France 2012 Guidebook
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.
We followed your advice to take the buses in Paris instead of Metro and loved it. One big problem for us: We stayed in a hotel you recommended in Rue Cler and took #42 from Gare du Nord. Your map of Rue Cler hotels show it going down Ave. de la Bourdonnais close to Rue Cler, but it turrns ar Ave. Joseph Bouvard. When it turned and I saw the Eiffel Tower, I thought something was wrong, but wasn't sure (our first trip to Paris). I asked the bus driver, showing him your map, and he said to stay on. He let me off in the Grenelle area. When I looked at a map and couldn't see Rue Cler, I wasn't sure where we were. People recommended we take Metro to get there, but I was sure we were close. We walked at least an hour, pulling luggage until we came to the Place de l"ecole Miltaire and I figured out were we were and how to get to Rue Cler. Please correct your Rue Cler map so that it doesn't show the #42 continuing on Ave. de La Bourdonnais the Ecole Militaire.
John Wheeler in Washington, DC USA 02/07/2012
Hotel le Cardinal in Rouen is currently undergoing a complete renovation. When it reopens in May they will not longer have family rooms, according to an email I received this morning.
Jeanne Hoppe in Seattle, WA USA 01/30/2012
Hotel le Cardinal in Rouen is currently undergoing a complete renovation. When it reopens in May they will not longer have family rooms, according to an email I received this morning.
Jeanne Hoppe in Seattle, WA USA 01/30/2012
We loved your guidebook. While we referenced mutliple books and I've given some tips that were not part of your book, we used your guide the most. We also enjoyed the pod casts at the sites where we did walking tours.
Micki Turner in Chicago, IL USA 12/17/2011
I see that Rick has listed Malcolm Miller's tours of Chartres Cathedral as a 'best' travel experience for 2011. Last summer, our family spent an extra night in Chartres exclusively to take his tour, only to have him not give the tour due to having less than 12 people. He had 10 and we considered paying for two extra 'places' but then decided to use the book description instead and walk through the cathedral ourselves. VERY disappointing to have him refuse. If 12 people are his requirement, perhaps it should be mentioned that the tour isn't always a definite 'go.'
Jane Ouweleen in Fullerton, CA USA 12/01/2011
Yes - On page 904 - the Old Lyon Traboules. The address for the first tunnel is switched. The correct address is #54 rue St. Jean ending on #27 rue du Boeuf. Just a detail, but it caused us confusion.
Bettsy Wermine in West River, MD USA 10/12/2011
The France 2011 edition mentions on page 79 that the Musee D'Orsay is free at 17:00 (5:00 pm, or an hour before it closes). We're in Paris now and tried it a few days ago and were told that there is no such thing. In fact, we couldn't even enter the museum after 5:00.
Julie Wingert in Minneapolis, MN USA 09/26/2011
We recently booked a Western Med cruise and will be stopping in Marseilles for the day and purchased your France guidebook at the local Books a Million to read what you had to say about Marseilles, unfortunately I didn't peruse the book before buying because there was no mention of Marseilles. How come? I have purchased at least 15 other RS guidebooks and found them very useful and even given two to my kids before they traveled to Europe. Please let my know why Marseilles was left out. Sincerely Terry A. Madson
Terry A. Madson in Pearcy, AR USA 09/16/2011
Ate at Cafe la Roussilon(#21) on your map of Rue Cler Restaurants, but nowhere could I find it described. (It was excellent, and full of locals. Tiramisu to die for.)
Kate in Sonoma, CA USA 09/16/2011
We recently booked a Western Med cruise and will be stopping in Marseille for the day and purchased your France guidebook at the local Books a Million to read what you had to say about Marseille, unfortunately I didn't peruse the book before buying because there was no mention of Marseille. How come? I have purchased at least 15 other RS guidebooks and found them very useful and even given two to my kids before they traveled to Europe. Please let my know why Marseille was left out. Sincerely Terry A. Madson
[Editor's Note: We include Marseille in our "Provence & the French Riviera" guidebook, as well as our new "Mediterranean Cruise Ports" guidebook.]
Terry A. Madson in Pearcy, AR USA 09/16/2011
P. 322, Hotel Le Mouton Blanc - the website for the hotel ends in .fr rather than .com.
Jim McDonough in Richardson, TX USA 08/27/2011
I noticed that at least one other traveler noted the lack of Marseille in the France book. Telling people that they can find it elsewhere is stupid. It would be like buying a US travel guide and finding no L.A.
