Paris is popular for many reasons; it is beautiful, romantic and expensive. However if you are on a budget and Paris seems out of reach, you will be surprised to learn that the city has plenty of affordable attractions to offer. When planning your trip, it is a good idea to pick an off-peak time. This is around November-April when visitor are fewer. With discounted airfares, cheaper and easier to find accommodation, you can get more on a budget. Here is how to experience Paris without spending a fortune:
France has a rich cultural heritage that draws thousands of curious visitors every year. The French believe it is a universal right for all people to have knowledge of the arts and culture. For this reason, many museums in Paris can be accessed for free. Every first Sunday of the month, the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay offer free admission. However if you prefer less crowded areas, Friday and Wednesday evenings are the best times to visit many other smaller museums and art galleries. These charge half the normal fees and you will experience equally large collections of masterpieces by both the most celebrated and lesser known artists.
Paris is home to elegant gardens and parks that are open to the public for free. This is the perfect opportunity to take a leisurely stroll or have a picnic in a Paris’ beautiful garden or park. Alternatively, laze around the park to relax or simply to take in the sights and buzz of the city.
Get firsthand experience of Paris without paying a penny by taking long walks around the city. Most streets in Paris are quite pedestrian friendly and walking is a pleasant experience. Explore the city’s fascinating attractions such as luxury and designer fashion boutiques, sidewalk cafes and the historic neighbourhoods. If you wish to cover longer distances, hop onto a metro and get around cheaply and faster.
You can also take advantage of the events that the city hosts throughout its calendar year. Many of these festivals and events are held during the spring and summer and offer lots of fun for free. In the summer, the banks of the river Seine are transformed into an artificial beach (Paris Plage). Other major events include the Bastille Day celebrations, the open air Paris cinema and the Nuit Blanche (white
night) in which galleries, museums and other leisure spots open to visitors during the nights for free.
Visit the markets and food stands in Paris neighbourhoods for a taste of French cuisine while shopping for unique and bargain collector items. Paris markets stock a wide variety of items, from wine, antiques, organic food stuffs, textiles, flowers and many other items. Every neighbourhood has a flying market (marché Volant) twice every week. These feature hundreds of food stalls with gourmet products and street entertainment.
There are many creative ways to enjoy Paris on a budget. Save money by using public transportation. It is way cheaper and convenient to purchase a pack of 10 metro tickets. Typically, non traditional accommodation options are cheaper especially in low season. Staying in a Paris apartment like those at All-Paris-Apartments.com is one way to save money on accommodation. Choose one in an area that is located in a convenient location from where to explore the best of Paris.