Parisian Life of Phil Holliday: Everyday Adventures and Hidden Gems

Everyone talks about wanting to live in Paris, but what’s it really like when you pack your bags and dive right in? Phil Holliday actually did it. He traded English comforts for Parisian quirks—and found that real Paris living is nothing like those perfect Instagram feeds.

Phil’s first shock was the size of his apartment. Think tiny, then shrink it again. Paris apartments can be as small as a public restroom, and you’ll quickly learn the art of living with less. If you’re thinking of making the move, start by getting brutal about what you actually need. Less stuff means more room for good coffee and midnight cheese runs.

Don’t expect big supermarkets on every block. Phil found his rhythm hunting for fresh bread in tiny boulangeries and squeezing into mini-markets jammed with locals. He swears by shopping early in the day—bakeries sell out fast, and the freshest produce never lasts. Want to fit in? Greet the shopkeeper with a quick “Bonjour” (don’t skip this part) or you’ll feel the Parisian chill real quick.

• Who Is Phil Holliday?
• Landing in Paris: First Steps and Surprises
• Surviving Small Apartments and City Life
• The Local’s Food Scene: Beyond the Stereotypes
• Making Connections: Friends and Community
• Best-Kept Secrets: Phil’s Parisian Favorites

Who Is Phil Holliday?

Phil Holliday is the kind of guy who moved from England to Paris and never looked back. Born and raised near London, he first came to Paris for a short contract job in creative media back in 2010. What was supposed to be a brief adventure turned into more than a decade of Parisian living, adapting day by day to a city that never really lets you relax.

He’s become something of a go-to resource for English-speaking newcomers who want real talk, not travel brochure fluff. Phil runs a blog and a lively social feed where he shares daily challenges and wins about navigating French paperwork, surviving strike season, and finding a decent cup of tea in a city obsessed with espresso.

Phil’s story is relatable because it’s unfiltered. He talks about the times he embarrassed himself mangling French (it happens a lot), and the endless paperwork battles with Parisian landlords and utility companies. But he also lights up about the small things that make the hassle worth it: biking along the Seine, catching last-minute tickets to local gigs, and finding friends among people who were total strangers a week ago.

Here are a few fast facts about Phil that help explain why so many people follow his story:

• Moved to Paris at age 27.
• Speaks English and intermediate French (still learning slang).
• Works in digital content creation and consulting.
• Lives in the 11th arrondissement—close to everything but not flooded with tourists.

To give you a better idea of how his life stacks up compared to the average Parisian and fellow expats, check out the stats below:

When people talk about the Parisian Life of Phil Holliday, it’s about the little wins, the everyday mess-ups, and the real grit it takes to build a life from scratch in a city that doesn’t make it easy. If that sounds like the kind of honest take you need on Paris, Phil is your guy.

Landing in Paris: First Steps and Surprises

Getting off the plane at Charles de Gaulle, Phil Holliday wasn’t hit by romance—he was hit by chaos. Paris airports aren’t famous for their friendliness, and finding the RER train to the city center is harder than you’d think when you’re tired and dealing with French signs. A practical tip: grab your ticket from one of the blue machines near the baggage claim and keep an eye on your bags—the train can get crowded and pickpocketing’s a real thing.

Phil’s first apartment hunt was an eye-opener. The Paris rental market is wild. Most landlords want a mountain of paperwork: pay slips, a guarantor, sometimes even your parent’s birth certificate (yeah, seriously). Phil found it faster to use agency websites like SeLoger or PAP, but English-speakers can also check out expat life groups on Facebook—sometimes people post reliable, short-term places there.

• Always visit an apartment before sending any money—scams happen a lot online.
• Get photocopies of your passport and keep digital backups. French agencies love paperwork and lose it all the time.
• If you’re on a budget, skip the trendy quartiers and check outer arrondissements—19th and 20th are cheaper but full of character.

One surprise Phil didn’t expect was the language barrier. Don’t count on everyone speaking English, even in the touristy Marais. Phil struggled with opening a bank account—French banks are old-school, and staff don’t always have patience for foreigners. Tip: bring a French-speaking friend with you, or use an app like Revolut as a starter account.

Moving to Paris isn’t all croissants and wine. The admin is brutal, the pace is fast, and people won’t wait while you fumble your French. Phil powered through, asking dumb questions at the corner café and joining free French classes at the town hall (mairie). It’s rough at first, but those surprises make you adapt fast—and suddenly, the city doesn’t feel like a stranger anymore.

Surviving Small Apartments and City Life

The average Paris apartment is under 35 square meters (about 375 square feet), and Phil’s place is no exception. If you’re moving here, you’ll face some tight spaces and need to get clever with storage. Phil quickly figured out that multi-purpose furniture isn’t a trend; it’s a must. Using a sofa bed instead of a regular couch can turn your living room into a guest space or even your own bedroom if needed. Wall shelves and under-bed boxes help keep clutter off the floor.

Keeping organized is key. Phil goes for the “one in, one out” rule—whenever he buys something new, something old has to go. Otherwise, even the fanciest flat gets stuffed fast. For renters, leases in Paris often last one year minimum, but there’s usually a three-month security deposit and tons of paperwork—passport copies, bank statements, proof of income, even a guarantor sometimes.

• Choose collapsible or stackable furniture
• Store out-of-season clothes under the bed
• Put hooks on every available wall or door
• Buy only what you use weekly

Sharing walls isn’t just about noise. Paris buildings are old—some from the 1800s—so insulation is so-so and sometimes you pick up your neighbor’s WiFi more than your own. Don’t get too romantic about old architecture though; hot showers don’t last forever and the elevator (if you even have one) might be the size of a phone booth. Phil keeps a backup supply of basics for days when apartment quirks strike.

