Rick Steves Paris 2020

by Rick Steves, Steve Smith, Gene Openshaw

From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the ancient catacombs below the city, explore Paris at every level with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Paris 2020 you'll find:


Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more in Paris

Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites

Top sights and hidden gems, from Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles to where to find the perfect croissant

How to connect with culture: Stroll down Rue Cler for fresh, local goods to build the ultimate French picnic, marvel at the works of Degas and Monet, and sip café au lait at a streetside café

Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight

The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of vin rouge


Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums and churches

Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go

Useful resources including a packing list, French phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading

Over 700 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down

Annually updated information on the best arrondissements in Paris, including Champs-Elysees, the Marais, Montmartre, and more, plus day trips to Versailles, Chartres, Giverny, and Auvers-sur-Oise

Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Paris 2020.

Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket Paris.

Genres: Travel, France, Nonfiction

713 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

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

[Katya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typically, I find Rick Steves' guidebooks to be the top of their class, but I was rather disappointed with this one. Instead of trying to cover all of what Paris has to offer (an impossible task) this guide focuses on Steves' favorite neighborhoods and does a deep dive into several of the top landmarks like the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, and Versailles.

Unfortunately I just didn't jive with those priorities. If I wanted to learn about a museum or landmark, I'd investigate the museum's website or find an audioguide or podcast (Steves himself offers several audio guided walks on exactly these subjects). I also don't typically travel with a guidebook, but read them in preparation for a trip (and take copious notes) so I ended up skipping those chapters. Overall, nearly half of the book is devoted to museum tours, which bummed me out and made me wonder what Steves would have recommended had he put that page space to other use.

Otherwise, this guidebook offers much of what we've grown to expect from Rick Steves - honest insights, guided neighborhood walks, and a good dose of chipper wit. I did wish the restaurant section was better fleshed out, and generally I thought the guidebook catered more to 'tourists' - rather than travelers - than others in Steves' oeuvre. If this is your first time in Paris and you're planning on hitting up all of the museums, this guidebook is a great option. Otherwise, skim it before your trip for a dose of that Steves wit.

[John Matthew IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I scanned/read in a couple of days but will take it with me when I go to Paris. I like Rick and his style.

[Pooja Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic guide by Rick Steves

[Kelle Treadwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, lots of information that was up to date.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful guide. However, the paperback is over 700 pages and is printed on thin, newsprint type paper. The print is not as dark as it should be and so for me reading it is painful and difficult. I had to buy the ebook version and I am much more comfortable reading it.That said, the book has a wealth of good information.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super helpful for our trip to Paris. Worth the read.