Planning a trip to Paris? Navigating the enchanting streets, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems of the City of Lights becomes effortlessly delightful with the right Travel Guide Books Paris. These invaluable resources offer a quick and easy way to access essential information about must-see attractions, captivating neighborhoods, top-rated hotels, delectable dining spots, and even family-friendly activities.
Many Paris travel guide books go beyond the basics, featuring detailed Paris city maps to help you explore with confidence. Others delve into the rich tapestry of Parisian culture and history, providing deeper insights into the city’s soul. And for visual inspiration, some boast stunning color photos that capture the essence of Paris, from the majestic Eiffel Tower to the simple pleasure of steak-frites.
With a plethora of travel guide books Paris available, the question naturally arises: what is the best guide book for your Parisian adventure?
The answer, as with any personal journey, is that it depends on you.
Are you a detail-oriented traveler who loves comprehensive information, or do you prefer a concise guide highlighting the must-sees? Are you eager to uncover hidden secrets alongside famous landmarks, or would you rather have a curated list of top attractions, hotels, and restaurants within different price ranges, accompanied by practical travel tips?
Fortunately, the world of Paris travel guide books caters to every type of traveler. This article presents our top recommendations across various categories, ensuring you find the perfect companion for your unforgettable trip.
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Top Comprehensive Travel Guide Books for Paris City Exploration
For travelers seeking in-depth information to plan every aspect of their Paris trip, these comprehensive Paris travel guide books are the ideal starting point:
Rick Steves Paris: Your Trusted Friend in the City
By Rick Steves, Steve Smith, & Gene Openshaw
Rick Steves’ passion for travel and his commitment to making it accessible to everyone shines through in the over 700 pages of this comprehensive guide, Rick Steves Paris. Its thin yet durable pages make it conveniently lightweight for packing and carrying around as you explore.
First-time visitors will appreciate its focus on iconic attractions like the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, and Père Lachaise Cemetery, complete with insightful recommendations for each site. Return travelers will discover hidden gems through Steves’ curated suggestions.
Rick Steves Paris goes beyond attractions, offering a thorough “orientation” to the city, including practical tips on transportation, shopping, and dining. Families will find valuable advice in the dedicated section on kid-friendly activities in Paris. A handy fold-out map is also included for easy navigation.
Recommended for: Both first-time and seasoned Paris travelers, especially those seeking to maximize their experience and budget without compromising quality.
For a more compact option, consider Rick Steves Pocket Paris. This guide is packed with trip-planning essentials, itineraries, suggested walking tours, a pull-out map, and much more, perfect for travelers on the go.
The Rough Guide to Paris: Uncover Paris on a Budget
Published by Rough Guides, known for its straightforward approach to travel information for budget-conscious and younger travelers, The Rough Guide to Paris lives up to its reputation.
This guide offers solid recommendations for bars, clubs, and entertainment, although it’s wise to remember that Paris nightlife is ever-evolving.
Beyond the typical tourist hotspots, The Rough Guide to Paris ventures into lesser-known neighborhoods like La Villette, home to the Philharmonie de Paris, a science museum, and exhibition halls; Passy, with its vibrant market street; Belleville, known for street art and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; and Ménilmontant, location of Père Lachaise Cemetery and the Edith Piaf Museum. It even explores interesting suburbs beyond the city center.
As a comprehensive guide, it covers major attractions, popular neighborhoods, and essential travel advice. You’ll find useful maps, appealing photos, and insights into off-the-beaten-path locations, revealing some well-kept secrets.
Recommended for: Budget-travelers seeking a comprehensive Paris guide that covers major attractions, nightlife, and areas beyond the typical tourist circuit. Ideal for those who appreciate the Rough Guides style.
DK Eyewitness Paris Travel Guide: Visually Inspiring Exploration
If you are drawn to gorgeous photos and concise, informative text, the DK Eyewitness Paris Travel Guide is an excellent choice for planning your trip.
While prioritizing visual appeal in its initial sections, this guide is packed with interesting facts, practical tips, and logistical details in later chapters. Beautifully detailed drawings, diagrams, and timelines enhance the information and make it accessible and engaging.
