Paris 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.
Bonjour,
Thank you for your kind interest in Hotel Relais Bosquet. I am pleased to inform you that as a Rick Steves reader, you'll get an automatic 15% discount on public rates.
We have availability for (price per night / all taxes included):
- 1 single / double / twin STANDARD bedroom for 199.75 € instead of 235 €
- 1 single / double / twin CLASSIC bedroom for 225.25 € instead of 265 €
- 1 single / double / twin SUPERIOR bedroom for 250.75 € instead of 295 €
A secret we share only with Rick Steves readers:
Have a look on our Facebook Club Hotel Relais Bosquet where you will often find, especially becoming a fan, very good deals.
EXTRA:
- Breakfast (full buffet) 14.60 € per person
- Continental breakfast in bedroom: 11.50 € per person
In case you want to confirm your booking by return email, please provide your credit card details (Card number + expiration date + digit code on the back of the card + full holder’s name)
CANCELLATION POLICY: No charge up to 24 hours prior to check in.
Late cancel, no show: the first night is fully charged
CONCIERGERIE:
If you need a private shuttle transport from (and/or) to the airport I would be pleased to take care of it.
I also can help you planning tours and excursions with pick up and drop off at hotel (discovery of Paris in minibus, Versailles, Giverny, Mont St Michel, Normandy, Loire castles…) or any restaurant reservations.
Ask us for booking shows at Le Moulin Rouge, Le Lido, Paradis Latin …
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Abdennour
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Reception / Front Desk
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Hotel Relais Bosquet *** 19, rue du Champ de Mars 75007 PARIS tel +33 1 47 05 25 45 / fax +33 1 45 55 08 24
Michele Vossler in Bellevue, WA USA 02/08/2012
Best of Europe 2011 - Paris chapter: cost for Roissy bus is now 10.00 euros on October 6, 2011. And carnet of 10 tickets is 12.50 euros. fyi
Lori Schumacher in Seattle, wa USA 11/25/2011
Reims We stayed at Claudine Larcher's B&B Sept 2&3 and she advised us that she has sold her house and would be closing the B&B as of 30 Sept 2011.
Steven Mac Donald in Ottawa, ON Canada 11/08/2011
The cafe in the Marmottan Museum no longer exists, Rick. And we were soooo hungry.
Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 11/03/2011
The Samaritain store is closed and locked up; a passerby told me because of some hygiene issues in the building, Oct. 2011.
Vicente in Melrose Park, IL USA 11/01/2011
If your plan on visiting the Louvre between now and January 16, 2012, don't miss the fantastic special exhibition on Alexander the Great! Here are some updates on buying tickets at the Louvre:
1. The tabac in the Carrousel du Louvre mall (noted on page 120) ONLY sells tickets to the permanent collection in the Museum, not to the special exhibition.
2. Beware of the Museum's ticket vending machines. I stood in line to use one only to discover that: (A) The largest note they take is a €20 note, and (B) the machine will not accept a credit card unless it is the "new" style with an embedded chip. Our standard in the US (i.e., the "swipeable" credit card) will not work. Someday, US standards are going to catch up with the rest of the world in this respect. I did find, however, that most of the handheld credit card readers that restaurants and shops used are enabled for both "swipe" and "chip-embedded" cards.
As always, Rick "rocks" with his guides! I never leave home without one.
Mark Maestrone in San Diego, CA USA 10/20/2011
#69 Bus - watch out, sometimes the bus does not go to Champs de Mars, but terminates at Solferino/Bellechase. Normally, they will post 'Solferino/Bellechase' on the front of the bus, so you know to avoid it, unless you are going to Blvd. St. Germain, but we had a bus today that metamorphosed from a Champs de Mars bus into a Solferino bus in mid-trip with no warning, just a cryptic announcement in French. We used our tickets on another 69 bus, but had to wait a while.
I hope the airlines don't start doing this.
Jim McDonough in Richardson, TX USA 10/13/2011
Musee d'Orsay is completely reorganized and the Rick Steves Paris Guide is no longer an accurate guide to this museum. Also note that until October 20, Monet, Manet, etc., are not viewable at all. And the biggest change is NO PHOTOGRAPHY at Musee d'Orsay - none, nada, zero, nil, zilch. The Cafe du Lion, on the lower level, is really handy for a quick lunch while visiting the museum. Fast in and out, by French standards. Good food, too.
Jim McDonough in Richardson, TX USA 10/12/2011
Regrettably, La Casa Campana, the southern Italian restaurant near Rue Cler, no longer exists. Instead, Il Vicoletto inhabits the same space, but prices are higher, and no ravioli on the menu. A good experience though - the host is Italian and energetic.
Jim McDonough in Richardson, TX USA 10/11/2011
We encountered pay toilets in a few places in Paris. Keep a 50 cent Euro handy - some had attendants to make change, some did not.
delores in lake villa, IL USA 09/22/2011
The Marmottan museum is undergoing major renovations until at least mid October 2011. We were there on Tuesday, September 6 and there was jackhammering, drilling, and concrete sawing going on just above the basement Monet galleries. My wife and I were lucky in that we still had our earplugs from the flight into Paris, but it seemed quite incongruous to be sitting in front of Monet's "Sunrise" while wearing hearing protection.
Dave in Atlanta, GA USA 09/09/2011
The rooftop Panorama bar at the Hotel Concorde-Lafayette is closed for renovation through December 11, 2011. My wife and I dressed up and cabbed there for a sunset cocktail and found out only when we arrived at the hotel. This despite the fact that the bar is still prominently advertised on the hotel's website.
