The Unofficial Guide to Paris

by Applefield, David; Sehlinger, Bob

• ISBN13: 9780764564451
• ISBN10: 0764564455
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

The Unofficial Guides are the Consumer Reports of travel guides, offering candid evaluations of their destinations2 attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, sports, and more, all rated and ranked by a team of unbiased inspectors so even the most compulsive planners can be sure they2re spending their time and money wisely. Each guide addresses the needs of everyone from families to business travelers, with handy charts that demonstrate how each place stacks up against the competition. Plus, all the details are pulled out so they2re extremely easy to scan. In a popular, pricey city like Paris, you need a book like the Unofficial Guide?, with its honest advice about what2s worth your time and money, its tips on planning your time and avoiding the crowds, and its ratings of the best hotels and restaurants for every budget. Planning a trip and learning to negotiate such a huge, sprawling city can be overwhelming, but the Unofficial Guide? will help you to avoid headaches and see Paris like a local. The Top 5 Ways The Unofficial Guide To Paris Can Help You Have the Perfect Trip: Honest advice that allows you to feel safe and comfortable in the City of Light, despite the language barrier Insider tips on finding the most charming hotels -- plus which rooms offer the best views A complete guide to Paris2s cultural and historic sights--with helpful hints for making the most of your time Information to help you save money, including how to exchange currency and not lose The inside story on shopping -- where to get the best for less

Table of Contents

List of Maps	vii
Introduction	1	(1)
Welcome to the City of Light	1	(2)
About This Guide	3	(4)
How This Guide Is Organized: By Subject and Geographic Districts (Arrondissements)	7	(21)
On Being a ``Tourist''	28	(3)
Part One Understanding Paris	31	(12)
A Brief History of Paris	31	(7)
The Language: Francais	38	(3)
Numbers and Prices: The Euro!	41	(2)
Part Two Planning Your Visit to Paris	43	(28)
How Far in Advance Should You Plan?	43	(1)
When to Go	44	(3)
Package Deals and Travel Agents	47	(4)
Finding Airfare Deals and Making Reservations	51	(7)
Reducing the Confusion of Choice	58	(4)
What to Pack	62	(9)
Part Three Hotels	71	(78)
Understanding Your Options	71	(3)
Types of Lodging	74	(9)
Hotels for Business Travelers	83	(2)
Rates, Rules, and Recommendations	85	(6)
The Parisian Hotel Room	91	(10)
Paris Hotels Rated and Ranked	101	(11)
Hotel Profiles	112	(37)
Part Four Arriving, Getting Oriented, and Departing	149	(54)
Arriving and Departing	149	(20)
Understanding Those First Signs and Getting Directions	169	(1)
Telephones, E-Mail, and Postal Services	169	(7)
Understanding Euros--Adieu French Francs	176	(6)
Things the Locals Already Know	182	(9)
Travelers with Disabilities	191	(3)
Traveling with Children	194	(4)
Safety and Security	198	(5)
Part Five Getting Around Paris	203	(16)
Visualizing the City	203	(2)
Public Transportation	205	(11)
Renting a Cat	216	(3)
Part Six Sightseeing and Tours	219	(88)
Planning for Paris Touring	219	(3)
Tours and Guides	222	(5)
Exploring Points of Interest	227	(8)
Touring Neighborhoods	235	(4)
Attraction Profiles	239	(68)
Part Seven Dining in Paris	307	(78)
Bon Appetit!	307	(2)
Paris Restaurants Defined and Explained	309	(15)
Understanding French Restaurants	324	(13)
Restaurant Profiles	337	(48)
Part Eight Shopping in Paris	385	(26)
A Browser's Paradise	385	(5)
Shopping Areas and Favorite Streets	390	(5)
Cool Cheap Shopping	395	(6)
Great Parisian Gifts and Where to Find Them	401	(10)
Port Nine Exercise and Recreation	411	(10)
Sports and Fitness	411	(10)
Part Ten Entertainment and Nightlife	421	(30)
Paris by Night	421	(2)
Cultural Evenings	423	(6)
The Red Lights of Paris	429	(1)
Tips for Going Out on the Town	430	(4)
Nightclub Profiles	434	(17)
Index	451	(14)
Hotel Index	465	(2)
Restaurant Index	467	(4)
Reader Survey	471