France 2010

Guidebook corrections:

Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.

Index insertion needed for Marseille

I'm in W. Africa and my wife is in northern California with our new book. She could not find Marseille which is our first destination. It looks like it is the 2nd largest city in France, so a mention in the index would be helpful. We have never visited France, but might not have bought this book if looking in the index. We look for Rick's books first and have about 8 now. I'm a CPA and met Rick at the PBS TV station in Houston while doing volunteer work at a fundraiser. We like his books for our European travels, but I have never commented before.

Ken Gregg in Malabo, on the Island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea, W. Africa 03/14/2010

Chez Palmyre restaurant in Nice old town was told out of business when we were there trying to find it. We were told by a nearby restaurant we ended up.

Genhone in Toronto, ON Canada 03/07/2010

Lyon: p. 825 of the 2010 guidebook on France says :Three shuttles (navettes) per hour makea the 40-minute trip from the airport to both Lyon train stations...." I have looked on the suggested website, www.satobus.com, and it only lists stops at Part-Dieu and Grange Blanche, which also looks to be a far piece from Perrache. From either Part-Dieu or Grange Blanche, it looks like a long walk or a train, metro, tram or taxi ride.

Jinny Danzer in St. Louis, MO USA 02/19/2010

Page 412 of France 2010 book. Dordogne region local guide listed: her name is Angelika Simeon which is listed correctly but her email listed angelica.simeon@wanadoo.fr is incorrect. Should be angelika.simeon@wanadoo.fr She is aware of this and may contact you as well.

Lori Stone in Mercer Island, wa USA 02/05/2010

For France 2010, in re visiting Monet's Garden et al, on p210 you indicate they're closed Mondays, then suggest that you check their website. That states they are open every day from 1 April to 1 Nov. ??

Ron Burlick in San Anselmo, Ca USA 02/01/2010

I was working off the 2009 version, so you may know already, but Sainte Chappelle is up to 8 euro, combined with Conciergerie is 11. Minor nitpick - in the Musee de Moyen Ages, the Lady and the Unicorn is six panels, not five: the five senses, plus the final "renunciation" panel.

Marilyn in Eddy, Oh USA 12/29/2009

Please remove the reference to the Picasso Museum in Paris, since it is closed and won't open until 2011. It is difficult to find so we wasted a lot of time.

[Editor's Note: Our guidebook updates page on the Web has included this information since the summer of 2009 and the closure is noted in the France 2010 guidebook.]

Gerald Kilbert in Elk Grove, CA USA 11/20/2009

In Villefranche Sur Mer at the church of St Michel it is the recumbent Christ that was carved by the galley slave from a fig tree. Not a crucifix.

Sue in Victoria, bC Canada 11/10/2009

In October 2009. Rue Cler is open to trafic day and night. On Rue Cler, the Central cafe? is way over proced. The Marche de Mars is much better.

We could not get our AAA VISA travel card to dispense $ at ATMs. Merchants accepted it for purchases, but I am real glad I took euros with me.

Mark Sebastian in Federal Way, WA USA 11/02/2009

Picasso Museum in Paris closed until 2012

Debra in Delta, BC Canada 10/20/2009

Prices are up everywhere over what the book shows. In Chamonix the lift Aiguille du Midi is up from 38 Euro to 40 Euro, with no family or senior discounts anymore, making the trip much more expensive than expected for two seniors. (Still worth it, though.)

Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 10/14/2009

Trying to bring back the tempting little tins of foie gras can be risky. Ours was allowed at the airport in Toulouse, but confiscated at CDG. I think it's really up to the whims of the luggage checkers. We felt horrible seeing those expensive little treats being dumped in the trash.

[Editor's Note: Rick recommends putting it in checked luggage rather than in your carry-on bag.]

Adrienne in Vienna, Va USA 10/14/2009

I would like to present you my CHATEAU DES ALLUES B&B located in Savoie, France. We welcome so many guests from foreign countries, they often suggest me to contact you to ask for a visit. Would you please take some time to look at our website to have an idea : www.chateaudesallues.com

Thank you Best Regards Stéphane

VANDEVILLE in Saint Pierre d Albigny, 73 France 10/13/2009

St. Cirq Lapopie was fantastic and we loved Hotel de la Pelissaria. She has sold the rooms across the street from the main hotel, where we stayed, as of November. She is staying in the main building but not operating it as a hotel anymore.

Martha in Calgary, Canada 10/03/2009

The baggage storage in Strasbourg is indeed manned and you must go through security to place your baggage in the storage lockers which cost Euro 4 for a small locker and Euro 8 for a large locker, but change is available.

