Posts by author Bryan Pirolli
You can still find a good €1 espresso in Paris. Photo: Mariela M.
With so many chic coffee shops opening in Paris offering locally-roasted high quality brews, Cheapos might lament the loss of notoriously cheap café. But fear not! Paris’ City Hall workers took it upon themselves to crowd source places in Paris where €1 espresso still exists, reassuring locals and tourists alike. The results are in from » Read more
It can feel like you have the city to yourself in August. Photo: Aurora Chiste
It’s August and that means vacation time in Paris! While the Louvre and Notre Dame are flooded with tourists from around the world, one piece of Paris is curiously lacking – the Parisians. Neighborhoods around town have seemingly emptied out and the usually crowded parks and picnic spots have a surplus of vacant space for » Read more
Bastille Day – or Le Quatorze Juillet – is right around the corner on July 14, so it’s time to prepare. The national holiday in France is a serious affair. Fortunately, no matter what your tastes are, there’s plenty to do in Paris all day long without emptying your wallet. Here’s this year’s round-up of » Read more
Many meat choices at the boucher (butcher). Photo: Yun Huang Yong
Even though the summer has technically been in full swing for a while, cold weather and rainy days in Paris have suppressed the always anticipated picnic season. Fortunately, temperatures are creeping up high into the 70s F (wow!), teasing locals back out to the banks of the Seine and to parks with promises of wine » Read more
For kids, the Latin Quarter's the place to be. Photo: Candlemaker
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— In the same way that every region in France has its specialty food, every neighborhood in Paris has its strong point. (Some areas just do a thing better!) To save you from seeking free museums or cheap eats in the wrong section of town, we’ve compiled a list of 10 popular Paris activities and neighborhoods that do them » Read more
The entrance to the George V in Paris. Walk on in! Photo: Alan Light
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— When walking the streets of Paris, every experience seems special, from buying that perfect baguette to spotting your new favorite article of clothing in a store window. So why should something as necessary as going to the bathroom be any different? If you can drink a glass of wine in » Read more
Keep an eye out for "Laverie" when you need some fresh clothes. Photo: Photo by Barthelemy de Mazenod on Unsplash
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— While walking down Avenue Montaigne in Paris and checking out the Chanel and Givenchy shops, I get self-conscious. This is why I rarely walk down that particular street. Fashion is a quintessential part of Parisian culture, whether we like it or not. Alas, if I’m not going to wear designer clothes in » Read more
Ready to move to France? Read on... Photo: Bryce Edwards
What’s the biggest expense for anyone coming to Paris? Usually, the plane ticket. If you’re looking to trade in that round trip for a cheaper one-way ticket to the City of Light and start up a life here, it’s harder than you think—but not impossible. Expat Aurelia D’Andrea, a California native, literally wrote the book » Read more
Fresh salads (and desserts) at Merce and the Muse in the Marais. Photo: Yelp.com
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— A culinary capital renowned for its elaborate pastries, steak frites, cheese and wine, Paris isn’t by any means perfect. Recent investigations revealed that many of those carefully prepared dishes that tourists dine on in restaurants are nothing more than reheated frozen meals (more on that here in English). Zut alors… » Read more
Paris has perfected the café experience... but not necessarily the coffee. Photo: Pat Guiney
Paris is known for its café culture – lounging on a terrace all day long with a good book, some writing, and fantastic people watching. But when it comes to the actual café, the consensus among coffee-enthusiasts is that Paris doesn’t really brew the best cup of joe in Europe. Blame the beans, blame the » Read more
Vahram Muratyan compares two cities' neighborhoods in his new book, "Paris versus New York, a tally of two cities."
