Extended weekend in Paris

firestronaut

I'm taking my mum and my 3 yo to Paris late September, and so far done well on costs.
£138 return fare for the three of us, just under £150 for a 3 night stay in North Paris and swagged free Disneyland tickets.

Does anybody have any tips for keeping costs down when we're there? We're planning on doing the typical tourist stuff, e.g tours, eiffel tower, etc. I know as a rule, it's cheaper to book in advance, is this so for Paris too?
Anybody know of any little cheap gemstones in the way of eating?

Any help is appreciated

Voyager2002

Look out for an old book called Pauper's Paris. When I was there five years ago most of the restaurants it recommended were still as described, and the general advice will remain valid for decades to come.

Other things: the central area is small and pleasant to walk around, so don't assume you have to take the Metro to get anywhere;

Most Metro journeys involve going up and down flights of stairs and so are awkward with a push-chair. Consider using the buses, which of course give much better views of the city. A bonus is that bus use often works out a bit cheaper because tickets can sometimes be used more than once;

If you go up the Eiffel Tower there is lots to see and do there (a free skating rink, for instance) so bring your own snacks and something to drink.

angelil

^^ That book sounds great!

I also have a little file I've prepared on doing Paris on a shoestring (I work in the city so know it pretty well ) which I've pasted below:

Paris on a shoestring

So you’re wanting to do something different this Christmas, or New Year, or indeed whenever…but you’re broke. Fear not! A last-minute break in Paris is still within your reach - you just need to be a smart traveller.
Þ The internet is your friend. Use websites such as Expedia, Skyscanner and LastMinute.com to help you get the best deals.
Þ Travel unsociably. Whatever your method of transport – ferry, train, coach or plane - it's worth travelling as unsociably as you can. Travel will be much cheaper at 4am on a Thursday morning than it will be at 4pm on a Friday. This will slash costs considerably and this way you may even be able to travel first class rather than bucket class at a fraction of the cost.
Þ Stay outside of the city. Or at least in less popular districts (in Parisian lingo, arrondissements). Paris is much smaller than, for instance, London – if you travel an hour outside of central London, you can still be in London; however, you can be out of Paris in 20 minutes and in any of its quiet and more business-oriented areas. The town of Levallois-Perret, for instance, is stuck out on the end of line 3, but is only 20 minutes' metro (or less) from the boulevard Haussmann (where all the big shops are) and has many inexpensive but perfectly acceptable hotels that are primarily aimed at businesspeople – usually spitting distance from the metro station itself. Furthermore, it has a town of its own to explore, as well as being walking distance from the upmarket and leafy suburb of Neuilly, from which you can also access Paris by metro. Other suburbs you might want to consider as your base are La D!fense (close to the Arc de Triomphe) and Vincennes (close to the Chateau de Vincennes and to Disneyland Paris as well as not being far at all from the Louvre and the aforementioned big shops by RER).
Þ Avoid the traditional tourist traps. As well as covering accommodation, this also includes attractions and food. While I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to go to Disneyland, Versailles, or many other local attractions, Paris and the surrounding area has so much more to offer. Always try to look off the beaten track for eateries (of which Paris has many), and instead of going up the Eiffel Tower for your very expensive view of the city (of which half is missing because you’re standing on it), instead go to the top of the big department stores for your FREE view of the city in its entirety. A book such as Unexplored Paris, by Rodolphe Trouilleux, is also a worthy investment so that when friends and family ask what you did in Paris you have a better reply than “oh, just the same tourist tat you did when you went.”
Þ Vote with your feet! While Paris’ metro and RER system is simple to use as well as being fairly functional and cheap, arguably the best way to see Paris is on foot, which is both inexpensive and rewarding. Try the box set of cards detailing 50 city walks in Paris (Martha Kay and Christina Henry de Tessan) - just pick out a card and Paris is your huître (or oyster).

SallyD

I cannot top Angelil for such fabulous information......thank you are truly our "friend in Paris".

Brioche Doree is a bakery/coffee shop offering breakfast & lunch for example, a baguette of your choice or panini, choice of pastry/cake, bottle of water and coffee 8e. There is a branch on Rue d'Rivoli.

Alisha2008

Sounds stupid but cutting the drinks at the restaurants will save you a lot of money! I only drink tap water (not because of the cost, I just don't like any other drink) and noticed this when I was in Paris.. food is quite cheap (considering it's amazing!), but drinks are VERY expensive, like £6 for a coke or a coffee in the tourists areas.

angelil

SallyD wrote: »

I cannot top Angelil for such fabulous information......thank you are truly our "friend in Paris".

Brioche Doree is a bakery/coffee shop offering breakfast & lunch for example, a baguette of your choice or panini, choice of pastry/cake, bottle of water and coffee 8e. There is a branch on Rue d'Rivoli.

Hehe you're welcome

Brioche Doree is definitely not a bad chain. Pizza Pino is another good one and there are plenty of each. I'll see if I can think of more chains that are easily accessible in France.

The thing about the drinks is true too. It's often even cheaper to order wine than to order soda! Most Parisians also drink tap water in these places so don't feel bad about asking for it. The magic phrase is "un carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait" (or "un carafe de vin rouge/blanc/rose, s'il vous plait" depending on your mood ). If you order the carafe of wine you'll just get their house wine...fine if you're lucky, like vinegar if you're not If waiters ask just if you'd like water, don't just say "yes please"...still be sure to use the words "un carafe d'eau"...otherwise they will bring you the expensive bottled water by default! We have fallen for this before when we haven't been thinking.

SallyD

The Restaurant La Terrasse des Galeries Lafayette:

As Angelil says super views from the department stores. I recommend La Terrasse des Galeries Lafayette

firestronaut

Thank you for the brilliant suggestions!

firestronaut

I was reading through some other threads and a lot of people are taking £1000+ for pretty much the same holiday, I have £300 saved (with another £100 I could dip into), now I'm worried that's not going to be enough!

Is £300 doable for 3 and a half days?
Mum will have her own money and will possibly share expenses on my 3 yo

Edinburgh65

If you like mussels and frites, you can get a not too expensive evening meal at the Leon of Brussels chain (outlets throughout Paris). They sell other food too if you don't like mussels, the menu is on their website. I've been once and am planning to go back on my next trip at the end of the month.

If you have access to a printer when you are away, you can print a voucher to get €10 off the bill at that chain (the vouchers can only be printed for today and tomorrow, no further in advance than that). Alternatively, you can register on the website in the hope of being sent special offers. You will need to enter a fictitious Parisian postal code though, ie. from your hotel address.

The food at Chartier is very cheap, although it's a bit of a tourist trap. Still quite an experience though:-

http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/www/visit/atable.php

You share tables with other diners though, so I am not sure if that would be any good to you when you have a little one.

SallyD

If you are not going to "fine dine" and are happy with the "Quick" MacDonalds,Brioche Doree etc., £300 to cover, food, bus tickets etc., will be fine. Ticket prices to the Louvre are reduced after 4pm.