cheap Internet access-Europe for visitors

[shootingstar]

Help.

My partner's laptop computer became non-functional even before the plane left Vancouver. He's been trying to fix the problem since then.

Now he's in Paris and will be cycling his way to Brussels. Apparently Internet paid access at hotel is quite expensive.

1. Ok...do the public libraries in large European cities offer free/low cost Internet access via their public computers within the library? Yes, I am a librarian but I don't know the differences in this area for public libraries in Europe.

Here in Canada and U.S., many public libraries do allow visitors limited time to drop by their public library branch and allow you to surf the Internet, including to check webmail. No charge..at least not for the places I've been in Hawaii, New England, Washington state, etc.

2. What other options would you suggest for him as he travels across France and Belgium. (Netherlands is on his way back from Brussels.)

He's looking at buying a laptop which I can see why (long litany of reasons which I won't disclose ) ..but probably very expensive.

We are so spoiled here in Canada..Internet is cheap and bandwidth gets better and better.