Paris on a Budget: A Guide to an Unforgettable Day for Only €50
This site contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This post shares insider secrets for exploring Paris on a budget, including free attractions, cheap eats, and money-saving tips all for under €50.
Think Paris is expensive?
Think again! While your friends are dropping €300+ on ‘authentic’ Paris experiences, you’re about to discover the insider secrets that make locals laugh at tourist traps.
We’re talking iconic sights, incredible food, and those “I can’t believe I’m in Paris” moments, all for under €50 ($60 USD).
Ready to live your best Parisian life without the financial hangover? Let’s dive into this step-by-step itinerary that’ll have you exploring Paris like a savvy local!
Your Secret €50 Formula That Outshines €200 Tourist Days
Here’s the game-changing strategy that transforms your €50 into a day worth €200+:
- Transport (Navigo Day Pass): €12 (This is your golden ticket to the entire city)
- One Amazing Attraction: €12.50 – €16 (Choose wisely, I’ll help you)
- Food & Drinks: €20 – €22 (Eating like a local = more bang for your buck)
- Total: Around €44.50 – €50
I’ve cracked the code that even seasoned travellers don’t know, the art of Paris on a budget that actually feels luxurious. It’s prioritizing all those incredible free attractions that the city has to offer, and using smart money-saving tips for everything else.
Important Note: You can purchase a Navio Day Pass at ticket machines in the metro and RER stations or download the Navigo App and add a pass. Choose what’s most convenient!
Morning: Master Paris’s Most Instagrammable Neighbourhood Like a True Parisian
Start with Breakfast Done Right (€4-5)
Avoid the tourist-trap cafés charging €15 for what locals get for €4.50. We’re going to be like the locals here and save!
Stop in at a neighbourhood boulangerie. The ones that smell amazing even blocks away, and grab your petit-déjeuner to go.
Find a bench, people-watch, and soak in the morning Parisian vibes. It’s how Parisians do it and why you’ll never want to do the tourist thing again!
What to order:
- Classic croissant + café crème (because when in France!)
- Pain au chocolat + fresh orange juice (for when you need a sugar boost)
- Tartine with butter and jam + coffee (simple, authentic, and what actual Parisians eat)
Where to find the good stuff:
Le Grenier à Pain: Their baguettes have won awards.
Maison Landemaine: Reliable, delicious, and you’ll find them everywhere!
Utopie: A bit out of the way, but well worth it for its unique pastries, which are both picture-perfect and delicious.
Montmartre: Where Art Meets Awesome Views (FREE!)
After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Abbesses Metro station, with its gorgeous Art Nouveau entrance. Then head up those charming cobblestone streets; this is one of those budget-friendly things to do that feels incredibly luxurious.
Wander through Place du Tertre, where artists are still painting portraits (just like they did 100 years ago), then make your way to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.
Entry is totally free, with the most amazing views of the city, honestly! This is Paris on a budget at its finest, incredible experiences that don’t cost a thing.
Insider Secret: Skip the crowded front steps leading up to Sacré-Cœur, where tourist groups gather. Walk to the back for that amazing shot that’ll make your followers ask, “How do I find that spot?”
Late Morning: Discover the Secret Spots Guidebooks Don’t Mention
Île de la Cité: The Heart of It All
Use that day pass and hop over to where Paris literally began, Île de la Cité and Notre Dame. Which is now open and absolutely stunning! Book your free Notre Dame visit asap; slots fill fast, and you don’t want to be left outside looking in.
Those famous bouquinistes (green book stalls) along the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage site and cost nothing to browse.
Take a quick detour to Île Saint-Louis, a charming little island on the Seine that feels worlds away from the tourist crowds. Wander past local artisan shops and gorgeous 17th-century buildings for the perfect breather.
Your One Splurge Attraction (€12.50-16.00)
This is where we get strategic. The secret? Pick ONE paid attraction that gives you the most bang for your buck.
The beauty of these choices? Each takes about an hour, so you’ll still have plenty of time to explore the rest of Paris:
Musée de l’Orangerie (€12.50): Monet’s Water Lilies murals are absolutely magical, seriously. Get your tickets here to skip the entrance lines. Trust me, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible inside without worrying about crowds.
Sainte-Chapelle (€13 – €19, season-dependent): The stained-glass windows will absolutely take your breath away. The light transforms throughout the day, from late morning to early afternoon, and it’s honestly incredible. Secure your timed entry here to guarantee you experience Sainte-Chapelle at its most stunning.
