Product Description

This book is so indispensable it isamazing that other guides are still being manufactured. On the inside covers are maps of the Metro system and the greater-Paris area RER (train) system, so you can peek in the book while you're on the metro or train without looking like a confused tourist. The book itself has an index of all Paris streets and major buildings, which leads you to a section of maps broken down par arrondissement; (by district). The book is compact enough to fit in a small purse (and is sturdily bound so you can toss it in), but contains a wealth of information. To top it off, the color scheme is attractive and the typesetting is top-notch. This guide is the ultimate - it's useful when you're there, it'll be beautiful on a bookshelf when you come home. If you buy a fold-out map or something other than this guide, you'll regret it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92060 in Books
• Published on: 1995-10
• Binding: Vinyl Bound
• 300 pages

Customer Reviews

The Absolute Best Guide to Paris
This book is so good it's amazing that other guides are still being manufactured. I spent a great deal of time in Paris and this book was absolutely indispensable. On the inside covers are maps of the Metro system and the greater-Paris area RER (train) system, so you can peek in the book while you're on the metro or train without looking like a confused tourist. The book itself has an index of all Paris streets and major buildings, which leads you to a section of maps broken down "par arrondissement" (by district). The book is compact enough to fit in a small purse (and is sturdily bound so you can toss it in), but contains a wealth of information. To top it off, the color scheme is attractive and the typesetting is top-notch. This guide is the ultimate - it's useful when you're there, it'll be beautiful on a bookshelf when you come home. If you buy a fold-out map or something other than this guide, you'll regret it.

Really indispensable
This book is truly pocket-sized(3.5" x 5.5"). You can refer to it stealthily, without carrying a big map that proclaims "I'm a tourist". It is sturdily bound with a plastic, not paper, cover that holds up to years of use. I first saw it when I stopped to ask directions of a policeman in Paris, and he pulled it from his pocket to find the street I was looking for. That was all the endorsement I needed, and I bought one soon after. I have used it for 4 or 5 years.

The book includes a general plan of the city with subways and bus lines shown on separate maps, an alphabetical index and grid reference for every street in the city. Following the index are 20 maps, one for each arrondissement. Warning: The print on these maps is small and can be hard to read except when the light is strong. That's why I gave this otherwise excellent book 4 instead of 5 stars.There is also an excellent section of maps and indexes for the city's major suburbs.

The last section of the book includes complete listings with addresses and phone numbers of police stations, fire houses, government offices, embassies, post offices, hospitals,churches, monuments, museums, even parking lots.

This is good value for the money. Your $25 investment will last a long time. If you love Paris, or just have to do business there, you'll love this book.

A must have for any trip to Paris!
I lived in Paris for a year as an American college student in 1985. This little book went with me every single day and as I found out even the French, police and the life long Parisians carried it with them. So know I am going back 20 years later and the first thing I did was buy a new copy!