There are so many reasons to Paris. From the picturesque squares and quaint cafes to the elegant boulevards and impressive landmarks, it is a sophisticated and vibrant city.
Then, of course, you have the wine and the food and the unforgettable dining experiences.
The problem is, all of those wonderful elements come at a price, and Paris has subsequently become one of the most expensive cities in the world for tourists and many locals.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t still visit and fall in love with its charm whilst sticking to a budget.
Below, we’ll share with you 7 ways you can see Paris on a budget, covering everything from how to get there, where to stay and how to explore the city without breaking the bank. Read on for all our top tips.
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People travel to Paris for many reasons; for famous landmarks, amazing French food, parks and gardens, romance, and for fashion, architecture, and shopping. But another reason that pulls travelers from all around the globe is it’s impressive collection of art.
Even if you’re not usually a fan of museums, it’s likely you’ll still want to hit the Louvre. Though Paris has many more incredible artistic treasures, and here are the 10 best for you.
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Located on the French Riviera, Nice is a city brimming with wonder, and there’s literally something for everyone. From the naturally rugged terrain to the Italianate old quarter, the stunning beaches, and the rich history, you could quite easily spend weeks discovering the beauty and charm of this magnificent part of the world.
And when you add in the perfect climate, excellent cuisine, and that infamous Riviera glamour, you’ve got a recipe for an extraordinary experience.
But when you’re planning out your itinerary, what should you put on the first day? You want an introduction to the city that will set the tone for the rest of your trip, so here are three of the best first experiences.
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Whether you like to refer to it as the French Riviera, Côte d’Azur, or the Azure Coast, this region of Southeast France along the Mediterranean coastline has long been one of the finest travel destinations in the world.
While there is no official boundary to the French Riviera, it roughly runs from just east of Marseille around Cassis eastward until you reach Menton.
The French Riviera was once reserved for royalty and other elite and although it’s still a playground for the rich and famous, there are still countless ways for budget travelers to experience this world famous region as well.
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One of my favorite areas of France is the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, home to the Bouches-du-Rhône with its medieval villages and castles, ancient Roman monuments and ruins, and giant citadels. Escape to the Mediterranean coast or head inland to romantic vineyards, lavender fields, and olive groves.
Two cities stand out in the region: its capital Marseille, and Aix-en-Provence.
While these two cities are only separated by a 30-minute drive, they are worlds apart, though to experience one without the other would be doing yourself a disservice as despite a long standing rivalry, the two cities complement each other nicely.
So, in encouraging you to visit these two neighboring Top French Cities, let’s dive deeper into how two cities so close together can be so incredibly different, yet equally enticing.
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While France may be among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, what with the lure of Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre, many travellers sadly don’t venture beyond the nation’s capital.
While it may be easy to fall in love with Paris, France is full of plenty of other worthy destinations; smaller cities and rural towns that are bursting with authentic French culture and intriguing history.
One such city is Metz.
Known as the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History), and named as one of France’s ‘Top French Cities‘ for 2020, Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region in north-eastern France, set along the beautiful Moselle River.
Just three hours by car from Paris, or half that by train, Metz elegantly blends a rich past and priceless monuments with modern innovation, and is especially well suited for pedestrians and bikes. Its lively atmosphere and perfect size makes it ideal for short breaks, though you could easily find more than enough to keep you entertained for weeks.
No idea where to start? Here’s a list of things to do; a full run down of churches, parks, museums, festivals, and food!
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Known as the roulette capitol of the world, France is considered to be among the leading casino destinations on earth. There are a massive 186 legal gaming places in France, spread across 175 towns, and they truly are spread out; in fact, you’ll only find one casino in the capitol of Paris!
You obviously won’t have time to visit all 186 properties, so we’ve put together a list of the best in the country.
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Russia and France are both trending countries this year, but why settle for one when you can easily visit them both?!
Whether you’re interested in the splendid architecture, the intriguing history, or in the delicious food and drinks, there is always something to keep you going in both of the exciting destinations.
So, find a Russia and France trip planner to map out your itinerary, though make sure you carve out some time for the following experiences; iconic cultural pastimes you won’t want to miss!
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Paris may be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, but this doesn’t mean that organizing a trip is always easy. In fact, it can be just the opposite!
One of the world’s most iconic destinations, there are an overwhelming amount of places to see and things to do, so often the most difficult thing about Paris is knowing where to start.
If you find yourself in this boat, we’ve put together the following 5 tips to make a trip to Paris a lot easier for you.
