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How to enjoy Paris on a low/moderate budget?
I'm returning to Paris! Yay! But this time my pockets are even smaller than the last time so looking for fun and free, low/moderate budget things to do and eat. I can only go all out with one nice dinner approx 100 USD. If you have a special place in mind I'd really appreciate knowing about it! The Opera Garnier was so much fun to visit and I told myself the next time I go back I'm seeing a ballet so, voila! It'll be my first ballet ever so any tips to experience this well? I like operas too. I had the best time at Cafe Marly's drinking hot chocolate poured from a small silver pot. Then I moved to Irish coffee. I stayed so long I ended up getting dinner too and a half a bottle of wine and it was fantastic! The place even had little stools for my purse. It sat there for five hours while I enjoyed the heck out of that place staring at the pyramid so long never tiring of it. The only negative thing was when the waiter asked me for a tip when the check came. I went all out with drinks, food, time and like a sucker gave him 20%, why did I do that?? He preyed on tourist me and I succumbed. I know better now. Regardless that place was worth what I spent. What's your favorite museum and happy place in Paris? Please give me some advice I could really use them. I'll appreciate any advice. THank you so much.
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"The Opera Garner ... It'll be my first ballet ever so any tips to experience this well?"
Get the best seat you can afford. Seriously. If you can't be in the first few rows of the orchestra, consider the first few rows of the lowest balcony. And then the first few rows of the next balcony. JMO. As for how to enjoy Paris on a low or moderate budget -- do your research, consult LOTS of guidebooks and on-line resources, and figure out what YOU most want to do of the things that are low / no cost and the things that YOU want to do as splurges. Enjoy! |
Do you need accommodation ? You can find good places for under 100 used a night
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Eat out of the shops and bakeries and creperies, not in the restaurants. Sit in the beautiful parks, not the cafes. Go to museums at night on the free days. Browse the book stalls. Visit the covered passages on rainy days, not the department stores. See all the stained glass and crypts in churches. Go to concerts there. Paris is one of the best places in the world to be if you haven't got any money.
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You have expensive desires for someone on a small budget. The opera is one of the most expensive things you can do, and ballet isn't cheap, either. There are no special tips as they are expensive. It depends why you want to go -- are you at all familiar with these art forms and know what you are getting into? Or is it just to see the building? Operas are mostly at the modern Bastille anyway, so the building isn't a reason to go. I personally don't even like opera even though I love ballet and classical music, so it's a personal thing, but I don't enjoy going to performances where the visuals are very important if I don't have a good seat. So there is no cheap way to do that for me, so I don't know of any tips. It's just the usual like in any city --- tickets are more expensive in the better seats.
Where I live, tickets may be cheaper on mid-week nights, but unfortunately, that isn't true in Paris for ballet. If you've never been to a ballet before, newbies generally prefer traditional full length story ballets, in my experience, to more modern works or smaller pieces. But you probably won't have any choice, anyway, whatever is playing when you are going will be it. For opera, they do sometimes have cheaper tickets for some midweek evenings in Paris, compared to weekends or Sunday matinee. I can't even imagine a waiter "asking" you for a tip, that's never happened to me anywhere (I mean literally anywhere in any city, including Paris), but I guess it's the venue. I don't know, I find that strange. What did he say, please give me a tip? French don't even use that word, of course, but he probably knew English. If he just said, tips are not included in the bill, that's another thing. There are lots of free museums in Paris, and many cheap or free concerts in various churches, just look in a weekly entertainment guide you can buy at a newsstand (eg, Pariscope), that's my best tip. Of course walking in parks and churches are free. And there are various festivals at time or sometimes free music in Luxembourg gardens in summer, things like that. But all will be in that guide. |
I don't think we know her "small budget".
Only one 100USD meal would be equal to 3 of our prix fixe meals at our favorite place. I still maintain I can eat better in Paris for less than in my home town. |
I don't know where Cristina has traveled or why her imagination is so limited, but I had a waiter in Italy inform me just last month that "service was not included" when he handed me the check -- the typical not-so-subtle way of asking for a tip in a tourist zone.
As for having "expensive" tastes for a small budget, I urge you not to give up your plan to see a performance at the opera or any single thing that costs money but is really the heart and soul of why you are visiting Paris. It is penny-wise and pound foolish to spend hundreds of dollars on airfare and lodging and then not do the one or 2 things in Paris that would mean the most for you to do. If you have a small budget, that means you will walk more and eat less to be able to afford the opera ticket -- and again, I would certainly not plan my visit to the Opera around Cristina's tastes and nitpicky ideas. |
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Of course some waiters will ask for a tip.
