(Less of a question than a public service - I hope!)
We're heading to France in a couple of weeks and I came up with a low-profile way to follow along the walk routes prescribed in the RS Paris guidebook. This little project was born out of a desire to avoid having to constantly refer to a map/book while walking, and sidestep the insulation that comes with using headphones. The solution I came up with provides turn by turn directions showing arrows and street names, and offering both haptic prompts (little vibrations) and audible directions all from a smart watch. It will also detect when you are close to a point of interest and display a brief description.
I plan to use it as an extension of the book's guidance, NOT a replacement, and encourage the same. My plan is to re-read each walk section of the book the night before we go on the walk, so the info is fresh in my mind.
There's no charge/fee to use these routes, though the underlying app the routes are built on does require a modest subscription after a free trial. I am in no way affiliated with the app/do not benefit from subscriptions in any way, but would be interested in others' experiences in the replies.
Here's how it (hopefully) works:
1. Download/install the Footpath app on your phone from your AppStore.
2. Create an account and login.
3. Tap/click any of the links below. (On your phone or computer.)
4. Save it (you may need to edit it first.)
5. Repeat steps 3-4 for each route you want to use.
6. To start a walk, get yourself to the starting point of whichever walk you're going on.
7. Open the app on your phone and select the route from the menu dropdown.
8. At the bottom of the screen, tap 'Cue Sheet' and then 'Send to Watch.'
Your watch will download the route and show a 'Start' button for the selected route. Swipe left or right to get different display screens, but the compass screen is the one that will display turn by turn directions with arrows and street names.
I've only played with this on my iPhone/Apple Watch, but it will (allegedly) also work on an Android phone/watch. Hope this helps some other Ricknicks!
Left bank: https://footpathapp.com/routes/e759ef08-1f74-4d96-9e97-41185fb46a0f
Marais: https://footpathapp.com/routes/a7f57212-ee32-4ea7-88f6-6e84fa90337f
Historic Core: https://footpathapp.com/routes/eba36f73-1e2f-45ce-a724-d72f0a8b0223
Montmartre: https://footpathapp.com/routes/rick-steves-paris-montmartre/8ebfe5da-a7e1-4fd4-a445-84f03d217faf