The Truth About Paris
The truth about Paris:
When I was planning my trip to Paris, I had people warn me about how costly Paris is, and that the people there are arrogant and nasty. It’s also always been known to be a city of romance, where it’d only be right to go with a loved one.
Well, they were wrong. I went to Paris alone and had an amazing time. People there aren't the friendliest but you won't be treated abusively. I spent less than €75 in my 3.5 days there. Paris doesn’t have to be expensive.
Here’s what to do:
Stay somewhere near the Bastille. It’s within walking distance to the Notre Dame, Père Lachaise, Rivoli, Le Marais, and a short metro ride away from the usual attractions like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre.
Limit your metro rides to at most 3 a day and walk everywhere. Figure out on Google maps how long it takes to walk from one place to another and plan out your daily itinerary. You can definitely walk if it’s less than 40 mins from point A to B.
Say 'bonjour' every time you step into a boulangerie, a boutique, or perusing items at the local market, and merci every time you step out. It's rude not to, and you'll be less likely to get good service if you don't say your p's and t's in French.
- You don’t have to have fancy €20 meals. There are affordable options. If you want a typical french dining experience, go to Chartier. It’s a 2 minute walk from metro Grands Boulevards in the area of Montmartre. Mains cost less than €12. My steack hache au poivre vert was only €8.60.
Other incredibly affordable food options are pita falafel (€5.50) in the Jewish neighbourhood of Le Marais, crêpes anywhere, but best and cheapest from the Thursday & Sunday markets on Blvd Richard Lenoir, right in the area of Bastille, and Japanese food from Naniwa-ya in Japantown, a short walk from the Louvre. All of these places serve food that cost anything from €4 to €8.
That will save you a lot of money. There is so much to see and do in Paris for very little money and walking would take up most of your days that you won’t even have time to think about shopping. Paris may be a fashion capital, but it’s also the best place for culture. If shopping is your main priority, then you’ve got to get your priorities straight.