Dave in Atlanta, GA USA 09/09/2011
Your books are great. I consider them a necessity when travellling. One clarification and one comment re Paris: In your 2011 France guidebook on page 192-193, you describe Rue Mouffetard as a good place for night time cheap eats -which it is but only at the top near Place de la Contrescarpe. The bottom is almost completely closed at night (we were there on a week night). Walking up from Censier Daubenton Metro, it appears as if the street is almost completely shut down until you get quite a way up rue Mouffetard.
A good tip when visiting Ste Chappelle and the Conciergerie is to visit the Conciergerie first and buy the combined St Chapelle-Conciergerie ticket for 11 Euros. There are no lines at the Conciergerie and long lines at St Chapelle but having the combined ticket allows you to by-pass the ticket queue at St Chapelle (you still have to line up first for security).
Norine in Toronto, On Canada 08/28/2011
On p. 58 of Paris 2011 it says that the Louvre admission is 6 euros after 18:00 on W and F. When we went in July 2011 that discount was, in the words of the cashier, "finished."
Also, my son loved the military museum and reading about it in the book, but on p. 228 it says that the archduke was assassinated in Serbia in 1914. In fact, it was in Sarajevo, which is in Bosnia. (My husband is from there.)
Margo Miller in Waltham, MA USA 08/12/2011
Addition: Catacombs tour is only 4 euros for a young ticket which is for 14 years to 26 years (I believe). It was at least a 2 hour wait....but worth it.
Wendy in Jamestown, NY USA 08/10/2011
At least in the 2010 version, in the "Packing Light" list at p. 595, it says "1 swimsuit (women only -- men can use shorts)." Well, at least in Paris, the only likely swimming locales are the public piscines, and there, it is mandatory that men wear Speedo-type suits. Trunks (much less street shorts) are verboten, and they will probably throw you out if you don't have the right kind of brief swimsuit. (It varies from pool to pool and attendant to attendant, but I have been thrown out despite being pleasant, respectful and apologetic.)
Robert in Portland, OR USA 08/09/2011
Just one - the classes on the Eurostar from Paris to London have changed. They used to be first class and second class but are now Standard and Standard Premier.
Christopher Kearney in Henderson, NV USA 08/06/2011
Page 482 Cafe de l'homme. Has been closed for 2 years! According to the Kiosque Troc Gauche. Went there for our last night to celebrate, oh no gone. Had hot dogs from the kiosque tho, tasty and cheap!! Good book all around thanks.
Janine Arnold in Brisbane, Q Australia 08/04/2011
Garnier Opera (page 75) now have a restaurant named "L'Opéra Restaurant" located just at the end of the visit. The restaurant was designed by french architect Odile Decq, and the menu was signed by two stars chef, Christophe Aribert.
Nicolas in London, L UK 08/03/2011
On the Audio Tours Versailles Palace map there is a "direct route" shown to get to the R.E.R. station from Domaine. We found the gate near the Neptune Basin was locked on a Saturday (July 2, 2011) and caused quite a bit of extra walking!
Doug in Orlando, FL USA 07/29/2011
I loved hearing and meeting Daniel Roth at St. Sulpice, but the rest of the Rick Steves guide toting tourists clustered outside the organ loft door made so much noise that it was hard to hear Roth's beautiful "audition." Seems like people were only there to check it off their lists.
Marta in Vienna, VA USA 07/23/2011
Museum Pass holders can no longer get in through the group entrance at the Louvre. Instead, there is a separate Pass line at the pyramid entrance.
Dave USA 07/10/2011
Not really a correction, more an update on a temporary closing. We were in Paris last week (June 18 - 25, 2011) and went looking for the Café de l’Homme at Trocadero for lunch and a coffee so that we could relax and view the Eiffel Tower. This was at the top of our list of "must do" activities. We were SO disappointed to find that it was closed for renovation. We toured the Maritime Museum instead mostly to use their toilet, but found it to be very interesting. No crowds at all, which was nice just to stroll inside for a while.
Bonnie Crabtree in Nesbit, MS USA 06/28/2011
No. The book paid for itself many times over. Worth every dime and then some!
Dorie Refling in Bozeman, Mt USA 06/20/2011
Price updates (Paris 2011): Museum Pass (p48): 35, 50, 65 Euros Eiffel Tower Elevator (p195): 13.40 and 8.20 Euros Valib (p42): 8 Euros/week, 1.70 Euros/day Garnier Opera Tour (p75): 12.50 Euros
Linda in San Antonio, TX USA 06/19/2011
Page 446, Le Capitaine Fracasse - "tables are first-come, first serve" is not correct (and even tho' their website also said that). We arrived an hour early, went on board at head of line, had to wait till everyone else (who all had reservations) got seated. We lucked out and got the last table available. (Still, great food/cruise!)
Meredith Rutter in Sarasota, FL USA 06/17/2011
Question about the Rick Steves' corrections to Paris 2011, I went to the Eiffel Tower website and it indicates that the last admission for the stairs is midnight for 17 June to 28 August, and 6:00pm for the rest of the year. The updates section on this website indicates the last admission to the stairs is 6:00 pm.
Edie Babbe in Manhattan Beach, CA USA 06/08/2011
Another reader commented that the Marmottan basement is closed. It was not closed in April when we were there, but the Monet exhibit had been replaced by an exhibit of Jean and Raoul Dufy. It appeared that some of the Monet works, but definitely not all, had been moved to the top floor of the museum.
