Paris — the City of Light — has been a beacon of culture for centuries. As a world capital of art, fashion, food, literature, and ideas, it stands as a symbol of all the fine things that human civilization can offer. Paris offers sweeping boulevards, chatty crêpe stands, chic boutiques, and world-class art galleries. Sip decaf with deconstructionists in a sidewalk café, then step into an Impressionist painting in a tree-lined park. Climb Notre-Dame and rub shoulders with the gargoyles. Cruise the Seine, zip up the Eiffel Tower, and saunter down the Champs-Elysées.

In Rick Steves' Paris, you'll find in-depth Rick-tested information on trip planning, the best sights, hotels, restaurants, tourist offices, transportation, telephones, festivals and holidays, mail and email, weather, survival phrases, easy-to-follow street maps, a subway map and great self-guided neighborhood walks and museum tours.

• Self Guided Walking Tours: Historic Paris walk, Champs-Elysées walk, Rue Cler walk, Left Bank walk, Marais walk, Montmartre walk
• Self Guided Monument/Museum Tours: Louvre tour, Orsay Museum tour, Orangerie Museum tour, Eiffel Tower tour, Rodin Museum tour, Army Museum & Napoleon's Tomb tour, Bus #69 Sightseeing tour, Marmottan Museum tour, Cluny Museum tour, Pompidou Center tour, Carnavalet Museum tour, Père Lachaise Cemetery Tour
• Day trips: Versailles, Chartres Cathedral, Reims — plus Grand Châteaux near Paris, Impressionist excursions and Disneyland Paris
• And More: Paris with Children, Shopping, Nightlife, French History — and an in-depth appendix with information on cooking courses, French lessons, pre-trip reading/viewing suggestions, and much more

Published: November 2012

We recommend you carry a great walking map of the City of Light. One of the best is the Streetwise map of Paris. It is laminated for durability, packed with essential information, and up-to-date.