Recommended for: Travelers who seek visual inspiration and want to understand why Paris is a must-visit destination. This guide is perfect for those who appreciate captivating photography alongside insightful information about the City of Light.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Paris: Your Quick Guide to the Best of Paris
For travelers who love lists, DK Eyewitness Top 10 Paris is a captivating and efficient guide. Filled with “top 10” lists covering everything from attractions to museums to dining near the Eiffel Tower, this pocket-sized guide is brimming with useful information and includes a laminated pull-out map.
“Top 10 things to see” lists for major attractions like the Louvre and Army Museum ensure you don’t miss essential highlights. Annual updates keep recommendations current, and numerous photos, drawings, and maps maintain the visual appeal characteristic of DK Eyewitness guides. Practical information, transportation tips, and hotel recommendations across price ranges complete this guide.
Recommended for: List-loving travelers and those seeking a compact (4″ x 7.5″) guide packed with essential information.
Insight Guides Explore Paris: A Balanced and Detailed Guide
Insight Guides Explore Paris strikes a perfect balance, offering detailed travel information, abundant photos, and helpful maps and diagrams.
Covering topics like “Chic Shopping” and “Paris After Dark,” it provides a comprehensive overview of city experiences. Its strength lies in its coverage of 10 neighborhoods, including both famous tourist areas (Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter) and lesser-known, interesting districts (Bastille, East Paris, Montparnasse). A section on Disneyland Paris and day trips adds further value.
A smaller Pocket Edition is also available for those seeking an even more compact guide.
Recommended for: First-time and repeat Paris visitors seeking a comprehensive guide with a wealth of useful details.
Please note: As of early 2025, these Insight guides have not been updated since 2019. While some information might be outdated, they still contain valuable content. Consider purchasing a used copy for better value.
Lonely Planet Paris: Lively and Well-Organized Information
While Lonely Planet guides were initially known for off-the-beaten-path destinations, the current Lonely Planet Paris focuses primarily on popular attractions and experiences, delivering a wealth of information in an engaging and well-structured format.
Starting with highlights, itineraries, and monthly events, Lonely Planet Paris provides detailed information for key attractions in eight central neighborhoods, followed by sections on family travel, architecture, and food and wine.
What makes this guide stand out is its balance of 50 maps with walking routes, color photos, diagrams, and “Don’t Miss” pages that prioritize essential attractions.
Another major plus: The pull-out “Just Landed” card with Wi-Fi, ATM, and transportation information is incredibly helpful upon arrival.
Recommended for: First-time and repeat visitors who appreciate comprehensive travel information presented in a lively, well-organized, and easy-to-digest manner.
Blue Guide: Paris: The Scholar’s Choice for In-Depth Exploration
For the most detailed and in-depth information in a Paris travel guide book, Blue Guide: Paris is the definitive choice. It dedicates nearly 60 pages to the Louvre’s collection, including detailed descriptions and site plans. The engaging writing style brings art to life with vivid descriptions.
Blue Guide: Paris also provides detailed descriptions of smaller attractions often overlooked by other guides, such as the Musée National de la Marine, which receives almost 3 pages, including a photo.
For each neighborhood, the guide suggests walking tours with maps and nearby dining options. A curated list of hotels in three price categories is also included.
Recommended for: Travelers who desire detailed information about Paris museums, historic churches, concert halls, and cultural institutions.
Please note: This guide’s last update was in 2015. While invaluable for historical sites and museums, restaurant and hotel information is outdated. Consider purchasing a used copy for the best value.
Michelin’s Paris: The Green Guide: Comprehensive and Detailed
Michelin guide books are renowned for their comprehensive coverage, and Michelin’s Paris: The Green Guide is no exception. Color photos, site plans, maps with walking routes, and diagrams enhance the detailed text.
Starting with the first four arrondissements, the guide describes top attractions in major neighborhoods. Even less-visited areas like the 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements are covered, including Parc André-Citroën and the Beaugrenelle complex. Michelin’s star-rating system is applied to attractions.
Paris: The Green Guide also includes sections on transportation, history, culture, shopping, accommodation, and dining.
Recommended for: Travelers seeking detailed information about Paris museums, historic churches, concert halls, and cultural institutions.
Please note: This guide was last updated in 2018. While pricing and similar details are outdated, it still offers a wealth of timeless information.
Michelin Green Guide Short Stays: Paris Travel Guide: Concise and Practical
The Michelin Green Guide Short Stays: Paris Travel Guide is a concise yet informative guide packed with useful information about Paris neighborhoods, activities, and itineraries. Like the regular Green Guides, it uses Michelin’s star-rating system.
