|
|
Post by holger on Feb 20, 2009 17:22:32 GMT -5
I know about the online maps via Google. What I need now is a sturdy potable map that can go into my handbag and that has print large enough for my old eyes to read. Would prefer laminated one but plain paper wouldalso work.
Have the Insight Paris but it has very small print and is hard to read. Have the Knopf Paris Mapguide and the print is fine but the maps don't cover the full districts.
Tried to find some earlier threads but kept getting google stuff.
|
|
|
|
Post by suzanne on Feb 20, 2009 17:52:38 GMT -5
We use the Streetwise Paris laminated map quite a lot. Still need a magnafiying glass for some things though. Got it a Borders or Barnes an Noble.
|
|
|
|
Post by Katharine on Feb 20, 2009 18:39:14 GMT -5
I concur with Suzanne. I love the Streetwise. I have written all over it to mark places I want to go. Bought it in 2002, and have used it every trip.
KH
|
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 20, 2009 21:04:06 GMT -5
Another vote for "Streetwise" (I use theirs for many cities). Plus, it if starts to rain you can use it as an impromptu umbrella!  |
|
|
|
Post by mjcm85 on Feb 20, 2009 22:31:28 GMT -5
Here's another vote for Streetwise maps!
I'm really really overly organized...
I made an itinerary and each day got a different color star sticker.
And on my map, I put on each site/intersection, a corresponding star sticker for which day I was going to visit.
It was amazing! It made our trip sooo much easier!
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Feb 21, 2009 1:30:36 GMT -5
I'm a Streetwise girl, too. Although last year I got a Le Petit Parisien 3 plans par arrondissement map book and I must say I like it now that I've gotten used to it. I may not even take my trusty Streetwise with me next trip. It has all 20 arrondissements in it, so no more mystery areas for me! I just compared the size of print between the two, and the print is larger on some arrondissements (1, 4, 5, 8, 9 & 10) in the Petit Parisien than the Streetwise (the larger arrondissements have smaller print, about the same as the Streetwise). I know what a pain it is trying to read that tiny print! I can't tell you how many times I've squinted and searched for decent light on a street corner so I could read my darn map!  The Petit Parisien isn't laminated (except for the cover), but it has one big plus--it shows all the bus stops and routes, in addition to metro stations. I think you like the buses, don't you Holger? You might consider that if you're investing in a new map. I got mine from Amazon.fr, but had to pay about $20 for shipping ! I'm pretty sure you can pick them up in Paris at the newsstands, tho. It should fit in your handbag--it's about 5" x 8" and maybe 1/4 inch thick. |
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Feb 21, 2009 4:04:11 GMT -5
OK, enough of all that London rubbish, back to serious vacation planning ! I haven't seen Streetwise, but I know it has many fans, so it must be good. I guess. However, I swear by my L'Indispensable !  There are several editions (with different extra contents), but this edition of L'Indispensable PARIS PRATIQUE has a nice size, also for elderly eyes to read. You can buy them in all newspaper stands and bookshops. it's onlly about 5-7 euros, something like that. It takes up no space in your handbag (17 x 11,5 cm) and there is no folding and flapping and never getting it right, when you try to fold it back...... As you can see, the little "fact box" in the righthand top corner shows the location of the arrondissement you are currently looking at - and there is even room for a bit of scribbling in the margins !  |
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Feb 21, 2009 4:34:21 GMT -5
This is a very useful topic because I definitely need a new map. The map I used on my last trip (Michelin, I believe) was certainly not user-friendly because I was never able to figure out how to fold the darn thing.  What made matters worse was the fact that my DH did succeed.  |
|
|
|
Post by holger on Feb 21, 2009 8:29:28 GMT -5
Thanks all. AnnetteC and Gitte I am especially interested in L'Indispensable and Le Petit Parisien and will compare them when in Paris on March 16!!!!!
I really like having the bus routes and larger print. Only use the metro when there is no choice as I hate the stairs. I prefer the book format as I loathe the folding and unfolding. Will let husband take the Insight Paris map which is somewhat like Paris Streetwise and which he purchased at Borders as they were out of Streetwise.
Merci Beaucoup.
We leave four Sundays from today. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Katharine on Feb 21, 2009 8:30:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Laidback on Feb 21, 2009 8:56:59 GMT -5
The Petit Parisien, 3 plans Par Arrondissement, that Annette mentioned has become my one and only through the years. It is the same as the one mentioned by Gitte except there are 3 pages per arrondissement...the overview, which Gitte showed, as well as another page dedicated to the metro, with locations of the markets, monuments, posts, etc. of that area and a third page just for the detailed bus stops. If you are really into exploring Paris on your own this is the best. Streetwise is limited, as you will discover if you try some of Gittes marvelously detailed walks of off the track neighborhoods and to me is bit unwieldly with all the folding, unfolding.
