France: Instructions for Use* The Practical, On-site Assistant for the Enthusiastic (Even Experienced) Traveler (Instructions for Use Travel Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Nan McElroy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

No art. No history. No hotels. No restaurants. An indispensable companion to any destination guide, this well-organized, in-depth, color-coded compendium keeps invaluable cultural and practical information at hand:

★ French train system, ticketing and traveling
★ International and cell phoning in, from, and to France
★ French eateries & demystifying French wine
★ Tipping, shipping, and shopping
★ Driving, parking, filling up, and road signs
★ Markets and bargaining
★ Traveling by air within France and Europe
★ Lodging whys and wherefores . . . and more.

Italy: Instructions for Use, the first book in the Instructions for Use Travel Europe series, paved the way, receiving accolades from professional reviewers such as Publisher's Weekly, and was selected About.com Italy for Visitors' #1 pick for Top Ten Guidebooks of the Year. Now comes France: Instructions for Use, an illustrated, pocket-sized guide packed with the most current, pertinent, easy-to-locate advice available. Because it's the only guide that focuses solely on practical information, France: Instructions for Use contains many extra, specific details the other guides simply don't have the room to include.

From the Publisher

"France: Instructions for Use [is] practical, it's fun, it's immensely useful. Another home run in this expanding series that no traveler should leave home without!"--Sally Watkins, Top 125 Travel Super Agent, 2004-2007

"Wow, I am impressed with what you have accomplished in a thin volume."--David Carpita, Seasons of Provence Cooking School and Mas de Cornud Country Inn

"Incredibly informative, with first-hand, spot-on knowledge from experienced travelers who know their readers. A must-read before coming to France and the City of Light, and a must-have-on-hand during your travels." --Nichole Buscher, Ciao Bella Custom Tours

"As a French-born woman, I am really impressed by the way you describe the attitude and spirit of French people, so precise, and so true! I read nothing that I could contradict--unless with a big mauvaise foi."--Pauline Descamps, ContextParis.com

"France, Instructions for Use is the perfect pocket-sized `how-to' guide, with everything you need to have an authentic travel experience."--Pauline Kenny, Slow Travel, Slowtrav.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Illustrata Press (January 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885436408
• ISBN-13: 978-1885436405
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #817,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definite must if traveling to France, March 31, 2008

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/08)

This book is ingenious! At first glace I wondered how a small book as this could possibly cover all the information I need when traveling in France. I soon found out this is the most concise book there is on the market. Great things do come in small packages! A package small enough to fit into your purse, pocket, or fanny pack. At 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inches, it actually holds 118 pages. And the wonderful thing is that I didn't need a magnifying glass to read it! More so, I wish I had it on my last trip to France but I can assure you it's coming with me on the next trip.

Okay, now to the content. I don't see anything missed because it covers how to get around by various means of transportation, money, drinking and eating, shopping, shipping as well as tourist information and a section called "let's be perfectly frank." There is even a section of common phrases. My experience in the larger cities, particularly Paris, is that most people know how to speak English; however, this is not true for smaller communities.

Reading the section about driving a car made me smile and reminisce of why I wouldn't want to drive there. Being used to space to drive in and driving on the right side of the road, driving in France could be a challenge. However, after reading what the authors have to say, I may change my mind on the next trip.

On my last trip to Paris, I did take the train. It was very confusing and how we ended getting to our intended spot, I really don't know. After reading the section, I'm amazed we actually got to our destination. It would have been less stressful to have read this book!

There is so much more to "France: Instructions for Use*" than I can write in this review. It's a very practical, well-organized, concise book that is a must for any traveler to France, especially due to its size and content. This is not a tourist book giving you places to see or eat at, it's a book that gives you sensible and matter-of-fact information that every traveler must know before embarking to a foreign country.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Vital, June 4, 2009

By	Emily Decobert "Ms. Librarian" (Mortons Gap, KY United States) - See all my reviews

I try to keep my reviews impersonal, but this book is so connected to my own experience I have to include my personal thoughts on France: Instructions for Use. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? If not, you are missing one of the most exciting and annoying experiences in your life. Walking on a foreign soil, breathing in the air and history, and living with the natives is thrilling in a way domestic travel isn't. It is a voyage of discovery, but also a journey of set-backs and aggravation. You don't speak the language, the food is sometimes too exotic, and everything is different. While that is good, it can also be almost frightening.
The same as when operating a new appliance, it always helps to have instructions and this book is written by two women who have experienced Europe as new travelers and experienced natives. Alison Culliford has loved France since she was a child and had traveled there many times before settling in Paris in 2001. As a resident, she is a wealth of information not only on the basics travelers need but on the people themselves who can be tricky at best. French culture is very complex and often the French have little patience for the ignorant or uneducated. Nan McElroy is a frequent traveler in Europe and used her experience on writing Italy: Instructions for Use to help with this book.
The book starts with the general and moves on to a breakdown of all the things a traveler will need to know to survive and thrive. As a American often in France, I enjoyed the brief section on pronunciation. I've read many of them and they are usually dull enough to make them unbearable. Ms. Culliford brings into it her own experience and funny stories that cuts through the drudgery.
We quickly move into the meat of the book and the information is vital. As a traveler, we often don't realize the different situations we will encounter until we are ankle deep in trouble. This book is one of the most complete guides I have found and I have read many.
While most books center on culture, this book takes the time to discuss many often forgotten basics. For example, there is a very complete section on driving and French roads. Many tourists venture out on their own and this book covers the facts of renting a car, getting gas, and reading the French maps.
All the other issues needed are in there, but it includes a section on basic manners while among the French. Americans don't understand that they are being rude, but they are. For example, Americans don't realize the French custom of greeting people when they enter a store or shop and therefore can seem standoffish. We neglect to notice that the French speak quietly in public and own over-friendly manners offend rather than endear.
French: Instruction for Use is the perfect book to read before leaving, to study on the plane, and to keep into your backpack as you travel through France. Even though I live part time in France, I learned a lot and plan to keep this perfectly sized book handy

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave for France without it!, June 16, 2008

By	S. Essa - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I also have the Italy: Instructions for Use in this series, but I think I will find the France one even more useful. These little books contain SO much useful information that I don't even know how I planned my first trips without them. There are all kinds of great tips here - about everything from Prems train fares (which are really cheap! But you have to book in advance on the internet) to using French telephones to deciphering a French wine list. They are also well written and fun to read. For first-time travelers - don't leave home without it. For more frequent visitors, you will definitely find a lot of useful info here.