Harvard Student Agencies - Lets Go Budget Paris: The Student Travel Guide

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Paris leaves an impression on everyone, from students perfecting their langue franaise to tourists who wonder why the French dont pronounce half the consonants in each word. This city has been home to countless films, revolutions, and kings named Louis, and, in case you hadnt heard, its a really big deal. Nearly everyone in the world idealizes Paris, whether its for the Eiffel Tower, the grand boulevards, or the fact that there are more miles in the Louvre than in many towns. Dont let yourself be content with ideals. If you want to know the danger of that, do some research on Paris Syndrome. This city can be rough, and, yes, the waiters are judging you. When you get Englished for the first time (when someone responds to your mangled-French inquiry with an English response), youll realize that you maybe werent prepared for all this. But Paris and its people pull through spectacularly for those who can appreciate the sensory experiences around every cornerthe sweet tastes to be found in a patisserie, the resonating bells of Notre Dame, the springtime greens in the Jardin des Tuileries. This city will charm and bitchslap you with equal gusto, but dont get too le tiredby your third or fourth sincere attempt at s il vous plat, even those waiters will soften up.

As the place where some of the worlds most famous chefs learned to cook (Julia Child didnt always know the art of French cooking), Parisian food is sinfully delicious. And although you might be tempted to try renowned restaurants like Fouquets in the 8me (and pay an arm and a leg), there are plenty of places that offer quality cuisine at an affordable price.

: This small sandwicherie sells its signature items for only 2-4.

: If youre in the mood for affordable African cuisine (and honestly, who can say no to that?), Massai Mara has a 5 student special.

: The line at this Basque cafe heads out the door as people wait to get lunch for as little as 4.

: The food isnt really the draw herethis cafe serves arguably the cheapest coffee in Paris.

: These crepes are not only affordable, but theyre prepared in the traditional square and crispy styleno soggy pancakes here!

: If you can hold off your MonaLisa cravings until Friday, the Louvre is free for everyone under 26 after 6pm.

: If you dont want to pay for concert tickets, this bar hosts free live music every night at 8pm.

PARIS MUSEUMS: Get ready for one seriously busy day: most of Pariss museums open their doors for free on the first Sunday of each month.

: If youre penny-pinching, dont pay to enter the war museumsthe rest of the complex is free and has samples from each collection.

Given the variety of people who travel here, Paris needs a diverse set of accommodations. Fortunately, savvy cheapskates are covered. Dont expect to find a cheap room close to the city center; the hostels and hotels get more affordable as your travel further out.

: Located in the heart of Montmartre, this hostel gains its name from the unlimited Wi-Fi and computer usage.

: This newly renovated hotel charges ridiculously low prices, so book fast.

: The only mistakes being made at this hostel are the mismatched wall colorsthe young backpackers who stay here dont regret a thing.

: The clean rooms in this massive 200-bed hostel are filled with international youths, so youll save a bundle and always find someone to spend a night out with.

: Take a trip back to the 60s at this Beatles-themed hostel.

We probably dont have to tell you that Paris is full of famous sightstheres a reason youre coming here in the first place. Luckily, the many gardens and cemeteries can be traversed for free, so you can save your money for the still-reasonable museum fees (or spend it all on chocolate crepeswe arent judging you).

: The mastermind behind Liberty Leadingthe People called this place home before it was converted into a museum to showcase his collection.

: This garden complex used to be exclusively for royalty, but you no longer have to be rolling in crown jewels to get in.

: Be forewarned: trophies in here are less gold and more stuffed animal, and we dont mean teddy bears.

: Not only is this famed church free to enter, but it even has a one up on Notre Dame: its pipe organ is the largest in France.

: A ticket may cost you 9, but you gain access to three museums: Interior Design, Fashion and Fabric, and Advertisement.

Everyone associates Paris with traditional French cooking, but its culinary offerings dont stop at crepes and escargot; this truly international city draws cuisine from around the world. in Chteletthe array of flavors may be hard to understand at first, but this fusion of Cuban, African, and Brazilian cuisine is delicious.

Paris is highly romanticized as well as rich in history. Its no wonder, then, that it has served as the backdrop for many classic novels, and visitors can see for themselves the sites that these works highlight. Imagine yourself as Dr. Manette from Charles Dickenss A Tale of Two Cities at the , which inspired Gaston Leroux to write The Phantom of the Opera. Then relive Victor Hugos