Greg White in Cobden, IL USA 04/21/2011
The Paris catacombs now prohibit both flashes and tripods. One way to avoid the long wait is to arrive by 9:30 for the 10:00 opening time. Another is to take the first guided tour, which starts at 10:00 and has a separate line, which was empty until about 9:45 when we were there in mid-April.
Greg White in Cobden, IL USA 04/21/2011
The Marmottan Museum's basement is closed until October - half of the guide in the book is thus obsolete until then
Part of the Louvre is closed temporarily (pharonic egypt I believe?)
Joshua Leo in Grand Rapids, MI USA 04/11/2011
2011 Edition, page 290: The Espace IGN has closed (as of 12-24-10). A new IGN map store, Le Monde des Cartes, at 50, rue de la Verrerie 75004 (near BHV) is supposed to open in March 2011. See http://www.ign.fr/institut/adresse.do?externalRef=institut.cms.adresse.vente for confirmation.
Alan Forkosh in Oakland, CA USA 03/06/2011
Paris 2011 guidebook for Hotel de la Motte Picquet (pg 381) lists what I assume to be high season rates. I got an Sb in February for 110 euros/night.
Lance Teruya in Ewa Beach, HI USA 02/23/2011
Paris-2011, p. 33: the RS2011 discount for O Chateau wine tastings is 10%, not 10 euros.
Philip Brazil in Seattle, WA USA 02/11/2011
We'd suggest you add a few pieces of information: 1) our hotel managers said it's not customary for guests to buy food to eat in the rooms. We were there in December for one week and we so anxious to have a picnic-type dinner with baguette, cheese, and meat but didn't have anywhere we could picnic, so we wanted to have one in our room. We were disappointed with the rule. 2) All of the brasseries we visited stop selling petit dejeuners at 11 AM - by that time they are out of croissants and no longer serve cafe with baguettes.
Alison Snow in Bellevue, WA USA 01/28/2011
Yes. Paris 2010, page 32. The Paris Greeter program website as indicated is incorrect. It is actually: http://www.parisiendunjour.fr/
Roger in Young, OR USA 01/23/2011
Hotel Kensington has added high season rates for April-June and September-October, which can be determined from its website. For instance, a single room in high season is 73 euros per night.
Philip Brazil in Seattle, W USA 01/22/2011
1. The Marche des Enfants Rouges (Le Marais, 3e arrondissement) is on Rue Bretagne, west of Rue Charlot. The map in the front of the book has it by the Judaism Museum; this is incorrect. The food and flavors will blow your mind.
2. Not a correction, but clarification: Please reiterate in your Versaille chapter that you must buy a separate train ticket to go to Versaille because it's a different zone than the center-city area. We got stuck with the 25 euro you're-an-idiot fine for getting caught on the train outside of where we were supposed to be, trying to ride our normal metro tickets out to Versailles because hey, the RER and metro and bus are all integrated, right? No - buy a separate ticket.
3. Pere Lachaise Cemetery - going to Jim Morrison's grave, take the first right off Chemin la Bedoyere from Rond Point, but it's not called Lesseps until the next intersection. Maybe getting slightly lost in this area is the intention, though, we had fun coming together with all the other Doors' fans on their pilgrimages.
We love your books, our successes from your experience outweighs this feedback like France's military defeats outweighs their successes.
Kali Morse in Ft. Campbell, KY USA 01/19/2011
No corrections - just I recommend to check the Orsay website b/c it's under renovation (sort of) and lots of things are on loan, so that was a bit sad.
Chapel Ham in Bellville, TX USA 01/10/2011
I have a question about the Canal St. Martin area hotels in Paris. You recommended some hotels in that area in the 2008 book, but there aren't any in the 2011 guide. When and why did you stop recommending all the hotels in that area?
Kate Ahern in Seattle, WA USA 12/09/2010
In the Versailles section, Domaine de Marie-Antoniette sub-section, the map and directions to the theater are wrong. The theater is to the left as you head toward the Petit Trianon but about 50 feet down the path. The book states it is a "short distance away to the left" but fails to say that there are buildings on the left as you come out and on the left as your are facing the "French Pavillion" so very confusing. Also: METRO: Don't even think about it if you have trouble with stairs. Book states lots of escalators but we only found two out of about 15 stations. Everything else is right on! Thank-you Rick!
Roger Baker in Albuquerque, NM USA 11/12/2010
For private car pick-up from Charles de Gaulle- Paris Web Services (www.pariswebservices.com) lists round trip transportation From CDG to Paris as 155 Euro... it is now 170 Euro... both '10 & '11 editions list the price at 155 Euro
Jennifer Robinson in Westwood, KS USA 10/30/2010
A cafe on Champs ELysees : Boulangerie Paul - is closed and boarded up.
Joanne USA 10/17/2010
The "carnet" of tickets at the Metro in Paris is $12 euro. And, we took the #69 bus (which was a fabulous suggestion)with the intention of hopping on and off as suggested. Well, if you get off you need a new ticket to get on the same # bus. You can transfer to a different # bus but not the same. Perhaps I just misread your book??
Joan in Magalia, CA USA 10/10/2010
I just saw in your "update" that one cannot buy Metro tickets from the Metro machine with an American credit card. We were in Paris in August 2010 and bought tickets with an American credit card at the Metro station from the machine. Has this changed since then? We're planning on going back in November and hope to know before then. Your Paris guidebook is priceless. I left mine behind one day on the bus, and I felt like I'd lost my best friend. I will definitely buy a new one before we go. Saw lots of other people in Paris with your book in their hands.
