Favorite guidebooks for Paris/France?

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Everyone always wants to know about guidebooks for Paris and/or France. So this is your chance to tell everyone which ones you use and would recommend, and why?

Mine: I like the "Access Guides" generally, and have used "Paris Access" for years (also "London Access"). It's at the top of my list (although I also refer to "Born to Shop Paris" from time to time).

My reason: This guide has lots of basic information about just getting by (great for a novice), like making phone calls, etc.

More to the point, the entries regarding points of interest are laid out by area (with a map), locating each place on the map (by a number for the entry), and different types of entries (hotel, restaurant, cultural, shoppping, etc.) are in different colors. There are, in addition to the usual suspects and the hotels and restaurants, lots of small offbeat shops, small/unusual museums, and other ponts of interest. Interspersed are some historical notes about the particular part of the city.

When I went to Paris the first time, I had bought Paris Access several months in advance and pored over it, annotated it, etc., with things I thought I would like to see (also helped a lot in grouping things that were fairly close together, or finding other points of interest near a place I knew I would be). Examples of unusual shops would be things like shops selling antique/used silver, shops selling hand made writing paper, antique map specialists, etc.

One thing I have noticed is that over the succeeding editions, some of the small and unusual shops have disappeared as other things were added (they seem to have a pretty well defined max page limit, so I think they just removed some entries to make way for others). But some of the ones that disappeared were the most interesting, so if you check an on-line book seller you might look for used copies of older editions, as you probably will find entries that are interesting and not in the most recent ones.

For France more generally, I have used various things that weren't all that great (Fodor's etc.), probably because with a topic so broad there isn't enough about any one part. Right now I have some for the Dordogne and Bordeaux that we probably will take on the upcoming trip so I may have opinions about those before long!

For a phrasebook, I've always used and recommended "French at a Glance" (part of the "At a Glance" series). I find it very user-friendly, and it's also quite small and has a plastic cover so it's durable.

[Sarastro]

For traveling throughout France, I have found no resource better for finding comfortable hotels and consistently outstanding restaurants than the Michelin Red Guide (works well for Paris too).

That and a comprehensive road atlas, (i.e. the Michelin Road Atlas of France 1:200.000 scale in spiral hinged, book form) are all one really needs.

[Happygoin]

I've always been a fan of the Let's Go series. I just hate carrying things around with me, and the Let's Go is just a laminated fold-out map (the city, the metro and the RER) with about 20-25 pages of info inside. Now, admittedly, it is not for a beginner. It gives thumbnail sketches of each place, with the hours of operation and entrance fee (if any)...that sort of thing. But I would rather travel that way and learn about a place when I get there than read extensively about it in a book.

[sistereurope]

I've never used a "regular" guide book. I bought "Paris by Bistro" by Christine and Dennis Graf for my last trip (and left it HOME, GRR)...anyway, I really liked it - I did take notes at least, and their recommendations were right on. I also took my old Patricia Wells book the first time - she needs to update it, as I find her recommendations to be stellar as well.
As you can see, my guides are all food relater...hmmm

[Happygoin]

I wish Patricia Welles would update her books on an annual basis although I realize that it would be a full-time job. Not to mention a full-figure job . But her Food Lovers Guides are great.

[GitteK]

I have posted this numerous times, but somehow it seems that I never get my message through.
These 2 following books are in French, yes - BUT even if you cannot read much French, they are alone for their beautiful photos and adresses amazing treasureboxes filled to the brim with the gems of quiet unknown Paris away from the crowds.
To me there is a distinct line - though to fools it may be invisible - between going to Paris without these books and going to Paris with them.
Both books can be bought at www.amazon.fr

>>Paris au calme<< by Jean-Christophe Napias


>>Paris secret et insolite<< by Rodolphe Trouilleux

Next on my list are Thirza Vallois's comprehensive trilogy (in English) "About and Around Paris" I-III - which meticulously takes you through all 20 arrondissements with history, art, music, anecdotes, crimestories, lovestories, rise and fall, high and mighty AND gives you exciting suggestions for special walks. They are for reading in those long winternights when you are still far away from you next trip. I plan to bring them this summer (MAYBE, depends on how much else I plan to schlep) - for having in my apt. for planning in the evening before visiting a certain arrondissement next day. Can be bought at her own webiste:
www.thirzavallois.com/





Lastly there is "l'incontournable" history-made-fascinating by Alistair Horne

>>The Seven Ages of Paris<<

(recommended by IrishRovr). It really provides you with the grand perspective of the long life Paris has led - and when you visit Basilique de St.Denis, experiencing the tombs will be at a totally different level and you feel the wings of history. Can be bought at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

