par could come in handy, for me.

If you don't need to plan a special route or choose a hotel to be near something, etc, and don't need a map before going, I agree you can just get one there--most hotels have them free ("sponsored" by a dept store, probably), the ones by Printemps store are pretty good, or you can get one at Tourist Offices or often McDonalds. I think a lot of tourists, espec for a few days trip, may not really need the small book Paris par Arrondisements which gives maps by small area (about 1/2 an arrondisement) (some of these can be confusing to read because of all the info and small scale), but if you do, pick one up there. I do think the Streetwise plasticized folding version are the best series available in bookstores in US. I even bought one for its durability and convenience and I have 3 Paris par Arrodisements, and several free dept store/McDonalds maps. The ONLY caveat is that it is only central Paris, I think it stops just below bd MOntparnasse, not sure where on the north. I don't like the big ones you have to unfold all over the place and I think there's some series called pop-up which isn't very good; Lonely Planet maps are just ok, but Streetwise are better, I think.

I know a lot of people swear by "Paris Par Arrondissement", but I prefer the Michelin map of Paris, not the fold-out version, but the one in "book form", which has a street index.

David, <BR>There are many versions of Paris par Arrondissement. Some are great; others have type that requires a high powered magnifying glass. I have several copies, but much prefer the Michelin version, which appears in booklet form. I got same at Galeries Lafayette in Paris after reviewing several dozen Paris maps, including different varieties under the Paris par Arrondissement label. If you can get the Michelin booklet (it's blue) here, fine. If not and can spare the time, get it in Paris. It may be inconvenient, but it's easy to see and easy to use. That's often not true with maps using miniprint.

We also purchased the "Paris par arrondissement, Blay Foldex" Ours is red which we purchased in Paris. It measures 4 3/4 X 7 1/2 and 3/8" thick. As stated it is the BIBLE of street guides but alittle thick while not heavy for my purse. Someone on this board recommended "The Paris Mapguide" by Michael Middleditch ordered it from B&N for $9.00 It's larger, 5 3/8 by 8 but a much slimmer profile which suits my purse better. It handles the main tourist area of Paris effectively. Whatever you plan on using to carry your books in might make one better than the other. <BR>Happy Trails

Capo, <BR>I prefer Michelin too, and I have both. The Michelin I purchased in the U.S. at Borders it the #16 (orange, book form) "Paris Atlas par arrondissements" with a street index, metro map and bus routes. The detail is amazing, and it's easy to carry in a handbag or coat pocket. I bought it ahead of time to study our "quartier" and to make notes of where restaurants, cafes, wine bars, places for tea, stores like LBM and specialty food shops we wanted to visit were located, and also alternate hotels just in case the one we had chosen didn't work out for some reason. In doing this, in a small way we could "get to know" our arrondisement (the 7th, where we hadn't stayed before) and have a game plan. It proved to be an invaluable investment for us and made our trip easier and more enjoyable.

This may sound dumb, David, but the McDonald's map comes in handy (assuming they're still available) as a quick reference guide ("Ah, here we are because there's the McD's that's shown on the map!"). Plus, you can usually count on the McD's for a restroom, which can be sometimes hard to find when you really need one.

David, <BR> <BR>I second the above recommendation of the Streetwise Map of Paris. We found it to be very useful. It's laminated and is a good size. We found it much easier to use than the large paper maps. It will fit in a purse or coat pocket, and has all of the information you'll need. It has an index of the major streets. It includes metro stops and all the major sights are illustrated on the map, so with this map you wouldn't even need a guide book if you've done some pre-trip research and know what you want to see. <BR> <BR>Check it out at any bookstore. I think you'll like it. <BR> <BR>

Michaelditch - trying to remember, but I think that's it. small 4x6,5x7 wirebound book form, very detailed, even alleys, street index, sites identified, several languages, bus routes, metro map, some info on hours. Borders book store. Beats streetwise hands down.

"Streetwise Paris" should be issued with every air ticket to Paris! Easy to carry, plastic, detailed, detailed, detailed. Loved the Munich/ Rome/Madrid/Paris issues. Always buy a street map in advance and start getting familiar with the Metro stops names and conections as well as hotel environs.

Many of the above suggestions are great. I use the Michelin Paris Plan along with a good metro map. I have also found the free maps at the hotel lobby works well. If this is your first trip, I would recommend spending a little time reviewing the map before your go and if you have never used the metro review that map also. Here is a little tip that I find helpful. Before I leave I take the Michelin Paris map to my copy machine and make copies of various sections of the city and then when I am in Paris I take the copy of the area I will be in that day with me. It folds up to a small package that I can keep in my pocket and it is a lot easier to read while standing on a street corner in Paris than the Big Michelin Map. <BR> <BR>In October I will have to check out those free McDonalds maps. Not only will I not have to pay to pee, I can get a free map.

Thanks for all the responses...one thing is certain...I will buy a map...and I will, nevertheless, get lost...but sometimes that's half the fun of travelling!

David- <BR> You might want to use something to mark your hotel on the map for quick reference. Nothing worse that to keep dragging out the glasses to find that little street so I knew where we were going.