You can't expect everybody to be honest. Sandra, you definitely spend a lot of time on TA - what is your avatar there ? Mvg. |
Do walks of many of the neighborhoods. And I don't mean hire someone to guide you - I mean get one or more of the many books (available on Amazon, etc.) titled 'walks of Paris' or similar. Even all the major guide book (including on line) have 'walks' that describe what you are seeing and suggest most interesting routes. I know many here enjoyed guided tours that you pay for, but they are certainly not necessary. I could do a walk around a different area every day for weeks and not get bored. Or put together themed walks - bridges, fountains, passages, etc.
And as someone above said, for $100 I could eat for a few days, you do not necessarily 'get what you pay for'. While it's possible to have a bad meal in Paris, you can have a great meal for very little money as well. |
Thank you!! I really want to see a ballet so yes I'll skimp on some stuff like lodging, shopping and cabs those kind of things and splurge on others like a ballet or opera or good food. I'm more interested in doing things in Paris I can't normally do, see, eat in the US, for me splurging on some of those things are worth it. I'll maybe shop for 1 or 2 little souvenirs, maybe buy a very low budget art from one of the vendors on the street which are like 20 euros, find their goods more fascinating and fun than some of the more expensive galleries in Paris that cost thousands. The budget is just a guideline, if it's something irresistible I will consider it. I always go over my budget so I like to start small and reasonable :)) Do you recommend Paris Walks and which on did you do and was it worth it? I read that here. I don't usually do tours but that company looks low budget enough. I love to walk around exploring nooks and crannies so I'll do a lot of that. Which passages do you rec? Any favorite streets for window shopping or exploring? I am also considering a day trip I will have 8 days in Paris total and contemplating a day trip but not sure I might just want to stay in the city itself, there's so much stuff to do. Thanks guys I really appreciate the effort assisting. I like hearing other people's thoughts on what they like because it gives me a chance to see if I would enjoy it as well.
About the tip, I don't remember verbatim but it was not "give me a tip" it was more like "the tip is not included do you want to leave a tip for the service". I take full responsibility for not knowing any better. pariswat I have lodging already, thank you all! |
I think you can do well in many Paris restaurants for $100. If you order the plat du jour, you are likely to eat well and spend a reasonable amount.
The location at Cafe Marly is terrific. You do pay for it but we enjoyed brunch there on Christmas Day a few years ago. As far as museums, I love Musee Marmottan, d'Orsay and L'Orangerie. Totally understand the desire to see a ballet (or anything) at Opera Garnier. One of the most beautiful buildings anywhere! We saw a performance there and the experience was lovely. I could be happy in Paris with crepes and pain au chocolat. The bakeries certainly have great take away options that will be affordable. One place that has wonderful food for a reasonable price is Verjus. They have a degustation menu for 68 euros. Many frown at this restaurant because it attracts American and British tourists. I don't care who is there, the food is outstanding and creative. It is located near the Comedie Francaise. The wine bar down stairs is also a nice place for a glass of wine before or after dinner. We have been twice and really enjoyed Verjus. Whatever you decide, enjoy your time in Paris! |
Take a look at Cosmos Hotel in the 11th for a good budget hotel. Another frequent poster recommends it. I bookmarked it for a future stay. They offer a single room for 65 Euros.
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Just to be clear about the $100 meal. $75 per day per person is our go to budget and includes a prix fixe dinner (about $35), lunch and breakfast and some wine in a cafe in the afternoon.
It can be done a LOT less expensively if you want. What is your projected budget per day As far as doing a Paris Walks tour, there are many many walks you can dowload from the internet--or there is a neat little deck of cards of Paris Walks--available from the book store. |
We are in the most beautiful apartment right now for 110.00 a night. Special sale from Vacationinparis. The owner lives on the first floor, her kids on the second and we are on the third. It is huge compared to our last place here. She is from NC and gave us many suggestions for eating out. We have been eating out for a week so tonight I hit the market and veggie market and bought dinner and wine and breakfast food. I got asked for directions on my way back to the apartment from a French lady. :) Tomorrow is the first Sunday so museum's are free.
We always say Paris less expensive than Boston or NYC. |
Tips are always included in France.
