Budget for a week in Paris?
Nov 21st, 2008, 12:43 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, and also, if you haven't already done so, check out Google maps and click on street view to explore your Parisian neighborhood in advance!
Also, I agree with the other poster about North African eats like kebabs and stuff -- I think they have the best frites, too!...at least the one I went to on Rue des Abbesses). They are not created equally, unfortunately.
Oh, and how could I forget Coquelicot on rue des Abbesses -- good and cheap breakfast (also serves lunch and dinner). The best preserves and chocolat chaud! Good croque madame, too!
Also, I agree with the other poster about North African eats like kebabs and stuff -- I think they have the best frites, too!...at least the one I went to on Rue des Abbesses). They are not created equally, unfortunately.
Oh, and how could I forget Coquelicot on rue des Abbesses -- good and cheap breakfast (also serves lunch and dinner). The best preserves and chocolat chaud! Good croque madame, too!
Nov 21st, 2008, 01:00 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keep the tips coming, especially about ways to keep the expenses down! Loving it.
Believe me, I'm not crazy about spending 1/7 of my vacation at Disney-Paris. My hope is that a day or two in Paris will bring them around to my way of thinking. Again, though, I must go to my quiet place on this issue. . . ahh
McDonald's and Pizza: this is one area I'm thinking we can avoid. The kids have decent palates and tastes, not that they don't love pizza. But they're up for trying Parisien fare - within our budget. I mean, I'd love a tri-level shellfish platter at La Coupole, and so would they, but. . .
It's like our pediatrician told us when our first was born. We were discussing food and eating, and he said, "Make sure you don't feed her shellfish." My wife asked why, because of possible allergies? No, he explained: she'll love it and it costs a fortune!
Believe me, I'm not crazy about spending 1/7 of my vacation at Disney-Paris. My hope is that a day or two in Paris will bring them around to my way of thinking. Again, though, I must go to my quiet place on this issue. . . ahh
McDonald's and Pizza: this is one area I'm thinking we can avoid. The kids have decent palates and tastes, not that they don't love pizza. But they're up for trying Parisien fare - within our budget. I mean, I'd love a tri-level shellfish platter at La Coupole, and so would they, but. . .
It's like our pediatrician told us when our first was born. We were discussing food and eating, and he said, "Make sure you don't feed her shellfish." My wife asked why, because of possible allergies? No, he explained: she'll love it and it costs a fortune!
Nov 21st, 2008, 01:11 PM
#23
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have formerly used Sandra Gustafson's book Great Eats Paris with a lot of success. I suggest getting a copy of the last edition. There are good recs for places with formules for less than 20 euro for dinner.
Nov 21st, 2008, 01:14 PM
#24
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi laughing,
I was in Paris last November with 3 girlfriends and we stayed in an apartment. We would have breakfast in, each morning - cereal, toast, fruit etc and then we would make sandwiches for lunch. Each day we would take a sandwich, maybe a muffin, a piece of fruit and then we were able to have lunch wherever it took our fancy.
The only meal we had to buy was our dinner and I believe that there are many, many restaurants in Paris where you can have a very reasonably priced meal. We found that a number of restaurants had packages - two course - either an entree and main or main and dessert.
For sure, this is not 'fine dining' but I doubt that with the two children that that is what you would be after anyway.
I'm not a big souvenir buyer (I usually just buy a coffee mug so I am reminded of my destinations each morning) so I thought the 200 euros for souvenirs was maybe a bit high? But that could just be me!
When I travel I set my daily budget at $100 AU Dollars per day. This does not include accommodation but does include food, transport and admissions - some days are a little over and some are a little under. I really try to stick to my budget and I find having that figure in my head tends to keep me on track.
Happy Trails!
I was in Paris last November with 3 girlfriends and we stayed in an apartment. We would have breakfast in, each morning - cereal, toast, fruit etc and then we would make sandwiches for lunch. Each day we would take a sandwich, maybe a muffin, a piece of fruit and then we were able to have lunch wherever it took our fancy.
The only meal we had to buy was our dinner and I believe that there are many, many restaurants in Paris where you can have a very reasonably priced meal. We found that a number of restaurants had packages - two course - either an entree and main or main and dessert.
For sure, this is not 'fine dining' but I doubt that with the two children that that is what you would be after anyway.
I'm not a big souvenir buyer (I usually just buy a coffee mug so I am reminded of my destinations each morning) so I thought the 200 euros for souvenirs was maybe a bit high? But that could just be me!
When I travel I set my daily budget at $100 AU Dollars per day. This does not include accommodation but does include food, transport and admissions - some days are a little over and some are a little under. I really try to stick to my budget and I find having that figure in my head tends to keep me on track.
Happy Trails!
Nov 22nd, 2008, 03:59 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi L,
>the kids are thinking Leon de Bruxelles is the one place we must go.<
You have very good kids.
Fixed price dinner is about 16E.
>The apt. is very close to Odeon, ...<
Pizza Vesuvio is not far from you. Just across the street from St Germaine des Pres. It is more than just pizza, and they have a wood-fired oven.
There is a very good crepes stand on the corner.
There is a Monoprix at 50 r Rennes.
There are produce stands, shops, bakeries and a supermarket on Rue Seine and Rue Buci.
> Really looking forward to the epicerie at Bon Marche ....<
That is definitely not budget.
Enjoy your visit.
>the kids are thinking Leon de Bruxelles is the one place we must go.<
You have very good kids.
Fixed price dinner is about 16E.