Vickie Sprowls in Lake Nebagamon, WI USA 09/22/2009

I think the guidebook said the #69 bus doesn't run on Sundays in Paris, but it does. Thanks for that suggestion because it is really a wonderful wayto see the city.

Mimi Simon in Edmonton, AB Canada 09/18/2009

Pg.521 Under the listing for LePeiriero- "massage parlor" I'm sure this is a legitimate offering for therapeutic massage. However, for travelers from the states the cultural context is an old term that suggests prostitution. You might want to rewrite this as "massage studio" or "therapeutic massage available". I'm a NY Licensed Massage Therapist. Looking out for the profession. My vacation is in two weeks. I might have more suggestions after. The guidebooks have been invaluable. Thank You

Sheila Holcomb in Canandaigua, NY USA 08/24/2009

Hi,

I'm rereading the sections of the current France guidebook on the places we've decided to visit soon.

The section on *Mont Saint Michel* states, "...(it is) connected by a two-mile causeway to the mainland..."

However, the map provided a few pages later makes it look like it's about 300 to 400 meters of causeway.

Should I believe the map, as I am wanting to do?

Bill Hastings in San Diego, CA USA 08/15/2009

p. 161: I was able to charge my RER-B train ticket from CDG to central Paris for 8.40 euros. p. 248: Buses from Pontorson to Mt. St. Michel in June are not always timed to meet the trains-check the schedule (www.keolis-emeraude.com, Ligne 6). p. 249: Mont St. Michel was not illuminated the evening I was there in June. Is it only illuminated in July and August? p. 313: Chaumont’s tour is no longer in the order of the RS self-guided tour. p. 288 There is a significant language barrier to rent a bike a Locacycle in Amboise, although the man was very nice and fairly patient. p. 437: If you buy a round-trip ticket from Hendaye to San Sebastian on the EuskoTren, the return trip expires in 24 hours, not 2 hours, plus it’s easy to buy the tickets in the machine just past the ticket counter. p. 496: Hotel Les Templier’s annex rooms in Collioure are not air-conditioned.

Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 08/11/2009

Orangerie in Paris is no longer open late Friday evenings.

Randy in Mineapolis, MN USA 07/29/2009

Dear Rick, We went to L'Atelier Jean-Luc Rabanel, had a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, but... In the guide book it said that dinner was in the 50 euro range when in fact it was 85 euros. This is a significant difference and the true cost was prohibitive to some of our guests. On the bright side, if we had known the true cost we might not have gone, sooo... LIfe works in mysterious ways.

Craig Matsu-Pissot in Vancouver, BC Canada 07/22/2009

We rented a full-sized car in Pau from Hertz for 25 days. It was quite a bit cheaper than the car leasing recommended in your guide. We did not purchase the CDW, because our credit card and other insurance covered our insurance needs. However, even if we had purchased it, the Hertz rental would still have been cheaper. If you want CDW, be sure to reserve it before you leave the U.S. It's much more expensive to buy it there.

Laurence Parent in Wimberley, TX USA 07/12/2009

Hotel Cluny Sorbonne has wonderful free internet access in all the rooms. BUT...the walls are paper thin and if you want to sleep, do not get a room that faces the street. The rooms are *exceptionally* small. The wood furniture is from the 70's. Staff is indeed sweet and helpful.

Jennifer Stanley in Tracy, CA USA 07/09/2009

Reims: Getting around the city is not easy because of a major construction project--a tramway. This will continue at least until 2011.

Bus stops have been moved, and some routes described may not exist (on June 15, we could not find any evidence of a #2 bus). Taxis are only available at the train station, and did not come when called (we waited over an hour).

Walking is really the only dependable way to get around the historic center of the city (which is still delightful).

Laura Claunch in Glendale, AZ USA 06/29/2009

One "correction". The lady at the creperie was SO rude. We had your book on the table. We ordered crepes and drinks, got a bill for the higher price and asked about getting the lower charge. She flew into a fit and said she didn't know who promised that. A French lady translated for us. She was very angry and unpleasant.

Barbara Barnett in Fort Worth, TX USA 06/27/2009

Hotel Prince in Paris doesn't warrant $$ ** anymore. It seemed many things were broken (part of the lobby decor), dirty or stained (walls, carpet), worn out but not replaced (threadbare towels which didn't match); safe was unreliable. Even the street sign was partly burned out, making it hard to find that first night. On the plus side, the hotel manager was friendly, the location is great, and the cost is fine. But for the same $$** at Hotel Muguet in Paris a week later, the rating was definitely warranted. They're just not in the same class anymore.

