Two days in Paris on the cheap.

[Onebaldandonehairy]

Just toying with the idea of taking my son to Paris for two days in January, Eurostar and hotels are affordable. But I know Paris is expensive. Can anyone recommend cheap things to do that will give us a taste of Paris? (Or talk me out of it if you think it is a bad idea)

Well, what do you and he enjoy? There’s no standard ‘must see’ Paris, any more than there’s a ‘standard’ London. My version of Paris is as much art as possible, but that won’t be everyone’s bag.

My son is 13. He is not big on art galleries, I would like some low key culture, a few of the sights and le Lego shop.

• a meal at Chartier or bouillon Pigalle
• walk up to the top of Montmartre or Belleville park or Buttes de Chaumont for a view
• Do a street art walk at la butte au cailles
• do a boat trip on the canal ( not the seine) as it goes underground

-visit the sewers -look at the vitrines of the grand magasins

• there might be ice skating on the top of Montparnasse tower but it hasn't been announced yet
• visit the submarine at la cité des sciences
• see a small concert in a bar ( website LYLO (les yeux les oreilles) will help you find free ones and usefully lists the price a pint and a soft drink

-get a hot chocolate in front of a fireplace in hotel d'aubusson

They all sound fabulous ideas @brisedusoir . Thank you 😘

Can you ask for as many Euros as your family are willing to give for Christmas?

January in Paris will be cold, so you will want money to be able to do indoors things, even just hot drinks.

Do some extensive research on google, there are so many people happy to post amazing travel tips, places to go, see, cheapest way to see what you want, how to travel around.

Ask ChatGPT. I've got it to do my itinerary. We're doing Angelinas, Galleries Lafayette, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Arc de Triomphe, Montmarte, a bistro, a boulangerie, walking past The Louvre (DD doesn't want to go in). Not paying to go into any landmarks as we've so little time but I will be paying to visit the Catacombs.

The bus tour with audio/guide is extremely good. Yes it's the obvious landmarks (a good way to see them all and orient yourself for revisiting the ones you like) and with Charles Aznavour singing Champs Elysee as you're driving down it it's a thoroughly French experience albeit unashamedly touristy!!

Roof of Galleries Lafayette has a great view over Paris rooftops and is free (if you can avoid being tempted inside the store). You just take the escalators right to the top.

rooftop of Galleries Lafayette gives you a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower and most of Paris. Take the central escalators as the store itself is beautiful.
Place du Trocadero also a good place for views.
River Seine walk, lots of bridges.
Montmartre.
There’s also a good flea market and a posher antique market in the north of the city. Nearest Metro stop here http://www.paris-flea-market.com/location-and-layout-of-the-market/#:~:text=The%20Flea%20Market%20is%20located,the%20sidewalk%20outside%20the%20McDonald's.
If You can dodge the traffic you can stand on the site of the guillotine in Place de Concorde.

He might be a teeny bit old for this, not sure, but my 12yr old still enjoys these books:
scavengerhuntadventures.com/paris/

affordable for central Paris www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/bouillon-chartier-grands-boulevards-en/