[Editor's Note: Marseille is covered in "Provence & the French Riviera" and in our new "Mediterranean Cruise Ports" guidebooks.]
r. swanson in burbank, CA USA 08/22/2011
Not a correction but a tip: we rented with Avis and always had trouble finding the return lot at train stations despite having GPS; the phone # was just a recording; so plan extra time when dropping off and catching a train; for instance a t Bordeaux, the lots is behind the station; but picking up is easy as the offices are in the station lobby and they walk you to the lot
A Forster in Miami, FL USA 08/21/2011
Hotel Le Colbert in Avignon is closed from November through March. That could be noted in the book.
Calvin Hilton in Jacksonville, FL USA 07/20/2011
The Chamonix town map shows the Super U market in the wrong location relative to the Le Cretes Blanches hotel
Mike Haire in Petaluma, CA USA 07/13/2011
Honfleur 19 rue des Capucins: Sandra was congenial and the room was clean. We were told parking was free but that free parking was not at all convenient. Nearby parking was expensive. They no longer work closely with La Cour St. Catherine for breakfast. It was hot and the 3rd floor room should have had a fan. None was available. The one overstuffed chaiir in the room had the bottom falling out. I could not recommend this to others. However, the night cooled, we threw open the large windows, and slept with a view of roof lines, chimney pots and swallows and no bugs!
Faith LaBossiere in Charlestown, RI USA 07/04/2011
Page 303, last paragraph. Ste. Mere Eglise is 40 minutes WEST of the Point du Hoc
Gail Stewart in Issaquah, WA USA 06/20/2011
The foldout map of Paris mislocates the Shakespeare&Co Bookstore. The little blue square should be in the green park area on the west side of Rue Lagrange and Quai De La Tournelle. It currently locates a Subway sandwich shop.
Gary P in Ramona, CA USA 06/20/2011
The name "Languedoc" is misused in the France guidebook: the region called Languedoc-Roussillon is in fact divided into the Languedoc and the Roussillon; the Languedoc is the easternmost part, bordering Provence and including Montpellier, for example. The Roussillon is the part which includes Carcassonne, Albi, and Collioures. A map of the regions of France will show the boundaries of the two sections of the region. It is a mistake that is relatively serious, especially considering the French pride and attachment to the specific town and region from which they come: their "pays." Call the Roussillon the Languedoc and you could be in for some serious misunderstandings.
Emily in Baltimore, MD USA 06/05/2011
Remove restaurant L'Assiette Normand in Bayeux France.
Scott Wittet in Seattle, WA USA 05/27/2011
On page 266 of France 2009 in the Dinan Self-guided walk: I wandered through every shop in the area searching for "Ker-y-pom" because it sounded delectable, but with no luck (I tried changing my pronunciation, describing the ingredients en francais, etc). Finally, a woman behind a bakery counter asked me if I had a blue guide book, explaining that about 10 Americans have asked her about this in the past few weeks. Though sad to admit defeat, I found many other delectable treats to make up for it.
Carrie in Los Angeles, CA USA 05/05/2011
page 369, Amboise accommodations, Chambres Art-Thé was sold and does not offert their three rooms anymore.
Montplaisir in Gatineau, Qc Canada 04/15/2011
The Paris airport van shuttle service called Paris Webservices was 190 euros round trip for 5 people with bags with the Rick Steves discount. The Paris 2011 books said 185 euros. They were excellent, by the way.
G Sellers in Melbourne , FL USA 04/14/2011
We also stayed at La Ferme le la Sauzette near Carcassone, France. Yes, it is open as a B&B and still serve great dinners. The owners, Luc and Magali DuPont are gracious hosts!
Susan in Mansfield, TX USA 03/29/2011
re: Chamonix: while hiring a private guide to ski the vallee blanche costs 300 euros or so--as indicated--the Compagnie des guides de chamonix puts together groups of strangers for about 76 euros a person--making the trip more accessible for solo travelers and couples. The CGC also charges the same for guided off piste skiing at other areas near Chamonix, including Courmayeur. Groups accomodate strong intermediate through advanced skiers. (Expert skiers have more difficult options for 120 euros/day.) I especially recommend the off piste skiing at Les Grands Montets. The skiing on the glaciers there is very accessible, but more serious than it appears, due to the risk of hidden crevasses.
Jack Kashtan in Sacramento, CA USA 03/26/2011
NO banks exchange dollars for Euros. I had to go to Chinatown in Paris to make the exchange.
Gail in Concord, NH USA 02/15/2011
France 2011, p. 462. The email address for Chateau Meylet is incorrect. The correct address is chateau.meylet@free.fr
Philip Brazil in Seattle, WA USA 02/07/2011
All the books on France 2011 ( at least all at Barnes and Noble at Southceneter) had the pages all mixed up. You might jump from 567 to 689 then back to 590 and then back to some other page (I made the exact pages up, since I had to return all the France books 2011 I bought)
Rick Bowles in Kent, WA USA 01/22/2011
My comments refer to the 2010 guidebook.