Travel tips are brief and practical, and restaurant and hotel recommendations focus on enduring classics. While not featuring the newest trends, it covers 90% of trip planning needs.
Small maps and appealing photographs enhance the guide’s usability.
Compared to the regular Green Guide, the “Short Stays” version is more user-friendly and engaging due to its format, photos, and writing style, particularly for first-time or repeat visitors. For in-depth historical details, the regular Green Guide or Blue Guide: Paris is more suitable.
Recommended for: Travelers seeking a concise and practical guide that covers essential Paris information effectively.
Paris Guides for Walking Tours & City Navigation
For travelers who love to explore on foot and want detailed walking routes and navigation assistance, these Paris travel guide books are perfect:
Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide: Charming and Detailed
By Jessie Kenelos Weiner & Sorah Moroz
Paris in Stride uses delightful watercolors and maps to illustrate 10 chapters, each dedicated to exploring a specific Paris neighborhood. While covering popular areas like the Marais and Montmartre, it also highlights lesser-known gems like Rue de Charonne/Place d’Aligre and the “Museum Hub” in the 16th arrondissement.
Beyond typical attractions, you’ll discover concept stores, chocolatiers, galleries, and dining spots. Each chapter includes bonus “how-to” sections on navigating street markets, enjoying “apero,” and choosing cheese in a fromagerie.
Recommended for: Travelers who plan to explore Paris on foot, enjoy local experiences, and savor food and drink along the way.
Great Trees of Paris Map: Guide to the City’s Remarkable Trees
By Amy Kupec Larue
The Great Trees of Paris Map is a laminated fold-out map, not a book, but it’s a unique and fascinating guide. It features photos, information, and locations of 50 remarkable Paris trees, including the 400-year-old Black Locust near Notre Dame.
Ideal for spontaneous strolls, this map allows you to discover unique trees during your Paris explorations, adding unexpected delights to your walks.
Moon MapGuide Paris: Neighborhood-Focused Navigation
By Aurelia d’Andrea
Moon MapGuide Paris features ten fold-out maps covering popular neighborhoods from the Latin Quarter to Canal Saint-Martin. Each map includes location markers for sights, restaurants, nightlife, shops, arts, and hotels.
Sections following the maps provide descriptions and addresses for attractions marked on each map. While not offering predefined routes, it allows you to create your own walking tours based on your interests. Maps are the highlight of this guide.
Recommended for: Methodical travelers who enjoy planning their own walking routes based on specific interests.
Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local: Pre-Defined Walking Routes
If you prefer pre-defined walks with commentary and detailed maps, Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local is an excellent choice.
It includes six walking routes, each covering two or more neighborhoods, such as Batignolles & Montmartre or Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin & Ménilmontant, introducing you to both well-known and lesser-known areas. Routes like Eiffel Tower, Invalides & Champs-Élysées cover major attractions.
Designed for leisurely exploration, these routes can be adapted to your interests and pace.
Recommended for: First-time and repeat Paris visitors who prefer following defined walking routes.
National Geographic’s Walking Paris: The Best of the City: Whirlwind and Detailed Tours
By Pas Paschali and Brian Robinson
National Geographic’s Walking Paris: The Best of the City combines “whirlwind tour” guides for various durations with detailed walking guides for nine Paris neighborhoods.
Each section features a map with a walking route, attraction information, and color photos. Its strength lies in contextual information on history, culture, architecture, cuisine, and markets. Basic travel information and hotel recommendations are also included.
Recommended for: Visitors seeking walking routes through Paris’s most famous neighborhoods.
Guides to Secret Gardens & Special Places in Paris
For travelers seeking to uncover the hidden side of Paris, these Paris travel guide books reveal secret gardens and special places:
Secret Paris: Unveiling the City’s Hidden Gems
By Thomas Jonglez
Secret Paris is a compact guide packed with esoteric and unusual suggestions for discovering obscure places and sights. It reveals hidden Zen gardens, little-known churches with masterpieces, and unexpected sights like wine-making firefighters and war-wounded palm trees.
Featuring high-quality photos, maps, and tips, Secret Paris stands out in the “hidden Paris” genre, offering a wealth of unique details and information.
Recommended for: Explorers who enjoy discovering interesting and unusual places beyond typical tourist attractions.
