Memorable trip to Paris on a budget

laura_144

I'm going to Paris for a weekend to celebrate a 'milestone' birthday and I want to make it memorable without spending too much money. I've been to all the standard tourist attractions (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, river cruise on the Seine etc) before so I'm looking for something a bit different but I don't really know where to start. Any recommendations? We're staying in Montparnasse.

Thanks in advance!

markandkate

If you buy a museum pass you can visit any of the places in Paris. The nice thing is you can just pop in to the Louvre for instance see the Mona Lisa then go somewhere else. The Rodin Museum is in one of the houses that he owned not only is it beautiful but it has The Thinker in the garden. You could also pop into les Invalides and see Napoleon's tomb withoug having to walk past dozens of canons

The Arc de Triomphe has a small museum and is covered by the pass and you can go and stand on the top and either watch the circus that is the traffic or see the city at night as the pass is valid until midnight.

Further afield is the Palace of Versaiiles stunning and easily reached by train from the city

kb36

The Marais is an area well worth exploring and is home to the Place des Vosges and the Picasso Museum. From there head across the Pont Marie to the Ile St Louis to experience a taste of village life in the heart of Paris - fabulous little boutiques and the best ice cream in Paris from Berthillon.

bcl999

kb36 beat me to it. When I read your post, my first 2 thoughts were wandering around Ile St Louis and going to Place des Vosges, both of which are free. Berthillon is an optional extra!

Also, if you don't mind walks, there are quite a few good ones in the DK Eye Witness Paris guide which take in places you might not already have seen e.g. Canal St Martin. I borrow it from my local library when I go as they are quite expensive to buy (about £15, I think).

Thriftybynature

Try this restaurant - Chartier down a small alley, 7 Rue du Fauborg in Montmartre.

http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/www/

it's very atmospheric, service is speedy and they tot up your bill on the paper tablecloths. Be warned though, there are no English versions of the menu so if you have a French food dictionary take it! There is a menu on the website though.

If you stop (at any bar/restaurant) and have cofee/drinks then sitting outside you will be charged more - inside is cheaper.

If you are going during warm weather then take a bottle of wine and a picnic for evening meal and sit alongside the Canal St Martin - it is very atmospheric!

I am very jealous, I love Paris but always do it on a budget which is good fun. All the national museums are free on the first Sunday of each month, but there are lots of crowds.

One last thing - if you're going to use the underground a lot you can get a book of 10 tickets which works out lots cheaper, and you can also split them between people.

Bon Vacances!

stanleyunwin

If your staying in Montparnasse, I would recommend having a drink in the restaurant near the top of Tour Montparnasse. Glass of wine is about £7/8 but you get amazing views of Paris, and even though the restaurant is quite swanky, they never rush you. Definitely an hour well spent.

frugle

I went with my bf for his 30th he loved it! It's down to personal choice but...one of the romantic moments and memorable moments from the trip was standing just infront of the Eiffel Tower and leaning on the wall of the river and people watching late at night drinking a hot chocolate and a having a chocolate crepe from that crepe take away place on the corner, it was the best crepe I have ever eaten, it's worth visiting just to eat one of those! But we went in January so it was cold and there was snow so that made it perfect! urgh love Paris!!!

MancBrel

I stay in Paris at least once a year and I would certainly recommend that you head over to 'Le Baron Rouge' (see link below and google it). If you can, take an early evening metro and call in for a glass of wine or three, you will be in for a treat. They serve plates of bread and cheeses/meats (we don't eat meat, so cannot comment, but they sell enough to suggest that it's decent stuff). In the vicinity is a very nice indoor food market, other bars, restaurants and bakery etc. Baron Rouge is a popular and compact wine bar. Unlike other places in Paris, they will not charge the earth. In fact, when you look at the prices they charge for the 'take away' wine (they fill bottles and containers from the barrel), you will wish that they had one closer to home!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d782199-Reviews-Le_baron_rouge-Paris_Ile_de_France.html'

cro-magnon

Since you're in the area go up Montparnasse tower, it's cheaper and higher than the Eiffel Tower and you can see the Eiffel Tower from the top so makes for better photos eh?

Free things:
Go to Montparnasse cemetery and see the graves of Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett, Serge Gainsbourg, Man Ray, Saint-Saëns etc

Then move onto the bigger and better Pere Lachaise cemetery and see the graves of Oscar wilde, Jim Morrison, Maria Callas, Marcel Proust, Edith Piaf, Max Ernst, Bizet, Chopin etc. There is also a selection of holocaust memorials and the Communards' Wall.

Wander around the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Take a trip up to the Statue of Liberty for a photo op.

Take a trip to La Defence and take in the architecture/modern art.

The Catacombs are meant to be good if you're not claustrophobic and like something a bit different. Not been myself though.

rebdeb

hi there, we are also looking at going for a long weekend to paris. we are going to drive, and go through the eurotunnel, using our tesco clubcard deals. also there are 3 things that you can do in paris using your clubcard deals. enjoy.

PompeyPete

As well as a lot of the other things mentioned you can also add the Paris Sewers. Sounds a bit smelly, but it's nothing of the sort, and is absolutely fascinating.

Lunchtime brasserie set-meals can be very reasonably priced, even if you want to sit outside.

Someone earlier mentioned the Catacombs. Well worth it.

Favourite Park was Jardin du Luxembourg.

A short trip outside town on RER Line A, going west, will take you to the pretty town of Saint-Germaine-en-Laye.

One thing I didn't like about Paris is the dog poo!