Phil Holliday swears that the key to surviving city life isn’t just making peace with close quarters. Paris living means using every corner smartly and being ready for curveballs—like a neighbor’s impromptu party on a Tuesday night. Earplugs are as necessary as a metro pass. It’s cramped, it’s noisy, and it’s real, but if you’re up for the challenges, your Paris experience will feel just as big as the city itself.

The Local’s Food Scene: Beyond the Stereotypes

When people think about Paris, they imagine fancy cafés and five-star restaurants, but Phil Holliday will tell you this: most Parisians keep things simple. For the best food, skip the tourist traps lining the big boulevards. Head instead to where locals actually eat. Phil’s rule of thumb? Any bistro packed with people after noon is probably doing something right.

Supermarkets like Monoprix or Franprix are convenient for basics, but Phil swears real Paris flavor comes from small shops. Here are his go-to stops:

• Boulangeries for fresh baguettes—Phil swears by Du Pain et des Idées in the 10th. They sell over 1,500 baguettes per day, and Parisians line up early.
• Fromageries for cheese—at Laurent Dubois, you’ll find about 100 varieties on offer, from aged Comté to soft Brillat-Savarin.
• Outdoor markets—Marché Bastille, for instance, has over 100 stalls and is open twice a week. Phil says this is where you get the tastiest strawberries in June.

Parisian food life is about routine. Phil usually grabs a big slice of quiche for lunch from a neighborhood patisserie. Restaurants often offer a “formule midi,” which is a set lunch menu. Pro tip: these deals save you at least 30% compared to dinner prices.

People are surprised to learn that almost half the meals eaten at home in Paris aren’t fancy at all. It’s not rare to see a Parisian dinner plate with pasta or a simple omelette. Good ingredients matter more than complicated recipes. High-quality eggs from the market or a wedge of fresh cheese will make even the plainest meal pop.

Here’s a snapshot of what the average Parisian spends on food per week, according to a 2023 Paris city survey:

Want Phil’s biggest tip for enjoying the Paris food scene? Skip restaurant chains. Instead, ask locals where they go for coffee or lunch—most are happy to point you in the right direction if you’re courteous. And always try the neighborhood “plat du jour,” since that’s what the chef is really proud of that day.

Making Connections: Friends and Community

Landing in Paris solo is exciting and a bit scary. Phil Holliday knew nobody when he arrived, but he quickly figured out that building a circle here takes effort—especially if you don’t speak French like a native. Parisians aren’t known for randomly starting friendships in the street, so Phil had to get creative.

He swears by language exchanges—places like Café Français or Franglish are gold mines for meeting locals and fellow expats. The energy is relaxed, and everyone’s just there to chat. Phil also found Meetup.com super helpful. There are regular meetups for expats, hobby groups, film nights, and international dinners. Most people who show up are ready to talk and make friends.

• Join a language exchange every week (Café Français is popular and costs about €6 for a spot).
• Sign up for a sports club or a running group—Phil found his closest friend this way at the Vincennes parkrun.
• Try a cooking class. You pick up a skill, and nobody asks awkward questions if your French is basic.

Phil learned quickly that consistency matters. Showing up again and again means people start to remember your face, and soon, invites to small gatherings or Facebook group chats follow. One thing that helped him was saying yes to almost every invite at first, even if it was a museum trip or a late-night picnic on the Seine.

Making connections in Paris doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen if you get out there. For perspective, here’s a little breakdown of how Phil built his first friend groups in his first year:

For anyone jumping into Paris life like Phil, a little effort pays off fast. Go in open-minded and open to awkward moments—they usually turn into the best stories anyway.

Best-Kept Secrets: Phil’s Parisian Favorites

Everyone’s seen the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but ask Phil Holliday, and you’ll get a totally different list of must-see Paris spots. He’s got a knack for dodging the tourist traps and heading straight for the real Paris. Here are some of his personal favorites—places and tricks you probably won’t find in a travel brochure.

• Phil Holliday loves Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement. Most tourists skip it, but the locals fill up the grass on sunny afternoons. The park’s hilly paths, fake temple, and lake are perfect for a lazy weekend picnic or people-watching.
• If you want fresh cheese, Phil heads to Fromagerie Quatrehomme on Rue de Sèvres. Forget supermarket cheese—this little shop is where Parisians actually buy the good stuff. Tip: Don’t be shy to ask for tasting recommendations; staff are used to out-of-towners and really know cheese.
• If you’re tired of café prices, Phil often grabs a classic jambon-beurre sandwich at Carton Boulangerie, right by Gare de l’Est. It’s cheap, quick, and way better than overpriced tourist menus.
• For a taste of Paris nightlife without the crazy crowds, Phil recommends Le Comptoir Général. It’s tucked away off Canal Saint-Martin, with mismatched furniture and funky drinks—it’s mostly locals, artists, and students hanging out.
• For used books (in English and French), Phil always checks San Francisco Book Company in the 6th. You can find surprising classics for just a few euros, especially on rainy days.

Want to avoid crowds at places like Montmartre? Phil skips Sacré-Cœur and heads up the less-busy Rue de l'Abreuvoir. It’s got the same old-school charm without the bus tours. Grab a coffee from Le Consulat, sit outside, and just watch the world go by.

If you want the best Paris experience according to Phil, don’t just rush through the checklist. Take slower walks, try new bakeries often, and strike up real conversations. Paris is a city made for wandering—and if you follow some of Phil’s tips, you’ll see a side of it most visitors totally miss.