Posts by author Bryan Pirolli
Cool off with the right boisson at a Paris café. Photo: londonexpat
Few experiences in Paris are as rewarding as sitting at a café for hours with a single beverage, watching the world pass by. During the summer, the sidewalk terraces open and the street theater plays out in front of you. As long as you stay away from the most famous streets and tourist-laden cafés in » Read more
Feel the liberté of cycling through Paris. Photo:
Chung-Yao Yang
(Updated June 28, 2011 to reflect new Velib’ policies) Tourists coming to Paris look with desire at Vélib‘, the city’s public bike-share program. Until recently, when tourists asked me how to rent one, I was forced to dash hopes. For, until recently, you couldn’t hop on a bike unless you possessed a European chip-enhanced credit » Read more
See the city for free with these walking tours. Photo: Chris Waits
When it comes to discovering Paris, walking is the only surefire way to really get to know the city. Boats and buses are wonderful ways to explore, but they limit you and prevent you from going at your own pace. Bikes are great, but zipping through traffic means that you should, perhaps, pay attention to » Read more
Buying fruit at Paris' Bastille market. Photo: Jeremy Nelson
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Whether you’re navigating the stalls of the outdoor organic market at Boulevard Raspail or elbowing your way through the international clientele at the market in Belleville, there are a few things to know before braving a marché in Paris. Each market is unique and offers a local and intimate peek » Read more
The magnificent Insitut du Monde Arabe.
Photo: Godjo
Recent events in the Maghreb may have cut your trip to Egypt or Tunisia short, but fret not. Here in Paris a flourishing North African population shares its culture in plenty of delicious and delightful ways. North African nations of the once-mighty French empire, including present-day Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, still maintain important links with » Read more
Visit Monet's water lilies in the village of Giverny. Photo: Elliot Brown
As Paris begins to blossom, spring fever starts to hit and even the most ardent lovers of Paris may feel the itch to get away for a day and stretch their legs in the countryside. Many visitors will head to the grandiose Chateau de Versailles or even the nearby Chateau de Vincennes just to the » Read more
Skip the lines at the Eiffel Tower! Photo: B.P.
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— When you’re visiting Paris and “hitting the sights,” you shouldn’t spend half of your precious time waiting in lines. If you follow a few simple tips, you could curtail those lines and large groups and spend more time strolling the streets and relaxing in cafés after a day of successful » Read more
Graffiti art along the Rue Denoyez. Photos by Bryan Pirolli
Paris’ Belleville neighborhood is not exactly on the beaten path, but it’s a great opportunity for travelers to experience a less touristy side of the City of Lights. Of course the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are must-see sights, but graffiti art and Vietnamese food can offer a different kind of insight (and be a » Read more
The view from the top of Notre Dame. Photo: Levork
Sometimes in my tiny apartment in Paris, I find a few euros that I hid away for a rainy day, which are numerous in this city. Discovering a ten euro bill, however, can offer me the chance to do something fun, different, or exciting. To finish up the year, here’s a list of my top » Read more
All lit up at the Galeries Lafayette. Photo: charley1965
The holidays are a magical time in Paris. Due to a lack of a buffer holiday in the fall, the lights start going up just as Americans are digging in to their Thanksgiving turkey. Stores, public squares, and streets are all decorated with dazzling displays of holiday cheer brightening up the already aptly-named City of » Read more
Chez Victor Hugo. Photo: Fofo
The Marais, one of Paris’ most adorable neighborhoods, is home to chic boutiques, hip restaurants, and royal scenery. The trendy area also boasts rents that rival Manhattan’s Chelsea and West Village (with a gay culture to match!). However, there is plenty for Cheapos to enjoy as they walk through the city’s historical Jewish quarter and » Read more
Free Wi-Fi outside the Pompidou Museum. Photo: zoetnet
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— If you’re visiting Paris and need a wireless network, the first place you’ll probably turn is your hotel. These days, even cheap hotels have begun offering free Wi-Fi. However, sometimes hotels charge a ridiculous amount and sometimes they don’t offer a wireless network at all. Luckily, there’s no need to » Read more
Paris Metro all lit up. Photo: Edwin
Visitors coming to Paris might be at a loss when it comes to the cheapest way to navigate the Metro. It is one of the most convenient modes of transportation in Paris, but there are a few tricks that can help make sure it remains the least expensive as well (unless of course you walk!). » Read more
Riding a Vélib’ bike to see Notre Dame. Photo: Jon Worth
(Updated June 2011 to reflect new Velib’ policies.) We’ve been fans of Paris’ Vélib’ bike program since it debuted in July 2007. But how’s it faring three years later? In many respects it’s been a big hit with both locals and tourists (at least those lucky enough to have the right type of credit card). » Read more
On the Pont des Arts. Photo: JFGournet
Take a walk down the rue Saint Honoré or the Champs-Elysées and any tourist can understand why Paris is one of the world’s most expensive cities. The high cost of living, however, doesn’t hamper nightlife even for the most budget-conscious Parisian. Like good bread and wine, affordable nights out are abundant if you know where to » Read more
