Posts by author Bryan Pirolli
Enjoy a picnic in the Places des Vosges. Photo: Marko Maras
You really don’t have to spend much money at all to enjoy Paris. Sure, food and a hotel will require a bit of an investment, but if you play your cards right, you can soak up the best Paris has to offer without dropping an extra euro. That’s because there are hundreds of free things » Read more
When it comes to the age-old struggle between eating in and dining out, Paris is no exception. Restaurants are top-notch, with prices to match. Cooking your own meals (if you’re lucky enough to have access to a kitchen) or even picnicking outside will save you loads of euros. However, tourists might find it difficult to navigate » Read more
Go ahead and push! Photo: Adrien.Paris
Riding the Metro is a staple of everyday life for Parisians. But the unwritten code of conduct isn’t something that comes instinctively to the more than 4 million people who hop on board every day. In fact, each year 1.5 billion riders use the Paris Metro — that’s almost on par with New York City! » Read more
The Louvre is free on "first Sundays" from October to March. Photo: Brandon
Paris is so saturated with museums, monuments and historical landmarks that it’s difficult to know where to begin planning. But once you’ve booked your airfare and secured a good price on a Paris hotel, it’s time to start thinking about the fun stuff. For those looking to save some euros, one place to begin your » Read more
A stay at Hôtel Eiffel Rive Gauche puts you extremely close to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Photo: Booking.com
While searching for Paris affordable hotels, have you considered the importance of your hotel’s location? If you ask us, it’s très important. Regardless of whether you only have two days in Paris or a whole week, you should always consider the perks of its location. A few extra euros per night could mean the difference » Read more
Arrive early (or late), as the Musee d'Orsay is one of the most popular museums in Paris. Photo: dalbera
An old train station built for the 1900s World Fair, the Musée d’Orsay became the city’s premier museum for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art when it opened in 1986. It’s the place to see all of the French art that you know so well: Monet, Seurat, Cezanne, etc. Far from a secret spot, everyone loves flocking » Read more
Yes, you can survive the Louvre. Plan ahead, visit late, and remain calm. Photo: T. Meyers
The most visited museum in the world boasts more than a few masterpieces. With over 35,000 pieces of art on display and a crush of visitors six days a week, the Louvre is anything but quaint and calming. It can easily be one of the most exhausting experiences possible in Paris — even if it is » Read more
The Champs-Elysees all lit up for the holidays. Photo: Anophi
There’s a nip in the air, but with Christmas right around the corner, Paris always seems to shine a bit brighter during the holiday season. But all those extra bobbles and balls do not mean you can’t still find some affordable cheer around town. It’s not too late to book one of the best cheap » Read more
Wine tasting in France. Photo: Elle Hughes
If you’re anything like us, then you love the taste (and price!) of wine when you’re traveling in Europe. And it doesn’t get more French than sipping wine or Champagne on a café terrace anywhere in France or buying a bottle from your favorite wine shop in Paris. For those who want to learn a little » Read more
Sailing into Marseille. Photo: Craig Nelson
France is one of the world’s most visited destinations for a reason. From the dreamy cultural capital of Paris to the glitz and glam of the sun-soaked Cote d’Azur, France ticks off every box. History and culture? Food and wine? Natural beauty? Art and architecture? More wine? Check, check and check. While it’s tempting to » Read more
French bee is getting a lot of buzz from budget travelers. Photo: Eric Salard
Are you thinking of heading to Paris for 2020? You might want to start making your travel plans sooner than later. Two airlines based in France, French bee and Corsair, have just announced that they will be launching new routes between Newark and Paris with rock-bottom prices starting next June. I remember being a student and » Read more
Mont Saint Michel. Photo: Romain Cloff
Looking for a dramatic destination for your trip to France? It’s hard to beat Le Mont-Saint-Michel, an 8th-century abbey perched on a rocky island in Normandy. This pilgrimage site is where access was once dictated by the rise and fall of the English Channel’s tide. Today, a modern bridge and free buses shuttle visitors across » Read more
A sculpture on Omaha Beach. Photo: Richard Matthews
After commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings earlier this year, the Beaches of Normandy continue to welcome tourists to remember the battles that turned the tide in World War II. Beautiful landscapes, intense history, and a sobering dose of the realities of war all blend to make a worthwhile trip away from the » Read more