[cybee]

Thanks GitteK! I love hearing about excellent choices of books especially about Paris! (and they do look like excellent choices, indeed!) I enjoy seeing the covers too (albeit you can not judge a book by its cover! You can via a good recommend and description thereof...but it is nice to see the cover regardless). I am now considering acquiring these (or at least some) books! Thanks for the recommends and pics thereof!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Gitte, thanks so much for these! I had not heard of the first ones, and had heard of the "Seven Ages" but had not yet decided whether to get it. You now have made up my mind about both (especially as most of my book buying is through Amazon). Thanks again.

[Ray(aka) tripnebraska]

As a compulsive planner, I bought numerous guide books. My favorite, and the only one I took with me to Paris is "Eyewitness Travel-Paris" DK Publishing.(Dorling Kindersley Limited, London)

[GitteK]

Ray - I agree totally about DK Eyewitness - especially the new 2006 edition which now has suggestions for walks in Butte aux Cailles and Butte Chaumont.
It is a great guidebook and you have all the museums, churches, buildings, practical advice etc etc. collected in one place. AND it has lovely photos (for pre-voyage dreaming !) and some history too.
Highly recommendable, I can't think of any other better, allround guidebook. The only problem is that it is rather heavy to carry around. I usually take it with me - but this summer I think not, as I have made my own to-do list which is a mile long.
I once bought Frommer's and Rick Steve's through amazon, but they come nowhere NEAR the DK Eyewitness

[susanb]

I have many guidebooks from all countries. I read them as novels, just like little stories. For Paris, the 3 we take along and use for our plan of attack the next day are:
1. Triple A's Spiril Guides Paris
2. Dk Paris Eyewitness Travel
3. Access Paris
I enjoy them all for different reasons and they are the one I go back to again and again Susanb

[Ray(aka) tripnebraska]

Gitte,
The Eyewitness Travel book is heavy. I put it in and took it out of my carry on bag several times pretrip. In the end I would consult it at the start and end of everyday in Paris, but did not carry it with me. After the 1st day in Paris, I did carry a map. lol

[rosie]

I like Time out and rough guides best - both because tehy have different focuses

[cybee]

Happily I found out (for those of us in the States) that you can purchase "About and Around Paris I-III" (as recommended by GitteK) on Amazon.com too! I went to the www.thirzavallois.com site, but the purchase price was in Euros....( I see the books are signed by the author too there ). Therefore to find it in dollar price, I explored Amazon.com and happily found that they are available there too! (but are they signed?) .
I see she also has a new book about Paris and Romance (can't recall title for sure) that is supposed to be good (for those seeking a romantic visit or understanding of Paris).

[GitteK]

cybee - I have the "Romantic Paris" by Thirza Vallois as well. It is a very beautiful book with all sorts of suggestions for romantic parks, walks, restaurants, shopping etc. - plus garnished with poems and her own stories about LOVE.......
It's OK - the contents are not supplementary to her other books - but it presents it with photos etc. in very appetizing way.

[trechic]

I wanted to add Easting and Drinking in Paris by Andy Herboch & Michael Dillon (Open Road Travel) It is my bedtime reading at the moment as I need REAL help with food translation. It is a small pocket restaurant and food guide as well as a food translator. I also like the DK Eyewitness Paris guide as already referenced above. This might seem a little goofy to all the old timers but for this solo first timer who is doing all she can to make herself confident and comfortable - I have taken to making photocopies of sections from my big Paris map and attaching to it different itineraries I may wish to explore on any given day and then highlighting on my photocopied map the corresponding routes. I make notes at the bottom of the page for certain names and addresses of recommended bistros, etc in the given area to explore and mark them on my map in a coordinating color. Then, I just fold up one or two of them and stick them in my pocket and be off.

[trechic]

Opps...I should have used the spell check! "Eating and Drinking in Paris"....

[susanb]

Do most of you do your book shopping on Amazon?

[susanb]

Do most of you do your book shopping on Amazon?

[Penny]

I do, I found a French lesson CD (new) for less the price of any stores, plus since seller lived close she did not charge me full shipping.
I have bought several books over the years, I go out about twice a year and research a couple of authors. I collect paperbacks from the 40's and 50's. I have got one that looked like it had never been opened. Otherwise I don't buy books, we have a good library system where I live.
I also use as a research tool if I am looking for something on a particular subject. like the Paris guidebooks. Then I see if library has.