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2018 has seen a shift in the way people travel. Movements towards responsible and ethical travel experiences are revolutionizing the travel industry, and right there with it is a trend to seek out more meaningful experiences, and focus on local travel.
And by local travel I don’t mean exploring your own backyard (though there’s a case to be made for that too!), I mean delving deeper into a country or city, and escaping the typical tourist circuit and main landmarks.
Really being able to experience a city … and here’s the buzz word … like a local!
We’re not all fortunate enough to have friends based in every city, but in terms of having access to someone who can show you the real side of their city, there’s definitely something to be said for paying a local to show you around.
This is especially true for a well trodden destination like Paris; private tours in Paris, led by locals, are a great way to experience a city from a more authentic point of view.
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This summer we spent a week in Brittany; a beautiful western region of France known for its delicious crepes and cider, as well as the impressive Mont-Saint-Michel.
Though unlike typical tourists who choose to stay in hotels, we chose a 5-star campsite located in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, a charming village of the northern part of Brittany, also called the french Emerald Coast.
In a place where breathtaking beaches meet wild nature and rich history, you can explore the stunning Cap Fréhel, the picturesque Dinard or the medieval town of Saint-Malo.
Thinking of a 5 stay camping experience in Brittany yourself? This is an overview of our experience.
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Paris. Every superlative in the world has been used to describe Paris, and whether they’ve personally traveled or not, I would wager that every person on earth could reel off an impressive list of things to do.
Photographs of Paris are instantly recognizable, and if you’re traveling to snap a photo of the wrought iron Eiffel Tower, or gargoyled Notre Dame cathedral, let’s be honest, that’s not exactly new.
Paris is, after-all, the most visited city in Europe, and many, many, people have walked the lamplit bridges of the Seine before you.
But despite being one of the most travelled cities in the world, Paris manages to keep a few secrets. Beyond the grandoise palaces and boulevards, and behind the museums and historic facades, are cobbled backstreets with many lesser-known things to do.
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France isn’t a country that has incredible cities and towns in short supply. In fact, it’s almost unheard of for anyone to come back from France, especially Northern France, without being well and truly blown away!
But there’s a lot to be gained from straying a little further than the usual tourist trail. Paris is fantastic and Bordeaux is incredibly beautiful, but it’s not until you discover a hidden gem that you understand just how quaint and picturesque the north of France can really be.
Being such a short distance from the UK, and with regular cross channel ferry services from Brittany Ferries, it’s easy to see the attraction of Northern France. So whether you’re considering a short break or an extended holiday, consider one of the following towns; you may not have realized this side of France even existed!
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Fairy tales have captured our hearts and minds since once upon a time, and these imagined lands are often so vivid that they stay with us into adulthood. We dream of escaping to these fantastic, otherworldly settings to escape the bore of daily life.
But the authors who imagine these enchanting lands often draw inspiration from locations in real life. From the mountains of Germany to the plains of sub-Saharan Africa, there are many places around the world which look like they’ve been ripped from the pages of a fairy tale. And that’s because the real world inspired the story.
If you love fairy tales and have a serious case of wanderlust, you can visit these real places that inspired some of the best stories of all time. None of these destinations require a fairy godmother to reach – just a short flight!
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Whether you’re planning on staying in Paris for a few days, a few weeks or a few months, staying in an apartment is the best way to get a taste of life as a local, among locals. Hotels are still popular, of course, but if you’ve ever dreamed of living the Paris lifestyle, it’s now very easy and affordable for travelers to pick up the keys to a proper home!
With more space, a kitchen, and a washing machine, more travelers are choosing to stay in apartments over hotels (especially in Paris), and it’s become quite a popular trend. So much so that rental agencies like Paris Attitude, who cater to travelers, have gone from a portfolio of 20 properties 10 years ago, to 7,000 today!
And why not?! You get to spread out in some of the city’s most famous residential buildings for often a fraction of the normal nightly hotel price. And you have far more choice when it comes to location, with apartments on every street corner, with views of your favorite monument / attraction.
There is a definite shift away from hotels in favor of apartment rentals, so we’ve covered some of the best apartment rentals in Paris for travelers.
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Paris is one of the world’s most iconic destinations, inspiring travel fantasies and capturing hearts and imaginations all over the world. But with so many highlights it can be a challenge to experience the city like a local would. And with 20 million odd travelers who visit the city every year, I wanted a more authentic experience than your average tourist would.
Short of moving to France (tempting), Cobblestone Paris offers that authentic experience even if you’re just visiting for a weekend; they rent impeccably furnished and conveniently located apartments which allow travelers to experience Paris the way a Parisian would.