Hidden Gardens of Paris: Discovering City Edens
By Susan Cahill
Hidden Gardens of Paris explores around 40 gardens, including well-known parks like Luxembourg Garden and hidden gems like the gardens at Musée Zadkine and Musée de la Vie Romantique.
Featuring color photos and descriptions, it also includes “nearby” suggestions for each garden, revealing truly hidden Edens like Jardin Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur and the garden behind Hotel Sully.
Recommended for: Garden lovers and those who enjoy discovering off-the-beaten-path places in Paris.
Hidden Parks of Paris: A Memoir and Guide to Green Spaces
By Gregory Ross with Julian Darius
Hidden Parks of Paris is a memoir, travel guide, and ode to Paris’s green spaces, featuring evocative descriptions of over 100 of Paris’s parks and gardens, accompanied by black and white photos.
It covers well-known places like Jardin des Plantes and the Musée Rodin garden but excels in describing obscure and hidden spaces like Square de Santiago du Chili and Square Roger-Stéphane.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy travel memoirs and discovering lesser-known, hidden places in Paris.
Where to Buy? This book is out of print; search for used copies online (Goodreads provides links).
Guides to Paris Culture, Special Places, & Hidden Treasures
To delve deeper into Parisian culture and uncover unique experiences, these Paris travel guide books are excellent resources:
Stuff Parisians Like: Understanding Contemporary Parisian Culture
For a taste of contemporary Parisian culture, Stuff Parisians Like by Olivier Magny offers a fun and insightful introduction. These short, tongue-in-cheek essays cover everything from Parisians’ love of the sun to their take on “le burger.”
Discover why Parisians love Sunday movies, prefer house parties over bars, and much more. “Useful Tips” and “Sound like a Parisian” sections add extra value.
Recommended for: Visitors seeking light-hearted yet insightful tips for understanding Parisians and their culture.
For more from Olivier Magny, check out his latest book, WTF?! (What the French), for hilarious insights into modern France.
Paris, paris: Journey into the City of Light: Essays on Parisian Life
By David Downie
Paris, paris: Journey into the City of Light is a collection of essays by long-time Paris resident David Downie, reflecting on places and people encountered during his city walks.
From the view from Centre Pompidou to spring evenings with white wine, each essay explores history, culture, and hidden stories, enriching your understanding of Paris.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy immersive travel writing and want a deeper understanding of Paris’s history and people.
300 Reasons to Love Paris: Insider Secrets and Overlooked Pleasures
300 Reasons to Love Paris offers an insider’s list of secret and little-known places and overlooked pleasures, even at famous attractions.
Discover hidden gardens, out-of-the-way pastry shops, market streets, trendy bars, designer outlet stores, and hip rooftop bars. Color photos and maps make these discoveries easy.
Recommended for: First-time and repeat visitors seeking to experience the “real” Paris beyond typical tourist attractions.
Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City’s Creative Heart: Exploring Creative Hubs
By Janelle McCulloch
Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City’s Creative Heart focuses on creativity in Paris, covering diverse aspects of the city’s artistic spirit.
Neighborhood strolls through a dozen arrondissements highlight creative hubs. Explore Montorgueil’s market street, covered passages, and design showrooms, or Bastille and Canal Saint-Martin’s boutiques and artisan workshops. Useful addresses for shopping and gourmet food are included.
Recommended for: Those interested in exploring Paris’s creative hubs, best bakeries, jewelry makers, antique shops, and gourmet food. Ideal for armchair travel and trip planning.
111 Places in Paris That You Shouldn’t Miss: Quirky and Fascinating Secrets
111 Places in Paris That You Shouldn’t Miss is a quirky and fascinating guide uncovering secret places and hidden treasures.
Discover a Japanese cat cafe, Paris’s oldest fountain, and a secret staircase in Montmartre. Photos and nearby recommendations accompany each place. While some details may have evolved, it remains a valuable guide to unique spots.
Recommended for: First-time visitors seeking hidden gems and return visitors wanting to explore the “real” Paris.
Books about Paris Food & Markets: Savoring Parisian Cuisine
For food enthusiasts, these Paris travel guide books explore Parisian cuisine and markets:
Sundays in Paris: Culinary and Cultural Sunday Experiences
By Yasmin Zeinab
Sundays in Paris started as a curated list of Sunday dining spots. It recommends places for coffee, brunch, and dinner across most arrondissements, and explores cultural attractions, gardens, shopping areas, and markets open on Sundays.
