We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Tourism

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Michelin Guide?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 11,652
Share

The Michelin Guide is a famous travel guide which rates primarily European hotels and restaurants. In 2005, the Michelin company expanded the offerings of the guide, moving to North America. The company was projected to add major cities on other continents as well, starting in 2007. For Europe, the Michelin Guide is considered to the ultimate authority on places to stay and eat.

The guides started in 1900, when Antoine and Edouard Michelin, founders of the Michelin company, began publishing travel guides to assist motorists who were traveling in France. The two men had already made numerous innovations in automotive technology, a legacy which has continued in the diverse offerings of the Michelin company. Initially, the guides were distributed for free to customers, but the men began charging for them as the guides expanded across Europe.

The traditional Michelin Guide, known in French as Le Guide Michelin, has a red cover, and is sometimes called “The Red Guide” or simply “The Mich.” Inside, a traveler can look up an extensive listing of hotels and restaurants, along with ratings. Each establishment is rated by anonymous inspectors, who look at the quality of service, consistency, value, the personality of the establishment, and the skill of the proprietor. The ratings in the Michelin Guide are indicated with universal symbols.

In rare cases, a review is accompanied with a star. A Michelin star is one of the most coveted honors in the restaurant business, as very few restaurants are given a single star, let alone the ultimate honor of three stars. A single star indicates that the restaurant is considered to be excellent, while two stars suggests that it is “worth a detour,” and three stars indicate “exceptional cuisine and worth the journey,” according to the Michelin Company.

A subsidiary of the Michelin Guide is the Green Guide, which focuses on travel and tourism attractions. The Green Guide uses the same system, offering universal ratings and brief descriptions of the sights of a nation. The company also releases guides which focus individually on destinations with an excellent value, hotels with characters, and quick escapes. For Europe, the Michelin Guide is an excellent resource, although more independent travelers may want to balance it with another guide. Outside of Europe, the influence of the Michelin Guide will continue to grow.

Critics have pointed out that Michelin inspectors appear to prefer traditional French cuisine. All four three star restaurants in the United States, for example, are classic French restaurants. Travelers are advised to take this under advisement when using the Michelin Guide.

Share
WiseTour is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseTour researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisetour.com/what-is-the-michelin-guide.htm
Copy this link
WiseTour, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseTour, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.