Nikki Rajala in Rockville, MN USA 06/23/2009

Bus from Pont du Gard to Avignon-- 3 came before 8:05 AM, then the next normal one at 1:22 PM. We were waiting over 5 hours for the bus from the "premier" tourist site from France. This should be in the book--we wasted a day.

Linda Beilstein in Corvallis, OR USA 06/22/2009

Lavarie du Port in Saint-Jean-de-Luz has moved to 4 boulevard Thiers, 1.5 blocks from Hotel Le Petit Trianon. Wash is 4.70 euros, dry is 1 euro per 8 minutes. The machine takes bills!

Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 06/20/2009

American credit cards do work in the auto toll booths.

Mary Ruiz in Bradenton, Fl USA 06/11/2009

P. 340 describes the Lantern of the Dead in Sarlat "If it feels a bit eastern or Moorish, it's likely because of Bernard's Crusades experience in the Holy Land." Nonsense. Bernard of Clairvaux was the chief recruiter for the disastrous Second Crusade, but the saint himself never left Western Europe.

P. 532: Pope Clement V never "decided he'd had enough of unholy (and dangerous) Italy." He received the tiara in Lyon and never even set foot in Italy as pontiff. Who came up with the idea that Avignon was holier than Rome? Clement V does not have a reputation for great holiness. As for the danger, the previous pope, Benedict XII, felt secure enough, and his predecessor's problems could be directly traced to the French king, Philip the Fair, himself.

The repeated references to "the Vatican" in this section are misleading. "Rome" or "the Holy See" would be better. The popes did not spend much time in the Vatican until 1870, more than five centuries later. Before then the popes lived in various palazzi in Rome.

Benedict XIII "checked out" (he actually escaped a five-year siege) in 1403, not 1417. He spent his last twenty years in Spain.

Mike Wavada in Enfield, CT USA 06/11/2009

Abri du Cap Blanc does have English tours if all the people on the tour have English as their primary language

Jody Distad in Denver, CO USA 06/07/2009

Hotel le Blason in Amboise was sold to a new owner who lost or never received our confirmed reservation made with the previous owners Agnus and Thomas. They were fully booked when we showed up but they contacted another Hotel for us to say at which was fair at best. Also the L'Alliance restaurant in Amboise was full on Monday May 18th so we couldn't eat there-I'd suggest making reservations in advance as they this restaurant appears to be very popular now.

Paul Beck in Cupertino, Ca USA 06/01/2009

In your France 2008 book you said that it is ok to bring back tins of frois gras. We had five small cans confiscated from our carry on luggage yesterday.

Debbie in Garland, TX USA 05/24/2009

great book

Krista in Atlanta, Ga USA 05/09/2009

Just note for the "Hotel La Marine" in Arromanches that parking for the hotel is at the Musée du Débarquement. It is free for guests from 19h00 to 10h00 the next morning. We were just there and it would have saved some time if we had known where to park.

John Brooks in Paris, France 05/03/2009

All of our experiences were good, perhaps with the exception of Arles. You did say it was gritty, but I wasn't expecting, quite this gritty. I would skip it.

Meg in Chicago, IL USA 04/27/2009

La Jacotiere now has wifi internet (no charge when we visited).

Robert C in Norman, OK USA 04/27/2009

In Sarlat Le Relais de Poste restaurant listed in the 2008 Guide Book is closed. There is a for sale (A Vendre) sign out front.

Chris in Glen Ridge, NJ USA 04/14/2009

I attempted to reserve 2 rooms for 2 nights at the Hotel de la Marine in Arromanches for May 2009, but they would only reserve at the half-board rate, even after I requested otherwise. Your book indicates that half-board is strongly encouraged, but not required.

Holly McKee in Cheyenne, WY USA 04/03/2009

Burgundy - The 2009 France guidebook incorrectly lists the Hospices wine auction as Sunday, 22 Nov. The actual date is Sunday, 15 Nov. The auction is always held on the 3rd Sunday of November.

Amy in Houston, TX USA 03/04/2009

Rick's TGV.com ticket savings trick no longer works. TGV.com now routes any USA or GB (english-speaking) ticket inquiries through raileurope.com at significantly higher prices. You must specify a European continental country and language to access the lower Eurozone pricing, and must pick up your ticket at the station. It may still be possible to print out your tickets on-line, but I did not see any way to do this on the eurozone websites.

Shaun in Portland, OR USA 02/27/2009

I recently made a reservation for 5 nights (May 22-27, 2009) at the Hotel de l'Empereur in Paris. I was required to pay the entire 800 euros (160 euros per night for a Quad room) in order to make the reservation. Rick's book says some places might require one night's payment to guarantee the reservation. I have never had to pay for all nights in advance like this. Also, the hotel's website provides an option for English, but the ensuing pages are part English, part French. I didn't understand the part in French, so I didn't realize I was paying for all 5 nights. I thought my credit card was just to guarantee payment of the fee if I didn't cancel timely.

Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 01/11/2009

No - I just used the book for a 5 night stay in Beaune - basically did everything that was suggested - the detail and accuracy was remarkable - I was impressed - thanks!!!

Ashok Chawla in St. Louis, MO USA 11/16/2008

Loire Valley Accommodation Near Amboise. Recommended Hotel - L'Auberge de Launay. is even better than recommended. However owners are François and Helene Thévard rather than Francoise and Helene Bail. The owners met whilst working at the Ritz Hotel in London. this may help explain the very high standards.

Mark Niall in Gold Coast, Ql Australia 10/13/2008

We did a picnic in the garden area by the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of wine and the police came by and told us that drinking in that area is no longer allowed because of trouble with young people getting drunk and unruly. We did see signs to that effect later but there were no signs at all in the area where we were. So travelers should probably check to see what the law is. The police were very nice about it though and allowed us to finish our wine.

Chez Palmyre restaurant in Nice appeared to be out of business as it was boarded up and no signs were posted about it being closed.

Terry in Portland, OR USA 09/28/2008

Rick suggests a wonderful, scenic drive from Beaune (in Burgundy) to Chateauneuf, a castle and charming little town. Rick does not say in his guidebook that the castle is closed on Monday and it should!! We saved that drive for our last day and we were extremely disappointed to find the chateau closed. If a Rick Steve recommended sight is closed on any particular day of the week, the guidebook should say so!!

Susan Russell in Corte Madera, Ca USA 09/25/2008

Hotel du Parc is no longer open in Avignon!

Robyn Oxley in Webster, TX USA 09/21/2008

No, you were right on! but it would be nice to have more restaurant reviews (I know, you can only eat so much), but even though we ate somewhere different every day, we never found great food in a restaurant.

Ildi Varga in Vancouver, BC Canada 08/25/2008

The 2008 France book on page 234 lists the German Military Cemetery as 3.5 miles west of Bayeux. It is actually about 35 miles west of Bayeux. We were confused when we read 3.5, but figured it out from our map.

Thomas Strayhorn in Snyder, TX USA 08/14/2008

In Annecy, there is a good internet place across the street from the TI.

Bob in Edina, MN USA 08/13/2008

On the Rue Cler Walk (2008), The Tabac At Le Diplomat is now The Petit Cler cafe, and the Caffe Vergnano is now Cafe Central - bad service.

Ray and Arlene in New Westminster, BC Canada 08/10/2008

I did travel to Paris in June/July 2008 w/my family using the 2007 book. Would have been nice to have seen that kids under 18 were free for the museums. Also the Orangerie Musee was free on the first Sunday and that was not listed in the book.

C. Haller in Longwood, FL USA 08/08/2008

Nice: Bus #15 no longer exists. To get to Chagall and Matisse museums, take bus #22. And you don't have to backtrack down to place Messena to catch it, as listed in the guidebook. We stayed near the train station. There are bus stops for #22 lots closer. The shuttle between the two museums no longer exists, as well.

Sheila in Albuquerque, NM USA 07/14/2008

Versailles: Tickets at the TI: 13.50 euro palace only tickets were not for sale here on June 24. They do sell the 20 euro palace/gardens ticket. Garden was free this day, so we didn't want to spend the extra, so we went to the main ticket office near the palace. The guidebook was right about Tuesdays being extremely crowded. Our wait to get in was about 2 hours!

Chris McNally in Everett, WA USA 07/10/2008

Yes. On page 352 of Rick Steves' France, with regard to the canoe trip on the Dordogne, you incorrectly state that " remember that the downstream current is fastest along the shoreline." Since water is subjected to the friction of the shoreline, the water is slowed down, producing eddies, swirls going in the opposite direction of the main current. Pour ketchup out of the bottle and you can see the same laws of physics being demonstrated. Sailors in a light wind use this to go against a strong river current, Check it out!!!

David Weitzman in Berkeley, CA USA 06/25/2008

When describing the champagne tours in Reims, please advise readers to go early in the day, especially on Saturdays. We saved the champagne tours until after lunch and found that all afternoon tours (both English and French) were already booked. While it was a Saturday in May, it was not a holiday weekend. We were disappointed to miss this experience.

Kitty in Centennial, CO USA 05/19/2008

I used your tour book pages, Best of Paris in 7 days, 2008, as a sort of guideline since we were going to be in Paris on those same days. I chose Thursday, May 1 as the day we were to visit the Louvre since that is the day your tour group was going to be there. Imagine my frustration when we learned that May 1 was a holiday, the Louvre and all museums in Paris were closed that day. That was the only day we had to go to the Louvre since we were leaving Paris the next morning. So, we didn't get to see it! I really wish your tour information had been correct. The Louvre was my premier destination in Paris.