|
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Feb 21, 2009 10:37:54 GMT -5
I have one similar to Gitte's that I got two years ago..mine has a green cover and is smaller in dimensions than her's(we compared them in a taxi on the way to lunch last Sept.) but thicker and she claimed "heavier"   Also available in bookstores, news stands, etc. and inexpensive. I also have a tattered old hotel map that is good for judging distances...but I fear it must be retired..brought it this time but did not use much. 2 birthdays ago my brother gave me "Top Ten Paris" by Eyewitness travel which is actually quite an interestin litttle book..10 best of everything!..which includes a pull out..completely..laminated map that can be folded as small as about 3"by 3". which may get to go on my next trip if I transfer some info to it! |
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Feb 21, 2009 11:40:13 GMT -5
The Petit Parisien, 3 plans Par Arrondissement, that Annette mentioned has become my one and only through the years. It is the same as the one mentioned by Gitte except there are 3 pages per arrondissement...the overview, which Gitte showed, as well as another page dedicated to the metro, with locations of the markets, monuments, posts, etc. of that area and a third page just for the detailed bus stops. If you are really into exploring Paris on your own this is the best. Streetwise is limited, as you will discover if you try some of Gittes marvelously detailed walks of off the track neighborhoods and to me is bit unwieldly with all the folding, unfolding. ;D I bought mine after LB's excellent recommendation the last time we discussed maps on a thread here. The page with bus routes for each arr. is fantastic--shows where the bus stops are, where the lines cross, the routes, and which direction the bus travels along the route. Here's a sample (sorry my scan is a little blury):  There is a page identical to the one Gitte shows also (I'm pretty sure they're made by the same company) |
|
|
|
Post by holger on Feb 21, 2009 13:02:03 GMT -5
I know it would have been cheaper to buy in Paris BUT I COULD NOT WAIT.
Ordered it just now from Ulysses which is in Canada and will cost shipping. I want it ASAP so I can read it on the plane, if not before and map out the restaurants, museums, little streets and shops, etc. ( Amazon was out of stock.
Thank you all.
Next trip step, getting clothing list so things can be dry cleaned and laundered and the put away so everything is ready to pack. Also organizing toiletries which given my allergies I have to take with me.
|
|
|
|
Post by suzanne on Feb 21, 2009 13:16:34 GMT -5
I agree that Streetwise is limited to the center of the city. Now I want one of those maps Annette and Gitte and Laidback have. I'll order it today. See you in Paris Barbara.
|
|
|
|
Post by suzanne on Feb 21, 2009 13:21:50 GMT -5
I just ordered it. The total including shipping was $20.95.
|
|
|
|
Post by Katharine on Feb 21, 2009 14:44:30 GMT -5
Gitte -
I have lloked at an enlarged version of the page from your map and realize that we have so much more in common than I ever thought. Most of the notes written in the margin reference chocolate stores. My kinda' gal... ;D
I would like to try the map that Laidback and Annette have. I went out onto the Ulysses Guide site but I am not clear if theirs is one of the several that are available there. Can anyone help me out on this?
Thanks so much..
Katharine
|
|
|
|
Post by mossie on Feb 21, 2009 14:44:58 GMT -5
I always carry two maps. The Mapguide because it is well coloured with decent sized print, so is easy for my old eyes in a hurry. This is kept opened back at the correct page and stuffed in a pocket. One drawback, it does not cover the whole city.
Then Le Petit Parisien. This is rightly called indispensible, showing every bus stop, and every metro entrance and platform.
I would not be without it, it is available at practically any bookstand.
Just not quite so easy to read as Mapguide, but truly indispensible.
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Feb 21, 2009 16:01:02 GMT -5
Katharine, maybe this will help you. Here's the cover of the Le Petit Parisien, 3 Pans Par Arrond. I just reached for it from my shelf and grabbed the wrong one--and lo and behold, the "wrong one" is the same map Gitte has! I bought it in a hurry while in Paris because it included "bus" on the cover, but the bus map is only a one page overview of the entire city--no detailed maps with stops, etc. The Petit Parisien isn't as compact as the Paris Pratique tho. The Petit Parisien is about 1 inch x 1/2 inch larger and a tad thicker (maybe 1/16th of an inch). If you don't need bus routes, the Paris Pratique would be perfect with it's smaller size.  |
|
|
|
Post by holger on Feb 21, 2009 16:09:27 GMT -5
I ordered the new edition of Le Petit Parisien in order to get the complete bus routes rather that the guide Gitte uses. Since I will soon be turning 74 and have trouble with loads of stairs, I intend to navigate by bus It was about $21 with shipping.
Suzanne, it was thrilling to read the words, see you in Paris. I am looking forward to meeting you and Denise and since that is her arrival day, meeting Cigalchanta later on the trip. Maybe we can carry our map books as a code sign for identification.
|
|
The Petit Parisien isn't laminated (except for the cover), but it has one big plus--it shows all the bus stops and routes, in addition to metro stations. I think you like the buses, don't you Holger? You might consider that if you're investing in a new map. I got mine from Amazon.fr, but had to pay about $20 for shipping 
What made matters worse was the fact that my DH did succeed. 
Also available in bookstores, news stands, etc. and inexpensive.
hahahha