| A trip to Paris is a dream come true for many of us. | | | | twice yearly sales in January and July, typically |
| But the financial crisis and the lingering recession may | | | | discounting designer duds by up to 70%. |
| have you second guessing or even postponing that | | | | 5. Visit the Flea Market - The world famous Paris Flea |
| dream trip to Paris. Familiarity and bit of inside | | | | Markets are a shopper's delight and a good way to |
| knowledge are often the key to enjoying your | | | | spend an afternoon, whether or not you're planning to |
| vacation without breaking your budget and Paris is no | | | | buy something. The largest of the Flea Markets is |
| different. So let's take a look at the ways that | | | | located at Porte de Clignancourt to the North of Paris. |
| Parisians stretch their euros so we can enjoy the | | | | A huge selection of art, antiques, clothing and many |
| wonders of one of the most magnificent cities the | | | | other items are on sale. Entry is free and the |
| world has to offer. | | | | atmosphere is reminiscent of the Great Bazaars of |
| | | | Middle Eastern cities like Cairo and Istanbul. |
| 1. Free entry to museums and cathedrals - There are | | | | 6. Visit the Paris Opéra - Paris boasts two great |
| over 180 museums and monuments in Paris many of | | | | opera houses: the Opéra Bastille and the Opéra |
| which offer free entrance at specific times. Almost all | | | | Garnier. The Opéra Bastille is the newer of the two. |
| churches and cathedrals offer free admission daily | | | | It opened in 1989 and claims that every seat offers a |
| (except for la Sainte Chapelle), but you may need to | | | | clear view of the stage. The neo-Baroque Opéra |
| pay an extra fee to visit the crypts or climb the | | | | Garnier is a renowned architectural masterpiece and |
| towers (e.g. Notre Dame Cathedral). Many major | | | | the home of the Paris Opéra Ballet. It opened in |
| museums, including the big favorites such as the | | | | 1875 and seats over 2000 people. Tickets for |
| Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Rodin and | | | | performances at either opera can go for over 100EUR |
| Musée Picasso, offer free admission the first | | | | for the best seats, but the cheapest seats (which may |
| Sunday of every month. The same museums, plus | | | | not always offer a great view) often cost less than |
| many more, offer free admission daily to citizens of | | | | 10EUR. |
| any nation of the European Union who are under 26 | | | | 7. Visit a Paris Cabaret - Cabarets like the Moulin |
| years old and to children and youths under 18 years | | | | Rouge, Crazy Horse and Lido are Paris institutions. |
| old, regardless of nationality. | | | | While tickets featuring dinner and a bottle of |
| 2. The Paris Museum Pass - Museum lovers who plan | | | | champagne can cost up to 200EUR or more per |
| to visit lots of museums should buy the Paris Museum | | | | person, most cabarets offer tickets that allow you to |
| Pass. The pass allows unlimited entry to over 60 | | | | see the show for much cheaper by going to the |
| museums and monuments, including the Louvre | | | | second performance (without dinner) purchasing a |
| Museum, Château de Versailles, the Musée | | | | ticket to the afternoon matinee, a ticket without drinks, |
| d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, the Picasso Museum, the | | | | or a seat at the bar. These cheaper tickets cost about |
| Arc de Triomphe, and the Sainte Chapelle. You can | | | | 80EUR. |
| visit any number of participating museums, without | | | | 8. Eat a good meal outside of the Paris City Center - |
| waiting in line, during the pass' period of validity (2, 4, or | | | | Most areas that tourists are likely to visit (the |
| 6 days). Anybody who wants to see as many | | | | Champs-Elysées, Saint Germain, Marais) can be |
| museums as possible during a short visit, also needs to | | | | much more expensive than less central, but still very |
| manage their time. So one of the most attractive | | | | nice neighborhoods. Paris offers many neighborhoods |
| features of the Paris Museum Pass is the ability to visit | | | | with concentrations of ethnic restaurants that are |
| museums without waiting in line to buy tickets. | | | | good, yet affordable. Authentic Indian restaurants can |
| 3. Free concerts Paris has a great deal to offer music | | | | be found on the Rue Brady in the 10th arrondissement, |
| lovers. If you're fortunate enough to have a flexible | | | | as well as the area north of Gare du Nord. The area in |
| schedule, you should be sure to consider visiting Paris | | | | the 13th arrondissement just south of Place d'Italie is |
| during the Summer when you can experience the | | | | Paris' Chinatown and many affordable Chinese |
| Fête de la Musique (June 21) or the Free Summer | | | | restaurants can be found here, as well as along the |
| Jazz concerts held every weekend in the Parc de | | | | rue des Gravilliers in the 3rd arrondissement. |
| Vincennes. If you're time is not so flexible, you can still | | | | 9. Get a cheap Paris Airport transfer - Getting from |
| take advantage of the free concerts that are | | | | the airport to the Paris city center can be expensive! |
| frequently offered at the Maison de Radio France. | | | | Taxis typically cost 40EUR - 60EUR, depending on |
| Dates and times vary, but a schedule and free tickets | | | | your destination, time of day and traffic. But a ticket on |
| can be collected in the office at, 116, avenue du | | | | the Metro only costs 8EUR50. If you have too much |
| Président Wilson, 75016 Paris. | | | | baggage for the Metro, consider the shared airport |
| 4. Shop for designer clothes at department store sales | | | | shuttle which can cost as little as 17EUR per person. |
| and designer outlets - Paris is the capital of fashion | | | | 10. Rent a Paris Vacation rental apartment - Hotels in |
| and the home of myriad designers and labels. The high | | | | Paris aren't cheap, so if you're planning to stay for an |
| priced boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg St | | | | extended period or if you're more than two people in |
| Honoré and luxury labels such as Hermes and Louis | | | | your group, a short-term vacation apartment rental is a |
| Vuitton may only be accessible to the few, but savvy | | | | good option that will also allow you to cook your own |
| shoppers can pick up close outs or seconds of | | | | meals and get a better ideal of what it's like to live like |
| designer outfits for huge discounts at designer outlet | | | | the locals do. |
| stores. Inside the Paris city limits, the Mouton à 5 | | | | All things considered, with just a little bit of advance |
| Pattes on the Boulevard Saint Germain is a favorite, | | | | planning, some of the most desirable attractions that |
| as well as the many ready-to-wear shops found in the | | | | Paris has to offer can be available to you absolutely |
| 14th arrondissement, on the rue d'Alésia. If close outs | | | | free of charge or for a much more reasonable price |
| aren't your thing, big department stores like Bon | | | | than most tourists typically have to pay. |
| Marché, Galleries Lafayettes and Printemps have | | | | |