Paris on a Budget: Affordable Things to Do in Paris

Whenever those “most expensive cities in the world” articles start circulating each year, Paris always seems to be one of the first names to appear. I’m not entirely sure how the research is carried out, but it definitely does the job in convincing everyone with normal-sized pockets that a trip to the City of Love may be out of their price range.

And while it absolutely can be expensive, I certainly won’t dispute that, if you have a bit of local knowledge, it truly doesn’t have to be and you CAN experience Paris on a budget.

I spent ten months living in the city as an au pair at 24 years old on just a €400 monthly allowance provided by the family I worked for. And if that experience taught me anything at all, it’s that some of the very best things about Paris cost little to nothing.

Long beautiful walks, picnic spots with views and prime people-watching entertainment, affordable little bites to eat and afternoons spent in local parks.

I became very savvy at discovering things to do in Paris that didn’t break the bank and even after returning to the city countless times since with a little more money to play with, these are still some of my favourite ways to spend my time there.

So if you’re planning a trip and are looking for some more budget-friendly insider tips, here are a few ways you can fill your mornings, afternoons and evenings beautifully without emptying your bank account.

Table of Contents

Immerse Yourself in the Spirit of the Flâneur

The French poet Baudelaire famously described the flâneur as a “stroller of city streets.” Someone who uses the city as a canvas and draws inspiration from its people and atmosphere. What this may look like in practice for you is simply spending a few hours wandering aimlessly, curiously, exploring hidden streets and corners without any urgency to “do everything.”

One of my favourite places to do just this is Canal St Martin – a slightly more local, hipster corner of the city loved by Parisians and a wonderful non-touristy thing to do in Paris. Here, you can expect to see couples strolling hand in hand along the water, groups of friends playing boules or sitting along the canals edge, music playing from portable speakers and perhaps even some teenagers jumping from the bridge into the water during summer.

Grab some delicious pastries from Du Pain et des Idées, bring a little picnic and either join the locals beside the canal here on the side or simply use this as a perfect strolling opportunity without a clear destination in mind. It’s also a great, more affordable area to stay. In fact, Canal Saint-Martin is one of the neighbourhoods I recommend in my post about the best areas to stay in Paris.

parisians along canal st martin in summer

Picnic by the Seine

A picnic is not only one of the most affordable and romantic alternatives to restaurant dining, but it’s also one of the best ways to instantly feel a little more like a local in Paris. Parisians may love their cafés and bistros, but they equally adore eating outside.

Pick up a baguette, pastries, cheese or even just a crepe and a bottle of wine and head towards the Seine for an afternoon or sunset. I included my favourite slightly more secret picnic spot in my Paris insider’s guide and every time I go there, it’s just so beautiful to sit back and observe Parisians in their natural habitat.

Couples sharing an intimate kiss, groups of friends gathered around baguettes and wine, others writing poetry or strumming guitars while the sun begins to set behind the city. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite things to do in Paris full stop, regardless of budget.

friends two women picnic by the seine paris

Affordable bites to eat

Second to your accommodation, eating out will most likely be your next biggest expense. As mentioned already, there are plenty of ways to lower this through picnics or cooking at your accommodation occasionally if you’re able. But in saying that, there are still many places where you can comfortably enjoy eating out too.

On my last visit to Paris, my mum and I found ourselves at Bouillon Pigalle where we ordered chicken and fries, ratatouille, green vegetables, mashed potatoes, two glasses of wine and a crème brûlée for just €34.70 total – which honestly isn’t bad at all for Paris, don’t you think?

An extra insider tip I’d like to share is when in any restaurant, be sure to ask for ‘une carafe d’eau’ (a jug of water) instead of bottled water. It’s completely normal in France and helps keep the bill down considerably over a trip. Paris also has some wonderful open-air markets which make for a lovely way to spend an afternoon wandering around while trying little bites of different things. I’ve included some of my favourites inside my guide too.

bouillon pigalle paris menu affordable prices

bouillon pigalle paris receipt affordable prices

Enjoy Free Viewpoints

Many first-time visitors pay the hefty price tag to climb the Eiffel Tower or spend far too much money at rooftop bars simply for skyline views over Paris.

You may have already heard of the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette, which is beautiful, but personally I actually prefer the lesser-known viewpoint at Printemps.

If you head up to Bar Perché on the seventh floor between around 6-8pm, it’s usually much quieter and you can peacefully enjoy incredible Eiffel Tower views from the terrace near the library without fighting through crowds for a photo.

Enjoy Artsy Live Music

This is by no means an insider tip, but sitting in front of Sacré-Cœur at sunset or in the evening while musicians play across the steps is such a classic Parisian experience that I couldn’t not include it.

You’ll usually find groups of people gathered across the stairs and grassy areas overlooking the city, listening to music, drinking wine and simply enjoying the atmosphere together while various performers entertain the crowds.

Bring your own bottle of wine and a little bite to eat and just soak it all in. It’s one of those simple moments that somehow ends up becoming one of the memories you remember most from Paris.

Spend Time in the Local Parks

One of the lovely things about Paris is how many parks, gardens and green spaces are scattered throughout the city. The Tuileries Garden is always beautiful to stroll through, especially on a first visit to Paris. Find one of those iconic green chairs, get comfortable and enjoy an afternoon of reading, relaxing or people-watching. The little maze-like garden sections also make surprisingly lovely (semi-private!) picnic spots.

One of my personal favourites though, and somewhere especially loved by locals on Sundays, is Buttes-Chaumont. With stunning city views, a waterfall (yes, really), a dramatic cliff topped with a little temple and cafés dotted throughout the park, it feels worlds away from the busier tourist areas of Paris.

So if you’re craving an afternoon of greenery, slow living and French conversations humming softly in the background with perhaps no other tourists in sight, definitely head there.

More Insider Paris Tips

paris local guide to hidden gems woman walking in montmartre

If you found this helpful and would like even more local recommendations, I’ve also created an insider’s guide to Paris featuring 33 of my favourite spots from over a decade of getting to know this gorgeous city.

Cafés, restaurants, bars, markets and other places I tend to keep a little more offline.

So whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, if you love more authentic, locally loved spots that don’t usually appear in guidebooks or all over social media, my Paris Hidden Gems Guide was made exactly for you.