- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Paris on a small budget.
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:03 pm
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:03 pm
I recently did a quick one week tour of Europe. I do a solo trip every year or so and this year I did Amsterdam, Brugges and Paris in 8 days.
I'll focus on Paris here.
I took a train from Brussels. It was a Thalys train and I booked a second class ticket for €22. This was the first second class train I took in Europe as the upcharge to first was usually only $10 or so and included better seats.
Anyway. I was stuck next to the one masker on the train car. She was upset I didn't have a mask and decided to leave her laptop on her tray and her stuff on her seat and then spend the entire ride in between the train cars on the phone.
Had I paid €33 I would have avoided that.
It was a quick train ride and before I knew it I was at Paris Garde Nord station. I then went to a metro ticket machine and got the T pack. Which is 10 tickets for €19.10 this is a good deal and you'll use them. They work on everything even the funicular. But mostly the Rer and Metro.
I took the train to Republique which was a block or two from my hotel.
Hotel Paris France
Can see the statue from my balcony. I booked a simple 3 star hotel named "Hotel Paris France" which is on top the Temple metro station in the 3rd Arrondissement.
The room was $85 a night. Had some old heavy key you couldn't leave the hotel with and had to leave at counter. (My hotel in Amsterdam was the same) every time I left my room my room would be made up and cleaned and the tea and coffee restocked.
The view was great for the price and it did have an elevator, I was on the 6th (American 7th) floor.
At this time it was around 8pm. The hotel manager recommended a local restaurant but it was very popular and 10 was the earliest opening. So i decided to rent an E bike and work up an appetite.
First stop was nearby Bastille monument.
Then Notre Dame and the touristy area near it. (Which houses a New Orleans Saints fan bar, though I found that on day two)
Cycling on I decided to cycle to the Tower take a picture and cycle back. It was about a half hour ride to the Eiffel Tower if I didn't stop. But I stopped a lot. This bike was an E bike which held 25kmh which was nice.
The last two cities I walked everywhere.
Cathedrals and grand buildings are everywhere. I believe this is the Chappelle cathedral.
The Pantheon
The assembly
The Louvre, I'm going there the next day. Also never enter near the pyramid. But more in the next post.
The Tower. I have summit passes the next day. Though the view was hazy.
Time to head to the restaurant. Here was the last big sight I saw. The Egyptian Obelisk.
I made it to the Restaurant, Bouillon Republique. The Bouillons are a local chain and are very popular. They serve all the popular French food. Though I saw 3 course menus for less in the touristy area. The lines at Republique and Pigalle Bouillons ll (moulin rouge area) were always long.
Bouillon Republique
I ordered the escargot and the Bourginon.
It was really good but needed heat, luckily I travel with seasoning.
I walked the couple of blocks back to the hotel and brewed a cup of herbal tea and sat on my balcony.
I was happy with all I got to see with only a few hours in Paris.
On the day I spent:
€22 on train
€10 on bike rental
€26 on dinner
€85 on room
€3 on drinks
€19 metro tickets
€165
I'll focus on Paris here.
I took a train from Brussels. It was a Thalys train and I booked a second class ticket for €22. This was the first second class train I took in Europe as the upcharge to first was usually only $10 or so and included better seats.
Anyway. I was stuck next to the one masker on the train car. She was upset I didn't have a mask and decided to leave her laptop on her tray and her stuff on her seat and then spend the entire ride in between the train cars on the phone.
Had I paid €33 I would have avoided that.
It was a quick train ride and before I knew it I was at Paris Garde Nord station. I then went to a metro ticket machine and got the T pack. Which is 10 tickets for €19.10 this is a good deal and you'll use them. They work on everything even the funicular. But mostly the Rer and Metro.
I took the train to Republique which was a block or two from my hotel.
Hotel Paris France
Can see the statue from my balcony. I booked a simple 3 star hotel named "Hotel Paris France" which is on top the Temple metro station in the 3rd Arrondissement.
The room was $85 a night. Had some old heavy key you couldn't leave the hotel with and had to leave at counter. (My hotel in Amsterdam was the same) every time I left my room my room would be made up and cleaned and the tea and coffee restocked.
The view was great for the price and it did have an elevator, I was on the 6th (American 7th) floor.
At this time it was around 8pm. The hotel manager recommended a local restaurant but it was very popular and 10 was the earliest opening. So i decided to rent an E bike and work up an appetite.
First stop was nearby Bastille monument.
