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A Day in Paris on a Budget
- Walkabout Paris
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
Exploring Paris can be as expensive or as cheap as you like. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the sights, culture and experiences without breaking the bank.
Breakfast - Cost: €4
One of my favourite cafés in Paris is Jozi on Quai de la Tournelle. Grab a coffee and a free croissant to take away. In just a few minutes, you could walk to Notre-Dame and sit on the steps facing the cathedral- amazing first thing in the morning when it is quiet and the sun is coming up behind Notre-Dame.
Coffee tip- for a cheaper coffee, order a café (espresso) or an allongé (like an Americano but slightly smaller). The price hikes up when you start adding milk!
Morning activities - Cost: Free
While you are here, pop into Notre-Dame. It is free to enter and the best time to come is first thing in the morning (I say first thing- I mean around 9am). There is a daily service at 8am, which means that the area behind the alter is closed off until around 9am. There might be a small line to enter but it moves very quickly and you'll be inside in no time. An absolutely stunning cathedral and it is better from the inside.
History Hit- Check out our future blogs for the history of Notre-Dame.
Take a stroll over to the Marais and visit the Carnavalet Museum. It’s free to go in and is open from 10am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday. A great museum dedicated to the history of the city. I quite enjoy the upper floor section on the 1789 Revolution.
Whilst you are in the Marais, take time to wander and flaneur your way around the intricate streets and browse the interesting shops and galleries. If you have a few Euros spare- grab yourself a crepe.
Lunch - Cost: €5
Rather than sitting down to a pricey meal, head to one of the hundreds of amazing Boulangers and Patisseries in the city. My favourite is on the corner of Rue Monge and Rue Cardinal Lemoine, but you can find great produce all over the city. A sandwich will set you back around €5 or less in many cases. If you want to splurge, grab a wonderful dessert. It will be hard to resist.
Afternoon activities - Cost: Free
Back across the river, you have the wonderful parks of Jardin du Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes, in the 6th and 5th arrondissements respectively. One of my favourite things to do after lunch is stroll and sit in a park with a book. I love the green chairs in the Luxembourg.
Tip: Check out out future blogs for a full day out on the Left Bank of the city.
Evening Drink - Cost: €4
Happy Hour is a Parisian must. Most pubs and bars offer a happy hour of some sort and the prices can be very good indeed. My favourite is Montebello, right along from Jozi on Quai Montebello. Happy Hour runs from 3pm-11pm and a pint of blonde (lager) or a glass of wine is only €4.
Most people sit outside on the terrace. It is a lively crowd- full of students, locals and tourists and it has stunning views of Notre-Dame from before sunset to after sunset. My go-to place for an evening beer.
Dinner Cost: €14
Right opposite Montebello is an Italian pizza restaurant. Grab a pizza (take away and sit on the quay, or eat in) for €10 plus around €4 for a glass of wine. Bargain!
Tip: When you are in a restaurant, bar or café, make sure you order a carafe d'eau. It is tap water, delicious and free. It will save you spending money on bottled water. If you do buy bottled water, fill it up at one of the many fountains around the city.
Evening Cost: €2
The best things in Paris can be free, or very cheap. We love to grab a beer at a local store and head to one of the bridges where buskers play music- two of the best are Pont des Arts and Pont Saint-Louis. A perfect evening stroll along the Seine and a beer whilst listening to some music and gazing at the immaculate Parisian skyline. Is there a better way to end your day in the City of Light!
Total cost for the day: €29
I hope you picked up some tips on how to explore the best parts of Paris cheaply. Please let me know some of your own money saving tips when visiting Paris.
Happy travels
Peter
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