Discover well-known spots and hidden gems for Sunday experiences in Paris.
Recommended for: Travelers seeking a Parisian friend’s recommendations for Sunday food, culture, and shopping.
The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs: A Street-Level Culinary Journey
By Elaine Sciolino
The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs brings Rue des Martyrs to life, a vibrant street in the 9th arrondissement.
Elaine Sciolino explores the street’s history, merchants, residents, and, most importantly, its food. Read it before or after your trip to fully appreciate this quintessential Parisian street.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy immersive travel writing that captures the essence of a place and its people.
The French Market Cookbook: Vegetarian Recipes from My Parisian Kitchen: Market-Inspired Vegetarian Cuisine
Written by Clotilde Dusoulier
The French Market Cookbook by Clotilde Dusoulier (of Chocolate and Zucchini blog) features 90 vegetarian and vegan recipes inspired by Parisian markets.
These foolproof recipes, like asparagus buckwheat tart and peach clafoutis, are perfect for cooking in a Paris apartment or at home, bringing the flavors of Paris to your kitchen.
Recommended for: Cooks who love French vegetarian cuisine and want to recreate Parisian market flavors.
Markets of Paris: A Comprehensive Guide to Parisian Markets
By Dixon Long & Marjorie R. Williams
Markets of Paris is an essential resource for exploring Paris’s markets. It details open-air and covered food markets in each arrondissement, as well as flea markets, book markets, and more.
Lush photos will whet your appetite and inspire your market visits. Restaurant recommendations in each district are a bonus.
Recommended for: Anyone planning to shop in Paris’s diverse traditional markets.
Join a Paris Food Tour: Immersive Culinary Experiences
Consider joining a Paris food tour for an immersive culinary experience, often including market visits.
Guides to Paris History & Architecture: Unveiling the City’s Past
For history and architecture buffs, these Paris travel guide books offer insights into the city’s past and built environment:
Paris, City of Dreams: Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and the Creation of Paris: The Transformation of Paris
By Mary McAuliffe
Paris, City of Dreams explores the transformation of Paris under Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann between 1848 and 1871.
This book details the modernization of Paris, from medieval congestion to broad boulevards and modern infrastructure. It also delves into social, artistic, and cultural upheavals of the Second Empire.
Recommended for: Readers interested in the history of Paris’s urban development and the foundations of modern Parisian society.
The Architecture of Paris: A Detailed Architectural Journey
By Andrew Ayers
The Architecture of Paris provides detailed descriptions of the history and architectural details of significant buildings in each arrondissement and nearby suburbs.
Covering medieval jewels to modern masterpieces, it includes sections on covered arcades, bridges, and street furniture. Succinct and informative writing makes this guide valuable for architectural enthusiasts.
Recommended for: Those wanting to understand the history and architectural details of Paris’s buildings, both on-site and in preparation for a visit.
The Making of Paris: A 2000-Year Historical Evolution
By Russell Kelley
The Making of Paris explores the 2000-year evolution of Paris from a small village to the modern metropolis.
Using drawings, vintage photos, and timelines, it focuses on places like Notre Dame and open-air markets, revealing their historical context. Kelley’s lively writing style makes history engaging.
Recommended for: Readers wanting a fun and informative read on Paris’s historical evolution to enhance their appreciation of the city’s landmarks.
Paris Travel & Guide Books to Buy in Paris: Local Guides
Consider buying these Paris travel guide books upon arrival in Paris, as they are published locally and may be harder to find or more expensive elsewhere.
Paris Pratique and Paris Districts (Paris Arrondissements) are invaluable for detailed maps of each arrondissement, street indexes, and transportation maps. Paris Districts is more compact and ideal for carrying around.
Les 54 Fromages, found in cheese shops, is a fun guide to French cheeses and a great souvenir.
Paris Visite Guidée, from Pavillon de l’Arsenal, details Paris’s urban planning and architectural history in English. Visit Pavillon de l’Arsenal for its bookstore and urban planning exhibits.
Fun Ways to Tour Paris: Beyond Guide Books
Explore Paris through unique tours beyond traditional guide books.
More Articles about Planning Your Trip to Paris: Further Resources
Find more articles to assist in planning your Paris trip.
Need a Paris Hotel or Apartment? Accommodation Booking Map
Use this Paris hotel and apartment booking map to find and book accommodations for your trip.
Booking.com Check out the newest Paris hotels