Jay Novick in New York, NY USA 12/16/2010
I just flipped through the guide on France. Rick seems careless when he writes about the historical events. For example, he says that Joan of Arc's voices were from "Mary" (the chapter on Reims). It is well documented that she mentioned St Catherine, St Margaret and St Michael. She never claimed to have heard from Virgin Mary, it's Ricks' own assumption about Catholics. In the same chapter Rick goes on to say that it was in Reims that WWII in Europe ended officially, while it's in every textbook that Germany signed the capitulation on May 8 1945 in BERLIN. The entire book seemed to be packed with Rick's own assumptions and historical gaffes.
Yger in Portland, OR USA 12/13/2010
This is not a correction, just an update. We booked La Sauzette just outside Carcassone and had a great experience. At first we had a little trepidation because of a recent change of ownership, but the new owners Magaret and Luc are wonderful. They made us feel right at home & Margarets suppers were fantastic.
Dianne Milligan in Halifax, NS USA 12/07/2010
It was our experience during a two-week tour of France in October 2010 that the French are not at all as friendly as Rick makes out. If you are in the provinces and don't speak French and run into problems you will find yourself in trouble.
Jack and Sulie in Olympia, WA USA 11/20/2010
The Laverie Express laundry in Carcassonne is closed. The TI directed us to another, Le Dauphin on Avenue Gal Leclerc, two blocks from La Cite.
Holly Kennedy in Barre, MA USA 10/21/2010
Tell the truth about cigarette smoke!!! Update description of Restaurant L'Impossible in Chamonix (see below). Mention excellent breakfast at Hotel Ville Fleurie in Beaune.
Stuart Kirsh in Foresthill , CA USA 10/20/2010
It should be noted that Le Petit Versailles in Beynac is listed on signs as "Residence Versailles."
Diana Lucio in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2010
Please be more explicit in stating the potential waiting times for the Eiffel Tower and its various etages. It took us four hours to complete our visit, including the top. It was a fun thing to do, but standing on the lines was excruciating. If we really had known before we were into it, we might have decided just to enjoy it from afar.
Linda in Garden City, NY USA 08/05/2010
Annecy, France
Please delete Le Freti restaurant from future editions.
Waiter was rude.
Waiter would not recommend anything and shurgged shoulders.
Spouse had onion soup, dishwater with a bit of onion. a zero out of 10. at home, we would have sent it back or not paid for it.
salad was 2/10. goat cheese good, rest zero.
upstairs air conditioned area was not air conditioned as staff indicated.
do i needed to say more?
the most disappointing meal of this france trip and of three previous trips.
randy mcewen in victoria, b. canada 07/31/2010
Velo Corsaire in Dinan... you must call him to arrange bikes to be picked up at the port address given in the book. We walked back and forth and could not find Serge from Velo Corsaire to rent bikes. Finally a local called for us and told us the phone number no longer worked. A complete bust! We ended up walking to the beautiful village of Lehon and enjoyed the walk. Remove Velo Corsaire and Serge from your Dinan chapter!
Jeff LaVal in Irvine, CA USA 07/30/2010
In the France 2010 back index, Menton is listed with a page number. However, Menton has been completely edited out of this edition -- shame, as it's such a popular daytrip out of Nice...
Diane in Aylmer, QC Canada 07/26/2010
Add Ballon Revolution as one of the recommended companies and remove Montgolfiere France as discussed below.
James Mangin in Red Deer, AB Canada 07/02/2010
In La Roque-Gageac, the Hotel la Belle Etoile and the Fort Troglodyte are closed until at least Sept 17. You can only walk or bike through. More importantly, this means you can NOT drive through the town. You can drive from one side of town to the other by going through Sarlat, or on either side of the river using small roads that can only be found by a local or a GPS. The good side effect is that the Hotel L'Auberge des Platanes is very peaceful as there is no traffic until after 9 a.m.
Bruce Martin in Tempe, AZ USA 07/01/2010
In Carcassonne, it is no longer possible to walk on the walls except with a guided tour, such as the one from the castle.
Bruce Martin in Tempe, AZ USA 07/01/2010
Only one suggestion in the Cote du Rhone wine tour section - and this may have already been updated because this is 2010 and we were using the 2008 book. We took the suggestion to start at Crestet and go to Suzette. However, we followed the little yellow road signs and not the marked highways. My husband was sure Steve was leading us on another perfect adventure, but I was sure we were going to have to call 911 as we rambled over a road that we barely survived (Do they have 911 in France???) My suggestion would be to mention that the yellow signs are for hikers and bikers, and to stay on a numbered road (which appears on the GPS!). It was an adventure I will remember, but NEVER want to repeat.
