Paris seems to be on everyone's bucket list, but everyone who's been to Paris knows that it's not the cheapest place to travel to. It's a great starting point for day trips like Loire Valley or Lyon, but exploring Paris in France is a must!
And that's why we're going to share some budget-friendly Paris bucket list so you can explore the city without spending too much money on your trip!
From chilling by the Seine River to taking a must-do photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower, you can explore Paris in a day and do some of these cheap activities in the capital city of France.
Thanks to Lena from Salut from Paris, here are some budget-friendly things to do in Paris you shouldn't miss!!
Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and visiting on a budget can be really challenging. Especially if your wallet isn't filled with more than €8.13 – that's what your dollars are worth in Euro. 😉
While this small budget is not granting you access to anything really as it might be not sufficient for Paris metro, this shouldn't be a bummer though. Paris has a lot of excellent sights that are admission-free and that allow you to spend your travel funds on food instead! 😀
1. Grab a breakfast around Montmartre
You best start your Paris on-a-budget day around Montmartre with a croissant for breakfast. This well-invested €1.20 is granting you the true French experience, especially if you enjoy it from the stairs in front of Sacre Coeur with a view over Paris.
Montmartre.
2. Take a picture in front of the Louvre
Next, you should head over to the Tuileries and the Louvre. If you really want to visit the museum, schedule your trip for low season and the first Sunday of the month: many museums are free on this day.
On all the other days, you can still enjoy a nice walk through the park and take a picture from the famous pyramids at the Louvre.
3. Explore the Marais
From the Louvre, it's just a short walk over to the Marais. While the cobblestoned streets and old houses are absolutely worth a visit, you also can have the best falafel of Paris in this area!
Don't get put off by the long queues at the “L'as du Falafel” in the Rue des Rosiers (it's one of the most famous streets in Paris you shouldn't miss!), the service is super quick and you get an excellent (vegetarian) meal for €6.
Alternatively, you can get a classic Jambon-Fromage Sandwich (ham and cheese filled baguette) from a boulangerie (bakery) for less than €3 and have a crêpe with butter and sugar for dessert. This sweet and yummy treat costs around €2.5 and you can buy it basically on every Parisian corner.
4. Stop by the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral
The Marais is just a short walk away from the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, that you can visit for free!
The infamous cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.
Quick tip: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is currently closed temporarily due to the restoration process after the fire in 2019. The cathedral is projected to be reopened in December 2024.
5. Attend a reading session at Shakespeare and Company
From Notre Dame, just cross the Seine and find yourself in front of the world's most famous bookstore: Shakespeare and Company.
It's not only a unique place to visit, but the author reading sessions that are held frequently are also very convenient for a small budget traveler – they are free and so is the glass of wine afterwards. 🙂
If you're visiting in the summer, you best invest your remaining €1 in a bottle of beer from the supermarket and do it like locals: have a seat at the Seine and enjoy the evening in the beautiful Parisian setting.
To keep sharing these unforgettable moments with friends or navigate through more hidden gems in Paris, consider getting a France travel eSIM for an easy and hassle-free way to stay connected.
A thirty-something German expat who is living in Paris for more than a decade. Lena is not only in love with Paris, she is also a great travel enthusiast. When traveling alone or with her family, she tries to explore places off the beaten path to discover cities from a rather local perspective. Knowing how difficult it can be to get insider knowledge, she created a blog to share her local tips and know-how of Paris – be it regarding accommodation, sights, budget travel, off-beat locations and restaurants.
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I guess I can’t disagree with prioritising food for my $10 while in Paris! Great tips to make a simple but charming day!