| A trip to Paris is a dream come true for many of us. | | | | Galleries Lafayettes and Printemps have twice yearly |
| But the global financial crisis and shrinking value of | | | | sales in January and July, typically discounting designer |
| many currencies versus the Euro may have you | | | | duds by up to 70%. |
| second guessing or even postponing that dream trip to | | | | 5. Visit the Flea Market |
| Paris. But if you're considering a destination that's a little | | | | The world famous Paris Flea Markets are a shopper's |
| bit closer to home remember that familiarity and some | | | | delight and a good way to spend an afternoon |
| inside knowledge is often the key to enjoying your | | | | whether or not you're planning to buy something. The |
| vacation without breaking your budget. Paris is no | | | | largest of the Flea Markets is located at Porte de |
| different, so let's take a look at the ways Parisians | | | | Clignancourt to the North of Paris. A huge selection of |
| stretch their euros to enjoy the wonders of one of the | | | | art, antiques, clothing and many many other items are |
| most superlative cities the world has to offer | | | | on sale. Entry is free and the atmosphere is |
| 1. Free entry to museums and cathedrals | | | | reminiscent of the Great Bazaars of Middle Eastern |
| There are over 180 museums and monuments in Paris | | | | cities like Cairo and Itanbul. |
| and many offer free entrance at specific times. All | | | | 6. Visit the Paris Opéra |
| churches and cathedrals offer free admission (except | | | | Paris boasts two great opera houses: the Opéra |
| for la Sainte Chapelle), but you may need to pay an | | | | Bastille and the Opéra Garnier. The most recent is |
| extra fee to visit the crypts or climb the towers (e.g. | | | | the Opéra Bastille, which opened in 1989 and claims |
| Notre Dame Cathedral). Many major museums, | | | | that every seat offers a clear view of the stage. The |
| including the big favorites such as the Louvre, | | | | neo-Baroque Opéra Garnier is a renowned |
| Musée d'Orsay, Musée Rodin and Musée | | | | architectural masterpiece and the home of the Paris |
| Picasso, offer free admission the first Sunday of | | | | Opéra Ballet. It opened in 1875 and seats over 2000 |
| every month. The same museums, plus many more, | | | | people. Tickets for performances at either opera can |
| offer free admission daily to citizens of any nation of | | | | go for over 100€ for the best seats, but the |
| the European Union who are under 26 years old and | | | | cheapest seats (which may not always offer a great |
| to children and youths under 18 years old. | | | | view) often cost less than 10€ |
| | | | | 7. Visit a Paris Cabaret |
| 2. The Paris Museum Pass | | | | Cabarets like the Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse and Lido |
| Museum lovers who plan to visit lots of museums | | | | are a well known Paris institution. While the typical |
| should buy the Paris Museum pass. This pass allows | | | | show ticket featuring dinner and a bottle of |
| unlimited entry to over 60 museums and monuments, | | | | champagne can cost up to 200€ or more per |
| including the Louvre Museum, Château de Versailles, | | | | person, what is less well known is that you can also |
| the Musée d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, the Picasso | | | | see the who for much cheaper by going to the |
| Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Sainte | | | | second show (without dinner) or in some cabarets, just |
| Chapelle. You can visit any number of participating | | | | purchasing a ticket to the afternoon matinee, a ticket |
| museums, without waiting in line, during the pass' period | | | | without drinks, or a seat at the bar. These cheaper |
| of validity (2,4, or 6 days). For anybody who's planning | | | | tickets cost about 80€. |
| to see a lot of museums during a short visit, time | | | | 8. Eat a good meal out of the Center |
| becomes an important factor. So one of the most | | | | Most areas that tourists are likely to visit (the |
| attractive features of the Paris Museum Pass is the | | | | Champs-Elysées, Saint Germain, Marais) can be |
| ability to visit museums without waiting in line to buy | | | | much more expensive than less central, but still very |
| tickets. | | | | nice neighborhoods. Paris offers many neighborhoods |
| 3. Free concerts | | | | with concentrations of ethnic restaurants that are |
| Paris has a great deal to offer to music lovers. If | | | | good, yet affordable. Authentic Indian restaurants can |
| you're fortunate enough to be flexible in the dates you | | | | be found on the Rue Brady in the 10th arrondissement, |
| plan to visit, you should be sure to consider visiting | | | | as well as the area north of Gare du Nord. The area in |
| during the Summer when you can experience the | | | | the 13th arrondissement just south of Place d'Italie is |
| Fête de la Musique (June 21) or the Free Summer | | | | Paris' Chinatown and many affordable Chinese |
| Jazz concerts held every weekend in the Parc de | | | | restaurants can be found here, as well as along the |
| Vincennes. If you're time is not so flexible, you can still | | | | rue des Gravilliers in the 3rd arrondissement. |
| take advantage of the free concerts that are | | | | 9. Get a cheap Airport transfer |
| frequently offered at the Maison de Radio France. | | | | Getting a Paris airport transfer from the airport to the |
| Dates and times vary but a schedule and free tickets | | | | Paris city center can be expensive! Taxis typically cost |
| can be collected in the office at, 116, avenue du | | | | 40€ – 60€, depending on your destination, time |
| Président Wilson, 75016 Paris | | | | of day and traffic. But a ticket on the Metro only costs |
| 4. Shop for designer clothes at department store sales | | | | 8€50. If you have too much baggage for the Metro, |
| and designer outlets | | | | consider the shared airport shuttle which can cost as |
| Paris is the capital of fashion and the home of myriad | | | | little as 17€ per person. |
| famous designers and labels. Although the haute | | | | 10. Vacation rental apartment |
| couture showrooms along the avenue Matignon and | | | | Hotels in Paris aren't cheap, so if you're planning to |
| luxury labels such as Hermes and Louis Vuitton may | | | | stay for an extended period or if you're more than |
| only be accessible to the few, but savvy shoppers | | | | two people in your group, a short-term Paris vacation |
| can pick up close outs or seconds of designer outfits | | | | apartment rental is a good option that will also allow |
| for huge discounts at designer outlet stores. Inside the | | | | you to cook your own meals and get a better idea of |
| Paris city limits the Mouton à 5 Pattes on the | | | | what it's like to live like the locals do. |
| Boulevard Saint Germain is a favorite, as well as the | | | | All things considered, with just a little bit of advance |
| many ready-to-wear shops found in the 14th | | | | planning, some of the most desirable attractions that |
| "arrondissement", on the rue d'Alésia beginning | | | | Paris has to offer can be available to you absolutely |
| around the avenue de Maine. If closeouts aren't your | | | | free of charge or for a much more reasonable price |
| thing, big department stores like Bon Marché, | | | | than most tourists typically have to pay. |