Marilyn in Cypress, TX USA 06/27/2010
In Normandy's Point du Hoc, the book says to park at left end and follow path to left. There is construction there now so you have to enter by the normal entrance. I went there in 2004 with a tour and went left. This time I went to the right and you really miss a lot it you enter from the left. I thought there was a few bomb craters. There were about 80. Do the walking and you will get the best sense of what happened there.
Jim Carr in Ridgecrest, CA USA 06/23/2010
Not really a correction but an improvement. In the France book you list that there are several trains that travel from Paris to Reims daily. While this is true you neglect to mention that the trains stop running to Paris at 8PM. We assumed since it was a major city (Paris) and Reims a common destination that on a Friday night there would be a later train. We almost ended up sleeping in Reims. The train was 40 minutes late so we did make it back to Paris. You might want to advise your readers.
Amy Riley in Lebanon, CT United States 06/08/2010
As far as I can tell, there is no way to print your rail tickets from tgv-europe no matterwhat country you choose& american credit cards (w/o a chip and PIN) do not work for pick-up in France. Am I wrong?
Jonathan in Portola Valley, CA USA 06/05/2010
No - Paris guide book was extremely helpful.
Judith Beck in Perkasie, PA USA 05/29/2010
New clean convenient 'motel' type accomodation with pool. Helpful fluent Engish speaking owner. Convenient for camargue, Arles and les Alpilles. Reasonable rates (112 euros per appartment equipped for self catering)
Tony Green in Sidmouth, UK 05/26/2010
The CDW from Travel Guard is not offered in a lot more states than just Washington state. For instance, it is also not offered stand alone for residents of Texas, but must be purchased with the additional Travel Insurance.
George Watson in Richmond, TX USA 05/25/2010
According to Mnsr. Eber, the Orangerie got a donation of 400 new Impressionist paintings from a local donor that are fantastic. We sadly did not get there before the museum closed for the day. The Orsay is missing quite a lot of its collection during the remodeling, so this might be a good substitute for travelers.
Joy Lambert in Vero Beach, FL USA 05/21/2010
The parking fee at Pont du Gard in Provence is now 15 Euros (in the book it's listed as 5 Euros).
Jen Lee in San Francisco, CA USA 05/06/2010
Paris zoo closed til 2012
Joel Stein in Lincolnville, Ma USA 04/27/2010
NO
Ralph Clark in Williamsburg, VA USA 04/22/2010
In Paris we stayed at Hotel de la Tour Eiffel we stayed in the snug DB for 95 Euros not 79 Euros
Alan Kopplinger in Auburn, WA USA 04/18/2010
Please see above
Marie Payette-Falls in West Vancouver, BC Canada 04/15/2010
Yes, I think you should NOT recommend Chez Leslie in Colmar. After a 3hr train trip and an expensive phone call confirming our arrival time, we carried our very heavy luggage from the train station to her B&B. SHE WAS NOT HOME! We ended up having to stay at the hotel next to the train station, the Best Western, which was both cheaper and more convinient. After contacting her by using an internet cafe, I later got an incredibly rude email from her blaming me for not trying harder to contact her when we arrived and she was not home. I know mix ups happen, but for her to not be there when we discussed, and then to blame us for not calling her (I had no working cell phone, no commputer, no internet, no anything as most Americans living out of a backpack for three weeks would) was simply absurd. I live in CA and have stayed in some of the best, and some of the much less than average B&Bs, and Leslie's attitude is one of the most obnoxious and absurd ones I've ever had from the proprietor of a B&B.
Scott Cobun in Brentwood, CA USA 04/11/2010
my wife and I stayed 6 nights in Paris at Le Relais Medicis;experience opposite of 2009 guide "perfect in every way". Shabby, worn, poor operation, absolutely no effort to accommodate; would never recommend.
stephen goldberger in alexandria, va USA 04/06/2010
WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING A MAY TRIP TO FRANCE USING THE 2010 FRANCE BOOK. WE HAVE FOUND THAT ALMOST NO EMAIL ADDRESSES OR FAX #S WORK AND UPON CALLING DIRECTLY MOST FRONT DESK PEOPLE DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH(AND DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH US OVER THE PHONE) AND OUR FRENCH IS FROM HIGH SCHOOL 50 YEARS AGO!! WE ARE REALLY FRUSTRATED!!! ANDREA ROGERS DENVER CO
ANDREA ROGERS in DENVER, CO USA 03/19/2010
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.
[Editor's Note: Marseille is covered in our guidebook "Rick Steves' Provence and the French Riviera."]
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
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