Suzanne Hannus in Bothell, WA USA 05/17/2008

Hotel Le Cheval Blanc in Honfleur refused to give free breakfast stating that the Rick Steves organization had not contacted them this year.

Hotel Leveque in Paris does not turn on their advertised air conditioning until June. When we were there it was warm and our room had an unpleast odor but no A/C. Bathroom was clean and odor free but it was only 1 meter by 3 meters and required that you step around the toilet to enter. However, the hotel did have a good location!

Bob Peck in Irvine, CA USA 05/14/2008

P.262 FRANCE 2008 "Hotel de la Tour de l'Horloge" (5 Rue de la Chaux, 22100 Dinan) has been redecorated in gorgeous vibrant colors in the public areas and lovely restful colors in the rooms; all new furniture and rugs. One outstanding room decorated like a maharaja's palace - very romantic. No longer can it be describd as "little personality," due to the personality, talent, and hard work of the owner's wife, Fatima. Lovely owners: Christophe and Fatima Portail. hotel.pbdelatour@orange.fr

Virginia Dolan in Seattle, WA USA 05/13/2008

Rue St. Jean in Bayeux is not traffic free anymore.

travelfan in Washington, DC USA 05/10/2008

There is NOT an auto rental location in downtown Amboise. The nearest one is a Renault dealer on the way to Tours. It is a LONG walk.

Mike Mitchell in Salt Lake City, UT USA 05/09/2008

The Marmottan museum, listed as opening at 10:00, now doesn't open until 11:00.

Sarah in Leonardtown, MD USA 05/08/2008

Correction to the 2008 France guidebook, page 733, under the heading "Sleeping in Kaysersberg". The websit for the Hotel a L'Arbre Vert has changed.

1 USA 05/02/2008

All available information was accurate. In Avignon, however, it might be good to mroe strongly stress the difference between the two train stations and how to jostle between the two. It's easy to get the hang of once you go through that first aggratating experience of finding the TGV bus.

Elizabeth in San Francisco, CA USA 04/16/2008

FRANCE 2008 : pg 130: Hotel Ibis is no longer in the www.ibishotel.com chain. It is now part of the all-seasons-hotels.com or the Accor Group of hotels and is called All Seasons Republique. Address still 9 rue Leon Jouhaux.

L.B. in Seattle, WA USA 04/14/2008

None except tell people to self cater for breakfast and lunch (don't eat in restaurants...too expensive). I was able to buy some delightful pain au chocolat from a roadside stand...however they don't serve hot coffee. I ended up getting it from McDonalds!

Elaine Cheng in Downers Grove, IL USA 04/05/2008

Font de Guame was open in March. The guide book stated that it opened in May. Some of the closing times of the churchs, museums, etc were inacurate. Some of these places were actually opened later than expected. Maybe because it was Holy Week.

Yvonne Jahnke in Oconomowoc, WI USA 03/24/2008

The Metro in Paris accepts credit cards. Both the airport RER and some Metro stations have vending machines for ticket purchases that also accept credit cards.

John Tallman in Park Ridge, IL USA 03/18/2008

Airport CDG map (p.157) lists Hotel Campanile/Kyraid Prestige but not directions. Only on airport hotels are listed.

Jon T. Haugen in VANCOUVER, WA USA 03/06/2008

The Taittinger tour in Reims is now 10 euro per person. (See more comments, below....)

Erika in Santa Barbara, CA USA 02/18/2008

P.211 -- correct email for La Cour Ste. Catherine in Honfleur is: coursaintecatherine@orange.fr p.220 -- correct email for Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux is: dargouges@aol.com

Lydia Carroll-Libbey in Bellevue, WA USA 01/19/2008

I loved Hallstatt, but in driving from Vienna, we became lost. The offramp "Talgau" (and I am spelling it incorrectly). Then you take 158 toward St. Gilgens and to Bad Ishl. Once you are off the autoroute, the village is easy to find.

Susan Gibb in Santa Ana, CA USA 11/02/2007

On page 742, you suggested that the 'easier hike' from Kayserberg to Riquewihr is easy to find. I got to the TI in Kaysersberg just as it closed for lunch, so tried to find the route on my own. I took the bikepath easily to Kientzheim, but I was never able to find the trail you claim is marked 'Sentier Viticole' to Riquewihr. I was able to follow the bike path route, and with a lot of luck and guessing, made it to Riquewihr without major difficulty, but, mostly I was walking along roads, not the path that you suggested existed.

in Cambridge, MA USA 10/29/2007

France 2007; pgs 210 and 211. Text says "...at the square in front of Notre Dame...walk...west...to the plague cemetrary and...east..to the Joan of Arc Church." Map is exactly the opposite. Huh??

