Paris In July: My Favorite Guideposts!

This may be the last of my Paris In July posts -- but I encourage you to visit Tamara and the other bloggers participating for a look at books, photos, movies and more -- all related to the City of Light. You can find lots of links RIGHT HERE!

 

With the internet so readily available, it's easy enough to gather all the information you might need about your trip to Paris and beyond without ever touching a piece of paper. It's all very useful and I certainly take advantage of it. But I wanted to share some of my favorite "Travel to Paris Resources" with you.
Guide Books

I'm very fond of the DK Eyewitness Travel guide book series.

 The Paris book breaks down the city by areas, as most books do. Included are maps for key sites, highlights of key attractions in each region (all with beautiful color photos), full city maps and lots of general travel information.



The downside to this series is that it is HEAVY! There is a cost to the traveler in carrying a beautiful book with lovely photos printed on great paper! If you can (I couldn't), rip out the pages of the spots you most want to see!

"Markets of Paris" is a small book and great fun.

 Each page highlights a different market -- and by that, I don't mean just antiques, but you'll also find fabrics, ribbon, books and, of course, food.

It's small enough to fit in your purse or in your suitcase without weighing you down too much.

"In Love In France" isn't really a guide book you'd want to take with you -- it's too big.

 But if you're headed to the City of Light with your great love, you'll find some wonderfully romantic spots listed and some delightful ideas on how to enjoy them (if you can't figure that out yourself!).

 There are plenty of little tidbits in this book I didn't know, and it also covers side trips out of Paris as well.

Rick Steves Pocket Paris -- Rick Steves is one of my favorite TV and print tour guides (his website is very good too, and friends who have taken his European tours speak very highly of his organization).

 The size is perfect and included are lots of excellent tips for traveling in France, along with the usual sights and recommendations.

 Rick also includes a fold-out map, which is quite extensive.

 Again, "Pocket Paris" lives up to its name. Easy to manage!

For a thoroughly delightful and very small book (that has great shopping suggestions and addresses) take along Jill Butler's "Wandering Paris."

  The illustrations are enough to capture your fancy. The helpful lists with addresses seals the deal.

 Maps

I have two favorite maps that I recommend about all others. Both are very portable and when I was in Paris, both were with me at all times.

 The first is the Knopf map guide to Paris.

 This booklet breaks the city down into areas. The size is about 5x7 inches square and the maps fold out so they are easy to follow but not huge!

 They also include info on sights and restaurants in the designated areas.

 The Streetwise series is also excellent.

 These maps break down by categories. I liked the Paris Museums map.

 The are laminated and fold up into a vertical brochure size. Boy, these things hold up! Mine has been on two trips, in bags, purses, pockets, and spilled upon! It still looks great!

 Of course, so many of you have already discovered Paris and your favorite guideposts. (Many of mine include blogs and the list I keep of "must visit next time" spots.) Please share yours! And Bon Voyage!