Day One: 

Morning: Coffee Near the Louvre

Telescope Cafe: 

Just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre, Telescope Café offers a classic Parisian breakfast for around €10. With no Wi-Fi and cozy seating, it’s the perfect place to slow down, sip espresso, and ease into the morning like a local.

Location: 5 rue Villedo, Paris 75001

From here, it’s a short walk to one of the most iconic museums in the world.

Late Morning: The Louvre

The Louvre: 

Everyone knows the iconic Louvre and the Mona Lisa, but not everyone may know these several ways to visit without paying full price.

• Budget tip: 

  • All visitors aged 18 and under receive free entry regardless of citizenship. 

  • EEA citizens or residents, including EEA visa holders, between the ages of 18 and 26, also receive free admission.

  • Free the first Friday of each month after 6 pm (except July & August)

  • Free on Bastille Day (July 14)

  • Free for Teachers of art/history (with valid documentation)

  • People with disabilities + one accompanying person

  • Jobseekers (with valid proof, in certain cases)

  • Standard tickets are around €22 if purchased online (slightly more if purchased in-person) 

Location: Rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001

After a morning of masterpieces, it’s time to head toward the Seine for classic Paris views.

Afternoon: Crêpes & a Seine Cruise

Seine tour and Crepe tasting: 

Head to Les Terrasses du Trocadéro for a simple but satisfying crêpe (sugar or Nutella) with a view of the Eiffel Tower. For around €24, and often less, you can pair your sweet treat with a guided Seine boat tour passing landmarks like Notre Dame.

From the Louvre, you can enjoy a scenic 45-minute walk or hop on public transport for around €2.50.

Budget tip: Walking is romantic, but if you’re short on time, the metro or bus is efficient and affordable. An hour saved means more time exploring.

Pier Location: 1 Av. de la Bourdonnais, Bateaux Parisiens

Late Afternoon: Vintage Finds

Five Vintage

Just a 15-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, this curated vintage shop is full of hidden gems, think furs, leather, denim, and designer labels without the designer price tag. It’s the perfect stop before dinner and a chance to bring home something uniquely Parisian.

Location: 94 Bd de Grenelle, Paris 75015

From shopping to dinner, the evening calls for something classic.

Dinner: Classic French on a Budget

Bouillon Chartier: 

No trip to Paris is complete without a meal at a classic Parisian Bouillon. The first time we discovered the concept we were blown away.

With the motto “offering a decent meal at a modest price,” Bouillon Chartier has been serving traditional French cuisine since 1896. Starters from €1, mains around €7, and desserts near €2 mean you can enjoy a full three-course dinner for under €20.

Multiple locations (all beautiful) make it easy to choose the one closest to your evening plans. After dinner, hop on a quick metro ride and continue the night.

3 Options we like (there are more locations throughout Paris):

• Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards, 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, Paris 75009 (35 minute walk) 

  
  

• Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse, 59 Bd du Montparnasse, Paris 75006 (32 minute walk) 

  
  

• Bouillon République, 39 Bd du Temple, Paris 75003 ( 35 minute walk) 

Choose the location that speaks to you and hop on the metro after dinner.

Night: Jazz in the Latin Quarter

Caveau de la Huchette

Fans of La La Land may recognize this legendary jazz club. Student cover is €10; otherwise €14–€16 depending on the night. With €7 glasses of wine and live jazz in an intimate basement setting, it’s an atmospheric (and affordable) way to experience Paris after dark.

Location:  5 Rue de la Huchette, Paris 75005

Day Two: 

Morning: Coffee by Notre Dame

Le Dame De Paris: 

Start your second day with coffee and a pain au chocolat for under €10, right beside Notre Dame. Grab your order to go and wander through the charming streets of Île de la Cité.

Location: 11 rue D'Arcole, Paris 75004

A few steps away, one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks awaits.

Late Morning: Notre Dame

Notre Dame:

A must-see and free for all visitors. To avoid long lines, book a time slot online up to 72 hours in advance.

Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, Paris 75004

After soaking in centuries of history, head west for one of the best views in the city.

Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe: 

A bit out of the way from Notre Dame and dinner plans, but more than worth it. You can see the amazingly detailed and massive Arc for free after exiting the Charles de Gaulle–Étoile train station. If you want to go to the top of the arc, you can do so for just €16 on Wednesdays or between the months of October 1st and March 31st. Outside of these restrictions, it would cost €22. 

Location: Pl. du Carrousel, Paris 75001

After descending, stay local for dinner.

Dinner: Classic French Near the Arc

Le Petit Champ

After taking in the panoramic views from the Arc de Triomphe, stay right in the neighborhood and settle into a relaxed brasserie atmosphere at Le Petit Champ. Located directly on Avenue de la Grande Armée, it’s an easy and convenient dinner stop without needing to cross the city.

This local favorite serves well-executed French classics in a warm, unfussy setting. Think steak frites, duck confit, seasonal plates, and indulgent desserts. Mains typically range from €18–€25, making it a solid mid-range option that still works for a thoughtfully planned weekend budget.

It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a proper Parisian dinner, and recharge before heading out for your final night in the city.

Location: 13 Avenue de la Grande Armée, 75017 Paris

Final Night: Bastille Energy

Fitzroy club: 

Head toward the Bastille district, where the energy feels more local and less polished. Fitzroy Club is a longtime favorite with no cover charge, affordable drinks and a dance floor that fills quickly.

It’s intimate, energetic, and unpretentious...a fun and budget-friendly way to close out your Paris weekend.

Location: 49 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, Paris 75011

Two days. Iconic landmarks. Great food. Vintage finds. Live music. Local nightlife.

Paris proves that style and substance don’t have to come with a luxury price tag, just thoughtful planning.