The Rough Guide to Paris (Travel Guide)

I respectfully disagree with the other two opinions of this guide book. My trip to Paris in July 2009 was my first to that city, and I found the book very helpful. The descriptions of places to visit were on the mark and gave detailed information about what you could expect to see, the opening and closing times, and entrance fees. I also found the historical background in the "Context" section beneficial, giving a brief history of the city from ancient times up until the presidential election of Sarkosy in 2007. I also liked the Language section which included definitions of architectural terms and political parties. I agree the maps at the end of book could be better, but I always pick up a Knopf MapGuide of cities that I visit, and they never disappoint. Like the other reviewers I picked up a second guide book, Pauline Frommer's Paris Spend less and See More (Second Edition 2009), and I would have to give her book 5 stars, as opposed to the 4 stars I give this book because it appeals more to an American taste than the British Rough Guide book does, and it is better organized as well.

Wow, after reading the previous review, I had to write in. I travel frequently, have used nearly every popular guide out there (Fodors, Frommers, Time Out, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, and my least favorite - Eyewitness Travel), and The Rough Guides are the best and by far the most comprehensive out there. They are chock-full of information. The colored photos are limited to several pages in the front of the book, but if you want to be a traveler (as opposed to being a 'tourist'), you shouldn't need pages of glossy information that just shows you what you will be seeing once you're there anyways! The Rough Guides gives you history, gives you insight into various neighborhoods and areas and people. They go far, far beyond just the 'landmarks' that an area is known for. If you read them before traveling, you'll feel like one of the locals and the more knowledge you have about an area, the more you can enjoy it. I'm sorry if some travelers are sadly uninterested in learning about the cultures of the areas in which they are visiting. Rough Guides are now the only guides that I will use. And if you're bored by the reading, then maybe you should question why you are traveling there! I will say that Rough Guides does not supply you with a very detailed street map stuck to the back cover like some other books offer and so sometimes an additional purchase (or a visit to a tourism office) is warranted. This personally does not bother me.

This is the best guidebook for Paris (in my opinion) for people who want hotel and restaurant recommendations and are interested in a bit of background history of the city. This book (and previous editions) have been my companions during several Paris trips over the past 13 years. This book introduced me to my favorite Paris restaurant, a place to which we return every time we are in town.

I am a guide book and travel fanatic and I generally buy and read a number of guide books for whatever destination I have in mind. I am also a Paris-phile and have been to Paris 5 times in the past 13 years for both business and pleasure.This book stands out as the best for my demographic, the professional age 20 - 40 crowd.The book stands above other travel books particularly in its hotel, bar, club and restaurant recommendations and is worthwhile for these alone. It also provides some fantastic historical insight into Paris, particularly with regards to 20th century Parisian history.It is printed on a pulpy paper and is very light, something to keep in mind if you are just packing a single bag and taking off to Paris for the weekend.

I'm a travel book fiend. It's an addiction - I admit it's not healthy, but that's life. So, for my recent trip to Paris and London, I think I bought 10 books. This was the only one I brought with me. I found the Rough Guide to Paris easy to read, helpful, compact, and insightful. If - unlike me - you only plan to buy one book for your trip, make it this one.