Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is by far the best guidebook to France I have ever read or used. Divided into cultural regions of the country, Fodor's captures the essential feeling of each region and the best things to do or see in that region.
At 886 pages this is not a pocket book, but a nicely detailed description of fifteen different regions of France. Fodor's has a philosophy that if something is listed in the book, it is probably worth doing. Having lived and travelled in France for almost three years, and having a decent familiarity with each of these reasons, save the Dordogne, I agree with that statement. Fodor's got each region exactly right. The book is nicely laid out, just enough text and just the right number of nice color photographs. The included maps are decent, but not really good enough to navigate the cities. If you are planning on driving, I would strongly encourage you to purchase a Garmin Nuvi and add the European map package. The Nuvi model isn't really important, just make sure you purchase the full detailed European map software and the device is compatible with that software.
Each region is organized with a few pages of summary, what are the great things to see or do in that area, a sort of appetizer. How to get around is discussed, and the answer is not always obvious or the same for each region. There is a fantastic suggestion to take the train from Paris to the Loire Valley, and rent a car or bicycles from there. Sample itineraries are included. And the main course is served with a more detailed description of monuments, towns and where to eat and stay in those towns. The organization leads to some repetition for major sights. The section on Paris is almost as good as guidebooks dedicated to only Paris.
Accommodations and restaurant suggestions hit a nice middle ground. Fodor is not afraid to mention inexpensive places that are a great value, nor expensive places where it might be worth the extra money to splurge occasionally. I've found that Lonely Planet tends to only describe cheap to moderate places and focuses on how to get around for the least money possible. Fodor isn't extravagant, giving sound advice on where to spend money.
This book reminded me of why I love France so much. The country has an amazing variety; a six hour drive in any direction from Paris can lead to the most incredible seafood, plains, green river valleys with chateaux and great wines, or high Alps. It is very difficult to find so much cultural, food, and landscape diversity this close together in the United States. And that is why this guidebook is so outstanding, it reflects those differences so well and helps figure out which area is the one for you.
A region by region review of this book would be redundant. My experience says that if the place, restaurant, or hotel sounds interesting, it will probably be just as wonderful as you imagine. I thought a few towns were a bit oversold, but they are still beautiful places. In some cases, other towns were a bit undersold. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with a recommendation in this book, at the worst; you will have a good time.
Fodor has produced one of the best guidebooks to France I have ever read.
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