When you visit Paris for the first time you will probably want to tick off all the mainstream attractions, but what if you happened to be in Paris for the third or fourth time and wanted to keep a low budget? Not only can you experience the city at its best without spending a fortune, but sticking to a budget also makes you explore some hidden gems in less conventional spots around town.
I’m desperately in love with Paris and am happy to present to you my personal list of awesome things to do in Paris on a budget.
1) Shopping and snacks in Le Marais
Take a walk in the area of Le Marais and queue up for a cheap delicious falafel sandwich in one of the many take-away shops around the area. If you fancy some shopping, you can choose among a variety of thrift shops or small bohemian boutiques. I personally suggest my favorite second-hand shop: Kilo Shop (close to the Hotel de Ville).
2) Free museums
If you are under 26 years old and a EU citizen, I have good news for you: museums are free in Paris (but also on the first Sunday of each month for everyone)! Besides the Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, and the Museum d’Orsay, I also suggest popping by one of my favorite museums here: L’Orangerie.
L’Orangerie is a tiny museum close to the De La Concorde, a true gem for its size, and you can easily spend an hour or two walking amongst the artwork. The museum boasts a great collection of impressionism pieces, so if you are fan of Monet, this is definitely the place to go. You can find the famous Monet artwork “Water Lilies†here. (Get off at Metro: Concorde.)
3) Brunch in Rue de Buci
There is an unwritten rule in Paris: Sunday morning is time for brunch! What could be better on a Sunday morning than a ‘pain au raisin’ or a ‘pain of chocolate’, followed by a crunchy warm baguette with butter and jam, topped off with a creamy cappuccino and freshly squeezed orange juice? If the weather is good, then the area of Saint German-de-Pres (6th arrondissement) should be your choice for having brunch, especially Rue de Buci. Enjoy the sun in one of the many terraces while you sip your juicy juice. (Get off at Metro: Odeon or Mabillon.)
4) Have a Parisian picnic
Parisians love picnics and the city offers plenty of green spaces to have them. Buy a fresh baguette in a local ‘boulangerie’ (bakery), and go to a supermarket to buy some Camembert or Brie (French cheese is amazing), but please don’t forget to buy some rosé and bring extra glasses to offer wine to your neighbours.
Paris is full of parks, and one of the biggest and oldest is in the 16th arrondissement (West Paris), the Point de Boulogne. You could otherwise go to the Bois de Vincennes, which is on the opposite side (East Paris).
5) Cemetery de Pere Lachaise
One of the most mysterious places in Paris is definitely the Cemetery of Pere Lachaise. Even though it sounds a little bit macabre to visit a graveyard, it is a really enjoyable activity, especially when the weather is gloomy, adding an eery atmosphere to the whole experience. Definitely find the tombs of celebrities, like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Amedeo Modigliani among others. (Get off at Metro: Philippe-Auguste.)
P.S.: You cannot kiss Oscar Wilde’s grave anymore because they have installed a transparent protection. I know, what a pity!
6) Hang by the canal
If you like to be surrounded by young people then you should definitely bring your own booze and food, and hang by the Canal Saint Martin (close to Republique). When the weather is warm, thousands of young people crowd this place. It’s a lovely fresh environment and a good opportunity to mingle with some locals.
7) Eat all the crepes
Okay, crepes are not Parisian; they are typically from Brittany, Northwestern France. However, you can still have super tasty ‘galletes’ (the salty version of crepes made with wheatmeal) in the French capital. In the 13th arrondissement there is a street called Rue Montparnasse with many cute Breton restaurants that serve authentic crepes. Having a crepe is always a good idea, especially when there is Nutella on it!  (Get off at Metro: Raspail.)
8) Climb a rooftop
I have an obsession for rooftops – I just love them! Just like that you get to see the city from a higher point of view and enjoy an incredible panorama. There are a couple of really cool rooftops in Paris, but my favourite is definitely the one in the “Institut du Monde Arabeâ€. It offers a stunning view of the Seine and Notre Dame for free!
9) Les Quais
Another delightful outdoor activity which might be of your liking is enjoying the view of the boats passing by the Seine as you sit along the river. There are lots of good quays to relax on, but I personally adore the ones close to the Île Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement. From there you can also enjoy the view of the majestic church of Notre Dame!
10)Â Just enjoy Paris and get lost
Walk without map and get lost in the city. (Also stop and buy a ‘viennoise au chocolat’ if you’re hungry for a sweet treat!)
What is your favourite thing to do in Paris?
Heading to Paris soon?
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This is a guest post by Sara La Sala.
Sara might be Italian, but she considers herself a world citizen. In her 21 years she’s already gotten the chance to live in cities like Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul and Paris. For her life without travel is impossible and so far she has been to 40 countries. She loves taking photos and meeting new people, but there is one thing she loves even more: tasting typical exotic dishes around the world!
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