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Paris on the Cheap
Just because Paris is one of the world’s most expensive cities doesn’t mean it has to be unaffordable. There are plenty of ways to save cash on your vacation and inexpensive attractions to visit. In fact, most of the exciting and unique festivals going on in the city cost little to nothing. While some things are worth shelling out the euros, you can have a fulfilling and unique visit to France’s capital without totally breaking the bank.
Basics:
Save money by learning to take the metro or simply walking around the city instead of taking cabs or tour buses. The extra effort is also worth it for the greater sense of the city you’ll gain by being able to move around independently like a local.
If you’re under 26, a student, or retired always ask for a discount. Even if the answer is no, it’s worth a shot because many places do have reduced price tickets. In addition, many discounts are available for European Union citizens. So if you have dual citizenship, be sure to bring your EU passport or ID. If you’re studying or living abroad, they might even give you the discount if you show your European university ID or driver’s license.
Museums:
Most of the museums in Paris are quite expensive, so if you are a museum lover who plans to visit as many as possible, check out the Paris Museum Pass. Before you buy, look at the list of participating museums and make sure there are enough sites you want to visit to make it worthwhile.
For those only going to a few museums, there are still some discounts. For anyone under 26, there is usually a reduced rate and for EU citizens under 26, tickets are often free. Under 18 year-olds from any country are usually free as well. On Friday nights after 6pm, the Louvre is free for all young people under 26.
On the first Sunday of every month all of the Paris museums are free to everyone. That’s right: the Louvre, Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Rodin Gardens, everything. So if you’re traveling during the first Sunday of a month, set that day aside for your museum visits. Depending on how long you want at each museum and how early you start in the day, you might be able to visit two or three places for free.
The impressive Hôtel de Ville downtown has an exhibition area that rotates every few months and is totally free. The current exhibit (summer 2009) is on Gustav Eiffel and his tower. But check online to see what the exhibit it going to be when you visit.
The city’s permanent modern art collection at the Palais de Tokyo, in the 16ème, is completely free (and also free of those pesky crowds). You’ll still get to see a few works by Picasso and Matisse without shelling out the ten or more euros you would at a better-known museum. The nearby Guimet museum is also free for anyone under 26.
Sights:
A lot of the great, classic Paris experiences are also free, like a visit to the two most famous churches: Notre Dame and the Sacré-Coeur. The outsides of the Paris monuments require nothing but a walk around the city: the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe. While you might want to pay once for the experience of going up the Eiffel Tower, there are plenty of beautiful, free, panoramic views of the city. Try the rooftop terraces of the Institut du Monde Arabe and the Galeries Lafayette department store.
Some of the world’s most beautiful parks and gardens are at your disposal too. So why not skip the pricey café lunch and grab the essentials (cheaper at a grocery store) instead for a picnic in the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg or Place des Vosges. Some of the parks are even attractions of their own with stunning fountains, or creative playgrounds that kids will love, such as at Parc de la Villette.
Festivals:
Most of the special events going on throughout the year are free and open to the public. The official Paris tourism website is a great source of information. Catching an interesting Parisian event is a great way to mix with the locals and make your trip truly unique. The events below are just a sample of some of the fun festivals going on in the city.
Chasse aux Trésors
Once a year in early July, many of the arrondissements host a scavenger hunt. Registration for the event is free, and there are English cluebooks in each neighborhood. It’s a great way to get to know a lesser part of Paris, while trying to decipher some tricky clues. It’s geared for adults and not for kids, however, because it’s not easy!
Fête du Cinéma
A cinema festival goes on for several weeks in the beginning of July. Be sure to pick up a schedule to see if there are any showing that interest you. Most of the films shown are in French, but there are several American and foreign films in English as well. The showings aren’t free, but cost less than a normal movie ticket.
14 Juillet
You’re in luck if you happen to be in Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations. The fun starts on July 13th, with the bals des pompiers (firefighter’s balls) in many of the city’s firehouses. Entrance to these parties is free and drink sales go to charity. Come around 9pm, for dancing, drinks, and a festive atmosphere. The next morning, there is a military parade down the Champs Elysees. During the day, the military museums and gold domed church at Invalides are free for all, and there is a large military expo behind the building, with demonstrations, aircraft, and music. At night, there is a spectacular fireworks show around 11pm after a concert on the Champs de Mars. For a prime location, bring a blanket and picnic in one of the parks off the Champs while waiting for nightfall. And after the fireworks? More parties with the firefighters, of course!
Paris Plages
In the end of July and August, the banks of the Seine turn into a beach. Traffic is stopped on the streets bordering the Seine near the Île de la Cité, and sand, grass and palm trees are set up, along with boardwalks. There are chairs to lay out for sunning, and dance and music spectacles. There are activities for children near the Hôtel de Ville and sporting opportunities like beach volleyball in the area. Look for maps by the bridges in the area that list what kinds of activities are available.
Practical information:
Paris tourism website: www.parisinfo.com
Great to search for events, logistics, transportation, and so on.
Paris Museum Pass
Hôtel de Ville
Address: exhibit entry on rue de Lobau
Metro: Hôtel de Ville (4ème)
Tel: 01 42 76 43 43
Palais de Tokyo
Address: 11 av. Du Président Wilson
Metro: Iéna (16ème)
Tel: 01 47 23 54 01
Institut du Monde Arabe
Metro: Jussieu (5ème)
Tel: 01 40 51 38 38
(take the elevator up to the top floor, labeled terrasse)
Galeries Lafayette
Metro: Chausée d’Antin-Lafayette or Havre-Caumentin (9ème)
Tel: 01 42 82 34 56
Address: 40 bd. Haussmann
(take the escalators to the top floor)
Parc de la Villette
Metro: Porte de Pantin (19ème)
Chasse aux Trésors
Website: www.tresorsdeparis.fr
Annual event--check the website as summer approaches for the date, registration, and a list of participating arrondissements.
Film Festival
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