Jeannine in Hardeeville, SC USA 10/09/2010
L'ami Jean my favorite restaurant in Paris is not in Paris 2011. Why please. Is it still open? still the same??
Hudson in sonoma, ca USA 10/09/2010
This isn't as much a correction as our take on Pere Lachaise Cemetery. We could not follow your directions and only found Oscar Wilde's grave. I don't recall reading about the memorials to all who died at Concentration Camps. They were awesome memorials. Walking in the cemetery is extremely difficult due to the uneveness of the cobbled stones. The cemetery is huge and can be many miles of walking.
Diana Reynolds in Wailuku, HX USA 10/07/2010
The Rodin museum does not open until 10:00 am. The guide states 9:30 am.
Jennifer Brush in Cleveland, OH USA 10/06/2010
http://www.hotelstlouis.com/, listed as the website for Hotel Saint-Louis in the Marais, is actually a website for St. Louis, Mo., hotels.
Tonya in Seattle, WA USA 09/22/2010
Under Marais (near the Bastille) restaurants, Rick's book lists Au Temps des Cerises as a great wine bar.... for pre-dinner snacking and wine. We walked some ways to get there and were disappointed to find that you cannot buy wine by the glass or carafe - or so we were told, only by the bottle.... and that there was no food of any type available until 8 pm. Not a particularly friendly guy telling us this, either. After 5 trips to Italy, and many other great French experiences, this was a bummer!
Janet Strickland in Sanibel, FL USA 09/21/2010
The Champs E'lysse restaurant you recommend, where two are next to each other, the one with Paul in the name is closed The Deportation Memorial is closed on Mondays now The Versailles Garden cost us 7 Euro on a Tuesday because there is music The train to Versailles is 6.10 instead of 6 Euro
Steve in La Crescent, MN USA 09/19/2010
WARNING! RER B trains to/from CDG not running weekends until Nov 7. This is not a correction (Rick's Paris book is the best!), but just got back from Paris and all the buzz is about the RER B to/from CDG being closed every weekend between now and November 7. Please plan accordingly! Here is more info: http://www.connexionfrance.com/getting-to-paris-charles-de-gaulle-airport-no-rer-trains-weekends-replacement-bus-travel-12048-view-article.html
Dave K. in Atlanta, GA USA 09/18/2010
The WC recommended at Notre Dame had a long line due to some out of order stalls and it is now free.
Jerry P in Minneapolis, MN USA 08/22/2010
The gardens at Versailles cost seven euro per person on Tuesdays, at least in August 2010.
Also, it should be noted that the altar at Sainte Chapelle is under repair at present, and most of the altar windows are covered. It looks like restoration will be going on until 2013.
Diana Lucio in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2010
The gardens at Versailles cost seven euro per person on Tuesdays, at least in August 2010.
Also, it should be noted that the altar at Sainte Chapelle is under repair at present, and most of the altar windows are covered. It looks like restoration will be going on until 2013.
Diana Lucio in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2010
A new gypsy scam we saw esp. around the Arc de Triomphe involves several women all dressed alike, asking "Speak English?" - if you say yes, they unfold a note, saying they are refugees from Bosnia, etc & they cannot find work.
Another note - Deportation Memorial - no video cameras are allowed (ok with still photos), also, if you are following the RS audio tour, the person @ the top of the entranceway asks you to remove your ear buds on your Ipod prior to entering.
Sainte Chapelle renovation is underway until 2013. All must pass through a metal detector / bag scanner prior to entrance into the courtyard. Your Museum Pass will bypass the ticket line once inside & you are at the church entrance.
Joe Staniszewski in Lansdale, PA USA 08/08/2010
For a guided tour of Versailles, Rick says that if you want to get guided tour tickets to go to the front of the ticket purchasing line which is on the left. It was not the case for us, the guided tour tickets (also called commented tour) was on the right when facing the castle. There is a sign there that says commented tour (visite commentée) you can purchase your guided tour tickets there and your entry ticket also. After ticket purchase just line up for security. The guided tour was excellent!
Martine in Ottawa, Canada 08/05/2010
The Reims map could use a "tune-up" as we didn't find it as easy to use and up to the same high quality as your other maps.
Dan Anderson in Concord, CA USA 07/31/2010
Rick says the Paris Visite passes for the metro are overpriced and not worth it, but we think they are worth getting, epecially if you're going to be hitting lots of tourist sites. They're good on both metro and RER, and it was easy to just take them out and use them over and over. If we were tired, we just found a metro instead of walking, and didn't worry about having to "save" tickets until a long enough journey.
Sharon Bond in Dayton, OH USA 07/22/2010
Love your Paris tour book, can not say enough about how much it is worth the money. Your book made us veteran tourists of Paris instead of the novices we were.
Steve Thomas in Nacogdoches, Tx USA 07/13/2010
The washrooms near Notre Dame, behind the statue of Charlemange appear to be permanently closed.
David Truman in Langley, BC Canada 07/11/2010
The current cost of the DaVinci Code tour is 20 euros, up from 12. We took the tour on June 24, 2010. During this 2-hour tour of walking and looking at the outside of buildings, we could have had more information to justify this expense. (To compare, we took an information-packed 1 hour Seine boat tour for only 10 euros.) I suggest the guides expand their comments about the interesting areas of Paris that we pass as we walk from Place Vendome to St. Sulpice.