>The apt. is very close to Odeon, ...<
Pizza Vesuvio is not far from you. Just across the street from St Germaine des Pres. It is more than just pizza, and they have a wood-fired oven.
There is a very good crepes stand on the corner.
There is a Monoprix at 50 r Rennes.
There are produce stands, shops, bakeries and a supermarket on Rue Seine and Rue Buci.
> Really looking forward to the epicerie at Bon Marche ....<
That is definitely not budget.
Enjoy your visit.
Nov 22nd, 2008, 08:08 AM
#27
I'd look at the last four categories on your list as one big one, and adjust accordingly, as needed.
For myself I'd probably skip major souveniers or clothes and keep miscellaneous to a minimum & put that money to the food budget!
For myself I'd probably skip major souveniers or clothes and keep miscellaneous to a minimum & put that money to the food budget!
Nov 22nd, 2008, 11:17 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You've had generally good advice that I'll second. One of our favorite dinner at home menus is a <<poulet roti>> with some pasta and baguette. I'd also add that every time I thought I had the budget forecast pegged I spent more than planned - something about the "oh, what the heck we're in Paris and it will be a great memory" rationalization.
Another saving tip - skip the much over rated and over priced Berthillon and opt for Amorino. Absolutely delicious - even in December.
Another saving tip - skip the much over rated and over priced Berthillon and opt for Amorino. Absolutely delicious - even in December.
Nov 22nd, 2008, 02:34 PM
#29
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I found ourselves craving the huge bowls of noodle soup with slices of pork at Higuma. Very cheap lunch or dinner. There is one on St. Honore right down from the Palais Royal entrance and another on St. Anne, just off rue Petit Champs. sp? Lina's sandwiches are also very good...and we shopped daily on Rue Montorgueil and dined fabulously in our apartment on rotisserie chicken, wine, great bread, and fresh vegetables.
Nov 22nd, 2008, 03:02 PM
#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Laughing,
I usually travel to Paris alone and do not have children but a few days ago I stumbled across a wonderful book that you might find valuable.
'PARISIANS' PARIS', by Bill Gillham. I had never even heard of this book, written about 2 years ago. Since I personally own 250 books on Paris, this was a find. Of my books, only about 8 are 'guide books'. This book is fantastic! I only wish I had known of it when I spent my last time in Paris, a month in 2007.
The author has travelled to Paris over the last 50 years and, it apppears, often with his children. I was intrigued that he divided his book into areas, not arrondissements. And, very specific areas....ie: Maubert, Nouvelle Athenes, Batignolles-Monceau, Sevres-Babylone, Canal St. Martin and Menilmontant etc.etc.
Within each area he writes, simply and beautifully of the area. Then he discusses his choices of Hotels (70-160Euro TOP), special sites to visit, Restaurants...Fabulous! he thinks of character and budget, special gardens and squares, cheese shops, ice cream shops, and specialty stores. This book is excellent for the budget traveller who wants to experience quality and beauty. It is more than a guide book. I love it, his writing style is lovely and it will be the only book that I take to Paris on the next trip. I am mentioning it because he seems to be very aware of family, of children. It costs $24CDN and is worth every cent. Have a lovely trip.
I usually travel to Paris alone and do not have children but a few days ago I stumbled across a wonderful book that you might find valuable.
'PARISIANS' PARIS', by Bill Gillham. I had never even heard of this book, written about 2 years ago. Since I personally own 250 books on Paris, this was a find. Of my books, only about 8 are 'guide books'. This book is fantastic! I only wish I had known of it when I spent my last time in Paris, a month in 2007.
The author has travelled to Paris over the last 50 years and, it apppears, often with his children. I was intrigued that he divided his book into areas, not arrondissements. And, very specific areas....ie: Maubert, Nouvelle Athenes, Batignolles-Monceau, Sevres-Babylone, Canal St. Martin and Menilmontant etc.etc.
Within each area he writes, simply and beautifully of the area. Then he discusses his choices of Hotels (70-160Euro TOP), special sites to visit, Restaurants...Fabulous! he thinks of character and budget, special gardens and squares, cheese shops, ice cream shops, and specialty stores. This book is excellent for the budget traveller who wants to experience quality and beauty. It is more than a guide book. I love it, his writing style is lovely and it will be the only book that I take to Paris on the next trip. I am mentioning it because he seems to be very aware of family, of children. It costs $24CDN and is worth every cent. Have a lovely trip.
Nov 22nd, 2008, 03:23 PM
#31
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mmm...correction...It wouldn't be the only book that I would take. I would take:
1. Parisians' Paris, Bill Gillham.
2. Around and About Paris, a trilogy by Thirza Vallois.
3. Quiet Cornors of Paris, Jean-Christophe Napias, photos by Christophe Lefebure.
4. Paris, Paris:Journey into the City of Light, David Downie.
5. Paris Discovered: Explorations in the City of Light, Mary McAuliffe.
1. Parisians' Paris, Bill Gillham.
2. Around and About Paris, a trilogy by Thirza Vallois.
3. Quiet Cornors of Paris, Jean-Christophe Napias, photos by Christophe Lefebure.
4. Paris, Paris:Journey into the City of Light, David Downie.
5. Paris Discovered: Explorations in the City of Light, Mary McAuliffe.
Nov 22nd, 2008, 06:41 PM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keep a watch for butchers shops with those WONDERFUL rotisseries on the footpath. They sell roast chicken and some of the best potatoes you will ever eat. You can enjoy a simple meal in your apartment that won't break the bank. You may need to purchase in the morning though as they do sometimes sell out by the afternoon. I bet you can't resist tucking in straight away!!
