Posts by author Kristin Hohenadel
The facade of 59 Rivoli. Photo: lionsthlm
The Parisian artists squat has a storied history, with famous figures like Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani having taken up residence in city squats during the 20th century. Artists still dream of having a studio in the center of Paris, but prohibitive rents make this impossible for all but the lucky few. In recent years the » Read more
Shopping in Paris. Photo by Tristan Colangelo on Unsplash
For some people, vintage shopping in Paris means buying a second-hand Chanel bag or Hermès scarf from a high-end resale boutique. But Paris has always had its friperies, inexpensive secondhand clothing shops where you have to dig through piles of cast-offs to find a vintage pearl. Here are a handful of top good value addresses » Read more
Wait at the taxi stand, but don't try to hail one within 50 feet of them. Photo: errortribune
Everyone knows that taking public transportation to and from the airport is an easy way to keep travel costs down. But then there are those times when you land in Paris on a rainy day after a sleepless night in cramped cattle class and endure an escargot-paced jet-lagged slog through customs at the airport, or » Read more
Official taxis are easily identifiable by the "Taxi Parisien" panel perched on the roof. Photo: mil_rfx
Most budget-minded travelers operate on the assumption that taxis are a lazy waste of money, and often times this is true. But taking the occasional taxi to get from point A to point B is the sort of small luxury that can make a world of difference when you are tired, traveling with children or » Read more
"Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait." Photo: photokitty07
The quality drinking water in Paris is a precious resource that makes buying the plastic bottled variety a waste of funds, not to mention an obviously harmful gesture for the planet. The good news is that municipal Paris water tastes good. And it’s safe, free and widely available to locals and tourists alike. Drinking in » Read more
Not content to offer its citizens and guests mere free, clean, delicious tap water from the city’s 820 water fountains, Eau de Paris, the publicly funded organization that manages and promotes the city’s water, has introduced its third sparkling water fountain at the André Citroën park in the 15th arrondissement, offering complimentary chilled sparkling city » Read more
Hot on the streets of Paris? The catacombs offer a descent into a distinctly chillier place. Photo: seangraham
We’ve already given you some ideas on how to stay cool outdoors when Paris heats up. But when Paris on fire and you need a break from the stifling weather, sometimes it’s hard to know where to seek refuge in a town where the temperatures are usually mild enough to make air conditioning optional. Here » Read more
Many boulangeries close their doors in August. Photo: Darya Mead
Those who dare to visit the city of Paris in August, that infamous month when Parisians do their holy best to get out of town, have likely been confronted by a shuttered restaurant or shop with an unapologetic note on the door saying that they will be back in September and expect to see you » Read more
Professional pedicures are finally affordable and easy to find in Paris! Photo: maza34.
The first thing many American women notice when they land in Paris is the dearth of affordable nail salons on every corner like you might find in NYC or Los Angeles. French magazines and bloggers have long extolled the joys of the American nail salon and the affordable stateside luxury that is the mani-pedi. But » Read more
Touring Paris. Photo: Dennis Jarvis
Looking for a free guided tour of some untouristy corner of Paris and a way to actually meet a local other than a shopkeeper or a waiter? Part of the Global Greeter Network, Paris Greeters is an all-volunteer organization made up of outgoing tour guides who are passionate about their neighborhoods and anxious to share » Read more
Les Berges, the new cultural and recreational space along the Seine, offers a range of activities for all ages. Photo: paris.fr
The banks of the Seine river in Paris are a listed World Heritage site. In June, a month before Paris Plages set up shop in two locations along the river, the city returned a once car-clogged stretch of picturesque Left Bank riverside land to pedestrians. “Les Berges,” the more than three-year, 35 million ($47 million) » Read more
Don't forget to get your tax refund before heading home. Photo: Derek Key
One of the benefits of being a tourist is the 12% tax refund that is available to non EU-residents who plan on shopping while on vacation in Paris (and throughout most of Europe). There is a minimum purchase and a bit of paperwork to fill out, plus you will need to leave extra time at » Read more
Don't leave your iPhone out on your table in Paris. (Dramatic reenactment staged in EuroCheapo's office.)