L & D in Edmonds, WA USA 10/20/2007

I suppose there is no controlling Rick's puns? No, no corrections at all. Rick was right on about the Ancient Theatre in Arles: "look through the fence".

David Rohlader in Eagar, AZ USA 10/18/2007

St. Jean-de-Luz: The TI is now located 4 blocks east of place Louis XIV, just past Les Halles market, on blvd. Victor Hugo.

Ronald Turner in Wheelersburg, OH USA 10/09/2007

Hotel du Saint Michel (Chambord) restaurant was surprisingly good and you should mention that in your description of Chambord area.

Laurie McCulley in Winter Park, FL USA 10/05/2007

One thing I think should be more greatly emphasized is the amount of walking required even if you are using the public transportation system. We are Americans living in Bratislava, and use public transportation, don't own a car. So we were shocked when our feet and legs were killing us in Paris after the first day.

Martha Brice in Bratislava, Slovakia 09/20/2007

I have never found a serious error or bad recommendation in one of Rick's guides. They are the only ones we use.

Russell Smart in Greenville, SC USA 09/11/2007

The guidebook says that the d'Orsay opens at 9:00 am in one place, and 9:30 at another place. The correct time is 9:30.

Jennifer Larsen in Falcon Heights, MN USA 08/23/2007

We were in Paris this summer for eight days. We looked everywhere for Rick's recommended Pariscope in English. We found it in French, but never in English.

Sharon & Leo Marty in Olympia, WA USA 08/21/2007

I am planning a trip to France for my 60th birthday in 2009. I have been reading mnay books and watching many videos. I read in your book on France 2007 edition that the Chateau Chenonceau has the original door with Francois I well known emblem of a salamander. I cannot find any other source that tells me that Francois I had anything to do with this castle. I am aware that he did help "build" the Chateau Chambord.

Kathleen Hatfield in fishers, In USA 08/16/2007

Not yet -- but we have only scratched the surface in France so far. We are taking the train down to Paris for a long weekend and have just downloaded Rick's museum tours into the IPod.

Carol Emmett in Windermere, FL USA 08/13/2007

Versaille-I want to ditto the comments on the one day pass. There is no longer an express line and you can't use your pass to use the little train to take to MA Domaine. Long lines for everyone these days!

Anne in Auburn, WA USA 08/09/2007

On a recent tour, Best of Europe in 14 Days, one of our stops was in Beaune, France. We were given a list of Rick Steves recommended restaurants but we were on our own for dinner. We decided to walk in the pouring rain to La Ciboulette, knowing that it was quite a distant but hoping it was "well worth the walk" as stated in the guidebook. When we arrived (dripping wet) we were turned away because we didn't have reservations (not noted in the book), even though the place was empty!!! I recommend instead Le Grande Blu which welcomed us and served us a great meal.

Kay Hokans in Waukesha, WI USA 08/06/2007

The Paris guidebook recommends going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe after dark for the best view. When we were in Paris in June, we followed that advice. We didn't have a Museum Pass, so we paid full price. Trouble is, with a 2-hour fast time in France, it doesn't get dark until about 10:30. They took our money, let us go to the top, and then came around within about 5 minutes telling us we had to go down because the Arc closes at 10:30. We think there was a sign at the ticket booth that closing time is 11:00. The guidebook might have mentioned that closing time can limit the time available for enjoying the night view.

Ken Juell in Wichita, KS USA 07/24/2007

Avignon - The bus from Avignon to Pont Du Gard to Nimes no longer runs (I believe it was 169 in the guidebook). The only bus is Avignon to Pont Du Gard to Uzes.

There was considerable construction at Versailles and St. Chappelle - the Passion windows weren't viewable.

Avignon - I found the description of how to get to "best view in Avignon" to be confusing. You should specifically refer to the name of the park.

Arles - The description of the walk from the train station to town was not clear.

Heather Wills in Dallas, TX USA 07/18/2007

For Carcassone, as of July, 2007, there are two updates that made our arrival by train a little more difficult. The sketched map in the book is very hard to follow because the roads are so twisty. The first square Rick describes (Carnot? This is from memory, I am on the trip!)I didn't think was so charming- the tangle of cafes and cars just added to the confusion. The other big square sketched and described as the place to catch the shuttle bus is completely fenced off to make a parking lot, and the resulting barriers of the entire block made it unsafe to wander around looking for the right bus stop. We finally found it- look for "the dome" stop, not where the rest of the buses are. In fact, we walked the whole way, over the old bridge, back to the train station from the heart of the old walled city when leaving and it was a lot easier (at least in good weather!)than dealing with that shuttle bus; which also doesn't start running until 10:00 and takes a very long lunch break! We never saw the electric ones in the new town.

