There are loads of things to do and see in the city that are free or inexpensive. Below I have listed a few ideas, along with tips and tricks to help make the most of Paris on a budget.

• Paris has a glorious array of public parks and gardens to walk and relax in, and they are all free. Pick up a crusty baguette, some cheese and fruit at one of the city’s open-air produce markets and enjoy a simple, delicious picnic.

• Order your coffee at the bar in cafés and stand up to drink it with the locals. It’s cheaper than sitting on la terasse and you never know who you might meet.
• There are numerous free and inexpensive events throughout the Paris calendar year. The vibrant Fête de la Musique on 21 June, for example, is a way of bringing people out into the streets to play and listen to music. In the spirit of the festival, all music must be gratuite to the public. Also in summer is Paris Plages, a month-long event which sees the banks of the Seine transform into a resort, complete with sandy beaches, deckchairs, ice-creams and beach volleyball. It’s a great way for residents unable to escape the city to still feel as though they are on holiday, albeit a Seine-side one.
• Le métro is a quick, simple and efficient way to get around. Instead of buying individual tickets ask for un carnet s’il vous plait, a book of 10 tickets, which will save you money and time.
• If you would rather be above ground, riding a bus is a fabulous way to see Paris but there’s no need to pay for an expensive and touristy sightseeing tour. Hop on a public bus with the locals. Some offer particularly picturesque routes for the price of a single ticket (the same tickets that are bought to ride le métro). The 29 bus, one of few remaining routes that still boasts an open rear observation platform, takes you from Opéra Garnier to Opéra Bastille, riding past the Centre Pompidou and through the vibrant heart of the Marais. Route 69, 42 and 84 are also excellent for sightseeing.
• Stroll along the street with a crêpe (the quintessential French street food), while doing a bit of window shopping - faire du lèche-vitrines, literally ‘licking the windows’. You never know what treasures you might discover. Just look at these gorgeous lamps!
• When taking a taxi, keep in mind that you will be charged extra for a fourth passenger and 1 € per piece of luggage. If you call for a taxi, the driver can legally turn on the meter from where he leaves to meet you, knocking up a few euros before you even start your journey. It’s best to take your luggage to the nearest taxi stand, of which there are hundreds. It’s also worth noting that drivers are not obliged to stop for a passenger who is waiting less than 50 metres from a taxi stand.
• For inexpensive gifts with a French flavour visit a Monoprix department store.
• Grab a great falafel at L’As du Fallafel (34, Rue des Rosiers), an institution in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.
• Art is an integral part of French society and there is a strong belief that art and culture should be accessible to everyone. In keeping with this philosophy, some of Paris’s most popular museums such as the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. Queues, however, can be outrageously long. Thankfully, 20 or so city museums offer free entry to their permanent collections all year round. Among my favourites are the Musée de la Vie Romantique (the Romantic Movement), La Maison de Victor Hugo and the Musée Carnavalet (museum of the history of Paris).
• The Vélib public bicycle sharing system has taken off and it makes for an inexpensive, quick and fun way to get around.  The first half-hour is free; a one day ticket costs a mere 1, 70 € and a seven day ticket is 8 €. Pedal around the city and return your bike to any Vélib station. The word Vélib is a portmanteau of the words vélo (bicycle) and liberté (freedom).
• Rather than choosing from la carte at cafés and bistros, opt for le menu, usually 2 or 3 courses with a small choice of daily specials for a fixed price. It’s an excellent value-for-money way to eat, and the option locals often select.
• If you’re keen to dine at one of Paris’s finest tables, reserve for lunch and order le menu prix-fixe. For a fraction of the cost of dinner you can experience a sublime haute cuisine meal that will linger in your memory.

• If the cost of an haute cuisine meal is prohibitive but you’d still like to splurge a little, take afternoon tea at one of the city’s five-star hotels. One of my favourites is Le Bristol and if the weather is fine you can indulge in a cocktail or afternoon tea in the beautiful terrace garden. It’s not cheap but it’s a cheat’s way to soak up a luxurious Parisian setting…and you won’t be needing dinner.

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