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Reviews
The Sunday Business, 2 Dec 2002
A new guidebook in English virtually sold out at WH Smith on the rue de Rivoli in its first week of publication. Delightfully idiosyncratic and erudite.
The Independent, 3 Feb 2003
A kind of Ile de France Profonde. Its strength is that it focuses on relatively unknown places that you can reach by a local train ride from the centre of the capital. I suspect that they are equally unknown to many Parisians.
The Sunday Times , 16 Feb 2003
Simms devotes her score of itineraries to finding less obvious chateaux, key river ports, towns that inspired the likes of Victor Hugo and Erik Satie and, above all, a glimpse of what Proust called a temps perdu. Ground-breaking work.
The Daily Telegraph, 22 Feb 2003
The Ile de France has been variously feared, nourished, exploited and neglected by the capital. Its neglect is unlikely to continue much longer. Having read this guide, residents and visitors alike will want to rush out and make the most of it.
The Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar, 2003
After you’ve had your fill of Paris, consider the many pleasures that lie beyond its city limits. All the 20 or so places mentioned in the guide are an hour or less away by train.
The Washington Post, 16 Mar 2003
Following a walk outlined in Annabel Simms’s guidebook we walked past the tourist office and into Chantilly Forest, down a path lined with pruned trees, ivy and blackberry and populated with chirping birds – just five minutes after disembarking the train.
The Bloomsbury Review (USA), Mar/April 2003
Offers just enough historical, architectural and cultural background, along with practical details that the independent traveller needs.
A Common Reader (USA), July 2003
Annabel Simms had our sort in mind while writing this lovely guide.
Paris Notes (USA), July/August 2003
A tremendously useful new guidebook. The best get-your-feet-wet introduction to the Ile de France currently on the market.
Living France Magazine , Oct 2003
It just has to be our Book of the Month.
www.amazon.com, Oct 2004
I stumbled upon this book while in Paris, and the daytrip I took was a highlight of my visit.
(review by Bill Marsano, American travel writer).
Financial Times, Dec 2008
As the new edition of Annabel Simms' idiosyncratic and witty guide book, "An Hour from Paris" (Pallas Athene), points out, Paris is not just a tourist cliché but a city endowed with delightful countryside and a rich history, connected by a peerless transport network.
Readers’ comments
It’s a fantastic idea and looks terrific. I intend to put it to use myself.
Bill Bryson
A classic.
Galignani’s bookshop, Paris
What a charming idea. It covers such a priceless heritage of properties in the Ile de France and is very attractively put together. I much look forward to using it!
Alistair Horne, author of Seven Ages of Paris
Maybe this will spur me to St Germain (-en-Laye) finally – and think of Edith Wharton and Henry James there.
Julian Barnes
I’m crazy about this book. Anyone with eyes to see and legs to walk, plus a yearning for the charming and the weathered and off the beaten track, would love it.
Polly Platt, author of French or Foe?
I want to tell you that I read it cover to cover and loved it. Your mix of history and architecture coupled with the detailed travel instructions and the clear plans are admirable.
J. McNaught, UK
Your book sounded too good to be true, but far surpassed my expectations.
R. Jones, USA
Guidebooks are often walk-based, but somehow uninviting. Yours is the opposite, so good in all its detail. Thanks for giving a lot of pleasure.
T. Powell, UK
We met an American at Ecouen who had picked up your book in Lexington, Kentucky and seemed to have come over for a week specifically to work through it. We are enjoying it. What a great idea and so well done.
N. Edwards, UK
Your book contributed greatly to our enjoyment. Thank you very much for an excellent publication.
M. and A. Reynolds, UK
It is a piece to be treasured. An Hour From Paris has given me a new perspective and a new appreciation.
J. Lindquist, USA
Just what I will want to bring back with me when I come to Paris again.
J. Bracker, USA
I love your book! I had an absolutely fabulous time exploring several of your suggested trips. It added so very much to my visit.
R. Kleiman, USA
We really enjoyed your book!
M. Bell, UK
I have derived much pleasure from it and recommend it whenever I can.
R. Lampard, Paris
A far cry from boring old Michelin. Please bring us another as good as this invaluable guide.
F. Portier, Paris
I love your book. We have gotten to nearly every place, all good solid recommendations so far. We find ourselves talking – and being treated – as travel experts on the Ile de France after just two trips. Thanks for giving us the status and for adding to our appreciation for the world.
F. Lauran, USA
It was great visiting the small towns. Thank you for the updates to your book.
R. Francies
Bought your book recently and already visited two places. My wife and I admire your taste.
S. Kumar, Paris
We had a wonderful time following some of your suggested day-trips. We have recommended your book to many others and look forward to book two.
M. Shelley, USA
I've enjoyed your book so much that I've tried to repeat the experience with other French walking guide books...after a few of these experiences we run back to yours. You're not afraid to state when something is ugly or unpleasant, so absent in today's uber-sanitized writing. Thanks again for showing us some of Ile de France's most delightful spots.
K. Tilbury and C. Mitrache, Paris
I was so impressed with its thoroughness and comprehensiveness...it is a really good guide.
M. Jackson, UK
Thank you for writing a wonderful book about places to visit around Paris. Now that I've tried six of your recommendations I feel I might be up to trying places off my own bat. Looking forward to a second publication.
B. Crothers, UK
Life-changing.
Retired BBC producer, UK
Your book is a treasure. Our friends, who spend four months of the year in Paris, consider it their travel bible for day trips from Paris.
M. Herb, Honolulu
Your book is absolutely incredible. We've done all the trips and had such fun with it.
J. Brumpt, Paris
The details and suggestions are very accurate. I feel that this is one of the most rewarding guidebooks I have ever found and I highly recommend it.
Zoecat, USA (readers' forum, www.slowtrav.com)
An excellent guidebook, thoroughly researched and chock full of practical information as well as descriptions of the 'sights'. If you want to explore near Paris, there's nothing better. We'll be moving up to the revised version for sure.
D. McMane, Paris
An Hour From Paris is a marvel.
David Burke, author of Writers in Paris, www.writersinparis.com
We loved your book and have used it several times when we were in Paris.
M. Burgess, Oxygen Books, UK
We have used your book for ideas for the group. Your research is fantastic.
P. Leavy, volunteer director of The Friday Tour Group, Paris
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