Sheryl Doll in Fort Worth, TX USA 06/24/2010
Not necessarily a correction - more like a clarification: If you are going to make an online reservation for the Eiffel Tower, you have to do it at least the day before you want the reservation.
Cathy H V in Houston, TX USA 06/16/2010
The front of the Arc de Triomphe has some scaffolding due to renovation.
John. T Dukes in Richfield, OH USA 06/09/2010
We visited Versailles on Tuesday, May 18 and they were charging 8 euros to get in the garden because there was music. We thought it was live music but it was just recorded music being played very loudly over hidden loudspeakers. Entrance fee was not covered by Museum Pass.
Peter in Peotone, IL USA 05/24/2010
p. 430 "je regarde" is misspelled without the last 'e'...This expression is all right, but a classier way of explaining you're looking around is "je n'ai pas encore decide" (I haven't decided yet).
David in Houston, TX USA 05/22/2010
During a recent trip to Paris, we did a lot of cafe crawling. One of the cafes that we felt we had to visit was Cafe Procope. Per your guide, and a number of others, it's the oldest cafe in Paris, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson used to hang out there, etc., etc. Well, the evening we went exploring in the Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood our plan was to have dinner at one cafe then stop later at Cafe Procope for dessert and drinks. Except...after more than 300 years in business, the folks at Cafe Procope must have decided it was time to step up from the cafe business and become a proper restaurant. Dessert and drinks only is not ok at Le Procope. They're more formal than that nowadays. It turned out to be no problem for us as we wanted the experience and simply had a second dinner that evening (the food was very enjoyable).
I just want to share that experience in case other readers decide to visit Le Procope and expect a cafe vibe.
Druu in Buena Park, CA USA 04/22/2010
Sainte Chapelle undergoing heavy renovation. All alter stained glass blocked from view. Orsay all changed around due to renovation, art still great but all on first floor.
jill in durall, CT USA 04/18/2010
A very minor one: the taxi stand at Opera on the right hand side heading north is between Rue Quatre Septembre and Blvd Capucines, not a block south of that as you have it on your map. Otherwise the maps are EXCELLENT.
P. 379. Since when is a tarte a narrow strip? At every patisserie in town, a tarte is a round little pastry shell with fruit and creme and/or chocolate.
Not clear to me why you have so few restaurants on the right bank. Our favorite: Le Mesturet and Le Vaudeville, 100 meters from one another at the Bourse stop on Metro line 3. Especially since you do mention the Passages in the 2nd, near both restaurants, as sites/shopping (p. 419-420.)
Grant Wiggins in Hopewell, NJ USA 04/13/2010
1) Musee D'Orsay does not allow photography of any type. 2) Carnet children's pricing is for kids LESS than 10, not including 10 years old. 3) If going to Chateau Vaux le Vicomte - Beware of gypsy cab drivers! It may be better to visit in "high" season and take shuttle, as cabs take 3 people only, and are quite pricey (20 euro each direction). 4) I ripped out each chapter to carry with me on my various journeys so as not to carry the whole heavy book -- it would be great if the book was printed to assist this (ie, easy to rip pages/blank sheets in between chapters so one doesn't "loose" info from the next topic). 5) If traveling to a smaller Chateau - like Fontainebleau - be absolutely sure to check with the tourist office about any festivals/closures that affect bus schedule as these changes are not posted in English!
Margaret in Piedmont, CA USA 04/06/2010
Your Paris Guidebook, as far as I can see, makes no mention of the Musee Guimet, the Cimetiere Montparnasse, or the Bois de Boulogne. These are all significant attractions which you should have included.
Jim in Wolpman, CA USA 04/04/2010
We flew into Orly on March 17th. JetBus is no longer operating. The TI booth directed us to the OrlyBus pickup. It cost 6.2 euros to go to the Denfert Rochereau Metro station where you can connect to anywhere.
travel enthusiast in Cleveland, OH USA 04/03/2010
We are a young military couple stationed in Italy, we recently traveled to Paris. In the 2008 Paris book you stated that with a military ID you could get in free to the National Army Museum. This is false information, and only applies to European Union Armed Forces. Please update if you haven't already.
Holly Heisner in APO, AE USA 03/04/2010
Monet Gardens URL Website is NOT as listed in book on Page 558 nor on the current Paris Update page This is not correct: www.fondation-monet.com English link is: www.fondation-monet.fr/uk/
Jim Carson in Reno, NV USA 02/27/2010
We waited in line for an hour and a half for Sainte-Chapelle, in mid-January, and it was not worth it. The three or more panels of glass in front, over the alter, were completely covered up for renovation, the panels on the left are scheduled for renovation and are so dark that you cannot really see them, and the panels on the right side are gorgeous. Not worth the wait and expense. Rick Steves' book should have conveyed this information.
alan verson in northampton, ma USA 01/12/2010
Yes, Musee d'Orsay is undergoing renovations until March 2011- so the chapter "Orsay" in the book should be updated... everything is different. As a warning to other Rick Steves fans- the "docents" of the museum are clueless and not that willing to help direct you one find where paintings have been moved. Also, Whistler's Mother is missing. She may be in storage. Please inform readers because it is very disappointing, because the museum is gorgeous, as Steve says. http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visits/visiter-le-musee-aujourdhui.html?no_cache=1
Tiffany in Seattle, WA USA 01/05/2010
RS Paris - p. 348 - the grand hotel leveque declined the free breakfast. they say 'first breakfast' means first day only. i laughed out loud, i had told my spouse, this is paris, they get a kick out of citing rules to cheat you. it's always been this way, apparently they will never grow out of it. we weren't angry, we just thought it was stupid. anyway, you might edit the note so someone who cares doesn't get the Paris shaft. tx.
js in new west, bc canada 11/24/2009
Paris CY Internet Cafe in Paris (8 rue de Juoy) opens at 10 a.m., not 8 a.m.
evelyn in dallas, tx USA 10/30/2009
Have to second the comments about Bon Marche - not even in the ballpark as far as a discount department store - prices were outrageously expensive and saw no hint of any discount souvenirs.