I never leave a tip. When I do, I just round it up. By 1-2-3 € max. Two times a year. I pay with cc, what is on the bill and leave nothing on top. One of the last time I wanted to leave a tip it was at the Buffalo Grill in front of Gare du Nord. I told the waiter that I wanted him to round it up (I had no cash) and he said he was not allowed to do so. So I told him to drink something on me. He also refused. I told him I just went at a funeral and I insisted on him drinking on me because life is short. he did. Now some waiters will tell you tip is not included. They are dishonest. Never give a tip if asked. |
Well I am always looking for deals and always on budget.. but I think you would not like my suggestions because your idea of budget is much more generous then mine.. Dinner for me would be 20 euros maybe.. if I got wine( hmmm,, not if.. but when , because I always get wine!) it would be a bit more of course.
I would be horrified if a waiter said that to me.. and while I would normally round up a euro or two.. after a comment from a waiter like that , I would give a big fat ZERO.. how rude.. ( and 20/%, yikes that probably equaled my spending on a whole meal.. lol ) I too have heard good things about Paris Walks.. may book one myself for next May.. walking tours are a great way to get a real feel for a place and the local history. |
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Low budget? Stay far from the Seine.
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Geez kerouac, give it a rest. Your "expert" Parisian advice is not always true for the moment of a person's trip.
We have NO idea of this person's "budget". |
Do you have a problem, Gretchen? It sounds almost as though you are a member of the coven over at TA.
I responded to the idea of "low budget" as expressed in the title of the thread. If you want to give advice regarding "moderate," you are free to do so, which is why this forum exists. This is not the place for you to try to settle any incomprehensible dispute that you may have with my ideas for saving money while having an excellent time in Paris. |
I have had an excellent time staying in budget properties near the Seine in Paris..year after year after year.
Of course.. "budget" means many things to most folks.. to me its under 120 euros, with air conditioning ( I can go cheaper without) a mini fridge, clean.. and great central location that saves me a lot of money on transport as I can walk to many sites.. But.. if on a real tight budget ( under 80-90 euros a night) the Kero is the fellow to ask.. if he is willing to actually recommend a hotel that he has at least actually seen the inside of.. |
Outdoor cafes with tablecloths cost more than those without.
Breakfast out side the hotel will be less expensive. Coffee standing at the bar rather than sitting is cheaper and more fun mingling with the locals, Have a wonderful time. |
kerouac, We are loving the 14th. The metro is our friend and this is such a lovely neighborhood. My landlady had not heard a word about the Airbnb/apartment rental stuff. I used an agency but since this is her building maybe she pays no attention. Thank you for suggesting it. Prices at the market and cafes are very reasonable. Wine prices are all under ten a bottle. Woohoo, I am beered out after Oktoberfest. Off for free museum day. Don't be afraid to venture out.
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Just tired of your mantra no matter the budget. Kerouac, we have stayed in the 14th, as mentioned by others--it "can" be on the edge of the center. And you are correct that the transportation system DOES make it "central"--or if you didn't suggest that, I will.
Been begging for the "budget" so suggestions could be made realistically. |
It is pretty obvious that the central arrondissements, being deserted by the locals and invaded by tourists, most of them US, are the places where prices have surged, where the quality is usualy the worst and where waiters ask for tips.
Try rue de la Huchette... Why would the boulangeries ask for a low price when hordes of tourists will buy their products ? None of my Parisian friends would suggest going for dinner there. In 14th yes. |
For your splurge meal, make it lunch at top of Tour Mont Parnasse. Excellent prix fixe meal with grand views of the tour Eiffel. 39€
http://www.cieldeparis.com/fr/carte-...-gourmand.html For ballet, I prefer to be be above the orchestra level, much better view point. |
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flpab - would you mind sharing a link to your apartment? Thank you!
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The Sunday paper has an interesting article about Airbnb today with the title "<i>Marais, le frénésie Airbnb</i>. It says that the raid in May in 69 buildings in the 3rd and 29 buildings in the 4th netted 101 illegal apartments. But they feel that they made a mistake by spreading the operation over 3 days. After the first day, the Airbnb grapevine had already told the tourists not to answer the door.
A new operation is imminent but will take place on just one day in a specific Airbnb polluted area, using a far greater number of control agents. |
vacationinparis #325 is our apartment, short walk from Alesia metro stop.
