<P> Michelin Guides (French: Guide Michelin (ɡid miʃ. lɛ̃)) are a series of guide books published by the French tyre company Michelin for more than a century . The term normally refers to the annually published Michelin Red Guide, the oldest European hotel and restaurant reference guide, which awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments . The acquisition or loss of a star can have dramatic effects on the success of a restaurant . Michelin also publishes a series of general guides to cities, regions, and countries, the Green Guides . </P> <P> In 1900, there were fewer than 3,000 cars on the roads of France . To increase the demand for cars and, accordingly, car tyres, car tyre manufacturers and brothers Édouard and André Michelin published a guide for French motorists in 1900, the Michelin Guide . Nearly 35,000 copies of this first, free edition of the guide were distributed; it provided useful information to motorists, such as maps, tyre repair and replacement instructions, car mechanics listings, hotels, and petrol stations throughout France . </P>

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