I was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any updates to the Michelin Green Guides for Provence &/or French Riveria anytime soon. I've checked Amazon.com, and the publications date back to 2001...would these be recent enough? Does it matter? Thanks!

I think those guides were last updated in 2001, when Michelin began changing the format to add hotels and restaurant recommendations in addition to sightseeing/cultural/historic information. I doubt that much has changed except for the hotel/restaurant portions, and those are a small part of the overall guide. You'll be fine with the 2001 editions.

You can call Michelin direct (800 number) in the States or call a local bookstore. They can usually tell you if there is a nez pub. date planned.

Only thing that might be new in the guides, if there is a new one coming out, would probably be some web or e-mail addresses. I believe all of the Micheline guides beginning in 2003 now contain internet information where available. Other than that, which probably isn't very important, I don't think there will be much change if they do publish a newer version.

The best plan would be to buy the red Michelin Guide to Hotels and Restaurants in France to supplement the Green Guides. That way you'll have the best of both worlds--including the very helpful maps of major cities.

Now Underhill, you mean to purchase the Red guide once we arrive in France, right? What sort of bookstores would have them available?

Thanks!

Bookstores, large supermarkets (hypermarchés), autoroute stops with shops, tourist shops...they're fairly easy to find. The hypermarchés typically have the best prices. You should also be able to find a copy at any large, and some small, bookstores here at home--they're great for planning.

You can purchase the Red Guide at bn.com.