Then Notre Dame and the touristy area near it. (Which houses a New Orleans Saints fan bar, though I found that on day two)
Cycling on I decided to cycle to the Tower take a picture and cycle back. It was about a half hour ride to the Eiffel Tower if I didn't stop. But I stopped a lot. This bike was an E bike which held 25kmh which was nice.
The last two cities I walked everywhere.
Cathedrals and grand buildings are everywhere. I believe this is the Chappelle cathedral.
The Pantheon
The assembly
The Louvre, I'm going there the next day. Also never enter near the pyramid. But more in the next post.
The Tower. I have summit passes the next day. Though the view was hazy.
Time to head to the restaurant. Here was the last big sight I saw. The Egyptian Obelisk.
I made it to the Restaurant, Bouillon Republique. The Bouillons are a local chain and are very popular. They serve all the popular French food. Though I saw 3 course menus for less in the touristy area. The lines at Republique and Pigalle Bouillons ll (moulin rouge area) were always long.
Bouillon Republique
I ordered the escargot and the Bourginon.
It was really good but needed heat, luckily I travel with seasoning.
I walked the couple of blocks back to the hotel and brewed a cup of herbal tea and sat on my balcony.
I was happy with all I got to see with only a few hours in Paris.
On the day I spent:
€22 on train
€10 on bike rental
€26 on dinner
€85 on room
€3 on drinks
€19 metro tickets
€165
7
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:03 pm to Napoleon
He next morning I had 10am tower tickets. Knowing the route on bike I rented a bike again and rode to the Tower.
Sadly it was a little cloudy
I recommend it but the best views were on the 2nd floor not the very top.
Now around the Tower you'll see tons and tons of scammers. They ask if you speak English. Just ignore them. They want you to donate to a fake charity.
There are tons of Africans selling trinkets but they aren't really scamming. The scammers were mostly Spanish.
Anyway from there I walked the river bank to a train station.
Hopped on a train but only went one station down which was kind of a waste but the station I wanted to go to was closed. Note the confusing map. You need to know direction based on last stop. Using Google maps was the best as it told you the train name and station name.
I did not make it to the Orsay museum this trip.
I had a little over an hour I kill before I could go in the Louvre. Now if I was in the normal line it would be time to line up. But I knew about the secret line so I didn't need to line up yet.
I looked for a nice chair and relaxed a bit.
Here you'll start seeing the crowds of people in line. The people on the right of the pyramid don't have tickets. Those on the left have tickets but don't know about the good entrance.
Don't be these people. Look for the stairs/escalator down the the Carosel. An underground mall.
No switchbacks. I went their the line so fast. I had to go walk around the shops some more before it was my time. I didn't expect that line to only be 5 minutes.
They had a geology store I could have spent a ton of money in. Was like a museum it's self. After looking at rocks for a few minutes I was ready to go in.
Now the Louvre is amazing. I took hundreds of pictures there. I'm just going to post a few. But you have to go. This museum is amazing. It's so vast. I was able to walk every open hall in a little over 3 hours.
I didn't wait in the Mona Lisa line.
It's a museum in a palace with some grand rooms left the way it was in Royal/empire times.
Loads of Egyptian artifacts and tons and tons of tablets.
Venus di Milo
Easter Island Head
Liberty leading the people
Mona Lisa
Hell's palace
Winged victory.
Napoleon earliest portrait.
Looking at Greek statues helps the self esteem.
After the museum I walked to Champs Elysee and checked out the Arc.
From there I decided to order McDonalds because of Royale with cheese. It was €5 i ordered just a sandwich. But when I got to the front they called the numbers in only French. Defeated I left. I didn't pay in advance though I selected cash.
I got on a train at Rush hour back to my hotel.
I had to squeeze to get on and couldn't move an inch on the ride.
I popped into a Local market and got stuff to make a sandwich. Particularly Iberico de Bellota Jamon and Manchengo.
After eating dinner on my patio I again decided to ride the bike this time I planned on getting souvineers in the touristy area near Notre Dame. On the way I saw "New Orleans" .
They had 2 for 1 mojitos and they were legit. After 4 I took a metro back.
Budget
Eiffel Tower - €19
LOUVRE -€22
Lunch - €6
Dinner- €12
Bike - €15
Hotel - €85
€159
Sadly it was a little cloudy
I recommend it but the best views were on the 2nd floor not the very top.
Now around the Tower you'll see tons and tons of scammers. They ask if you speak English. Just ignore them. They want you to donate to a fake charity.
