Saving Tips
Paris doesn't have to be expensive — the art lies in knowing where and when:
- Free Museum Days: On the 1st Sunday of the month (October–March), most national museums are free: Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Orangerie, Musée Rodin, and more. Under 26 and an EU citizen? Then all national museums are always free!
- Free Museums: Permanently free: Musée Carnavalet (History of Paris), Petit Palais, Maison de Victor Hugo, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. All world-class, all free.
- Picnic instead of Restaurant: A baguette (€1.30), a piece of cheese (€3), a bottle of wine (€5 from the supermarket), and fruit — all together under €12 for two people. A feast by the Seine or in the Tuileries.
- Navigo Easy: Load 10 rides (Carnet) for €16.90 on the reusable card (€2 purchase) — instead of €2.15 per single ride. For longer stays: Navigo Découverte (weekly pass, starting Monday, €30.75 for all zones including the airport).
- Happy Hours: Many bars in Marais, Oberkampf, and Canal Saint-Martin offer Happy Hours (5–8 PM) with beer from €4 and cocktails from €6.
- Eau du robinet: In every restaurant, you have the right to a "carafe d'eau" (tap water) — free, excellent quality. Never pay for water!
- Paris Museum Pass: For 2 days (€55) or 4 days (€70): Free entry + skip-the-line to 50+ museums and monuments (Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, etc.). Worth it from 3+ museums per day.
- Wallace Fountains: The green drinking water fountains (100+ throughout Paris) provide fresh, filtered water. Bring a bottle and refill.
