How to Enjoy Paris for Less

Take the time to get good deals on travel and accommodation

Let’s begin with the basics, shall we? As with any budget holiday, there’s no point working out nifty ways to save a few pennies if you’ve already spent a small fortune on flights/trains and accommodation. By taking a little time to find the best-value options, you can save a bundle.

In terms of accommodation, one of the most cost-effective choices is booking a stay in a cheap hostel. This way, you won’t end up paying for frills that you don’t really want or need. When it comes to your travel choices, make sure you factor in every step of your journey. For example, if you come across a cheap flight, don’t forget to add on any hidden charges there may be and the costs of getting to and from airports at each end. Once you’ve done that, compare the overall price of each option.

Visit free sights

It’s easy to end up paying premium prices to visit attractions in Paris, but if you do a little forward planning, it’s just as simple to see great things for free. For example, it costs nothing to stroll along the Seine, or to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night (provided you’re not planning on going up it, of course).

But don’t worry, having free experiences in Paris isn’t all about looking at things from afar; there are lots of fantastic attractions that don’t charge you to enter. The world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral is one of these (though there is a small fee for climbing the tower).

One of the city’s most popular and exciting sights, the cathedral is particularly celebrated for the endlessly impressive Gothic facade on its west side, as well as its gargoyles. Don’t forget to head inside to explore, too!

Another great place to visit is the French National Library, which is known locally as Bibliotheque nationale de France. This dates all the way back to the 1660s, when King Louis XIV moved loads of manuscripts to this former townhouse. In 1692, it was opened to the public, and has flourished ever since. Plus, on the first floor is the Musee du Cabinet des Medailles, where you can see coins, medals and miscellaneous artefacts.

Visit museums on the first Sunday of the month

This one is a quick tip, but in my opinion it’s one of the best. If you are visiting Paris at the beginning of the month, you’ll be pleased to hear that many of its museums open their doors for free on the first Sunday of every month.

This is a great opportunity for people travelling on a budget to explore places like the Centre Pompidou, Musee National Rodin and Galerie Edouard Manet without paying a penny. It’s just a shame you can’t pack visits to several of them into one day, really – think how much you’d save!

Find cheap places to eat

I suppose this tip is more common sense than anything else, really. When you’re on holiday, food can be a major expense – and especially so when you’re surrounded by the swanky restaurants of Paris. If you can, it’s a good idea to pick up a fresh baguette or pastry for lunch, rather than shelling out for hot meals in a cafe or restaurant.

For dinner, make a beeline for good-value eateries, like Bistro Victoires on rue de la Vrilliere. Boasting competitive prices and great food (the steak-frites is particularly excellent), this is a sure-fire winner.

Disneyland Paris – A Dream Come True for Children

Since opening its golden gates in 1992, Disneyland Paris has proven to be Paris’s most popular themed attraction, with over 15 million Disneyland Paris tickets being sold every year. So what is it about this magical faux kingdom that keeps people coming back?

Things To Do At Disneyland Paris

When you get to Disneyland Paris, there is so much to do – rides, play areas, water games, dance exposés, live shows, parades…

Walking into the park, visitors find themselves walking down Main Street, U.S.A., a recreation of a turn-of-the-century American street. Its design is based on Walt Disney’s memories from his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, with horse-drawn streetcars riding along the street and small themed shops and restaurants. Drop into City Hall to collect a guide map or ask about what’s on that day.

The fun really starts on Main Street when the Disney Dance Express arrives on its way to the Royal Castle Stage to host a music and dance party with Mickey, Cinderella, Daffy and all of Disney’s most famous characters.

The park is divided into four different lands where you’ll find your favourite movies and characters hiding: head to Frontierland to see cowboys, Indians, rivers and to experience the ghosts of the old west. Ride the Runaway Mine Train and make sure you don’t miss Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show which delights visitors twice a day with gunslinging and cowboy tricks! In Adventureland you’ll go round the world in a flash, via rides hosted by the Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones. Fantasyland is the home of Disney’s most well-loved characters, such as Pinocchio, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. This is where you’ll be dazzled by the sight of Sleeping Beauty’s magnificent castle. Finally, Discoveryland is home to one of the park’s best-known rides Space Mountain and all things futuristic. In 2015 expect to see Star Wars taking centre stage here!

For younger children, Buzz Lightyear’s Pizza Planet indoor playground will be like stepping straight into the movie Toy Story! The restaurant is completely child-friendly, with its doors being guarded by Slinky the dog and Rex the dinosaur is ready to have fun. The soft play area and monitor screens make it a safe haven for young children to explore their imagination to the full. They can even climb on top of Andy’s bed and climb into a bucket of soldiers!