Stick to your budget in the French capital with our insider tips for saving money on your trip to Paris
ADVERTISEMENTAs the Olympics approach, many travelers are planning their dream trip to Paris to combine world-class sports and athletics with the city's famous art, culture and gastronomy.
Although it's a must-visit destination for many, costs can quickly add up and it's easy to go over budget in the French capital.
With careful planning and wise choices, you can experience the magic of Paris without emptying your wallet or missing out on the charm and allure of the City of Lights.
From free events and affordable restaurant choices to low-cost attractions and insider secrets, we've rounded up some handy tips and recommendations to help you maximize your Paris adventure while staying on budget.
See famous sites, explore lesser-known sites and enjoy local experiences that won't cost you a small fortune.
Visit the Musée d'Orsay for free
Affordable culture is closer than you think in Paris, with many museums and galleries offering free entry once a month.
On the first Sunday of the month, visiting the Musée d'Orsay is free provided you reserve your tickets online.
Housed inside the historic Gare d'Orsay station, the museum is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its large central nave has a glass roof that allows natural light to illuminate its diverse art collection, which includes Van Gogh's famous Starry Night.
Browse the thematic galleries and enjoy a sublime collection of French art from masters like Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot and Renoir – without spending a euro.
Enjoy a free view from Belleville Park
For a panoramic view of Paris without the price, head to Parc de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement.
At 108 meters, Parc de Belleville is the highest park in Paris and is located at the top of Belleville Hill. A terrace almost thirty meters high at the top of the park offers a breathtaking view of the city, notably the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Montmartre.
Pack some local cheese and wine and have a budget-friendly sunset picnic with the best views in all of Paris.
Treat yourself to freshly made crepes
Freshly made French crepes make for an inexpensive on-the-go lunch in Paris, with many creperies dotted around the city serving crispy crepes on a griddle.
These portable pancakes are expertly made to order in a circular shape and made with wheat flour, eggs, milk and salt. They are then topped with various sweet or savory toppings, including Nutella, whipped cream, bananas, cheese, ham and mushrooms.
The Genia creperie – Takeaway – located at 7 rue de la Harpe is one of the best inexpensive addresses in Paris with crispy crepes and filled paninis to take away for just a few euros.
Enjoy affordable transportation
You can navigate Paris with economical transportation options that will allow you to get around the city at a reasonable cost.
The metro and the RER are two distinct but connected rail networks that allow you to travel at lower cost in Paris. The RER has five main lines, while the metro has fourteen numbered lines. With all systems connected, switching between trains is simple and cost-effective.
ADVERTISEMENTYou can also opt for a Paris Visite subscription for unlimited journeys on the metro, bus and RER networks.
Paris is also one of the most cycle-friendly cities in Europe and it has big ambitions: to become a 100% cycle-friendly city. Pro-cycling measures include a massive increase in the city's protected bike lanes, bike cafes and bike parking spaces.
As well as being environmentally friendly, exploring Paris by bike is an economical way to see the city, with many top tourist sites close to cycle paths.
The Georges Pompidou is a popular cycle path that runs along the banks of the Seine and offers views of iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum.
Visitors can rent a bike for just €5 for 24 hours from Vélib' Métropole – a large-scale public bike-sharing system in Paris that now includes electric bikes.
ADVERTISEMENTShop at Paris' super cool flea markets
While Paris is known for its high-end fashion and luxury boutiques, there are many affordable boutiques. purchases vintage options and finds when you visit eclectic flea markets.
The Saint-Ouen Flea Market is one of the most popular markets and is where the locals come to do good business.
Located on the northern edge of Paris, this chic market is a maze of narrow alleys and winding streets packed with boutiques, stalls and stands brimming with bric-a-brac, clothing and antiques.
The market is so large that it is divided into sections, including Vernaison Market, Dauphine Market, and Malik Market, each with a distinctive style and live entertainment.
