The key to planning a great French trip is a great French travel book. Not only can it help you set an itinerary, but it can also decide on accommodation, food, and attractions while you’re there. Here are the most essential travel guides for your next trip to France.
Rick Steves’ France
Rick Steves tells it like it is, and your guide has lots of practical and useful information, not just about the basics like accommodation, but also about a country’s culture and what to expect. The good news is that he will inform you about the underrated destinations that you might never visit, and the overrated destinations that are a waste of time.
Michelin Green Guide France
The Michelin Green Guide is the absolute bible of French travel. It is especially useful if you are not sure where to stop along the route (it has classifications of places such as “worth a trip” or “interesting”). The Michelin guides are probably more trustworthy than any other when it comes to an honest review. A need!
France Eyewitness Travel Guide
France Eyewitness Travel Guide is one of the best general books on this country. The best part of this book is all the images, which take up a large part of each page. The book also has a “visual glossary” of territorial cuisine, as well as floor plans for various attractions.
Lonely Planet France Travel Guide
This guide to France is light on images but heavy on details and content. This is an ideal choice if you want historical information on French destinations, as well as comprehensive lists of accommodation, restaurants and attractions in France.
Fodor’s France
This is a classic, updated every year. It has all the basics and it is essential to keep it in your suitcase. The newer versions also have great extras, like more photos (needed for years), maps, and magazine-style features with France travel ideas.
Frommer’s France Travel Guide
The Frommer’s France travel guide does a great job of saying what’s great and what can be skipped. It also provides extensive information on what to see and do in France, as well as excellent pricing information.
