Rick Steves Paris

by Rick Steves, Steve Smith, Gene Openshaw

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Paris. 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 you'll Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more in ParisRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesTop sights and hidden gems, from Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles to where to find the perfect croissantHow to connect with 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 caféBeat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insightThe best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of vin rougeSelf-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums and churchesDetailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the goOver 700 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you downCoverage of the best arrondissements in Paris,including Champs-Elysees, the Marais, Montmartre, and more, plus day trips to Versailles, Chartres, Giverny, and Auvers-sur-OiseCovid-related travel info and resources for a smooth tripMake the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Paris.

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

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, France, Reference

1459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

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

[Carol Bakker]

I like Rick Steves' philosophy of travel:
Become a temporary local.
Slow down.
Minimize souvenir shopping; collect memories instead.
Make it a habit to say "yes."
Keep toilet paper with you.
Talk softly.

And the one that made me laugh aloud: use a knife to deconstruct his tour guide book so you only take the parts that you are visiting that day.

I loved the practical tips. Thanks, Rick!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the gold standard of guidebooks!

[FRED GARTNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent informative guide book

What a wealth of information this book is. Rick Steves Paris covers the whole spectrum of the city of lights. The book is filled with the history of the French people of Paris. Every part of the city and every neighborhood is explained in detail as well as the museums, restaurants, churches, and parks, etc. Before you go to Paris, read up in this book and plan accordingly their stay in the city.

[Yossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third time I’ve traveled using Rick Steves’ guides (prior to Budapest and to Kraków, Warsaw & Gdańsk). Full of practical information and also great guided walking tours and suggestions of what to see and why. I was not disappointed and will likely use his guides again in the future if I have the opportunity.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall good information in a friendly presentation. However, sometime Steves’ jokes and sarcasm are hard to judge and you wonder if he’s joking or serious about aspects of French culture and practices.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Steves continues to provide great ideas, maps, and timelines for travel - his books have become the SOURCE for us when we travel to Europe, and this updated book will be going in my suitcase and getting dismantled when we travel next to France.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has all the basic, practical information needed for someone who has never been to Europe. From how payment works, tipping, ordering coffee and even how to buy picnic supplies. And, it has a foldable city map that tears out of the back. Very useful.

[Kate Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to Paris in May with my mother-in-law to cross off a bucket list item. We had a blast and we’re thankful for the wealth of information in Rick Steve’s’ guides. You can’t get to everything, but I think you can get a sense of those you miss and definitely plan your priorities.

[Joy Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2024 edition to research a trip. I also looked at other company's guides, and this just reaffirmed to me that Rick Steves is the best. I particularly appreciated the section specifically for families. Highly recommend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This and Fodor's are the two best Paris guides. I like Rick Steves' friendly style, and the practical nature of his advice.

[Laura Kiesling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any travel book by this author is a must if you want to plan a trip.

[Morgan Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way this was written and will definitely be using it (and TikTok let’s be honest here) to make my nephew’s senior trip the best trip ever!

[Marge Smagur]

Good detail and cautions but this is mostly geared toward the heavy tourist areas. Would like more suggestions about local faire in the outer neighborhoods(where Parisiennes dine daily)

[Lindsay Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. Informative and still interesting! I can’t believe I read an entire travel book. And it wasn’t even difficult. Up to date with nothing but helpful information.

[Jacqueline]

I love the walking tours in Steve's books! They always seem to include exactly the things I want them to.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this update made me miss Paris even more.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and helpful information for our recent trip to Paris! I planned our trip myself and couldn’t have done it without this book! Love all of his tours as well.

[Angela Hedworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would like more information on what to do with teens, how to combine Paris with London and EuroDisney.

[Brent USA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for my recent vacation in Paris.
Lots of good information about restaurants, cafes, bakeries, hotels, museums, neighborhoods, customs, money changing, and transportation.