There are dozens of Paris travel guidebooks out there of varying usefulness, but here are a handful I consider essential reading. Paris is an immense city. Before you go, be armed with the best guidebook.
1. Eyewitness Paris Travel Guide
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You will not get the excruciating detail some guidebooks offer, but I like to see before I go. The Eyewitness book provides an array of images of the city, down to minute scale in attractions in some instances.
2. Rick Steves Paris Travel Guidebook
Rick Steves
If you really want the insider scoop on Paris, this Rick Steves guide is the way to go. Get frank and honest advice on things to do, and it also features self-guided walking and museum tours as well as daytrip suggestions.
3. Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Paris
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I love this book! It isn't necessarily the best sole source of Paris information, but it cuts through the crap other books like to dance around. It will tell you straight up which places are cool and which are lame. It's also on the smaller side, making this easier to tuck into a purse or backpack while in Paris.
4. Frommer's Paris from $95 a Day
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Paris is a lot of things, but cheap doesn't immediately come to mind. The increasingly pricy euro currency isn't helping things. That doesn't mean it HAS to be expensive, as this Frommer's book proves. If you will be visiting on a tight budget, this book is an absolute must-have, and is jam-packed with great money-saving secrets.
5. Fodor's Paris
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For a good basic travel guidebook, this covers all the bases in a pretty compact format. It also features some great neighborhood spotlights for dining and shopping, as well as detailed maps.
6. Markets of Paris
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One of the greatest aspects of visiting Paris is the plethora of amazing markets, whether you want to shop for produce, antique books or art. Believe me, there is plenty to say about the Parisian markets to fill a book, and this is the essential reference for market-hopping travelers.