JOdy

Another vote for eyewitness, but like the other posters I find them most helpful for planning, in fact I write a notebook of what I want to do and see and just use their maps when I get there. I just picked up a new guide in the Library the other day, one I had never seen before.. econoguide,com for London, went to their website and they have one for Paris which I ordered in addition to the London. I particularly liked the neighborhood layout, large print and it listed things that even after about 35 trips to London I haven't seen or seen listed before. <BR> <BR>I find the forums and websites much more useful for info on hotels and restaurants, but do love Patricia wells for Paris and Gault Mileau (sp) for London , Paris and France, etc. <BR>

Judy

I have an Eyewitness Guide and Time Out Paris. I really like both, In fact, I BOUGHT the Time Out Edinburgh, and Time Out Dublin. Time Out seems to have a very differant outlook on Travel <BR>IMO. Judy

Anna

We used Rick Steve's book for Paris in September 2000 along with Frommer's. I liked Rick Steve's book better, we really liked the Marais walk he described. You may also be able to find some information at his website. <BR>http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/countries/france.htm

StCirq

Eyewitness and Michelin Green are all I ever carry, and I do carry them even though I've been to Paris probably 50 times. Rick Steves - I wouldn't touch him, mainly because of his restaurant suggestions (yuckola!), but that's just me - for a first-timer I suppose he's fine. I don't know how you can go wrong with the Michelin Green Guide and Eyewitness for amplification, though.

francesca

If you are interested in an authentic experience in Paris, then go for Time Out. What they recommend more closely mirrors real life here. Much more so that the traditional guide books. As for Rick Steve's, Cheap Eats, etc.: the places may not be bad, but you will be sure to be surrounded by other tourists.

kitty

Brava St-Cirq & Francesca . . . <BR> <BR>I can't believe nobody's mentioned Rough Guides yet: <BR> <BR>http://travel.roughguides.com/content/13787/index.htm <BR> <BR>I use them + Time Out all the time in major Euro cities, they're awesome. <BR> <BR>http://www.timeout.com/paris/index.html <BR> <BR>TimeOut's Eating & Drinking guide is totally the business, pick up a copy when you get over there: <BR> <BR>http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...927978-5925205 <BR> <BR>(Anybody wanna bet that Anna [with a UW alum email] is actually a RickSteves employee?) Have a great trip Linda, you will love "la rentree" !

Julie

I'm with the supporters of Access guides. For Paris or any other place I usually start with Fodors and Frommers. They can't be beat for basics. I, too, like to view the Eyewitness guides before hand but they're just too heavy to carry around. If I had to take just one with me (and I always take multiples) it would be Access for any city that they do guides for. The unfortunate thing about them is that they do not update as frequently as some so be sure you're dealing with fairly timely information by checking the copyright date. For up to date info in major cities check your hotel desk to see if they have the Where guide to the city--or some local equivalent. These are frequently available and have the advantage of not having to be packed in your luggage.