Rick Steves' France
Related Links
- Check out Festivals in France
- Guidebook Feedback: Share guidebook feedback and travel tips with other travelers
- For a complete description of this book and other guidebooks by Rick Steves, visit our Travel Store
- Purchase the 2013 edition of Rick Steves' France guidebook.
Updates since the 2013 edition
General
A few copies of the first printing of Rick Steves' France 2013 are defective. Before you leave, make sure you have pages 96–145 in the Paris chapter. If your book is defective, please return it to your place of purchase. If that is not possible, please contact Bobby Dunne at our publisher's office. Email bobby.dunne@perseusbooks.com with your mailing address, the book title, the nature of the defect, and the original place of purchase.
France is no longer covered by the Select Pass.
Paris and Nearby
See updates for our Paris guidebook.
Normandy
Rouen
During the 2013 Armada (June 6–16), many hotels double (even triple) their normal rates.
Honfleur
Madame Bellegarde isn't currently taking room reservations, but will begin renting rooms again in October 2013, once renovation work has been completed.
Bayeux
Le Bistro Bayeusain has closed, both as a café and pension.
D-Day Beaches
The visitors center at Pointe du Hoc is closed until late 2013 while a new addition is under construction. The site itself remains open to visitors.
Mont-St-Michel
Parking now costs €12, and the parking shuttle to the island stops at the parking lot next to the tourist-information office — visitors no longer have to walk half a mile to catch it. This shuttle is now available to everyone, including disabled visitors and those staying at a hotel on the island. Regional buses from Rennes and St-Malo now stop at this same parking lot; passengers who don't want to walk the rest of the way can transfer here to the shuttle.
Brittany
Dinan
Crêperie des Artisans has closed, as has the Vue de la Rance Chambres outside town.
The trail to Lehon, on the far side of the Rance River, is currently blocked by a landslide. Until this is cleared, it's best not to cross the river from Dinan's Old Port; instead, take the trail on the city side of the river to Lehon, and cross there.
Dordogne
The Grotte de Font-de-Gaume cave no longer takes reservations. Since spots are limited, it's important to show up early (by 7:30).
Burgundy
Beaune
Colette Barbier, who leads private tours that focus on vineyards and the region's history, has new rates (€260/half-day and €420/day) and a new email address: cobatour@sfr.fr.
Lyon
The restaurant called La Machonnerie has changed its name to "Daniel et Denise" (but contact info and great cuisine remain the same).
Provence
Avignon, Arles, Pont du Gard, Les Baux, Orange, Côtes du Rhône, Luberon, and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
See updates for our Provence & the French Riviera guidebook.
The French Riviera
Nice, Villefrance-sur-Mer, the Three Corniches, Monaco, Antibes, and Inland Riviera
See updates for our Provence & the French Riviera guidebook.
Appendix
The Canadian Consulate in Lyon is closed temporarily. Check www.amb-canada.fr for the latest information.