Four Things to Do in Paris for Under 25 Euros

 

Four, Fabulous Paris Experiences for less than 25 Euros

To help stretch your budget, here's four, fabulous experiences in Paris for under 25€.

1. Attend a Parisian Dinner Party - If you're looking to meet other world travelers or just love to mingle, attend one of Jim Haynes famous dinner parties. For the last 30 years, Jim has opened his home to anyone looking for good conversation, and you're invited! Just send Jim an email and he'll add you to the list of around 50 other travelers. Dinner is a three-course catered buffet meal (e.g., salad, pasta dish, dessert) with "all you can drink" wine, beer and soda. Bring 20€ in an envelope for Jim to help defray the food costs. Sunday evenings from 8pm to 11pm.

2. Enjoy a Champagne Cruise on the Seine - Toasting with champagne, floating down the Seine while watching the lights of Paris dance on the water is a "must do" Parisian experience. Don't spend 200€ for a touristy dinner cruise on the Seine for two. Instead, cruise like the locals do.

Purchase a ticket for a sightseeing cruise on a "bateaux mouche" (glass ceiling "fly boats" that travel up and down the Seine) for 10€, drop by your local grocery/wine store and pick up a 1/2 bottle of champagne for 15€, toss a few glasses and some chocolates into a bag, pop the cork and voila....you're on a champagne cruise for two for a fraction of the price. For a romantic ride, try the Bateaux Parisiens boats at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Catch a ride late at night, around 10pm-11pm, for an uncrowded, intimate, cruise.

3. Learn about French Wines - Confused about what wines to order when you're out and about in Paris? Attend a beginner's wine tasting at O Chateau for 20€. Olivier, your host, is personable, approachable, English speaking, and easy on the eyes. He takes the fear out of wine tasting by making it relaxed and fun. Think of him as a new acquaintance explaining wine to you in your local bar. By the time you leave, you should have enough of a good working knowledge of French wine types and regions to order a bottle you'll enjoy at dinner.

4. Pack a Gourmet Picnic - Parisians consider the large gardens of Paris their second home. Enjoy a local Parisian experience, by packing a gourmet picnic and heading for your favorite park. Here's a few ideas for creating the perfect Parisian picnic for 25€.

• Crusty, french baguette - 2€
• Favorite cheese - 4 €
• Two pastries for dessert- 4€
• Bottle of wine - 6€
• Fruit (grapes, pears, apples) - 3 €
• Crepes, panini (tomatoes and mozzarella), or sandwich (ham and cheese) from street vendor for two - 6€
• For a splurge, add Fois gras in glass container for 13€.

One stop shop at Monoprix for the list, or make an event of it by selecting each item with care from your local bakery, fromagerie, patisserie, wine store, and fruit market.

Remember in most parks, you can't sit in the grass - grab a bench instead. And, don't forget to pack some glasses for the wine (unlike the US, it is OK to drink in public places).

Great parks for ambiance and people watching are the Luxembourg Gardens (Left Bank), Place des Vosges (Right Bank), and the Square Jean XXIII or Square de L'Isle de France (both directly behind the Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cite).

Author: Cheryl Montgomery