I am going to Paris for two week and am looking for a guidebook that's not too touristy.

Question

We'll hit some of the major attractions of course, but I'd much rather experience what it's like to live there for a while. Anyone have any recommendations for guidebooks that aren't so focused on the major attractions?

Answer 1

If you are going to Paris & if you want to stay in Paris then you can visit the site http://www.stayresfrance.com/paris_hotel... I hope it must be useful for you.

Answer 2

Rick Steves tries to be more familiar with the off beat as well as the popular.  Easy to read and follow

Answer 3

All guidebooks are focused on major attractions because no other focus makes any sense.

There is this odd notion that there is some secret set of sights that only Parisians know about and that are carefully hidden from tourists. Most importantly, if, as a tourist, you get to see them, them you've had a superior experience (and proved your own superiority.)

Two weeks is a very brief time to see one of the great cities of the world to begin with. It's barely enough time to see just the Louvre.

If you want to understand Paris a bit better than read some of the books written by people about their experiences in Paris. there are a lot of these type of books too. Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" is a great one but even a funny book like Art Buchwald's "I'll always have Paris" is worth reading.

One general sort of suggestion. I find that one of the real pleasures of Paris is getting established at a local cafe. The cafe is a fixture of French life much as the corner bar in the USA or local pub in the UK.

The French will go to their neighborhood cafe to sit and read the newspaper, write a few letters, chat with friends or just sit and watch the world go by. Buy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and you're welcome to sit for as long as you like (which is one reason why a drink can seem so expensive in France...you're paying not just for the drink but "rent" )

Go to the same cafe several times in a row and, assuming you know how to behave as a local ( say "bonjour" when you enter and leave with a hearty "au revoir" for example)), you'll quickly be accepted as a regular.

This contradicts all the terrible stories you've heard about the "rude" French. The second or third time you appear and are noticed to do so, a waiter or perhaps the owner will walk over to shake your hand and greet you. You'll be surprised at how quickly the staff learn your favorite table and your preferences. If you have a favorite drink which you always order you'll soon be asked "Comme habitude?" (The usual?).

The house will buy you a drink every now and then. The cook will offer a taste of his speciality to get you to try it or give you a free dessert with your meal. The other regulars will smile and greet you. In short, its "Cheers" only with a French accent.

I really urge you to give this a try. I actually agree that travel is more than places and things. In fact,  I'd rather spend an afternoon, drinking wine and talking about local politics or food or sport, and learning other people's point of view than wandering thru a museum. (which is inot to say that I haven't seen all the Museums in Paris many times over).

Answer 4

DK Eyewitness.  Get either the book on France (about $30.00) if you plan to travel around, or the one on Paris (significantly less, but I can't quote that one) if you are only going to be in Paris.

You'll love it.  Pretty pictures, tons of information, really in depth.

Answer 5

The French publisher Editions du Mont Tonnerre publishes a range of unusual guidebooks in English on various aspects of Paris and London.