Michael in Charlotte, NC USA 10/21/2009
YES YES YES!!!
At Versailles, as of Oct 18, they are still charging for the gardens on weekends! The signs say they are charging through Oct 25. The book says they only charge through Sept.
Also, there is a MASSIVE security line-up outside of Sainte-Chapelle. This is the same security line for the Palace of Justice! Get in the Justice line because it goes to the same place and is about 30 min shorter. You can buy tickets or go where-ever you want inside.
Kirsten T in San Francisco, CA USA 10/19/2009
The Air France bus from Orly Airport is called "Les Cars" by them. The number 1 route goes to L'Etoile (Arch de Triumph) in addition to the other stops mentioned in the guidebook. However, not all buses make all the stops: look at the front of the bus (and ask) to verify that bus goes to the stop you want. (The number 3 route goes to Charles de Gaulle Airport from Orly.)
Jim Ach in Marina Del Rey, CA USA 10/18/2009
As of September 2009, the Fat Tire Bike Tour office no longer offers internet service.
emily in portland, or USA 10/17/2009
This may have been corrected in 2010 edition. The emergency phone number for American Express in France is for French speakers, not English. I ended calling the 800 number found in their website & it worked.
Carole in San Francisco, CA USA 10/16/2009
Regarding vans from a hotel or residence in Paris to CDG (Paris 2009, p. 436), Golden Air is recommended as being a reliable service. This was not our experience. We waited 20 minutes after the designated pick-up time. We then tried calling them several times but got nothing but busy signals. This may have been an isolated event, but if you've received similar complaints from others, this recommendation should be eliminated in future Paris Guides.
Dr. John F. Meyer in Ann Arbor, MI USA 10/16/2009
Under shopping, there is a review of the Bon Marche (inexpensive)...which later seems to compare it to Costco. Really? I found it to be more on the line of Nordstrom!!! The first things I pciked up in the men's section, was a cotton t-shirt with pocket for 120 Euros!!! That's about $180!! Costco, and the more popular Sam's Club, have never sold a $180 t-shirt.
Ronald Queen in Las Vegas, NV United States 10/01/2009
We used the 2009 book and found directions to the Pantheon to be quite confusing.
Dawn in St. Paul, MN USA 09/19/2009
Yes, I to received a Paris 2010 book with the London pages in it.....and didn't discover this until I was already in Paris. And the section missing because of this was on the Latin Quarter, which is where I stayed. I will try to take back to Barnes & Noble but it was a gift so have no idea if they will take it. Other than that, the book was very helpful.
Stacy in Brighton, CO USA 09/16/2009
no more covered metro stop at cite. fortunately the 2009 book mentions to go to abbessess.. still covered stop. awesome
Andrew in Ottawa, ON Canada 09/15/2009
Just a note...
I have the 2010 Paris Guidebook purchased at Barnes & Noble right after they got it. There are no page problems in my version. So there are some correct ones out there.
Carol in Atlanta, GA USA 08/31/2009
When are we going to know whether the page errors are recognized, and then when they will be fixed? This seems to be a major problem, seen here and on Amazon...
Only 2 reviews on Amazon so far for 2010, but both are only 3 stars. Why? B/c the pages mixup. I'm here b/c I love Rick Steve's approach, but so far this is not going well.... When is it safe to get this book? And how will we know?
Thank you,
DL
BTW...I have the 2008 book, over-optimistically hoping for a family trip then....
Dan in South Bend, IN USA 08/28/2009
Yes - Pages 91 - 138 are from the London Guide book and the contect for Paris (Notre Dame & Louvre for sure) is missing.
KK Brown in Phoenix, AZ USA 08/18/2009
For the Left Bank Walk (p.233 on the 2009 ed) we couldn't find the "Toy Store" (p.237). Just wondering whether we didn't look hard enough or if it's really gone.
Abigail Kamishlian in Carrollton, GA USA 08/16/2009
PP 91-110 list London, not Paris, info. Louvre tour info is missing from the Paris 2010 book. I've returned this book to Amazon for a refund.
Ann Shine-Ring in Deming, NM USA 08/15/2009
Hotel Eber Mars in Paris did not yet have air conditioning as of July 3 when we left. And they said they have 2-3 fans for the entire hotel and it was up to us to get one from the maid.
Sandi Godsil in Eugene, OR USA 08/12/2009
Some of the times of Event or Museum Openings were not correct. I believe the 'Catacombs' times were not correct. Yours conflicted with the Access book.
Terri Bonner in Little Rock, AR USA 08/02/2009
You can't use the RER C for many of the in-city stops (including Musee d'Orsay) while the Paris Plage is going on. That would have been helpful to know before we took the first metro to connect to the RER when we went to the Musee d'Orsay. They have a special bus set up instead, but it took a lot longer to get through traffic.