Sara Glass in Tumwater, WA USA 07/17/2007

Even with the Paris museum pass, there is no longer an entrance to Versailles for quick entry. You have to stand in line like everyone else. The museum pass doesn't even have this updated information printed on it yet. Also, if you skip the gardens during the fountain times, you've missed the best part. My husband and I just returned last week. We used the 2006 guidebook, and it was awesome. Saw 3 people in Paris with it, and another American at the Eiffel tower came to ask me when the ticket office opened when he saw the book. He said, "Oh yeah, everyone has that book. Mine's in my hotel room." We called it "The Ricky". Also, Rick is right-Andorra isn't worth the drive.

Mary Wright in Chandler, AZ USA 07/11/2007

The Versailles one-day pass does not cover the little shuttle from the main palace out into the gardens; nor does it provide expedited entrance. I made thorough inquiries at Versailles in my functional French and was assured that the pass did not include those things. So we waited in a long hot line to get in; and we later skipped the gardens, Marie Antoinette's domaine, etc. rather than parboil on the garden paths or shell out even more euros for the shuttle (you're right, we'll go early in the morning next time). Your book was otherwise very helpful and reliable-- we had a great trip. Thanks!

Lisa in Albany, CA USA 07/10/2007

I've been trying to use Rick Steves France 2007 to book B&B's and hotels in Normandy and Brittany for this summer, but many of the rates in the book are much lower than the rates I'm receiving back. Hotel Ibis in Dinan wants 140 euros vs the 100 euros quoted for a Quad. Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux quoted me 280 euros when I requested the family suite listed at 130 euros in Rick's guide. When I asked him to double-check, I was told the best rate he had was 184 euros. Hotel le Bayeux wanted 121 euros vs the 80 euros quoted for a Quad; when pushed about why his rate was higher, he said the room was 93 euros and he had to charge an additional 7 per person for breakfast, though he said nothing about breakfast being included in the original rate quote. So be aware that either rates have suddenly gone up or hoteliers are trying to gouge with higher rates, at least initially.

Eric Stout in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA USA 07/09/2007

I loved the France guidebook and had my nose in it for any information that I needed. I found it, too!

madeline hanrath in gretna, la USA 06/29/2007

You could consider adding Basilique Saint-Remi in Reims - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - very old with many highlights and Le Bar a Huitres in Reims - an oyster bar with great food and agreeable service.

Lynda Pyzer in Kenora, ON Canada 06/21/2007

There is a green line bus that runs from Bayeux to the Canadian landing beaches (Juno beach). A must see for all Canadians

Julie Nelson in Calgary, AB Canada 06/17/2007

I have to disagree with Judy L. from Oklahoma City about taking ROISSYBUS from CDG to Opera and then on to Rue Cler area. I took Metro Line 8 from Opera to Ecole Militaire (Rue Cler)a few times last week. Perhaps there was a temporary service interruption?

Peter in Hamilton, NJ USA 05/29/2007

You may want to either remove or put a word of caution about the Hotel du Champ de Mars (Rue Cler). We've had a reservation (or so we thought...) since the 23rd of February and now, with our trip 17 days away, just received an e-mail from Stephane saying that our reservation is invalid. All this after supplying every bit of information and credit card close to four months ago!

Arthur Kuebel in Ellensburg, Wa USA 05/23/2007

When coming from DeGaulle on RoissyBus, you cannot get onto Metro Line 8 at Opera to get to Rue Cler neighborhood.

Judy L. in Oklahoma City, OK USA 05/17/2007

Many price increases.

Judy A. Vosburgh in Atascadero, CA United States 05/15/2007

In the Provence guidebook it says that the TI office in Arles will be open on Saturday morning, it is not. The guidebook also says that there will not be taxis at the train station, but there is a stand and taxis were there on Saturday morning.

Sharon Basile in Foster City, CA USA 05/14/2007

The guidebook suggests that Vaux-le-Vicomte at candlelight is best seen after dark. We followed that advice and would disagree. The Chateau is lovely, but it would be better viewed at dusk. We were there in pitch black and couldn't see the gardens at all. Taxis are not easy to come by at the train station, and we waited about 30 minutes until one arrived. After rushing through the chauteau, we could not find someone to call a cab for us, but fortunately I was able to finally get my cell to work. Also, by going so late, the train ride back to Paris got a little rough. About 12 teenagers were in our car rough-housing each other. At a subsequent stop, the police swarmed our car and searched each one of them right in front of us. Vaux-le-Vicomte is a great place to visit, but since we were limited to public transportation I would probably recommend something else. (Now I understand why the tours from Paris cost 180 Euros!)

