How to choose a Map
of Paris France

You'll need a Paris city map,
but which one is best?

It isn't hard to find a map of Paris France. But given the number of people who visit Paris, it's surprising there aren't more really good Paris maps.

We've used a ton of different Paris maps, map books and guide books in The City of Love, and here we reveal the best of them — including one Paris Insiders secret!

In this article you'll find our top recommendations for Paris city maps — for those who need to know everything.

In our Guide to Paris Tourist Maps you can read about the best maps and guides for visitors – including pocket guidebooks that have good maps.

Right off the top, we're going to dismiss the traditional folded paper Paris street maps. They're a pain to use when you're walking around, and we want you to look like a Paris Insider, not a tourist!

Certainly you can find a map of Paris France that will help you, but many are not quite good enough. We like to be able to dig deep if we want to:

• to be able to find any small rue or avenue in any arrondissement (it's surprising where you can find good restaurants);
• we want street numbers and bus information;
• we absolutely need a good Metro map and
• an easy-to-read street index.

That's not asking too much, is it?

Guidebooks & paris tourist maps

Paris Insiders Guide Recommendations

Do you want your guide book or map of Paris France to include ideas for things to see, recommended restaurants and even specific itineraries?

Then jump to our Guide to Paris Tourist Maps where we present our recommendations for some of the best traditional guide books of Paris. You'll find some famous names, like the one Frommers guide we recommend, as well as some names you may not have heard of.

• Guidebooks & Paris Tourist Maps »

Michelin 62: Paris par Arrondissement

1/14,000 (varies).
By arrondissement.
2011 Edition.
Great Metro map.
Stapled paperback.
4.6 ounces.

Michelin is the name in Paris maps, and has been for over 100 years.

Michelin 62, the 2011 edition of their map of Paris France, is essentially a mini-atlas covering all 20 arrondissements of Paris and includes every street and alley, no matter how hidden. It's compact and lightweight.

In addition to the accurate Paris street maps you expect from Michelin, Paris 62 includes a complete street index, a good Metro map, and information on busses, airports and Paris markets.

The Paris maps themselves show all the details you need, such as location of taxi stands, monuments, markets, parks and Metro stations.

• Buy Michelin 62 Paris map book in the US »
• Buy Michelin 62 Paris map book in Canada »

Overall Paris 62 Par Arrondissement is very good, detailed, easy to use and easy to carry around. Except for the map key page (which is in five languages) Paris 62 is in French. But that's not really a problem for a map book!

TimeOut Shortlist Paris 2012

Map of Paris France

Map scale varies.
2012 Edition.
Updated annually.
Paperback.
8.6 ounces.

Nice size pocket map that covers the city by area, with good small maps of each area. (Examples of the areas it covers – Opera to Les Halles and Northest Paris.) While we usually prefer Paris city maps by arrondissement, the Timeout scheme actually works quite well.

The laminated back cover tri-folds out to a nice map of Paris France and a good-size Metro map (new graphic style).

What we really like about TimeOut Shortlist Paris is that it's useful to both visitors and Parisians. It's packed with good information on what to see, where to go and some tips on hotels and restaurants in each of the areas. (We often use their restaurant recommendations for finding lunch spots in Paris.) Timeout is updated annually so Paris city maps and the information are always current.

• Buy Timeout Shortlist Paris 2012 in the US »
• Buy Timeout Shortlist Paris 2012 in Canada »

Paris Subway Maps

There are other good resources for Paris subway maps online.

RATP, the company that operates the Metro, has a couple of large-scale Metro maps on its site. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Metro maps — and more!

• Paris Subway Maps in Detail »
• More About Metro Maps of Paris »

Paris Arrondissements, Red Cover

A Paris Insiders Guide secret!

Map scale varies.
By arrondissement.
Stapled paperback.
Good Metro map.
Éditions Courtarel, publisher.

This is one of the maps Parisians carry around, when they carry around a map at all.

As the title suggests, it presents Paris by arrondissement, with a double-page spread for most arrondissements and two double-page spreads for the larger ones (13 through 20). Each map is in an easy-to-read scale.

The double-page Metro map (new graphic style) is easy on the eyes. Maps also include bus routes and a list of Metro stations. Of course, there's the usual street index.

This map of Paris France is a small book, with a stapled spine, and very easy to carry around. The information is in five languages.

Paris Arrondissements with the red cover is available at all newsstands, in all bookstores and many other places. We use this one to supplement our Michelin 62 map book. You can never have too many good Paris street maps!

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