Paris on a budget

Known as the global centre for art, fashion, flirtation, gastronomy and culture, Paris is a destination that should not be overlooked. It has a veritable wealth of things to do, see, touch and taste, but none of them cost the earth, especially if you go off the beaten track. Today, we’re looking at the best ways to enjoy the city on a budget from locations, accommodations, events and grabbing a bite to eat.

Travelling Paris: options

Walking is a perfectly viable way to see Paris and one of the most interesting since you’ll get to see so many hidden details. Paris is littered with unique shops and alleyway traders. It has hundreds of market stalls and many surprises to be had when you have the opportunity to dive down side streets and investigate, which you can only do while walking.

Cycling is another great way to see the city, particularly if you want to do a decent amount of distance. But don’t worry, you don’t need to bring your own bike, you can rent one. This can be done through Holland Bikes Tours & Rentals, Paris Bike Tours and eCityBikes - Bike Hire Paris among others. It’s an especially nice option in summer when you need to get some breeze on your skin. And if you’re feeling very chill a lot of these rental places have electric bikes too.

The metro isn’t a hugely cheap option but if you combine a day pass ticket with an out of centre hotel (which tend to come at a discount) then it makes your experience cheaper overall.

As a side note, January is the cheapest time to fly to Paris.

Places to see – cheap or free

There are some things that you just have to do in Paris, like take a look at the Eifel tower, the Louvre Museum and art gallery. While reasonably priced, these do cost a little bit. Some iconic sights though are totally free. These include the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sacré-Cœur.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a stunning example of religious constructions and is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Despite a brief fire it still holds some of France’s most irreplaceable artefacts. If you feel like you recognize the name, changes are that you do, since it was famously noted in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

The Arc de Triomphe in the Place Charles de Gaulle was constructed on the 15th of August, 1806. It was built in order to triumphal arch built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories. Not only is it a stunning icon in white, it comes with an observation deck which is publicly accessible, and wheelchair accessible.

Next is the Sacré-Cœur which is a marvel of architecture from the outside. This impressive Basilica in Paris is part of Roman Catholic church and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The grounds and garden are beautiful even to the non religious and for those who are devout (or just interested in the faith) mass and confession are regularly held.

Accommodation: Options

Whether it’s a romantic weekend, a girl’s holiday, a stag weekend or a family vacation, Paris is a very affordable option. We’ve pulled together some of the best budget accommodations that truly represent all that we love about Paris.

Chain

• Airbnb

Individual and small companies

• Hotel du Champ Mars

• St Christopher’s Inn Canal Hostel

• Mama’s Shelter

• Les Piaules Hostel Paris

• Hotel de la Mare

Food: Options

Finally, we’re looking at some of the best places to eat and experience the foodie culture that France is famous for. French food is defined by its decadence and use of rich, high quality ingredients. Things like fat marbled beef, duck breast, cream and red wine sauces are common place. Because of this you don’t need massive portions, luckily, since that can contribute to the cost.

Parisians love eating out, so everywhere you go you are going to find bistros, bars, street side cafés, patisseries and restaurants. In all honesty, it’s worth trying one of each at least. Each aspect has something wonderful to offer. Searching the side streets is what will find you the real diamonds, and there are so many that we couldn’t possibly give you a list of good ones without it turning into a top 100. Instead, we’re going to recommend some French classics that are affordable everywhere in Paris if you’re willing to take a quick wander.

Frogs legs. Yes, this is really a thing. Although not too common it is something that comes on a lot of people’s bucket lists for a French getaway. Shockingly, the best place to try this in an affordable way is in the supermarkets. The same goes for snails, which will be called escargot.

Croissants, or any kind of sweet bread really. Finding a patisserie will give you the best experience along with an authentic taste. If you’re clever you can also test them out on the breakfast menu if it’s included in your accommodation. A patisserie (French pastry bakery) is a better quality way to go, even on a budget. It’ll only be about 3€ for one since you can purchase them singularly. If you can afford to splash out around 5€ they also come in delightful flavours like chocolate and almond or iced but those are a novelty really. All butter is the most authentic and affordable way to go. Win, win.

Crepes. These tend to be a street vendor staple and since they come in sweet or savoury they are a great option to have all day. Of course, you can get these in Michelin star restaurants, but the ones at street vendor stalls are remarkably cheap and a true staple of the everyday Parisian.

Caramels. Paris is famous for it’s caramels and once again you can find them individually priced in patisserie and speciality chocolate shops. This makes it costly per gram but cheap if you just want a taste or to say you tried it.

Paris really is the city of romance but no matter what you go for, we know you’ll find something to fall in love with.