Paris on a Budget: Exploring the City of Lights in 3 days

It’s been a while since I last posted a blog entry. My bad. My hiatus was partly due to a busy work schedule. But fret not, to make up for it, I will be starting a series of articles featuring Western European cities I visited last April 2017. Take note that I did not have the luxury of time in each city to do some leisurely strolling as I only had about 2 weeks for my whole Eurotrip. So for those running a tight budget and only have limited time in their itinerary to see the major highlights in Paris, this blog is definitely for you.

First in the series is the City of Lights: PARIS, FRANCE.

With its picturesque and romantic reputation, Paris was easily a top choice for the port of entry into Western Europe. I spent about 3 days in the vibrant and historical City of Lights. Scroll down to see the highlights of my Paris trip. Scroll even further down and you will see a breakdown of budget and a sample itinerary. Enjoy!

1. Paris Cityscape

Our plane landed in Charles de Gaulle Airport which is located in the outskirts of Paris. This meant that we had to take the train to get to the city centre. Upon exiting the train station, I immediately understood why the French are so proud of their capital. It was like entering into a movie set – the cityscape was like a dream. Cobblestone roads, preserved traditional architecture amidst modern establishments, and stylish citizens parading the streets. It was a blessing in disguise that our Airbnb was located a bit far from the station as we were given the opportunity to take in the Parisian cityscape.

During our whole stay in Paris, the sun was out and everyone was outside strolling, biking, and enjoying each other’s company in neighbourhood cafés – a sight not usually seen in Southeast Asian countries as the weather can get really hot and humid. One can find street performers in open spaces in the city as well as carousels for the kids.

2. Cuisine Française

Definitely not to miss are all the different varieties of French food the city has to offer. For breakfast, run down to a neighbourhood café and grab a croissant and cup of cappuccino for 3-4 Euros. To save on costs, head down to a brasserie instead of a restaurant for lunch and spend just around 8 Euros for a decent meal. For snacks, one can find a lot of boulangeries (bakeries) selling a wide array of breads and pastries.

 

 

If you have a sweet tooth, there are crêpe stalls offering sweet (Nutella!) crepes for 3-4 Euros per piece. Come dinnertime, there are a lot of restaurants which serve some fine wine and traditional French food, but can set you back about 20 Euros per meal. Oh, and try the escargot! Really good!

3. Notre Dame Cathedral and River Seine

After that croissant and cappuccino, stroll down the cobblestone streets and find your way to the historic Notre Dame Cathedral. We didn’t opt to enter the towers due to the looooong queue. If you’re not keen on churches/medieval history, or if you’re just curious to see the famed cathedral, taking some photos outside the church is enough. We were fortunate enough to see some cherry blossoms around the church, making for some nice photo-op. Nearby (just walking distance), one can already view the peaceful River Seine. On sunny days, people take a break or stroll along the riverbanks.

4. Eiffel Tower

Of course, a trip to Paris would not be complete without visiting Tour Eiffel. Built in 1889 and standing at 324 meters, the Eiffel Tower has become France’s global icon and one of the world’s most recognised landmarks. The iron lattice tower can be viewed from several angles around Paris – from the across the Seine, from nearby cafes, or from atop hotels and tall buildings. However, the most popular sites to go to in order to get a full unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower are Champ de Mars and Jardin du Trocadéro (Trocadero Garden). Either place is a good site to visit to take snaps and selfies with the iconic French structure. However, take note that if you prefer a more laid back atmosphere, Champ de Mars is better as the park serves as a nice place for a picnic with the tower just in your background. Trocadero can be a little touristy but the views are stunning. Also, you have the option of going up the tower for about 16-25 euros (price varies depending on the floor and if you want to go up by stairs or by lift). In my case, I did not choose to go up the tower because, aside from the expensive ticket and long lines, I wanted to see Paris WITH the tower in the scene.

Appreciation for the Eiffel Tower can also change depending on the time of day. Already magnificent during the daytime, but at night the whole tower lights up and sparkles every few minutes. Truly a spectacle. Perfect place to bring your significant other for a romantic night out!

5. Arc de Triomphe and Moulin Rouge

Another famous monument in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe l’Étoile, located at the western end of Champs-Élysées. The monument was built to honour those who fought and died during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Tourists can also go up the Arc, however, again, long lines and pricey entrance fee. Once you get to the arc and have a good look at the structure and see the exquisite engravings, a better view of the landmark as a whole in my opinion can be seen from Champs-Élysées. Tourists would stand in the middle of the famous road and have their picture taken with the arc behind them. However, this is not advisable since the road is for cars and not people. Safety first!

When night falls, it’s time to enjoy the world’s most prestigious cabaret. Located along Boulevard de Clichy, one cannot miss Moulin Rouge’s classic neon red sign. If you’re a fan of musicals and showgirls, then booking a dinner with a show in Moulin Rouge might be a good idea. One can choose from different show schedules as well as from a variety of set menus. Price for a dinner and show is about 180 euros per person. A bit steep, but if the budget permits, why not? Take note that no photos or video recording allowed inside.

6. Musée du Louvre

As an art and history lover, I could never pass the opportunity to visit The Louvre. Thanks in part to Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code, The Louvre’s popularity with foreign and mainstream markets soared, cementing its position as one of the world’s most popular museums. Note that the museum is HUGE (being the world’s largest art museum and all) and there are a staggering number of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks to view. This being said, it is advisable to allot 1 full day for a trip to the Louvre. Some would say even 1 whole day isn’t enough, but because of limited time, this is the optimal choice. To avoid the long lines, best to purchase your tickets online prior to the trip. Entrance fee costs around 18-20 Euros per person.

Bonus: Montparnasse Tower

To get the best bird’s eye view of the City of Lights, head down to the observatory deck of the Montparnasse Tower. Entrance fee costs around 20 Euros per person. Ideal time to go there is either during sunset when you get to see the transition from day to night, or at nighttime when the lights from the streets, buildings, and the Eiffel Tower are at their full glory.

Budget breakdown estimate (per person for 3 days):

Accommodations (Airbnb): 150 Euros

Food (Brasseries, Boulangeries, Street food): 50 Euros

Transportation (Subway): 33 Euros

Entrance fees (Musee du Louvre and Montparnasse Tower): 36 Euros

Groceries/Others (Souvenirs): 35 Euros

Total: 304 Euros ~ 310 Euros

Sample Itinerary (3 days):

Day 1:

Morning – Notre Dame Cathedral, Seine River

Afternoon until Evening – Eiffel Tower (Champ de Mars, Jardin du Trocadero)

Day 2:

Whole Day – Musée du Louvre

Day 3:

Morning – Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées

Afternoon – Montparnasse Tower

Evening – Moulin Rouge