There's so much more to the Louvre than Mona. Photo: MMatins
Looking for advice about how to act or what to do during your upcoming trip to Paris? The amount of “advice” online can be daunting, with endless lists about how to act like a “real” Parisian (whoever they are!). The truth is, there isn’t just one type of Parisian, nor is there one way to » Read more
The Metro is a great way to get around Paris, but is buying a Navigo pass worth your time? We investigate. Photo: Bryan Pirolli
Everyone wants to feel like a local in Paris, and taking the Metro is one of the best ways to achieve such status. But is it worth taking the plunge and subscribing to a transit pass, called the Navigo? Let’s break it down. The Navigo The Navigo pass is a card that allows you to » Read more
A rainbow over Notre Dame. Photo: Bryan Pirolli
The smoke has stopped billowing. The rose windows are intact. The tears have dried. Watching Notre Dame burn was heart-wrenching, but the cathedral still stands, and will, as it has since its construction. President Macron has already committed to rebuilding the cathedral, even if his five-year estimate seems a bit ambitious. Money has been pouring » Read more
Guess who's about to win at this game of Three Card Monte on the streets of Paris? Not the tourist! Photo: Gilgongo
Are you worried that a vacation to the City of Light might cost too much? We think Paris is pretty affordable, especially if you follow our tips for budget success. However, costly mistakes lurk around every (picture-perfect) corner. If you hit a snag that sets you back €20, €40, or even €60, well, it still » Read more
We'd rather be eating in Paris. Photo: Pedro Szekely
Dining out in Paris can be a difficult task on a budget, especially for first-time visitors. There are so many restaurants and recommendations to take in that just deciding where to go — or even which neighborhood to head to! — can be a laborious process unto itself. I’m not going to make individual restaurant » Read more
Happy in love on the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. Photo: Waqas Ahmed
Whether you’re a gay couple from New York celebrating your right to wed or you’re simply inspired by the romantic aura of the City of Light, proposing in Paris never goes out of style. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the spectacular Pont des Arts (where couples used to show their love with padlocks), people » Read more
No need to tip on a glass (or two!) of wine. Photo: Craig Nelson
In a city where customer service is as low a priority as cleaning up after your dog, the scarcity of tipping in Paris should come as no surprise. Still, many Americans find it difficult to stop calculating 15-20% of the bill before it hits the café table. Some visitors and foreigners in Paris take a » Read more
The Eiffel Tower sparkles in the summer sun. Photo: Tommie Hansen
“Paris is always a good idea,” Audrey Hepburn told us in the 1954 film, Sabrina. I may be biased, but of course, I agree. Winter, spring, summer or fall, there’s never a bad time to come to Paris, just better times for some travelers depending on your budget and what attractions you want to see. » Read more
Jardins du Palais next to the Louvre. Photo: Ernest
Looking for new ways to enjoy Paris? Perhaps it’s your second or third visit, and you just want to do something a bit different this time. Or maybe it’s your first visit, but you just want to avoid the throngs of tourists lined up around popular sites like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Eiffel Tower. » Read more
Enjoy that outdoor seat at a classic cafe, but remember, you don't have to tip. Photo:
Let’s face it, being a first-time visitor in Paris isn’t easy. Travelers have to deal with everything from jet lag and language barriers, to a new currency and figuring out the public transit system. Some of us save up our whole lives to visit the City of Light, so pricey mistakes aren’t something we want » Read more
Paris is waiting for you! Photo: Craig Nelson
Sometimes preparing for a trip to Paris can seem daunting. With so many world-class museums, beautiful landmarks, attractive neighborhoods, delicious bakeries, authentic bistros, and charming small streets — how do you even start to prepare? Before you feel completely overwhelmed, take a deep breath. And maybe pour a glass of wine (French, of course). More » Read more
The Luxembourg Gardens as another day sets on Paris. Photo: Andrew Crump
Previously on EuroCheapo, we’ve presented helpful itineraries for a one-day trip to Paris that takes you to the city’s main attractions and a two-day trip that also includes the Left Bank and Montmartre. We’ve also talked about how to spend your first day in Paris. For a three-day tour, you’ll have even more liberty to » Read more