Vahram Muratyan’s book Paris vs. New York: A Tally of Two Cities has been making quite an impression on big city dwellers. Debuting at Colette last year in Paris and launching in February in New York, the book visually chronicles the comparisons and contrasts between both iconic cities. Images illustrate the cultural showdown, like the macaron » Read more
It’s the weekend (or a Tuesday, no difference) and Paris’ Marais neighborhood is a cheapo haven for a gay night out on the town. From long happy hours to cover-free dancing, there’s no reason to empty your pockets. Happy hours galore The Marais, French for “swamp,” is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, located » Read more
How much should we tip? Figuring out the bill in the States is not always easy. Photo: Slick Vic
We always experience culture differences as foreigners in Paris, and I’ve written about it before. (See my previous post “Are Parisians Rude?”) But what about the other side of the coin? How do Parisians react when visiting the States? During a holiday luncheon with some Parisian friends while in New York, we Americans were allowed » Read more
The Fragonard shop on rue du Mont Thabor. Photo: House of Hall
If you’re playing Santa from Paris this year, you might be hard-pressed to find any elves to help you with your list. With overpriced Christmas markets and no sales until January, shopping for friends and family can be a daunting – not to mention costly – task. So for each person on your list, be » Read more
Don't pay more than €18 for that steak frites! Photo: John
Sometimes when I hear what people spend on certain items in Paris, I can’t help but feel a little depressed, especially if they tell me they’re on a budget. Splurge items aside, there are limits to what I’ll pay on everyday items (mostly in order to afford the aforementioned splurges — I’m only human!). To » Read more
How to find the best pain au chocolate in Paris? Read on... Photo: Saraicat
Whether it’s a trendy rosewater macaron or a classic chocolate éclair, Paris is a pastry-lover’s destination. Knowing where to go and what to get, however, can be daunting with so many tempting options in front of you. Sometimes it’s best to turn to the professionals for a little bit of advice before blowing euros on » Read more
There's nothing with enjoying a burger à la Francaise in Paris. Photo: Vince Kmeron
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— The long Parisian culinary tradition takes a sharp turn when it comes to the most quintessentially un-Parisian food, “le burger.” I can hear the groans of purists who wince at the very thought of ordering “un burger” in Paris. But for better or worse, the hamburger has become something of » Read more
Grab a Metro map in any station--they're free! Photo: Anniemole
While many essentials in Paris, like hotels and macarons, or even plastic bags and shopping carts, come with a price, other items are surprisingly free. Knowing when to ask for basic Parisian rights can be tricky, so here’s a list of a few things for which you should never have to drop a centime. Just » Read more
Naples has plenty of free sights, like the Castel dell'Ovo. Photo: Maritè Toledo
Even Paris-based writers need a chance to escape the City of Light every now and then to experience something different. This year, this Cheapo flitted off to Naples to check out the pizza and coastlines that make this Italian port city famous. I return to you tanned, relaxed, and full of tips for stretching your » Read more
A "bonjour" and "merci" go far when speaking with the locals. Photo: Tom Meyers
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— It’s a longstanding and debatable stereotype that Parisians are rude. Many visitors to Paris who try to speak French, order a salad without pork, or try to ask for directions often have the impression that the local they address are anything but kind and welcoming. It may be cultural misunderstanding, » Read more
Get thee to Versailles early! Photo: Gary Todd
Few experiences in Paris will leave you as spellbound and awestruck as the massive monarchical monolith that is the Palace of Versailles. Louis XIV’s palatial compound and spectacular gardens still wow visitors today just as they did during a period when nobles and mistresses filled the halls, hoping for a glimpse of the king himself. » Read more
Hitting the beach, Paris-style. Photo: Craig Morey
When summertime hits in Paris, the locals feel the pressure to go on vacation. The city traditionally empties out in August, but that tradition is no longer steadfast. Plenty of Parisians stay behind in August while tourists flock from all over the world to experience the City of Light. In addition to all of the » Read more
Find an outdoor concert in Paris to celebrate summer. Photo: Olivier Ortelpa
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Summertime and the livin’ is easy… and cheapo if you know where to head in Paris. While every other tourist is heading to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, the city offers an abundance of summertime options that will keep you dancing, bopping or enjoying a free flick. Here are » Read more
Grab some scoops at Amorino. Photo: Myhsu
As the sun starts beating down on a July afternoon in Paris, one surefire escape from the heat is a walk to the frozen food isle of the grocery store. Walk past the frozen bags of spinach and boxes of frozen pizza and you’ll find the cure to even the most sizzling of Parisian summer » Read more
Arrive early to climb the towers of Notre Dame — or wait. Photo: Miguel Mendez
Visitors to Paris quickly realize that, even before hitting their last centime, time is the city’s most precious commodity. Tourists want to do and see it all in… but have limited time. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Catacombs the options are vast. So while you’re budgeting your euros, » Read more
