How to Spend a Perfect Day in Paris for $25 — Pastries, Galleries, and Notre Dame Views Included

I lived in Paris, and here's how I'd spend a day in the French capital on a tight budget.

Travelers to Paris tend to seek out the city’s finery — luxury hotels, high fashion, and Michelin-starred restaurants. And while no one can deny these things are wonderful, they’re not always affordable. Here’s a secret: The best of Paris can be found out on the streets where artists sell their work for $20, and along the Seine where locals go to enjoy a post-work drink.

If you want to experience Paris, but have a strict budget, I’m here to offer you a sample itinerary of the low-cost or free things the city offers. The city is my second home, and in addition to living there for a period of time, I visit frequently — typically with a tight budget.

Here’s my guide to a full day in Paris for $25.

Grab your morning espresso and croissant from Boulangerie Utopie.

A morning espresso and viennoiserie are musts. Grab an espresso from Café Obrkof (2.50 euros), then walk around the corner to Boulangerie Utopie, my favorite bakery in the city.

Boulangerie Utopie has a broad selection of both savory and sweet breakfast pastries. Since you’re on a budget, stick to the classic — a croissant for 1.10 euros — and head to the tree-lined Square Jules Ferry to enjoy your treat as the city wakes up.

Cost: 3.60 euros (approximately $4)

Related: 10 Common Travel Mistakes to Avoid in Paris, According to a Local

Check out the street art on Rue Denoyez (and grab a second pastry).

Paris’ Chinatown is officially in the 13th arrondissement on the Left Bank, but Belleville is also considered a Chinese quarter, with some of the city’s best Asian food and the lively Aux Folies brasserie. But before you go too deep into the neighborhood, cruise down the cobblestone Rue Denoyez, which is covered in street art of all kinds. Along the way, stop into Le Petit Grain, home to arguably the city’s best roulés à la cannelle (cinnamon rolls).

And if you're hankering for a second cup of coffee, continue down Rue Denoyez to Le Barbouquin, a cafe that will entice you to sit and stay awhile.

Cost: around 3 euros (approximately $3)

Eat lunch on the steps of Sacré-Cœur.

For free views of the entire city, trek up the steps of Sacré-Cœur, a domed white church that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. The surrounding neighborhood of Montmartre, which is famous for inspiring and housing creatives like Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, and Picasso, is also worth exploring.

Once you’ve had your fill, grab a jambon-beurre (ham and salted butter) sandwich — a French lunchtime staple — from a neighborhood boulangerie. I recommend Boulangerie Raphaëlle, which is idealy located just east of the famous Sacré-Cœur stairs.

Eat your meal on the stairs while people-watching and taking in the stellar views of the city.

Cost: Approximately 5 euros (approximately $6)

Explore the hidden passageways of Paris.

In certain neighborhoods in Paris, you can step off the main street and enter a hidden world that’s lined with shops, galleries, and eateries. These passages date back to the 1700s and remain a big part of Parisian culture. The glass-roofed walkways are both elegant and interesting, with secret gems tucked inside each one.

Personal favorites include Galerie Vivienne and Passage Jouffroy, which leads to Passage Verdeau. There’s no need to spend a cent, although you might be tempted.

Cost: Free

Get some falafel and a beer, and eat along the Seine.

Before grabbing your food, make sure to meander around the picture-perfect Marais neighborhood, which has cobblestone streets and tons of hip boutiques. It was once the city’s Jewish quarter and now has lots of kosher restaurants and gay bars. When you can’t wait any longer, head to L'As du Fallafel, the city’s most iconic falafel shop. The grab-and-go rate for a giant pita stuffed with veggies, sauce, and falafel is 9 euros.

From there, carry your sandwich down toward the Seine, stopping by a Franprix or Carrefour on the way to grab a 2-euro beer. Enjoy your meal along the Seine with views of the Notre Dame.

Cost: 11 euros (approximately $12)

Visit an artist-squat-turned-collective and a floating gallery.

While everyone else heads to the Louvre to see the "Mona Lisa" (for 22 euros), I’d suggest checking out art created by living, breathing Parisians. One of the best places to see the work of local artists is at 59 Rivoli, an artist squat-turned-collective that houses the studios of 30 artists. You can walk through their workspaces, watch them create, and, if you’re interested, buy a piece of art. Entrance is free and it's just a few blocks from the Seine.

Afterward, make your way to Fluctuart, a gallery on a boat and one of Paris’ hidden gems. Entry is free, but if you have it in your budget, I recommend ending your Parisian art tour with a spritz (9 euro) on the rooftop.

Cost: Free

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