My family and I are going to Normandy and Paris as part of a European trip this summer. We've never been to France. For our 5 nights in Paris, is it worth getting Rick's Paris book, or is the 2012 Francebook, which I own, sufficient? I love guide books, so I'm wondering what the content difference is. Thanks.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
RS 2012 Paris Guide Book is available elsewhere on this web site (see "Books") and retails for $19.99. His "Snapshot: Normandy Guide Book" is also available for $9.99. Or, you could just purchase his "France Guide Book" for $24.99 which probably contains a lot of information that you will not need. A small investment when considering the total cost of your trip. The first time I went to France and Paris, in 2000, I was told stories about how rude and unfriendly the French people were towards Americans. Well, I have been thru France and stayed in Paris several times and have never had that experience. Be sure to see the Eiffel Tower if you can. Going to the top of it is one of my life time highlights since I am deathly afraid of heights. Happy travels.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
I usually get them at the library first and decide which I need to buy to take with me. I asked this question at the ETTBD travel center a couple of years ago. The person I talked to said they recommend getting the city book if you plan on staying a week. (That was buying it in addition to the country book) I have always just used the country book in the big cities (we usually stay 3-4 days) and been fine. However, since you are only going to a couple of places, buying individual books may make more sense. Get them from the library, spend some time looking through them and then make you decision.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Good advice from Charlie and Connie, I would say it's worth getting the Paris guide because it has a lot more info about everything in Paris than the France guide and could make your time in Paris all the better. It's definitely worth the money imo. It doesn't necessarily have to be the RS Paris guide, it could be from another company. As Connie said, I'd go to the library and read several and see which one you like. Then, buy the 2012 version and take it with you. You've already bought the France guide, but if you hadn't, I would have recommended just copying the pages for Normandy from one at the library.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
Hi. I'm going to France this summer and I bought both books. I really like the Paris city book because of it's small size (easy to carry around) and the detailed Paris map that comes in it. A lot more detail than the Paris section of the France book.