How to Do Paris on The Cheap

[commelefrancais]

Hi All,

Just came across this forum which looks great! Thought you may find the article from "The Age" Newspaper below of some interest.

www.theage.com.au/travel/how-to-do-paris-on-the-cheap-20090112-7ezu.html

Cheers!

[Jody]

Welcome, Commelefrancais. At the very end of that article is a list of free wifi spots in Paris, very helpful if your hotel or apt is not equipped

[Shoesy]

And a "hi" from me too !

Tips on how to save money in Paris are always welcome.

[mortstiff]

For cheap but decent restaurants, throw away all your fancy tourist guides and purchase the inexpensive Routarde Guide for Paris restaurants, available at amazon.fr or www.fnac.fr.

Expect to spend more if you follow my blog recommendations!
parisrestaurantreviewsandbeyond.blogspot.com/

[sdtraveller]

During each of our trips to Paris, one of the things we did several times, for the cultural experience and the impetus to get to various neighborhoods in the evening (and occasionally daytime, especially on Sundays), as well as because the cost was nil (entree libre), voluntary (passing a basket for donations), or very reasonable (stated admission fee) was to go to churches or cultural centers for their concerts. Settings range from spectacular to mundane; the programs were variable, but it was always a worthwhile adventure. Offerings are listed in Pariscope for each day, usually with accurate cost (or no-cost) information.

[ramona]

Hello everyone!

I've just found an useful article about Paris on a budget.

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/budgettravel/6201047/Paris-on-a-budget-European-city-breaks-for-under-250.html

[gemini66]

You like Paris on the Cheap? Here is my selection:
my favourite restaurants:
1st :
Au Jess Café, 2, quai de la Messagerie, M° Chatelet, I like, of course only in summer time, the terrasse with a view of the Conciergerie and Notre Dame, interior a bit colonial, big salads and pizzas, from 10€ on.
La Cloche des Halles, 28, rue Coquillière, M° Louvre, delicatessen, cheeses, from 11€ on.
Le Bistrôt des Victoires, 6, rue de la Vrillière, M° Louvre-Rivoli, traditional parisian bistrot, from 10€ on.
Nylsa Cafe, 6, rue de la Cassonnerie, M° Les Halles, italian, fresh and high quality food from the market, from 8,50€ on.
2nd:
Cantoche Paname, 97, rue Montmartre, M° Les Halles, plat du jour (dish of the day) from 8,50€ on.
Le Mestruet, 77, rue de Richelieu, M° Bourse, french traditional cuisine, you have to eat there at least once in your lifetime to test their « Malin », a plate divided in 4, starter, main dish, cheeses and dessert, 9,50€, or try one of their dish of the day + a glass of wine + café, 10€;
Les Recettes des Copines, 17, rue Saint Marc, M° Bourse, high quality, great quantity and low bill. You know what is a quiche? They have probably the best in town! Great salads. So a quiche + a salad + a drink, 8,80€.
Le Pain quotidian, 2, rue des Petits-Carreaux, M° Sentier, do you know what a “tartine” is? Kind of open sandwich with a lot of good stuff on it; you think it is too little? Try one and you’ll see how it feeds you! From 7,80€ on.
3rd:
Au Duc de Montmorency, 46, rue de Montmorency, M° Arts-et-Metier, excellent cuisine, a dish from 7,90 on and you like beers, that’s your place, there are more than 94.
4th:
La Victoire Suprême du Coeur, 27, rue du Bourg-Tibourb, M° Hotel de Ville ; just the name itself is a pearl: The Supreme Victory of the Heart ; if you find a better one, let me know ; menu from 13,50€ for lunch and 19,50€ at dinner, dish of vegetables+cereals, or tapenades, soups, simple but excellent and nutritional.
Dame Tartine, 2, rue Brisemiche, M° Hotel de Ville, I like particularly the area, in front of the bassin and the sculpture of Niki de Saint Phalle, next to Beaubourg, great salads, « tartines » ; menus from 11,90€ on.
6st:
Le Rendez vous du Marche, 9, rue Labineau, M° Mabillon, you want something cheap, here you have it, starter from 3,50€, dish of the day from 7,50€ and dessert from 2,50€ on. The classics here are Herring And Potatoes in Oil, beef miroton, “tarte tatin”; you don’t like that; no worry, there are much more than these.
La creperie des canettes – Pancake square, 10, rue des canettes, M° Odeon, menu 11€
Hotel: the best value for money hotel that I know is Hotel Armstrong Paris, in the 20th district; check this one, the manager is english but he speaks french too and he loves Paris: www.armstrong-paris-hotel.com/

[Jody]

Welcome gemini and what good suggestions you've given us. I find lunches can get too expensive even for a baguette and a pichet!