People often say Paris is expensive, and it's true that costs can add up fast. But with a few tricks, you can enjoy the city just fine without blowing your budget. Here's how I do Paris on a budget, and what I tell friends who come with money to watch.
A Crêpe, the Best Value for Money
My number one tip for eating well and cheap is the crêpe. For around 10€, you get a real meal the whole family enjoys, and it's fast. My favorite crêperie is Tanguy, in the 10th, on Rue de l'Échiquier. The chef makes organic buckwheat galettes that are absolutely perfect, crispy just the way they should be. It's a small spot, so book ahead, but it's honestly worth it.
A Baguette Sandwich for Lunch
For lunch, nothing beats a good baguette sandwich to go. Two spots are worth it: Caractère de Cochon, on Rue Charlot, a charcuterie that makes exceptional ham and butter baguettes, and the new Alain Miam Miam right next door, with its giant sandwiches and galettes (get ready to line up). I'll be upfront with you: these are touristy spots, and they cost more than a regular bakery. But the quality really is there, and if a friend came to visit, I'd still take them, because these places are iconic.
Breakfast at a Bakery
One of the easiest ways to save money is to skip the hotel breakfast, which is often overpriced, and head to the local bakery instead. A croissant and a coffee, or a pain au chocolat and a juice, for a few euros, and you start the day like a real Parisian. Plus it's much better.
Dinner at a Brasserie Instead of a Bistro
In the evening, if you want to keep the bill down, go for a brasserie rather than a bistro. It's more canteen in spirit, but noticeably cheaper. I like Brasserie Rosie Lou, on the Grands Boulevards, for its homemade comfort food at gentle prices. And if you really want the cheapest option, there's Bouillon Chartier, in the 9th: it's an institution from 1896, with a huge belle epoque dining room and tiny prices. I'll be honest with you, the atmosphere is a bit chaotic and the food isn't always great, but for the price and the experience, it's worth it at least once.
Take Advantage of Free Museums
Good news for culture lovers: in Paris, a lot of museums are free for anyone under 18, and for under 26 year olds who live in the European Union. On top of that, many major museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, and some City of Paris museums have a free permanent collection all year, like the Petit Palais or the Musée Carnavalet. Check before you pay, you'll often be surprised.
The Gardens, Free and Gorgeous
Paris gardens are free, and they're one of the most beautiful things to do here. Settle into a green chair at the Jardin du Luxembourg, or go picnic at the Buttes Chaumont the moment the weather turns nice. You have a great time watching Parisians live their lives, and it doesn't cost you a cent.
Walking, the Best Way to See Paris
And the best part is that the best way to see Paris is also the cheapest: walking. Paris is a small, very dense city, and you move from one neighborhood to the next in a few minutes on foot. You save on metro tickets and stumble onto streets and shops you'd never have seen otherwise, all while discovering the city at your own pace. Put on good shoes and let yourself wander.
Traveling Smart with My Paris Map
When you're on a tight budget, the last thing you want is to waste it on bad addresses or tourist traps. The problem, once you're here, is not spending your time hunting for where to go and sorting the good from the not so good. That's why I built my Paris guide as a map.
It isn't just a list of addresses. Everything is pulled together in one place, my good deals, my affordable restaurants, my free walks, my favorite corners, more than 600 places pinned on a single map you open in two seconds. You download it once and it works offline, so you don't need a signal or data, and you even save on roaming fees. You look at what's good around you, and off you go.
And you'll discover far more than what you came looking for. People often buy it for a few addresses, and they leave with hundreds of discoveries they never would have thought of. That's my whole goal: to help you experience Paris like a local, without breaking the bank and without wasting time.
The full map and its 600+ addresses, is right here:
And for all my Paris discoveries, come find me on Instagram: @ellevousguide