Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Paris

by David Applefield, Alexander Lobrano, Balliett & Fitzgerald, et al.

Looking for a travel guide that goes where other guides fear to tread? One that rides roughshod over ad-copy puffery to smartly deliver the real scoop on a destination's sites and attractions? One... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764543008
• ISBN13: 9780764543005
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Frommer's
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Irreverent Indeed

Frommer's Irreverent Guide series sometimes reads like a hyperactive child's breakfast with its FAQ style, but there's some good stuff in there. The book is honest about attractions or restaurants that are just plain dives or tourist traps despite their reputations. Likewise, the good is also recognized for example with one restaurant receiving praise for its service as "a cross between a classical ballet and a Prussian artillery troop drill." I've found the Irreverent Guides to be particularly well suited to perusing before a trip to get excited about where you're going with some great out-of-the-way places receiving praise. This particular guide is great for its breadth across Paris' vast geography as well. Paris is a city composed of villages each with its own character and "scene". Their honest portrayals and diverse categories makes the task of deciding where to stay, dine, and explore easier.

Great book, but Amazon is not shipping the latest edition.

The picture on their website is missleading. It is correct for the latest edition, but they sent me the older, out-of-date volume. It was difficult to get a refund, 'cause they insisted that the edition they sent me was as promised. And, only reluctantly, refunded my return postage. Buy.com has the correct volume.

Second-timer for the irreverent guide

I bought the Irreverent Guide to London when I traveled to Britain two years ago, and I had such a good experience with that book that I bought this one for my upcoming trip to Paris. I have also read Fodor's and have done extensive research online, but I like the irreverent book because it's small, informative, and opinionated. I don't need another sixty pages listing the museums in France. What I need is for someone knowledgable to tell me which museums are worth the time and which ones aren't

On my first time in Paris

My husband and I were on our honeymoon with the Irreverent Guide and the Eyewitness guide, and found that we were using the Irreverent almost exclusively - the honesty, humor, and efficient and informative writing style appealed to me, and the clear rating system for hotels, restaurants, sights, and shopping were relevant and extremely helpful. We were led to the Paris we saw in films while being informed of the realities of the city (such as knowing to eat in that window of time you have available for breakfast, lunch and dinner). For those of you who prefer this sort of thing, we were rarely surrounded by other American tourists when following this guidebook (except, of course, for those obvious sites; the Eiffel tower, for one), and went to those restaurants that might not make it in the bigger guides (note; everywhere we went that was suggested in the Irreverent guide had fabulous food). This was the best twelve bucks I spent in preparation for our trip then and for the trip I'm planning for next year.

Irreverent but relevant

Bought it at Half Price Books and well worth the price. Lots of suggestions on hotels and restaurants in various price ranges. Good tips on getting around. Good alternative or companion to R. Steves guide.