More than half a million iPhones are stolen every year in Paris, and a majority of thefts on public transport, whether by pickpockets or more hands-on violent thieves, are targeted at iPhone owners. Here are some common sense tips about how to protect yourself before you leave for Paris, how to hamper a thief’s chances » Read more
Let us show you how to kick this supermarket meal up a notch. Photo: Craig Wyzik
To save on eating out or combat restaurant/waiter fatigue in Paris, sometimes it’s nice to stay in and enjoy a simple meal in your room. But we have watched one too many tourists wander through the dreary aisles of a French supermarket scavenging like lost urban seagulls for industrially made scraps when all of Paris » Read more
Don't be afraid to count your pennies in Paris. Photo: groume
We’ve given suggestions on how to avoid racking up ATM fees and offered an argument against indiscriminately using credit cards while traveling with your American wallet in Paris. To help you combat the stress of handling loose euro change and avoid ending up with an unused pile of centimes at the end of your trip, » Read more
Follow our advice for saving on your morning meal. Photo: Thomas van de Weerd
Breakfast in a Parisian café can be a lovely way to start your morning, but if you’re not careful it can also turn out to be a sorely overpriced treat. Here are a few pointers for enjoying the most important meal of the day without blowing your budget before lunch. Avoid the English-Speaking French Breakfast » Read more
Buy your Paris bus tickets before you hop on the bus. Photo: omaromar
The Paris Métro is quick and efficient, but when time isn’t an issue, we prefer riding the public bus. Wait times are longer and despite the dedicated bus lanes, traffic can slow you down. But you can step off easily if something catches your eye, and the big picture windows are a perfect way to » Read more
The Cinémathèque Francaise offers a museum, library and screenings. Photo: johnwilliamsphd
This film-loving city in the land where cinema was invented is home to a handful of state-subsidized cultural institutions dedicated to preserving the history of French film and document the city’s past and present. Open to the public, these collections offer an inexpensive, entertaining way to revisit classic films and get some perspective on Paris » Read more
You may find that using euros instead of plastic will save you actual cash. Photo: Analogicus
Many people prefer to pay for everything with plastic, to keep tabs on spending, accumulate rewards points or not have to hassle with ATMS or making change. But a brilliant system for managing your budget on home turf doesn’t always work when traveling in Europe, and hidden costs from using your American credit card abroad » Read more
Cooling off in the fountains of Trocadero. Photo: dany13
Average temperatures in summertime Paris hover at a reasonable 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is one of the reasons that air conditioning in the French capital is considered more luxury than necessity. But Paris weather can be as moody and unpredictable as a French man in love. And when temperatures soar, this means that traditional urban » Read more
The banks of the Seine turn into a beach during the summer in Paris. Photo: passionleica
In the summer of 2002, newly elected socialist Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë transformed the banks of the Seine into a sandy beach. The philosophy behind this spectacular gesture? To provide an urban oasis and a gathering place for cash-strapped Parisians on a staycation as well as the hordes of tourists who flock to the » Read more
Leaving a tip for a coffee really isn't necessary. Photo: Mike Fleming
Sometimes budget-minded travelers are so preoccupied with saving on big things like hotels and flights that they end up losing money in more stealthy ways, like spending unnecessarily by failing to embrace cultural differences. One way to avoid letting your trip to Paris burn a hole in your wallet? Think twice before you tip. Americans » Read more
Along with free fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, Bastille Day means free admission to many of the city's museums. Photo: Yann Caradec
Here are some budget-friendly ideas for how to celebrate French independence if you find yourself in the nation’s capital for Bastille Day this weekend. Warming Up Every year, Bastille Day (July 14) kicks off with the fireman’s brigade ball on the evening of July 13, where you can go and dance the night away (until » Read more
Not all pharmacies in Paris are created equal. Choose wisely and you can save big on beauty products. Photo: The LEAF Project
Models, beauty editors, bloggers, make-up artists and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow are always obsessing about the French pharmacy and its legendary selection of cult beauty products. These secret weapons aren’t overpriced luxury items sold in department stores but no-nonsense everyday staples that can be found in every French person’s medicine cabinet (and in every make-up » Read more
MK2 Cinemas offer a 5-ticket movie pass. Photo: Fred Romero
Going to the movies is a no-brainer of a cheap date pretty much anywhere in the world. But France is the birthplace of cinema, and the Lumière brothers invented the concept when they held their first paid public film screening in Paris in 1895. Today the French are Europe’s number one movie-going population (and in » Read more