The Vernaison market is known for its diverse range of antiques, vintage furniture and decorative objects, while the Dauphine market is known for its high-end antique and designer objects. Malik Market is known for its affordable mix of vintage and second-hand items.
ADVERTISEMENTSavor classic French cuisine for less than €10
Although dining in Paris can be an expensive endeavor, you can save money on eating out by dining in traditional broth – a restaurant serving classic French cuisine to the general public at affordable prices.
You can also enjoy prix fixe menus (menu du jour) at neighborhood restaurants and enjoy lower prices, especially when dining away from tourist hotspots.
Opting for the “menu of the day” means enjoying French specialties, including croque-monsieur, cassoulet and bouillabaisse, for only €8 or €10. The house wine can also be purchased for around €3-4 a glass if you fancy a midday drink.
Head to Bistrot Affordable Victoires for a reasonably priced lunch; this vintage gem on rue de la Vrillière serves pan-fried steaks and fries for less than €13 and giant salads for €11.
Go on a free walking tour of Paris
Book a free walking tour and discover a budget-friendly way to explore Paris with a local. Free tours are usually led by local guides who provide insider tips, stories and historical information about their city.
ADVERTISEMENTFree Paris walking tours operate on a pay-as-you-go or tip-based system, where you can tip the guide at the end of the tour based on what you think it was worth, making it an affordable option for Paris travelers. a budget.
SANDEMAN'S NEW Europe Paris tour is one of the most popular free walking tours in the city. Their 3-hour itinerary around Paris shows you many of Paris' best attractions, including Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre, and the impressive Parc des Tuileries.
You'll also hear the stories behind the monuments and have the opportunity to take plenty of photos. If it's not lit InstagramThat didn't happen, did it?
Discover vibrant street art at Canal Saint Martin
The Canal Saint-Martin district of Paris is known for its vibrant street art scene, trendy cafes, thrift stores and restaurants filled with chic Parisians.
Located in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, this bohemian district has become a hotspot where street artists can express their creativity and leave their mark on the city's historic walls.
ADVERTISEMENTGrab a cheap takeaway coffee at trendy cafe Le Look and wander around looking for large-scale graffiti.
One of the most famous street art spots on the Canal Saint-Martin is Rue de la Grange aux Belles, known for its colorful murals and stencil art.
Discover the cultural events and free concerts in Paris
Paris offers a wide choice of free concerts, festivalsoutdoor film screenings and cultural events that visitors can enjoy all year round.
Spring and summer bring a range of free cultural events to Paris and this year the 2024 Olympic Games will also be there.
In June, Paris comes alive with music as amateur and professional musicians take over public spaces during the Fête de la Musique. Expect stages to pop up with live bands, singers, amateur musicians, drummers and DJs all performing for free.
ADVERTISEMENTFrom mid-July to the end of August, you can relax on the banks of the Seine on the artificial beaches installed along the river and the Bassin de la Villette during Paris Plages.
Free lounge chairs, palm trees, entertainment, outdoor movies and swimming set the stage for a scorching summer in the city that won't break the bank.
Plan your trip in advance to save money
Travel to the City of Lights is notoriously expensive, and your travel budget will likely take a hit if you leave it to the last minute. One of the best ways to save money when traveling to Paris is to plan ahead and book your flights and accommodation in advance.
Airline prices can vary widely, especially during peak season, major holidays like Christmas and Easter and major events – like the Olympic Games.
If you still need to set travel dates, you can take advantage of cheaper flights to Paris by using tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights to view a wide range of flight dates and times.
ADVERTISEMENTTo find affordable Paris hotels and special deals, use a hotel or travel comparison site to see an aggregated list of hotels and filter by lowest price. For many sites, like Expedia and Kayak, you can set up price alerts for your search query to receive an alert if prices increase or decrease.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, you can often save money by booking a midweek hotel stay.
Many hotels now offer free cancellation (up to a specific date) and some offer date change options, providing greater flexibility for budget travelers.