There are tons of Africans selling trinkets but they aren't really scamming. The scammers were mostly Spanish.
Anyway from there I walked the river bank to a train station.
Hopped on a train but only went one station down which was kind of a waste but the station I wanted to go to was closed. Note the confusing map. You need to know direction based on last stop. Using Google maps was the best as it told you the train name and station name.
I did not make it to the Orsay museum this trip.
I had a little over an hour I kill before I could go in the Louvre. Now if I was in the normal line it would be time to line up. But I knew about the secret line so I didn't need to line up yet.
I looked for a nice chair and relaxed a bit.
Here you'll start seeing the crowds of people in line. The people on the right of the pyramid don't have tickets. Those on the left have tickets but don't know about the good entrance.
Don't be these people. Look for the stairs/escalator down the the Carosel. An underground mall.
No switchbacks. I went their the line so fast. I had to go walk around the shops some more before it was my time. I didn't expect that line to only be 5 minutes.
They had a geology store I could have spent a ton of money in. Was like a museum it's self. After looking at rocks for a few minutes I was ready to go in.
Now the Louvre is amazing. I took hundreds of pictures there. I'm just going to post a few. But you have to go. This museum is amazing. It's so vast. I was able to walk every open hall in a little over 3 hours.
I didn't wait in the Mona Lisa line.
It's a museum in a palace with some grand rooms left the way it was in Royal/empire times.
Loads of Egyptian artifacts and tons and tons of tablets.
Venus di Milo
Easter Island Head
Liberty leading the people
Mona Lisa
Hell's palace
Winged victory.
Napoleon earliest portrait.
Looking at Greek statues helps the self esteem.
After the museum I walked to Champs Elysee and checked out the Arc.
From there I decided to order McDonalds because of Royale with cheese. It was €5 i ordered just a sandwich. But when I got to the front they called the numbers in only French. Defeated I left. I didn't pay in advance though I selected cash.
I got on a train at Rush hour back to my hotel.
I had to squeeze to get on and couldn't move an inch on the ride.
I popped into a Local market and got stuff to make a sandwich. Particularly Iberico de Bellota Jamon and Manchengo.
After eating dinner on my patio I again decided to ride the bike this time I planned on getting souvineers in the touristy area near Notre Dame. On the way I saw "New Orleans" .
They had 2 for 1 mojitos and they were legit. After 4 I took a metro back.
Budget
Eiffel Tower - €19
LOUVRE -€22
Lunch - €6
Dinner- €12
Bike - €15
Hotel - €85
€159
This post was edited on 3/5/23 at 5:28 pm
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:04 pm to Napoleon
Day 3 I didn't have much planned or anything in advance. I went to the local market, bought breakfast. Then bought a suitcase for the souvineers I was going to buy that day. Afterwards I walked to Opera station then took the metro to the Montmarte area.
This was a museum on the way called Artes de Meters (arts and crafts) yet is basically a steam punk invention museum. I'll add it to my next trip.
Rather than use ladders guys hung off of ropes to change window glass. Was very odd.
On top of Montmarte is Sacre-Couer an amazing basilica.
You can climb the steps from the exorcist three times and the steps from Joker twice (in length not actual) or take the funicular. It cost one ticket. (The ten pack on day one)
I walked around and got a gallete and some souvineers as this area had some cool shops. Also had a lot of artist painting portraits. I didn't get one though. Was about €60.
I then hoped on a tourist train and took it around the mountain to Pigalle (the red light district)
Simpsons stuff was all over. Bart and Homer were often drawn onto signs for food or drinks. This was most egregious. Had the font too.
I hopped off the train. Walked over a grave yard and made my way back to Abssess area.
I saw a seafood stand and bought four raw oysters and a cup of soup. People were just drinking it with no spoon so I did that.
It's hard not to be fat in France but I kept up the cardio.
From Abseeses I decided to walk south past the theater area then take a metro to Les Invaledes. Or the French military museum
This museum is a MUST for anyone interested in military history.
I've never seen so many coats of arms or cannons. Plus Napoleon's tomb.
Cannon with people making love carved into it all over.
He dead.
The World Wars wing was closed.
Napoleon's tomb.
Marshall Foch memorial.
After leaving Les Invaledes I took a metro to the catacombs only to find out it was sold out for the day. So looking for Paris souvineers I decided to hit the Marais and shop.