Melissa in Maryville, TN USA 05/10/2007

The American Museum at Giverny no longer has paintings by the American impressionist Mary Cassatt. The museum has not had any for a few years. The 2006 version of the guidebook indicates a small Cassatt section. Very disappointing as I specifically visited the museum to see the Cassatts.

Bryan Brasseur USA 05/06/2007

France 2007 says Avis in Beaune is open on Saturday. Not according to Avis web site. I tried to rent a car from June 2 (Saturday) to June 9 (Saturday) and Avis web site tells me: "The Rental Location selected is closed on the date requested."

Location info on Avis site says: 4 Bis Rue Jules Ferry - BE5 Beaune, 21200 , France (33) 03 80 24 96 46 Sun Closed; Mon-Fri 08:30AM-12:00PM 02:00PM-05:30PM; Sat Closed

Calvin Hilton in Jacksonville, FJ USA 04/29/2007

The bus to Chenonceaux departs Amboise at 9:49 and returns from Chenonceaux at 12:27. The fare is €1.50. The ride takes about 25 minutes.

Chang in San Francisco, CA USA 04/27/2007

Minitrain to Cote du Grace from Honfleur port ceased operations indifinitely in August 2006. Marine Museum in Honfleur is closed from noon until 2:00 pm (your guide says it's open from noon until 1:00 pm).

Richard Frank in Toronto, On Canada 04/26/2007

The section on Sarlat says that Sarlat is "a pedestrian-filled banquet of a town" and "seductive tangle of traffic-free, golden cobblestone alleys." Three sentences later the guidebook says that Sarlat "struggles to keep its head above the...irritating automobile traffic." Is old town Sarlat pedestrian friendly or filled with auto traffic? This may determine whether I stay in Sarlat vs. Beynac or La Roque Gageac.

Doug Heatwole in Pensacola, FL USA 04/25/2007

We had a really bad experience in the Paris Metro. We read in the guidebook to discard Metro tickets after use as they are useless. DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY UNTIL AFTER YOU LEAVE THE METRO! We were changing lines in Paris and met some people in olice uniforms who were checking to make sure people had tickets. My wife and daughter had thrown theirs away, and we were fined 35 Euros each because we did not have 3 valid tickets. Traveler Beware!

Richard Druckenbrod in Durham, NC USA 04/24/2007

France 2007, email for email for Claire and Etienne Brossellet's bed and breakfast has changed to: claire.etienne.brossellet@gmail.com p.481. They are wondrously welcoming, with a warm home and good stories.

Carl Scheider in Woodbury, MN USA 04/06/2007

1) In Reims, the internet case Clique et Croque has moved around the corner to 19, rue Chanzy (which is beside the Boite a Piles and across from the museum entrance). 2) The Reims Notre Dame cathedral is being renovated outside and has scaffolding up (as does the main Versailles chateau). 3) In Paris, the Arc de Triomphe now seems to be included in the Paris Museum Pass.

Mary B. White in Alexandria, VA USA 04/06/2007

The Matisse Museum in Nice is now scheduled to reopen on 1 June 2007, not March.

Jon Johnsen in Richmond, CA USA 03/17/2007

The TI in Amboise opens at 10:00 in the off-season, not 9:30 as listed. This is significant, because the bus to one of the chateaus (I believe it was Chambord) leaves at 9:50 in the morning. We missed the bus and had to rearrange our plans because of this error.

Seth Resler in Providence, RI USA 02/25/2007

France 2006 edition (p. 588): Florent's website has changed to http://www.detours-in-france.com

Deirdre McAnally in Lyon, France 02/19/2007

France 2006 guidebook, p. 509:

If you have a car and are staying a few nights, consider drive up to Eze-le-Village--or better, across to Cap Ferrat's plage de Passable for a dinner you won't soon forget (recommendations listed under each destination below

Problem: I was uable to find later reference to this unforgettable dining experience. If it's there, I recommend you clarify reference to it. [unless plage de Passable is the name of restaurant, which I don't think it is]

[Editor's Note: Sorry, the information on Cap Ferrat was edited out of our France 2006 book and moved to our Provence/Riviera book. You can find our current text on plage de Passable and its no-name restaurant starting at the bottom of p. 306 of our Provence/Riviera 2007 book.]

Marshall Korschun in Atlanta, GA USA 01/16/2007