On previous trips the planning stage was almost as exciting as the vacation itself; researching sites, finding new resources, reading travel guides etc, etc. But this time it is different. After exploring the city 4 previous times, the search becomes more difficult, not because it's hard to do. The reason is that the neighborhoods (arrondissements) have so many interesting 'hidden' places. The more I read, the more I find. It becomes overwhelming~to the point of research paralysis.
I've given this a lot of thought and have decided that the frustration and difficulty comes from the issue of this being the last trip. So, I'm changing that idea~it is not the last trip.
I'll never give up being able to go to Paris.
A couple of nights ago I was reading my DK Eyewitness Travel Guide for Paris. (I love the "Eyewitness Travel Guides", they're very well organized, include great information, photos and detailed maps). While reading, I found myself thinking, seen that, seen that, been there ~page after page.
I have many, many guide books~Rick Steve's France, Fodor's Paris, Frommer's Paris, Lonely Planet and Michelin Green Guides. I have books for finding the best walks, the cheapest restaurants, the 10 best sites and things to do. For this trip, I added several new travel books:
It is organized by arrondissement, especially good if you are already familiar with the city, and includes great directions, times and dates.
Another great find was Discover Paris by Metro put out by RATP (the public transportation operator in Paris) and the City of Paris. This book describes each line of the Metro, stop by stop. It lists sites to see, places to eat, museums to visit at the more prominent stops on each line.
Since I love architecture, I found Five Hundred Buildings of Paris a wonderful resource. The photos are black and white, the buildings are described by arrondissement and each is referenced in the back of the book with detailed information about the building's history. This would be a great guide to have for siteseeing if it weren't small, thick and heavy. Nonetheless, it is worth it's weight!
My favorite books though are the Thirza Vallois' Around and About Paris series. Each book in the series covers several arrondissements (1-7, 8-12,13-20).
Arranged chronologically by arrondissement, the author,first, gives a thorough description of the neighborhood with detailed history about the people, places and events associated with the area. The introduction is followed by interesting walks through the neighborhood with accompanying maps.
And so, I have a renewed enthusiasm for planning. I've decided on a variety of themes for photographs and exploration ~Art Nouveau architecture, shop windows (my favorite), parks, gardens, squares & courtyards,art, cats, aerial views, Faubourg St. Antoine ~to name a few. The only guides I will take with me will be the new edition of the Michelin Green Guide and my well-worn Knopf Mapguide of Paris.
Now, I must get back to Paris~planning. Au revoir.