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Flights are one of the most obvious ways to travel throughout Europe, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the most affordable, comfortable, or even the most memorable. In fact, one of the best ways to explore Europe is to drive.
There’s a huge diversity of natural scenery throughout Europe, much of which you miss when you’re flying at 35,000 feet. And with roads which wind directly through some of the world’s most incredible landscapes, if you’re visiting the following European hot spots you should trade in your plane ticket for a set of car keys and drive.
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Europe is one of the best places in the world to experience art and culture, and the continent’s expansive history has created a very diverse cultural experience.
The next time you visit Europe, spend time taking in museums, galleries, music venues, and events. If you plan to visit the following cultural cities of Europe, you won’t be disappointed. The following are just a few experiences you should add to your cultural bucketlist.
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Taking a Mediterranean sailing trip is one of the best ways to explore the region, while spending time in the outdoors and enjoying a mode of transport which is incredibly good fun.
The following destinations are the perfect starting point for any Mediterranean sailing adventure. Each of these locations will make for a terrific itinerary that gives you the best that this glorious region has to offer. So, where are you starting your trip from?
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The Eiffel Tower truly is one of the most iconic, most visited and most photographed landmarks in France, and if you love travel photography, getting the perfect shot will most likely be at the top of your list.
Situated in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, whether you’re cruising past it on the Seine, climbing to the roof of a nearby Cathedral, or standing directly below it, there are a million ways to get a shot of the Eiffel Tower, and it’s quite easy to take a great photo here. Though this is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, so what’s not always easy is taking an interesting one. As a tourist, it’s difficult to capture a unique angle which the world hasn’t already seen.
The following are great photography locations for shooting the Eiffel Tower. Head here if you’re looking to travel like a photographer and not a tourist.
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If you’re planning on hitting the slopes this winter, Europe is home to some of the World’s most iconic ski resorts. And while skiing might have originated in Norway and Sweden, it’s the southern ski destinations that have cemented their names as a classic.
“From Ernest Hemingway in the 1920’s and James Bond in the 1980’s to the snowboarders of today, the mighty Alps provide both framework and backdrop for skiing in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.” You’ll find reliable snow, vast skiing terrains, legendary night life and family friendly facilities. There are Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels and destination spas with ultra-luxury chalets.
Europe has literally hundreds of ski resorts to choose from, though only a couple of classics. Here are our favorite top 10.
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There are many, many reasons you should purchase health insurance when traveling abroad, the most obvious being to protect yourself in the case of an emergency, though some countries are beginning to require health coverage as a mandatory condition of entry, meaning travelers no longer have the choice to travel without a plan.
Expat hubs around the world are beginning to require mandatory health insurance before issuing a visa, and more and more countries are deciding to refuse entry without it. Many travelers don’t realize that without the correct insurance, they could be turned away from the destination they are visiting before they make it past airport arrivals.
The following countries are among those jumping on the trend of making health insurance mandatory for those wishing to travel or live overseas.
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To much of the developed world, especially in recent years, tattoos are seen as beautiful/trendy additions to one’s personality, with many tattoos succeeding in telling interesting stories about a person’s past.
But in some countries, tattoos are still seen as extremely taboo. Exposed tattoos in such countries can commonly result in arrests, and where a traveler is concerned, sometimes deportation.
So the following is a list of countries where you should be extra careful about flaunting your ink – otherwise you may end up in more trouble than previously thought!
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Entering into a restaurant in Paris can be a formidable experience for uninitiated travelers. Not only do they have to contend with trying to make their wishes understood by a waiter who may or may not speak their language, but they must learn quickly how to adapt to local dining customs.
The Paris dining scene can be bewildering for those first time travelers who have no idea where to start, though if you’re confused about the difference between a bistrot and a brasserie, or if you feel intimidated by the prospect of going into any French restaurant and ordering a meal, then you’ve come to the right place!
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The idea to attempt a long walk had been in my head for some time. The book Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, came into my hands, shortly followed by Patrick Leigh Fermor’s A Time of Gifts; two autobiographies which detailed epic adventures across magical landscapes on foot.
It became clear to me that something very special happens to a traveler in this situation, so I decided I had to be involved. Though having never walked long distance before, I had to figure out where I should start.
The obvious choice for most travelers these days is the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James. One of the most popular long distance routes made famous by films such as The Way with Martin Sheen, thousands come from all over the world to walk it every year. I imagined I’d probably be one of those thousands until – surprisingly – I started to learn a little bit more about European pilgrimage routes.
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