Rick Steves Best of France

by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw

Experience the best of the best with Rick Steves Best of France .

Rick Steves Best of France puts the very best of France in your hands, with Rick’s straightforward, time-tested advice in an easily scannable format so you can quickly find what you need on the go. With Rick’s strategic tips on saving time and money, you’ll worry less about your trip and focus on enjoying the experience—whether that’s climbing the Eiffel Tower or dining at a sidewalk café with a glass of vin rouge.

Rick Steves Best of France

Everything in Full-Color —Dazzling photos and helpful planning maps.
Best of France in Two Weeks —Suggestions for planning the perfect trip, based on Rick’s expert advice for what’s worth your time and what you can skip.
Rick’s Tips —Helpful hints for key sights and experiences, organized so you quickly learn what you need to know. You’ll love how much these simple tips help make your trip smooth and stress-free!
Authentic Experiences —Leave the tourist traps behind and enjoy real, cultural experiences and opportunities to connect with local people.
Plus Practicalities —Essential eating, sleeping, and transportation information is neatly arranged to be ready when you need it.

Choose the best Rick Steves guide for your

Rick Steves Best of France collects the very best the country has to offer.

Planning a longer trip? Rick Steves France 2016 is the classic guide to exploring the country in-depth, updated annually.

Time for a quick getaway? Colorful Rick Steves Pocket Paris is perfect when you have a week or less. Pockets include full-size, fold-out city maps.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, France, Reference

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Beki Eikum · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can always count on Rick to sift through alllllll the info and tell you the best. I never would’ve known about Amboise and it was the BEST. Thanks, Rick!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not fault this book at all. Steve's guidance is genuine, and practical, with a mind to travelling economically, but including sleeping and eating options for all tastes and budgets. As a first-time traveller to Europe, I feel assured and prepared for my trip with this knowledge under my belt. A must read!

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written easy to follow tips of popular areas. However, this book does not give all areas of France.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, Rick Steves always is a great book to read before going on a vacation... Highly recommend if you are heading to France for a vacation.

[John Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on traveling France . While some location has changed, the main sites and walls are still very useful