Eyewitness Travel’s Family Guide Paris is an excellent guide providing families with all the information that they need for a successful trip to Paris.
Shortly before we went on our trip to Paris earlier this month I picked up a copy of Eyewitness Travel’s recently published Family Guide: Paris. I already had a couple of travel guides for Paris but I couldn’t resist this book filled with beautiful coloured photos and advice written specifically for families. As it turned out this was the only guide that I needed for Paris as it is packed with practical information for exploring the city with kids.
This guide provided everything that I needed, or could possibly have wanted, in a guidebook for Paris. The introductory section of the book has all the practical planning information including how to get there, how to get around, money, health, insurance etc.
The highlights of Paris are outlined with itinerary suggestions for visiting over a weekend, a week and by season and there is a brief summary of the history of Paris as well. The back of the book also contains detailed maps of Paris as well as a French Phrase Book that would come in handy for anyone whose French is limited.
The main body of the guide is organized by neighbourhood and, in my opinion, this is where it excels. Each area chapter opens with an introduction to the area that includes a locator map and a selection of highlights followed by a “Best of” section which provides parents with practical plans for exploring the area.
A number of “Hub Sites” in the area are covered in the detail that Eyewitness Guides are known for with illustrated artwork highlighting interesting features. What is unique about the Family Guide: Paris is that details include nearby places to let off steam, places for families to eat and drink whether they are looking for a picnic, snack, real meal or family treat, and nearby shopping for kids.
“The Lowdown” on each attraction includes opening hours, information on how to get there by metro, price, guided tours, age recommendations, location of toilets, information on how to skip the queue and how much time to allow for the attraction. This information is invaluable for parents trying to plan their day in Paris. There is also an area chapter on day trips from Paris which we relied on when planning our trips to Versailles and Disneyland Paris.
The Eyewitness Travel Family Guide: Paris is an excellent guidebook that provides families with all the information that they need for a successful trip to Paris plus loads of beautiful coloured photos to preview. I look forward to seeing the series extended so that I can use these guidebooks for other destinations.
Family Guide Paris is part of a new series by Eyewitness Travel. Guides were recently published for Paris, London, New York City and Washington, D.C. Family Guides for France and Italy are scheduled to be published later this month.
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Twokidsandamap
Every time we are planning a new trip, the first thing we buy is the DK Eyewitness book. I love the Top 10 versions because they are compact but still full of valuable information. We are headed to DC this summer, so I am going to check out the family guide.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I love the DK Eyewitness series as well – mostly because I love to look at beautiful photos when I’m planning! I don’t think you would be disappointed with the DC guide – the family guides are considerably larger than the Top 10 guides but they are packed with information that is relevant for families with kids.
Lisa Wood
What a great idea – a resources guide for a family when visiting Paris. Sure would make travelling easier.
Its important to explore an area and keep everyone happy at the same time, so having a book which shares where the best places are to go would be ideal!
Cheers
Lisa
walkingon travels
I will definitely be checking out the London and Italy guides for our upcoming trip. We always have an Eyewitness guide come along on our travels, mainly for the photos. I’m so glad to hear they have added in so much useful information to the family guides. If I only have to bring one book with me it will definitely make packing that much easier.
Steve
It sounds like a great book Lisa, but I’m wondering if they have an e-book version or anything of the sort? I love having hard copies of books while I’m thinking about the vacation, but I really prefer e-books for taking with me.
Monique
Like a previous commenter, I also like the Top 10 versions. They help me from getting overwhelmed.
Sabrina - Country Skipper
I never knew Eyewitness had family guides as well (probably because it’s just me and my boyfriend on the road :)), but I do love the Eyewitness guides in general. Their pictures and walking tours are fantastic. Too bad they don’t have more cities.
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Sabrina – the Eyewitness Family Guides are brand new – the first few just came out a few weeks ago and more are on the way. They honestly can’t publish them fast enough to satisfy me! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Steve – I haven’t really got onboard with the whole ebook thing yet – I still like to have a paper copy that I can flip through. I checked the Chapters/Indigo site, however, and they didn’t have it as an ebook. The DK website, however, shows that there will be an ebook copy of Family Guide Paris soon. It is showing a publication date of April 2nd but is also still showing “not yet available”. So it looks like there will be an ebook version for those who like to have electronic guidebooks.
Philippine Travel
So I guess it’s the best book if you’re traveling with your family. How about if you’re just traveling alone? I haven’t visited Paris yet but I hope I’ll get the chance someday. I guess I should buy and read the book before I decide to go there. It would help me plan my itinerary.
Lisa Goodmurphy
This book is definitely aimed at people traveling with kids so it probably isn’t the best choice for single travelers or couples traveling without kids. DK also has a great general Paris guide that would probably suit your purposes better.
car wreck lawyer
The highlights of Paris are outlined with itinerary suggestions for visiting over a weekend, a week and by season and there is a brief summary of the history of Paris as well.