Colleen Earls in Vancouver, WA USA 07/29/2009
Orangerie hours are incorrect on p. 155 No longer open late on Fri til 9. Close at 6 .
sandie carpenter in WHITEFISH, MT USA 07/27/2009
The Paris catacombs only allows 200 people at a time inside. The line moves very slowly. You must be patient and hang in there, it's worth it. Also the "C" line on the RER has two main stations closed (ST. MICHAEL and Orlay) You need to use the free bus to get to another station (Versaille trip). Also Le Passport has been discontinued. We used our museum passes.
Steve Roddy in Penn Valley, CA USA 07/24/2009
Only that the Versailles Passport does not exist anymore, as others have stated. Round-trip tickets to Versailles from RER C stations cost 5.60 Euros.
Joy in Dayton, OH USA 07/23/2009
Paris: the Versailles passeport which included both train travel to Versailles and entrance to the Chateau and grounds is no longer available as from January 2009.
Anne Ayre in Bowen Island, BC Canada 07/19/2009
There is no train to Vernon, that we could find. Doesn't matter what train you take. This needs to be detailed more.
Eddie Mikell in Charlottesville, VA USA 07/15/2009
These are not necessarily corrections, but are things we believe are worth mentioning in the guidebook.
First, be prepared to wait in a long, slow-moving line when visiting San Chapelle. There is apparently only one entrance, and everyone must pass through security at that entrance. You cannot skip the line if you have the Paris Museum Pass.
Second, beware: Most of the museums have little or no air conditioning! We visited Paris in July, which is typically the warmest month. Although it was not terribly hot outside (probably upper 70s Fahrenheit), we were sweating up a storm inside the museums.
Victor & Pam in Mundelein, IL USA 07/15/2009
I just stayed at the Grand Hotel Leveque with 1 other couple 6/22 through 6/24 . We both got 2 free breakfasts (one free for each person). We just showed the book when we checked out . We got the discount on breakfast at the brasserie 2 for 12 . We also got a 4 euro discount off the walking tour with the book .
MIKE DEMPSEY in WESTMINSTER, MD USA 07/07/2009
Hotel Kensington - Page 351 - now has pay Internet access in the lobby.
La Gourmandise - Page 384 - was open on Sunday night when we were there June 14.
Jack Martin in Lawrence, KS USA 06/28/2009
In the Paris book it does not tell you that the Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday.
Art Lover in New York, NY USA 06/26/2009
The tours (both audio and text) of the Louvre tell you to turn left as soon as you're up the stairs after entering the Denon wing. That's a little confusing since there is a rope dividing the way to herd the crowd so you have to ignore the routing and cut across. Alternatively, enter the Sully wing and turn right to cross into Denon and pick up the tour.
Henry Powell in Millersville, MD USA 06/22/2009
No, the catacombs do have a long wait, but you've identified this in your "update" section.
Melinda Grow in Davis, CA USA 06/13/2009
Eiffel Tower - 13E elevator price to the top (May 2009) Pg. 386 (P-2009) Nectarine - "small and demure, .......with feminine atmosphere..." not at all "feminine" (May 2009)
Charles Carter in Seattle, WA USA 06/10/2009
The gardens at Versailles are currently (June 09) not free on Tuesdays. They are doing the fountain shows on Tuesdays and it costs 8 Euros to get in.
Sue B in Albuquerque, NM USA 06/09/2009
in Paris 2009 Rick refers to the Museum of Deportation by saying "many did not come back." This is way soft. "Most were murdered" would be more accurate.
Marilyn in NY, NY USA 06/02/2009
Just got back from Paris -- the Orangerie is now open at 9am -- not 12:30. Made our schedule much easier!
Jim Gauntt in Little Rock, AR USA 06/01/2009
Admission to the Musee Marmottan is 1 euro more than identified in the book.
Morgan in Seattle, WA USA 05/28/2009
Not a correction but a question. Why doesn't this guidebook include day trips to Normandy? I would guess that it is one of the most popular side trips but instead the guidebook lists a bunch of other less important places for a day trip. Otherwise I thought the Paris guide was informative and mostly up-to-date.
Perry in Milwaukee, WI USA 05/26/2009
Chateau Vaux le Vicomte is only open on Wednesday in July and August. All other months it is closed on Wednesday.
Claire in Woodbridge, VA USA 05/26/2009
The tabac shop across the street from Sainte Chapelle no longer sells entrance tickets (p. 76 in Rick's Paris 2009). They do sell the Museum Pass now, but be warned that St. Chapelle does not offer any line bypass either for Museum Pass holders or ticket holders. The lines for Sainte Chapelle are long and slow, so if you can be there for opening, it might be your best chance.
Dave in Atlanta, GA USA 05/20/2009
Someone earlier in 2009 said the VIctor Hugo museum was not free--it is free. The audio guide is a charge. I was there four weeks ago. I also have not read the Paris 2009, but there is a howler of a mistake in the Montmartre section about the artist Maurice Utrillo. I just went to a great Utrillo and Valadon exhibit. Please get a real art historian to verify your stuff. Andre Utter is not Utrillo's father nor does his name have anything to do with him. They were contemporaries. Utrillo got his name from a freind of the mother, Valadon, another artist who allowed her to put his name on official documents more than 10 years after Maurice was born. The Utter=Utrillo (little Utter) is a cute but totally FALSE etymology, and makes the rest of your history (which is pretty mean to the Middle Ages as opposed to the Renaissance) suspect. With any luck, this is already corrected in Paris 2009, I hope.