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I wish my real life consisted of people who have the same passion in travel as you guys bc talking travel can hold my interest all day! Thank you so much for including snippets of your experiences. Cafe Marly on Cristmas Day, nicely done!! justineparis, are you kidding me, I am so not beyond anything frugal and delicious, my taste runs from left to right so by all means please don't deprive me of your hidden gems! I'm a gemini, I especially appreciate diversity and variety :) My budget is 20-30 euros a meal, less for breakfast which will mosty consist of pastry and coffee, less or more on some dates. I can't give an exact amount because I just cant function like that, will spend less or more on some days but generally speaking 100 bucks a day with all meals and leisurely things, maybe more if needed. I have enough money to splurge if I really can't help myself but being smart about it. I get pleasure finding a good value and I don't mean cheap for the sake of being cheap. Most of my days will consist of eating, walking, museum, drinking and just admiring the beauty of Paris. If there's anything to add spice to that routine I'm all up on that. flpab, your apt sounds lovely. This will not be my last trip to Paris knock on wood so I'm taking good mental notes of everything you're all including, good value hotels and restaurants are always in my radar for now and later. Thank you so much everyone for your stories and suggestions you rock!! Hmm I thought Airbnb is legal in Paris now, no?
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I stayed in the 14th my last trip. 212 Blvd. Raspail. Loved the area and frankly I did not find it inconvenient to anything. Transportation was great, had like 5 metro stops easily walkable, the bus was a half block away, and the Montparnasse station was about 10 minutes walk...isn't everything in Paris a 10 minute walk? That's tongue in cheek, but anytime we would ask for a location or directions, the answer was "it's a 10 minute walk". LOL
There was inexpensive restaurants, a Monoprix and a Franprix, and a Patisserie all very close and it made cheap eats very easy. There were also two street markets. We ate very cheaply, neither my friend or I are "foodies". We ate at a cafe of brasserie late afternoon, usually got the special, breakfast was included in our room, boring but worked, and then we'd snack in the evening back in our room. I was worried about the 14th and posted that concern, and many said it's a great area, and it is. |
Keep in mind that the French do not eat pastry for breakfast. They eat bread or <i>viennoiseries</i>. Of course, you can eat whatever you want.
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<i> Hmm I thought Airbnb is legal in Paris now, no?</i>
Ha ha, I think a lot of people failed to realize the whole reason behind forcing Airbnb to collect the tourist tax. This forces Airbnb to reveal to the authorities the exact address of all of the apartments, most of which are still completely illegal. It is going to be a gold mine for future raids. |
Geminican, I visited Paris about 100 times as a woman of fairly good means, meaning I could pick out a restaurant if I liked the menu and eat there if I wanted, no problem. I never stayed in fancy hotels or ate at Michelin restaurants, but I lived and ate well -maybe 300 euros a day for lodging and food and trinkets.
Then things changed and I had virtually no resources, but since I owned a house in France (paid for) it was pretty imperative that I come back frequently. I learned, very easily, to live on a budget of (apart from accommodations, which cost me less than 50 euros a night at a friend's apartment) 25 euros a day for great food (3 meals), a nice bottle of wine, and sightseeing (mostly free Parisian museums like the Carnavalet - I didn't need to get into the Louvre or the Orsay, I'd seen them dozens of times before). Point is, you can do Paris and love the heck out of it on any budget. Sure, everything is nicer when you have money, but when I was poor I learned to love life every bit as much as when I wasn't. The world is rich with experiences that don't cost a thing (though it's nice to buy a glass ofwine and hang out in a café). I live in France now and apart from some major renovations on my house, very frugally. We eat and drink amazingly well for very little, and we grow our own food for supplements. No tourist to Paris needs to be put off by prices - take the métro out to the 20th arrondissement and have an enormous (enough food for 3 people) plate of kebabs and couscous and salad - delicious!) meal for 7.50 euros. Be resourceful. It doesn't sound like you're on the kind of really meager budget I was on for a couple of years, but don't fret - you can have a swell time in Paris for very little money. Enjoy the ballet. |
Flpab, thank you!
Geminican, enjoy your trip! |
We ate our pastry at night in our room. We stopped in every day, on the way home, picked up something that looked good, and it usually WAS good, and munched away while talking over the day and watching CNN and BBC.
We also bought bread and cheese, I got yogurt, and that's the kind of thing we ate at night after having our late afternoon meal. Is there a time frame for when one is allowed to eat bread and cheese, oh perhaps the yogurt should be a morning thing? I had mine in the evening but no one was looking. |
Yogurt is mostly eaten as dessert in French homes. If you watch French television, you will see that on all of the yogurt commercials.
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