Walking Paris. The Best of the City

Book excerpt: These handy, take-along walking guides--filled with essential maps, inspirational photos, and insider tips--showcase the world's great cities in a practical, streamlined, itinerary-driven format. The best way to appreciate the city is to walk: it is only on foot that you can explore the lively districts in all their variety and diversity. This volume offers 14 itineraries that will guide you step by step to the most hidden and picturesque corners of Paris. The "Whirlwind Tour" section includes ideas for visiting the entire city in one day or in a weekend, enjoying a solo trip or a family visit with children. The walks through the city, from the Tour Eiffel and Les Invalides to Place du Châtelet and Les Halles, touch on each of the points of interest on the map. The more detailed descriptions offer interesting information about the museums and other sites, including the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Paris, the Musée du Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. Decidedly Parisian, the guide introduces the reader to the more unusual aspects of the city's culture, such as haute couture, art, theatre, and the best of local life, from street markets to minor museums and visits to architectural peculiarities.