Elizabeth Scala in Austin, TX USA 05/12/2009
Le Passeport one-day pass for Versailles was not available for purchase at the Invalides RER station. "We don't do that anymore." As a result, we had to purchase it at Versailles which meant 2-3 more hours of waiting in line on May 2nd, Saturday.
Karen Adair in San Diego, CA USA 05/09/2009
Orangerie museum in paris is NOT open until 1900.
Nicole M in Minneapolis, MN USA 04/30/2009
Under the Cost for the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb it mentions that it is free for all military personnel with ID. We were slightly embarrassed when we shown them our American military IDs, and they smiled saying it was free for French military only!!
Eunice Luther in Holzhausen-Burbach, Germany 04/23/2009
The Paris Metro stations no longer offer the Versailles Passport. The exit stiles at Versailles RER station have been disabled. They no longer require a ticket to exit or enter at Versailles station.
Eugenia in Bae, IL USA 04/22/2009
When researching where to stay, the room prices on the hotel websites were always more expensive than the prices listed in Rick's guidebook.
Don't recommend to anyone who's 55+ to take the "economical" route from the airport to their hotel. After 10 1/2 hours on the plane, the walk to the bus was very long. And, dragging our heavy bags (one each as recommended) up and down those Metro steps left us with strained muscles the next few days. When we left, our hotel offered a van shuttle that picked us up at the hotel for just 17 euros each. It was excellent -- less than a cab would cost -- and worth every cent!
Suzanne J. in Angleton, TX USA 04/21/2009
Paris 2009: The post office up the Eiffel tower is closed so you can no longer mail postcards from there.
Jennifer Tenford in Moose Jaw, SK Canada 04/20/2009
Paris 2009- Page179 - "...the hole was filled with CEMENT 20 feet thick..." CEMENT is a powder - I think you meant CONCRETE
Charles M. Carter in Seattle, WA USA 04/18/2009
No
Daniel Onn in Sarattoga, CA USA 04/16/2009
This is really for the France/Paris City Map I just got. I love it, however there is a change to report. The "Paris Hilton" reference is cute, but history. Hilton sold the property to Accor Hotels and as of 2009 it has become the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel.
Ira Joffe in Houston, TX USA 04/07/2009
The Paris Museum Pass has increased in price. A 2-Day Pass costs 32 Euros, a 4-Day Pass costs 48 Euros, and a 6-Day Pass costs 64 Euros. I purchased my Pass at Charles de Gaulle Airport at the Tourist Information booth near Terminal 2.
Thomas Elliot in Nom de Plume, TX USA 04/07/2009
As of April 2009, here are the following guidebook corrections: The Paris Metro now costs 1.60 Euros per ticket. The Altitude 95 restaurant on the Eiffel Tower is closed for renovations. The canopy over the Cite Metro stop has been removed. The "Greek Barbie Dolls" are not accessible at the Louvre due to renovations. The painting "The Dance Class" by Degas is not on display at the Orsay Museum. The East Wing of the Army Museum (containing Napoleon's stuffed horese and dog) is still closed for renovations. The Roman Bath at the Cluny Museum is closed for renovations. The WC across the street from the Arc De Triomphe is closed. The artwork by Andy Warhol at the Pompidou Center is on loan to another museum in New York. Photographs are now NOT allowed at the Picasso Museum per signs at the front door and statements from the staff.
Thomas Elliot in Nom de Plume, TX USA 04/07/2009
Hi Rick,
The Hotel Beaugency in Paris is already out for the period Sep 20, 2009 - Sep. 26, 2009. We booked this hotel yesterday, but did not know about the guide update, my mistake.
Thanks for the great site and info.
Brian Jones in Olympia, WA USA 03/31/2009
No, only a comment that the Metro and RER are all that is needed to see all of Paris and surrounding area.
Phillip Pelch in Houston, TX USA 03/29/2009
Ran into a problem trying to contact 2 hotels recommended in the Paris 2009 book. When trying to access the websites for Hotel Beaugency and Hotel Cluny Sorbone, my Norton Antivirus warned that each site contained a Trojan Virus. Immediately closed browser and ran a virus scan that indeed detected and removed both trojan viruses. This sort of thing can happen, but was very disturbing as we are in the midst of trying to book hotels, and airlines for a trip. Really need the computer to not be comprimised.
Mary in Aiken, SC USA 03/17/2009
Yes, the Orangerie museum closes at 18:00, not 19:00 as per the book. We made the mistake of getting there at 18:05 on our last night, and couldn't visit it. In addition, we were not allowed to bring our mp3 players to the Deportation Memorial. The guy at the top of the stairs would not let us bring them down. So, had I known that, I would have just hidden it in my pocket before going down. In addition, and I am sure this changes all the time, the first part of the Louvre pre-classical Greece was closed off, so right away we couldn't go to the first left which left us very confused for a while.
Shannon in Wilmington, DE USA 01/20/2009
I believe I read in my 2008 Paris guidebook that the Victor Hugo house had free admission. Well, it did not! It cost 7 euros. Not worth it; it was boring and a waste of time.
Kelly in Gulfport, Fl USA 01/03/2009
in "Paris 2009", it says Hotel Tour Eiffel does not have a elevator,I stayed there in Nov 2008 and they have a nice elevator, also itis a nice place to stay, on a great street
bob in santa rosa, ca USA 01/01/2009