Tiled Street art was all over
Without realizing I ended back up at my hotel after walking entire Marais. Not a bad spot.
I decided to unload my souvineers and take a nap before going to see the lights at the eiffel tower.
The Tower was lit differently and I didn't know yet it was for Ukraine and they weren't doing the sparkly lights on the hour. Which was a bummer.
I took my bike over a few blocks and got on a RER train back to Montmarte as that area was supposed to be late night.
I was able to load up on souvineers here. And also get a nice fondue.
I took the steps this time and it hurt. I had walked almost two marathons this week yet the stairs were the worst. Over 400 of them.
I enjoyed walking the skinny streets and walked around until 1am this night.
Moulin Rouge was pretty expensive, I didn't check it out.
I decided to have a drink at Le Chat Noir since I always see the signs.
The Tower still wasn't sparkling on the hour.
I like the font they use on the metro.
I took my last ride back to Temple around 1. There were still cafes open at 1am.
The next morning I took the metro to Opera station then the Roissy bus to the airport.
The airport is Boogie
Invaledes museum - €16
Montmarte train - €8
Food - €40
Hotel - €85
Addition metro ticket $2.20
Roissy bus - €16
Bike €18
€185.20
Had a great time and other than souvineers I didn't spend much.
I didn't list alcohol or soft drinks. I didn't eat out often
Had a great time. Saw a ton. Highly recommend.
Yes they like you to speak French but they open up when You say you're from La Nouvelle Orlean.
The only real negative was their airport passport control took an hour and a half to go through. Security only took 20 minutes though.
While i really enjoyed Paris Amsterdam was my favorite stop this trip.
This was a museum on the way called Artes de Meters (arts and crafts) yet is basically a steam punk invention museum. I'll add it to my next trip.
Rather than use ladders guys hung off of ropes to change window glass. Was very odd.
On top of Montmarte is Sacre-Couer an amazing basilica.
You can climb the steps from the exorcist three times and the steps from Joker twice (in length not actual) or take the funicular. It cost one ticket. (The ten pack on day one)
I walked around and got a gallete and some souvineers as this area had some cool shops. Also had a lot of artist painting portraits. I didn't get one though. Was about €60.
I then hoped on a tourist train and took it around the mountain to Pigalle (the red light district)
Simpsons stuff was all over. Bart and Homer were often drawn onto signs for food or drinks. This was most egregious. Had the font too.
I hopped off the train. Walked over a grave yard and made my way back to Abssess area.
I saw a seafood stand and bought four raw oysters and a cup of soup. People were just drinking it with no spoon so I did that.
It's hard not to be fat in France but I kept up the cardio.
From Abseeses I decided to walk south past the theater area then take a metro to Les Invaledes. Or the French military museum
This museum is a MUST for anyone interested in military history.
I've never seen so many coats of arms or cannons. Plus Napoleon's tomb.
Cannon with people making love carved into it all over.
He dead.
The World Wars wing was closed.
Napoleon's tomb.
Marshall Foch memorial.
After leaving Les Invaledes I took a metro to the catacombs only to find out it was sold out for the day. So looking for Paris souvineers I decided to hit the Marais and shop.
Tiled Street art was all over
Without realizing I ended back up at my hotel after walking entire Marais. Not a bad spot.
I decided to unload my souvineers and take a nap before going to see the lights at the eiffel tower.
The Tower was lit differently and I didn't know yet it was for Ukraine and they weren't doing the sparkly lights on the hour. Which was a bummer.
I took my bike over a few blocks and got on a RER train back to Montmarte as that area was supposed to be late night.
I was able to load up on souvineers here. And also get a nice fondue.
I took the steps this time and it hurt. I had walked almost two marathons this week yet the stairs were the worst. Over 400 of them.
I enjoyed walking the skinny streets and walked around until 1am this night.
Moulin Rouge was pretty expensive, I didn't check it out.
I decided to have a drink at Le Chat Noir since I always see the signs.
The Tower still wasn't sparkling on the hour.
I like the font they use on the metro.
I took my last ride back to Temple around 1. There were still cafes open at 1am.
The next morning I took the metro to Opera station then the Roissy bus to the airport.
The airport is Boogie
Invaledes museum - €16
Montmarte train - €8
Food - €40
Hotel - €85
Addition metro ticket $2.20
Roissy bus - €16
Bike €18
€185.20
Had a great time and other than souvineers I didn't spend much.
