PARIS BUDGET VACATION HELP
 

WE GOT MARIED 6 MONTS AGO I AM TAKING MY WIFE TO PARIS FOR A WEEK WE WILL ARRIVE THE 29 MARCH AND LEAVE THE 5 APRIL I HAVE PURCHASE THE VISIT PASS AND MUSSEAM PASS,AND THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE,PLESE HELP WITH INFO ON GOOD CHEAP PLACES TO EAT SO I CAN BUDGET MY TRIP,PLSE HELP WITH INFO ON MARKETS,FLEA MARKETS, ANTIQUES ETC MY HOTEL IS HIBICUS IN THE ADRESS IS 66,RUE DE MALTE
ZIP 75011 TELL ME OFD PLACES TO VISIT NEAR MY HOTEL THANKS

Hola Pancho.

YOu can find a lot of information on shopping and many other things on the Paris Tourist Information web site www.parisinfo.com I'd also suggest you look at www.timeout.com as they have some good information on budget restaurants and things to do near your hotel. Look for things in the Bastille or Oberkampf area.

Here are a couple budget but good cafes/bars near you I like: Cafe Charbon at 109 rue Oberkampf, and Clown Bar at 114 rue Amelot (which is really a wine bar). Both have food.

For markets, there is a cheap daily market in the morning at place d'Aligre in the 12th arrondisement, and there is a large street market on Thursdays and Sundays near you at bd Richard Lenoir.

You might not want to buy the Paris Visite pass. You will be there from Tuesday to Tuesday. You would get good use from a Carte Orange.
Go to the Vanves flea market on Saturday and Sunday. A taxi to the 11th might be cheaper than the shuttle, or at least nearly the same price. Eat breakfast at a cafe in your neighborhood. You might go to pagesjaunes.fr enter your hotel address. Then you can "walk up and down the street and see what is there. Also, I think on the RATP site you can print out a map of your area and click on restaurants to find out what is near. A real bargain in the 7th is Bistrot du 7eme--17E menu. And not too far from you is the Marais. Eat at Auberge du Jarente on rue Jarente. 19E menu with wine. Good a la carte prices also. And one more--on rue Mouffetard, Au Piano Muet--a raclette restaurant and also grilled meats at the table. About 19E.
And just one more thing--please don't post in all caps.

At a news stand, purchase a copy of Aladin, an antiques magazine that lists the current Paris street "brocantes" and "vide-greniers." Prospecting these mini-shows and more rare neighborhood garage sales, held on weekends, can sometimes yield bargains. And for fun if not for buying, stop by the Drout auction house, where you can get a close up view in the morning, in several rooms, of stuff from wonderdful to mediocre that's to be sold in the afternoon.

Near your hotel, don't miss the Canala St. Martin, with its locks and picturesque foot brodges. There's a great little reasonably-priced Italian restaurant, La Madonnina, on rue Marie et Louise, just east of the canal in the 10th arrondissement. Enjoy!

That should read, "Canal St. Martin."

A few other restaurants in the 11th arrondissement with good food and prices that won't break the bank. In adcending order of cost:

Le Croix de Malte, on your street, at the corner of rue Oberkampf! Home cooking and an "provincial" atmosphere.

Jacques Melac, 42 rue Leon Frot, a bistro/wine bar (and a Paris institution) with tasty appetizers and main courses from the Auvergne, two-course lunch menu, 14.50 euros, dinners a bit more.

La Ravigote, 41 rue de Montreuil, a quirky little bistro with charming decor. Lots of "parts" on the menu (tete de veau is the specialty) but we always find something we dare eat and we always leave happy. About 20 euros per person for three courses in the evening.

Le Bistro du Peintre, 116 avenue Ledru Rollin (a bustling place with pleasant old time atmosphere and very good food, like mom's if mom were a very good French cook.)

Astier, 44 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (in the guide books, traditional French fare, great cheese course.

in your home city, i'm sure there are ways to eat cheap. the same in paris...find sandwhich shops, grocery stores, take away instead of eat in. no different than what you'd tell someone visiting orlando who'd want to eat cheap. you'll be fine, relax, and enjoy it.