BRAND NEW - FULL-COLOR GUIDE!
Our authors, longtime Paris experts, show you the highlights. They hit the city's many classic attractions, including its best museums (from the Louvre to the Fragonard Musee du Parfum). They also describe major churches, historical and architectural highlights, literary landmarks and beautiful Parisian parks and gardens.
Paris prides itself on being the world's culinary capital. Our authors explore all the cuisines Paris has to offer--from regional cuisine of Alsace and Basque, to haute dining and nouvelle cuisine, to finding the perfect Parisian pastry, to family friendly restaurants.
Detailed listings show you the best places to shop in Paris, from small antiques shops and vintage clothing stores to open-air galleries and art markets, food markets and cutting-edge designer boutiques.
The guide also includes side trips to Versailles, Giverny (long-time home of Monet), Chartres and Disneyland Paris.
PLUS: Hundreds of color photos, foldout map and detailed maps throughout, as well as exact prices, directions, opening hours,and other practical information
I definitely have a love affair with Paris, France. And I'm not the only one. The City of Lights holds so many captive with its beautiful architecture, delicious food, and its diverse culture. The Frommer's 2010 Guide for Paris is a fantastic book for those who are planning to visit one of the most gorgeous places in the world. I found the guide to be very informative.
Here's what I liked about the Frommer's Guide book:
-The book gives a quick overview at the history of Paris and how it became the city it is today. Not so great if you want a deep and in-depth look at Paris history but a good overview on some of its history.
-It tells you what you need in order to come into France. Also it tells what you can bring with you to France and what you can bring out of France. For example, if you are in France for more than 48 hours, you can take home up to $800 of merchandise duty-free if you are a US citizen. They also tell you the currency exchange, which can be helpful to any shopper.
-They tell you what areas to avoid in Paris, when to avoid them, and how to protect yourself from being preyed upon. Being a tourist in a foreign city can be hard so it's great to read the tips for protecting yourself so your trip to Paris can be totally free of that kind of stress.
-There's a great list of places to stay and eat on any kind of budget. All you have to do is pick where in Paris you want to stay at and they'll give you options. The dining list that is given is great and they give you a lot of different options to choose from.
-They give lists for just about anything that you want to look for or at in Paris. Literary landmarks, churches, cemeteries , jazz clubs, dance clubs, opera, theater, they even list places if you feel the need to work out while you are in Paris. There is something listed for just about everyone's interests.
-They give a lot of different stores for your shopping needs. You're bound to find whatever you are looking for if you use the list provided in this guide book.
-The museum list is pretty good in explaining most of the museums in Paris and what they specialize in.
-They give you an idea of what your itinerary could be for however long you are staying in Paris. They give ideas for one, two, or three days so if you are only staying in Paris for a few days, they give you an idea of what you could and should see in that time period.
-In the back of the guide, they give you a list of some of the French words and phrases you might need while you are in Paris. Great for any tourist who is not fluent in French. Also provided in the back of the book is a map that can be taken out so if you need to find out where to go while you out and about, you'll be able to find it using the map.
Overall, I found the Frommer's Paris 2010 Guide to be very informative about everything a person needs to know about Paris and how to plan. I would definitely recommend this guide book to anyone who is planning their trip to Paris. Bon Voyage!
Between 1972 and 1983, I had the good fortune of visiting Paris four different times. Alas! Not once since then. So, I must confess that I often buy these tourist guides to renew my acquaintance--from afar--with the City of Lights. Personally, I have found Paris to be one of the most enchanting places that ever I have visited.
Frommer's is a dependable publisher of such guides. And this one surely does not disappoint. The first part of the book whets one's appetite, by summarizing some of the experiences one can have in Paris--"whiling away an afternoon in a Parisian cafe," "window-shopping in the Faubourg St. Honore," a brief suggestion of fine hotels and restaurants, things to do, and so on.
Part 2 focuses on the history of Paris, and provides nice context for exploring the city today. There is also some consideration of art and architecture, popular culture, and (exquisite!) eating. Part 3 lays out what you need to prepare for your visit (useful information indeed). Part 4 is an excellent resource--laying out itineraries. Want to see a lot of sites in one day? Starting at the metro stop by the Louvre, here are places to visit--the Louvre, Pont Neuf, Sainte-Chapelle, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde (crossing can be a breathtaking adventure!), Champs-Elysee, to the Eiffel Tower. This will give you your 10,000 steps for a day! Other itineraries ensure as well.
Part 5? Where do you want to stay? Expensive hotel? Moderately priced venue? Part 6--where to dine. Elegant cuisine at top restaurants (e.g., Alain Ducasse's place, La Grand Vefour, Taillevant). Or visit a cafe (I always enjoyed La Deux Magots). Subsequent sections examine exploring Paris, shopping in Paris, and Paris after dark. What about side trips? I have enjoyed two of these--to Versailles and to the wondrous cathedral at Chartres (the soft blue of the windows is breathtaking).
The volume closes with some fast facts and a set of useful phrases in French.
In the final analysis, this represents another fine guide by Frommer's. Thinking of going to Paris? This would be a good companion. . . .
I read this to get ready for a brief trip to Paris. It is well organized for such a purpose, with suggestions of the most rewarding activities and destinations for short stays. The hotel, restaurant and shopping guides are actually very good for those of us on an ordinary professional's holiday budget. Students and millionaires will want a different book. The pull-out map is an excellent tool for studying the city's layout beforehand. The metro map is adequate for some purposes, but lacks full representation of the very important RER train lines needed to travel quickly to locations outside the city center.
Admittedly, I used the 2007 version. Even though we were in Paris May-June 2010, I had been to Paris in Jauary 2007 and kept the guidebook. Despite outdated pricing (which after three years is only to be expected), nearly everything else was spot on. For our 4 weeks in Paris, this guide was the only one we considered essential. It has excellent street and metro guides, excellent history and info on sites/neighborhoods/historical influences/sites to see. Still - in 4 weeks, we weren't able to see all its recommendations. But, because of its detail, we were able to sift out the best from the plethora of good options. Highly recommend.
I found the maps in this book not very practical as there are separate maps for accommodations, attractions and restaurants. It would be better if these maps were combined. Also, the map of the subway system is incomplete. Another thing I found missing: the Musée des Arts et Métiers, the oldest museum of Science and Technology in Europe and one of the most fascinating museums in Paris, is not even mentioned. During my 11-day stay in Paris I ended up using mostly the Lonely Planet city guide, which seems to me more user-friendly.
I've tried lots of different guidebook series, but I always end up going back to Frommer's. Lonely Planet is a little more offbeat, but they don't include the same quality of information to help you actually plan in the listings. And Frommer's seems to be the only guidebook publisher that's really jumped on the Kindle, so Frommer's it is!
This book was a very helpful guide while in the city of lights. Much better than the Time Out 2009 I picked up. I didn't use it for any of the hotels, but the restaurant information, plus all the info on sights and getting around was greatly appreciated. You do not disappoint Frommers!
We used this as our only guidebook on our trip to Paris and it was excellent! Great advice and the maps - especially of the metro - were so helpful. We chose 2 restaurants it recommended and they were truly unforgettable. Excellent resource!!
their discussion of the many Arrondissment was very helpful to me to determine which area we wanted to stay at. also a great discussion on the differences between staying in the East Bank or the West Bank.