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Paris

Paris is the capital of France and is known all over the world as a leading business, cultural, and fashion capital. Paris’s museums and monuments are among its highest-esteemed attractions, and it is home to one of the most prized museums – the Louvre. Poets, artists, playwrights, writers, journalists, statesmen have all written about it. All came to Paris and walked away in love. It’s hard not to fall in love with Paris. It’s a magical place and I can see why so many flock here. Paris exudes culture, sophistication, and style. Like the millions before me, I too fell in love with this city. I suspect you will too.

Costs in Paris

• Hostel Prices: Hostels in Paris aren’t cheap. Dorm rooms start from 20-30 Euros per night. During the summer high season, prices are towards the higher end. Private rooms begin at 60 Euros per night.
• Budget Hotel Prices: Budget hotels start at 100 Euros per night. Paris is not cheap but you can find some decent accommodation if you stay a bit further out of the city center. Use this site for finding cheap hotels in Paris.
• Average Cost of Food: Expect 30 Euros at the very minimum for dinner at nice restaurant including wine. Avoid the tourist areas if you want to save money. Buying your own food can be very cheap. There are many bread, cheese, and meat shops around. It’s common to pick up some ingredients and have a picnic in one of France’s many parks. Creating your own meal will cost around 10-15 Euros for two people, depending on what you buy. Moreover, eating a pre-made sandwich from these places will cost about 4-5 Euros.
• Cost of Internet: 6-7 euros an hour though many hostels have free wi-fi.
• Transportation Costs: Transport via the Metro is very cheap and there are day/week passes available. The Paris public transport system is one of the world’s most comprehensive and efficient. Every other block has a subway stop. A single-use metro/bus ticket costs 1.60 Euros.  A “Carnet” of 10 single-use tickets costs €11.40. Standing pick-up charge is 2 euros. You can also get a car rental in Paris too.

Things to Do in Paris

• Arc De Triomphe – The monument that stands in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle. It is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. Visitors can either climb 284 steps to reach the top of the Arc where you can get a panoramic view of Paris.
• The Champs Elysees - A very prestigious avenue in Paris with cinemas, cafes, luxury specialty shops, and is one of the most famous streets in the world. Therefore it is always busy and always expensive, but a great place to club hop at night or snap photos during the day. Come in the early morning to see the place deserted. It makes for great photos.
• The Louvre - The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world with over thousands of square feet of space and millions of exhibits. It houses pieces from classical times to the 19th century. However, be prepared to spend hours here and not even see it all. To really see all of it, you’ll need at least two full days.
• Museum Hop – The Louvre might get most of the attention but there are plenty of other great museums in the city. Make sure you especially check out the Musee D’Orsay for great impressionist work. There is also the amazing Rodin museum, Holocaust museum (one of the best in the world), Musee D’Orangie (more impressionist work), and a Money museum.
• The Latin Quarter - A historic area near the Notre Dame is filled with tiny, winding streets that turn at weird angles to open into little cafe lined squares. There are a lot of bars here and it’s very popular with students at night.
• Jardin Du Luxemborg - The largest public park in Paris. The garden contains just over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, scattered throughout the grounds.
• Montemarte – The home to starving artists for decades, this area gives you a stunning view of Paris, is home to the only winery within the city limits, and is great for those want to visit the hang out spots of folks like Hemmingway and Gertrude Stein.
• The Eiffel Tower – Visiting Paris without glimpsing the Eiffel Tower is unthinkable. Built for the 1889 World Fair, the 300-metre (985 feet) tower is a radical feat of engineering. It was first hated by the Parisians but they love it now. Get there early to get to the top as the lines are long, especially on a nice day where your line of vision may stretch for over 65km (40 miles) on a good day.
• Sainte Chapelle – Located right near Notre Dame, I think this Gothic church is far more beautiful. It’s very tiny but the stained glass pictures and the decoration and exquisite and much more inspiring then Notre Dame. There’s usually a long wait to get in.
• Notre Dame – Paris’s Gothic masterpiece constructed between 1163 and 1334. Climb from the north tower to the south to appreciate the masonry, and get a close-up view of the gallery of chimeras, the fantastic birds and beasts gazing over the balustrade. The outside facade has been cleaned up in recent years but the inside as a bit of that old Gothic grimy charm.
• Versailles - The palace of the kings of France, a visit here requires a whole day. It gets very crowded but that mostly means you have people in your pictures, not that you are pushed into other rooms. The palace is opulent and you can see why the French revolted! Make sure you visit Marie Antoinette’s home as well as spend time walking the huge and spacious gardens. Summer weekends are the best time to see the garden, when the fountains play to music.
• Le Nouvel an Chinois – Every February, Chinese New Year is celebrated here—particularly in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement s and the Chinatown of Paris.
• Bastille Day – Every July 14th, there is a mass of spectacular events throughout Paris, to celebrate the the infamous storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. There is a huge, televised parade and an amazing, renowned fireworks display.
• Cinema en Plein Air – Every July, Paris rolls out the inflatable screen in the Parc de la Villete, for this major cinema event. It is held specifically in the 9th arrondissement. Remember to take some movie treats.
• The Paris Catacombs – Underneath the city of Paris, you’ll find a honeycomb of tunnels. The French resistance used these tunnels during World War II, and rave parties flourished there during the 90s. Yet in this maze of tunnels, you’ll find one part open to the public – the famous Catacombs of Paris. Here you can visit these tunnels and see the ancient catacombs and burial sites of Paris. It’s one of the freakiest and coolest sites in Paris.

Budget Tips for Paris

• Find Cheap Internet: Internet cafes are expensive- about 6 Euros an hour. Z-net in the Latin quarter offers it for 4 Euro a hour and has wi-fi. Many cafes will have free internet with a purchase and many hostels have internet and wifi so take advantage of free internet when possible.
• Discounts at The Louvre: The Louvre is discounted after 6pm on Fridays and free on Sundays. During the low season, it is also closed on Tuesdays. It’s located in the center of the city and has two metro stops- both marked “Louvre.” Get off at either one.
• Buy a Metro Card: Paris has over 300 subway stations so it is easy to get around the city. A day pass is only 6 Euros. Moreover, if you buy 10 tickets, it only costs 11.40 Euros, much cheaper than the 2 euros an individual ticket costs.
• Picnic: With so many beautiful parks and outdoor gardens it would be hard not to take advantage of this. Eating in Paris is cheap when you do your own shopping. Buy some bread, cheese, and meat at the local shops and have an outdoor picnic. It’s fun and will cost you a fraction of what a restaurant would.
• Paris Museum Pass: This is a pre-paid card that gets you access to over 70 museums and monuments around Paris. A 2 day one is only 35 Euros / A 4 day pass is only 50 Eros / A 6 day pass is only 60 Euros. This is perfect for the museum hopper and those that want to save money and get ahead in line.
• First Sundays: Something that is good to note—all national museums are free admission on the first Sunday of every month. If you happen to hit this day, be aware of potentially large crowds and long lines.

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