Paris Guidebook

Should I get this Paris book in addition to either Rick's complete France guidebook or his Best of France guidebook?

Probably not. If you're only spending a few days in Paris, as part of a longer trip in France, the Paris chapter of either France guidebook is all you're likely to need.

If, however, you're spending four days or more in Paris, the extra information in Rick Steves Paris can be worthwhile. It offers more in-depth sightseeing information, several additional self-guided city walks and museum/sight tours, and more specifics on shopping and entertainment, plus suggestions for kids. Other information is generally the same, especially compared to the complete Rick Steves France guidebook, which includes all the hotels, restaurants, and nitty-gritty practical advice for Paris that you'll find in the city guidebook, and nearly as much on its day trips. (But compared to Rick Steves Best of France, the Paris guidebook does have substantially more hotel and restaurant listings, as well as more comprehensive coverage of day-trip options.)

What's the difference between this Paris guidebook and Rick's Pocket Paris guide?

Rick Steves Pocket Paris works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Paris. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket Paris is smaller than the complete guidebook and in full color (but still offers our best sightseeing advice and a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours, plus a foldout map).

For travelers who want to delve deep into Paris, the full-size guidebook is a better option. It offers more substantial (and more frequently updated) advice on every front: practicalities, sightseeing, self-guided tours, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, kids' activities, winter fun, and the city's history and culture, plus chapters on the best day trips.