I didn't list alcohol or soft drinks. I didn't eat out often
Had a great time. Saw a ton. Highly recommend.
Yes they like you to speak French but they open up when You say you're from La Nouvelle Orlean.
The only real negative was their airport passport control took an hour and a half to go through. Security only took 20 minutes though.
While i really enjoyed Paris Amsterdam was my favorite stop this trip.
This post was edited on 3/5/23 at 8:15 pm
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:09 pm to Napoleon
Go see your tomb. Pretty cool.
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:21 pm to Napoleon
I remember you getting questioned on your taking crystal packets on a trip thread, glad it worked out 
Posted on 3/5/23 at 4:25 pm to CuseTiger
They were necessary in the Netherlands. They only season with curry I think.
Posted on 3/5/23 at 8:21 pm to Springlake Tiger
I went and enjoyed the tomb. I added a couple of pictures of it.
May make this my new avatar.
May make this my new avatar.
Posted on 3/5/23 at 10:42 pm to Napoleon
Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed the whole thread
Posted on 3/6/23 at 6:48 am to Napoleon
Dang good write up. How were the E-bikes in the city? I wanted to do that and honestly they are a great way to explore a new city.
Posted on 3/6/23 at 7:28 am to Napoleon
Great review and photos! Thanks! I’m hoping to get back eventually!
Posted on 3/6/23 at 7:40 am to Napoleon
Everyone should solo travel at least once. It is really nice to be able to do what YOU want to do.
I solo traveled in Europe last year (Sweden), and it was very enjoyable and I came back very recharged.
I solo traveled in Europe last year (Sweden), and it was very enjoyable and I came back very recharged.
Posted on 3/6/23 at 12:32 pm to baldona
They were everywhere. I used Lime since I already had the app. I only got on a scooter once. I preferred the bikes.
The app told you were they were and how much charge they had. I would park it and use the free 10 minute reservation to keep holding it if I had a good one.
The app told you were they were and how much charge they had. I would park it and use the free 10 minute reservation to keep holding it if I had a good one.
Posted on 3/6/23 at 12:33 pm to GetCocky11
Honestly I prefer it. Wife and kids hate museums and we get stuck doing tourist stuff.
I'm happy with paying for them to do disney and I go off on my own for a week.
I'm happy with paying for them to do disney and I go off on my own for a week.
Posted on 3/6/23 at 7:32 pm to Napoleon
quote:
Had I paid €33 I would have avoided that.
Vastly under-rated benefit to not going with the cheapest fare.
Great report! I think that's the first time I've seen a physical hotel key in over 15 years
Posted on 3/6/23 at 11:49 pm to LemmyLives
I can't remember ever getting an actual key in my adult life for a hotel room. Only cards
Posted on 3/7/23 at 10:52 am to Napoleon
I would by no means say a hard key is normal but its also still very common in the smaller/ older family run hotels in Europe and they do as you said and ask to leave it at the front desk when you depart.
Posted on 3/8/23 at 9:25 pm to Napoleon
That’s a great review and great pics. 
I was in Paris almost exactly one year ago and absolutely loved it.
However, I looked up your hotel and cheapest rate I could find was about €192/nt for random week nights. Didn’t find any weekends through April. You got a good rate.
I was in Paris almost exactly one year ago and absolutely loved it.
However, I looked up your hotel and cheapest rate I could find was about €192/nt for random week nights. Didn’t find any weekends through April. You got a good rate.
Posted on 3/11/23 at 8:41 pm to Napoleon
Great Post! This is very similar to how my husband and I travel. We enjoy it so much and usually are able to keep reasonable budgets even without trying.
Posted on 3/11/23 at 9:11 pm to Napoleon
Musee de Armee pics were fantastic. I took the same pic of the the armor that had an apparent huge round go through the right side of the breastplate. Time to live after you get hit with something like that? Point three seconds, if that.
The amount of art on literally hundreds of cannons and mortars was absolutely amazing in the French Army Museum. Dragons, snakes, etc., inset in gold or bronze on the sides of awesome dragon breathers from the 18th century was spectacular.
The amount of art on literally hundreds of cannons and mortars was absolutely amazing in the French Army Museum. Dragons, snakes, etc., inset in gold or bronze on the sides of awesome dragon breathers from the 18th century was spectacular.
Posted on 3/12/23 at 12:36 pm to Napoleon
Way back before 9-11 Gare du Nord had long been one scarry arse place. I hope the cops in Paris have cleaned out the rats' nest.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News