Olympic Games 2024: how to organize a stay in Paris without making money?

With the Olympics approaching, many travelers are planning their dream trip to Paris, combining world-class sports and athletics with the city’s renowned art, culture and gastronomy.

Although it’s a dream destination for many, costs can add up quickly and it’s easy to go over budget in the French capital.

With careful planning and wise decisions, you can experience the magic of Paris without breaking the bank or missing out on the charm and appeal of the city.

From free events to affordable restaurants, cheap attractions and insider secrets, we’ve gathered practical tips and recommendations to help you maximize your Paris adventure while staying within your budget.

See famous landmarks, explore lesser-known places, and indulge in local experiences that won’t cost you a fortune.

Visit the Musée d’Orsay for free

Affordable culture is closer than you think in Paris, as many museums and galleries offer free admission once a month.

On the first Sunday of the month, entry to the Musée d’Orsay is free if you book tickets online.

The museum is located in the historic Orsay train station and is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its large central nave is capped by a glass roof that allows natural light to illuminate the diversity of its art collection, including Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night.”

Browse the themed galleries and admire a sublime collection of French art from masters such as Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot and Renoir without spending a single euro.

For panoramic views of Paris without the price, head to Belleville Park in the 20th arrondissement.

At 108 meters, Belleville Park is the highest park in Paris and is located at the top of Belleville Hill. The nearly thirty-meter-high terrace located at the top of the park offers a breathtaking view of the city, especially the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Montmartre.

Bring local cheese and wine and have an inexpensive sunset picnic with the best views in all of Paris.

Feast on freshly cooked pancakes

Freshly cooked French crepes are a cheap lunch on the go in Paris. Many crêpes scattered around the city serve up crispy crêpes in a sizzling pan.

These takeaway pancakes are expertly cooked to order in a circular shape and are made from wheat flour, eggs, milk and salt. They are then topped with a variety of sweet or savory toppings, including Nutella, whipped cream, bananas, cheese, ham and mushrooms.

“Crêperie Genia” – Takeaway – located at 7, rue de la Harpe is one of the best cheap restaurants in Paris, with crispy crêpes and stuffed paninis that you can take away for just a few euros.

Enjoy affordable transportation

You can get around Paris using economical means of transport that allow you to move around the city at a reasonable price.

The Metro and the RER are two distinct but interconnected rail networks that allow you to travel around Paris at an affordable price. The RER has five main lines, while the metro has fourteen numbered lines. As all systems are interconnected, changing from one train to another is simple and economical.

You can also opt for the _”_Paris Visite” travel card for unlimited travel on the metro, buses and RER networks.

Paris is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe and has ambitions to become a 100% bike-friendly city. Pro-cycling measures include a massive increase in protected bike lanes, bike cafes and bike parking spaces.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, exploring Paris by bike is an economical way to explore the city, as many of the top tourist spots are located near bike paths.

The Georges Pompidou Way is a busy cycle route that runs along the banks of the Seine and offers views of iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum.

Visitors can rent a bike for just €5 for 24 hours at Vélib’ Métropole – Paris’ extensive public bike-sharing system that now includes e-bikes.

Shopping at the amazing Paris flea markets

Although Paris is known for its high-end fashion and luxury boutiques, the eclectic flea markets offer plenty of opportunities for affordable shopping and retro finds.

The Saint-Ouen Flea Market is one of the most popular markets and locals come here to get some good deals.

Located on the northern edge of Paris, this elegant market is a maze of narrow streets and winding alleys filled with boutiques, stalls and stalls bursting with gems, clothes and antiques.

The market is so big that it is divided into several sections: the “Vernaison” market, the “Dauphine” market and the “Malik” market, each with its own style and activities.

Market “Vernaison” is known for its diverse range of antiques, antique furniture and decorative items, while the “Dauphine” market is known for its antiques and high-end designer items. The “Malik” market is known for its affordable mix of vintage and second-hand items.

Taste classic French dishes for less than 10 euros

While eating out in Paris can be expensive, you can save money by eating at Bouillon Tradition, a restaurant that offers classic French cuisine at affordable prices.

You can also take advantage of fixed-price menus (menu du jour) at nearby restaurants and benefit from lower prices, especially when dining outside the tourist hotspots.

If you opt for the “menu du jour”, you can enjoy French specialties such as croque-monsieur, cassoulet and bouillabaisse for only 8 or 10 euros. House wine can also be purchased for around 3 or 4 euros per glass if you fancy a small glass at midday.

The restaurant on rue de la Vrillière offers steaks and chips for less than 13 euros and giant salads for 11 euros.

Take a free guided tour of Paris

Book a free guided tour and discover Paris for less in the company of a local. The free tours are usually led by local guides who provide insider tips, stories and historical information about their city.

Free guided tours in Paris operate on a fee for service or tipping system, meaning that at the end of the tour you can tip the guide based on how much you think it was worth, making it an affordable option for travelers in Paris on a budget. .

The “NEW Europe Paris” tour at “SANDEMAN” is one of the most popular free walking tours in the city. This 3-hour Paris itinerary allows you to see many of the capital’s top attractions, including Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre and the impressive Parc des Tuileries.

You will also hear the stories behind the sights and have the opportunity to take lots of photos.

Discover the street art on Canal Saint-Martin

The Canal Saint-Martin district of Paris is known for its vibrant street art, trendy cafes, thrift stores and restaurants filled with chic Parisians.

Located in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, this bohemian neighborhood has become a popular spot for street artists to express their creativity and leave their mark on the city’s historic walls.

Grab a cheap coffee to go from the cafe “Le Look” and walk around to see the large-scale graffiti.

One of the most famous places on Canal Saint-Martin is Rue de la Grange aux Belles, known for its colorful murals and stencils.

Discover cultural events and free concerts in Paris

Paris offers a wide variety of concerts, festivalsoutdoor film screenings and free cultural events for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.

Spring and summer in Paris are marked by a number of free cultural events and, this year, the Olympic Games in 2024.

In June, Paris comes alive with music, amateur and professional musicians take over the public spaces for the “Music Festival”. Expect to see scenes with bands, singers, amateur musicians, drummers and DJs performing for free.

From mid-July to the end of August, you can relax on the banks of the Seine on artificial beaches installed along the river and the Bassin de la Villette during “Paris Plages”.

Free sunbeds, palm trees, entertainment, summer cinema and swimming set the stage for a scorching summer in the city without breaking the bank.

Plan your trip in advance to save money

Traveling to the City of Lights is notoriously expensive and your travel budget can take a hit if you book at the last minute. One of the best ways to save money on your trip to Paris is to think ahead and book your flights and accommodation in advance.

Airline prices can vary widely, especially during peak seasons, major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and major events such as the Olympics.

If you still need to set your travel dates, you can take advantage of cheaper flights to Paris by using tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights to check a wide range of flight dates and times.

Do the same if you plan to take the TGV to get to the French capital.

To find affordable hotels in Paris and special offers, use the hotel or travel comparison tool to see an aggregated list of hotels and filter by lowest price. For many sites like “Expedition” AND “Kayak”, you can set price alerts for your searches to be notified if prices rise or fall.

If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can often save money by booking a hotel midweek.

Many hotels now offer free cancellation (up to a certain date) and some offer the ability to change dates, providing more flexibility for travelers on a budget.