Arc de Triomphe (€16 – €22, season-dependent): Climb to the top for those incredible roof-top views of the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower.
The climb is no joke, so grab your skip-the-line ticket here, because the last thing you want is to wait 45 minutes in line before tackling those stairs.
Free alternative: The Petit Palais! Housing stunning art and a gorgeous inner garden café, especially if you want to save those euros for an extra glass of wine later!
Lunch: The €8 Meal That Beats Any €30 Tourist Restaurant
Here’s another secret to visiting Paris on a budget: the picnic. Parisians have mastered the art of the picnic, and now you will too.
Where to Shop Like a Local:
- Rue Montorgueil: The pedestrian street is basically a food lover’s paradise: cheese shops, bakeries and fruit stalls.
- Le marché couvert Beauvau: A vibrant local market that most tourists never find. Fresh produce, excellent cheese, all at local prices.
- Monoprix: Your backup plan for quick, high-quality prepared foods and drinks. They are everywhere around the city!
What to Pack:
- Baguette sandwich (jambon-fromage is classic for a reason)
- Fresh fruit from a local vendor
- Maybe a slice of quiche if you’re feeling fancy
- A (personal) bottle of wine (because this is France, darling)
Where to Picnic:
Find a spot along the Seine River, lounge on the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, or find a quiet corner in one of Paris’s many beautiful parks, such as Jardin des Tuileries. This is truly the essence of Paris on a budget, and what makes affordable travel feel luxurious.
Afternoon: Iconic Paris Moments
Take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées or get lost in the historic streets of Le Marais.
Travel hack: Join a free walking tour of the Latin Quarter or Le Marais. You’ll get local insights and structure for free (just tip your guide what you can).
The Eiffel Tower Experience (FREE!)
Now for the main event, visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. While going up the tower costs serious euros, admiring it costs nothing, and sometimes the best view is from the ground anyway.
Best free viewing spots:
- Trocadéro: The classic postcard shot everyone needs
- Champ de Mars: Perfect for lounging and really taking it in
- Pont de Bir-Hakeim: A secret spot, shh… fewer crowds, amazing photos, especially with the metro passing overhead
Ultimate Travel Hack: Take Metro Line 6 between Passy and Bir-Hakeim. This elevated section gives you an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower as you cross the Seine River. It’s free with your day pass and perfect for those mastering Paris on a budget. Just remember to sit on the right side of the train!
Evening: Affordable Delights & Golden Hour Magic
Dinner That Won’t Break the Bank (€10-12)
L’As du Fallafel: This legendary spot in Le Marais serves up generously stuffed pitas that’ll fuel you for hours. Yes, there’s usually a line. Yes, it’s worth it.
Breizh Café: For authentic Breton crêpes that are essentially a meal and dessert in one.
Bouillon Chartier: A historic brasserie with incredibly cheap, traditional French food. It’s hectic, and you might share a table, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Sunset Perfection (FREE!)
End your day watching Paris light up. Sacré-Cœur offers city panoramas, while the Seine provides beautiful reflections.
My personal favourite? Parc de Belleville. It’s another local secret with stunning views of the entire city skyline, including the Eiffel Tower. Perfect for watching the City of Love transform into the City of Lights.
Your Final Tally (Proof This Works!)
- Transport: €12.00
- Breakfast: €4.50
- Lunch: €8.00
- Attraction (Musée de l’Orangerie): €12.50
- Dinner: €12.00
- Total: €49.00
See? The key to a successful visit to Paris on a budget is knowing where to splurge, where to save, and discovering that the best things in Paris are (practically) free.
Bonus Round: If You’ve Got €100 to Play With
Feeling like you want to indulge a bit more? Here’s how to upgrade:
- Add the Louvre Museum (€17-20) – because come on, it’s the Louvre. I like to book through this link, because you book a timed-entrance ticket, so you have a guaranteed entrance!
- Take a Seine River cruise (€15-20) in the evening for a different perspective of the gorgeous Eiffel Tower, all lit up and sparkly. Grab your tickets here. Trust me, seeing Paris from the water is spectacular.
- Upgrade dinner to a proper brasserie experience, Bouillon Chartier still rocks for this.
The Real Talk
Paris on a budget isn’t about missing out; it’s about being smart!
When you master budget travel in Paris, the magic reveals itself in sunsets at Sacré-Cœur, hidden Montmartre courtyards, and wine by the Seine.
None of that costs a cent. Pack light, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to prove that an incredible Parisian adventure doesn’t require selling your savings account.
Bon voyage, beautiful! You’ve got this.
