There’s always room in your suitcase for a travel guide! They’re also very practical when it comes to planning your trip in advance. But with a plethora of publications out there, how do you make the right choice?
To guide you, we introduce you to several collections of guides, sorted according to types of travel, travellers or information sought, as well as a short description for each of them.
Guides for short stays
These are practical guides, designed to be used mainly at destination, and not so much for pre-trip planning. Their small size makes them easy to carry while travelling.
Lonely Planet – Make My Day
City divided into neighbourhoods; emphasis on must-see sites. Suggested itineraries. Detachable map.
Lonely Planet – Best of
Hundreds of photos. Itineraries and maps in colour. Overview of the essentials of the destination.
Michelin – Green Guide Weekend
A selection of addresses and a star rating system to help you spot the must-sees.
Petit Futé – Carnets de voyage (in French only)
Cultural information. Top addresses and tips for getting the most out of one’s stay—with maps.
Ulysse – Getaway
Easy to navigate, plenty of pictures, detailed maps. Overview of the essentials so you can see as much as possible in a short time.
Ulysse – Explorer
Easy to navigate, with plenty of visuals. Thematic lists and itineraries.
Guides for longer stays
These guides are a valuable resource for those exploring a country or region for more than a week. They provide a good combination of cultural and practical information.
GÉOGuide (in French only)
Guides containing practical information: numerous addresses of hotels, restaurants, bars and outlets. Useful cultural information, complete with itineraries and thematic selections.
Lonely Planet
Highly detailed guides. Useful both to prepare the trip as well as on the spot. Selection of addresses for all budgets.
Cultural guides
These guides are designed for those who enjoy immersing themselves in a destination and getting to know its history and culture. They are a little more useful for preparing your trip than for the actual trip. Naturally, these guides are very well suited to people who travel for long periods of time.
Michelin – Green Guide
Extensively documented. Star ratings to locate all the must-sees.
Ulysse guides
Historical, social and cultural portrait. Only a few pictures. Precise and detailed maps. Selection of top addresses.
Guides for photography lovers, or perfect gifts
These guides are abundantly illustrated. Although they feature descriptions of places to visit, they’re mostly meant as “eye candy.” They’re a great tool to prepare a trip, but also to keep beautiful memories.
National Geographic
Large format, coloured and richly illustrated guides. Descriptions of each district or regions along with sites to visit.
Ulysses – Fabulous series
Magnificent full-colour books with vibrant, evocative presentations.
Ulysse – 50 Dream Routes
Abundantly illustrated with outstanding photographs for each theme. Inspiration for your future destinations. Maps included.
Guides for budget travellers
These guides feature great ways to save money. They’re perfect for those who are looking for the best places to go for low and moderate budgets.
Le Routard (in French only)
A great deal of information with few images. Practical advice and a few cultural information. Perfect for backpacking.
Petit Futé (in French only)
Information on culture, economy and traditions. Suggestions for tours. Practical information to organize your stay, with a wide range of hotels, restaurants and activities.
Guides with detailed maps
For those who don’t want to get lost! These guides contain several maps so you can easily find your way around and quickly locate suggested restaurants.
Gallimard – Cartoville (in French only)
Easy-to-consult, detailed foldout maps covering six to eight districts per city, listing points of interest and sites to visit.
