Paris is definitely the city that makes anyone day dream
with the beauty of its architecture, the museums, the delicious food, the infamous
fashion week, the lights and shopping strip on the Champs Élysées…and at that point you’re reminded that you’re still
a student who most likely can’t afford fine dining and shopping-like-no-tomorrow.
"...one can enjoy (almost) all of the pleasures the city has to offer by making some clever research and by asking around."
It is no secret that the City of Lights can have no mercy on tight knit
wallets, but what most people ignore is that living in Paris as a student
doesn’t necessarily mean to be living in a Dickensian novel. In fact, one can
enjoy (almost) all of the pleasures the city has to offer by making some clever
research and by asking around. Since you are here, below are some friendly tips
to be Paris savvy when your wallet is tight.
Activities
Get lost in Parisian Streets
or take a Guided Tour
There’s no better way to get to know a city than
walking around and getting lost in its streets, discovering the little things
that make it unique. But getting lost might not be really fun, especially if
you’re not quite familiar with the place and don’t speak the local language. So
why not getting acquainted with the surroundings little by little by
participating to a guided tour? Generally, this kind of activity can be quite
pricy, but you are smart and Google is your second best friend so it won’t take
you long to find websites such as Sandeman’s
and Discover Walks! These sites
propose (short) free guided tours around different areas of the city. So now
you don’t have any excuses, grab your tennis shoes and camera and go explore!
"There’s no better way to get to know a city than walking around and getting lost in its streets, discovering the little things that make it unique."
Check out the Museums
Are you an art-freak and would like to visit every
single museum in town? Or would you just like to quickly see the Mona Lisa just
to tick it off your bucket list? In either case, why pay the ticket if you can
get in for free?! In fact, students studying in Europe who are below the age of
26 can visit (almost) any museum without having to pay the ticket! Also, the
first Sunday of the month is free to anyone.
Here you can find more details about free admissions to Parisian museums.
What are you waiting for?! Go and see that beautiful Mona Lisa’s smile.
Take a stroll in a Park
Everyone knows the beauty of the Jardin des Tuileries and of the Jardin
du Luxembourg, but there are many other less known green corners hidden in
the maze of Parisian boulevards - one just needs to keep an eye open. While
walking on the Champs Élysées you
might want to get a bit off of the beaten path and walk around or even just sit
on a bench in the nearby and marvellous Parc
Monceau. For a more romantic and quieter setting, you should absolutely have
a twilight picnic (even better if in company of your significant other) on the
grass at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont,
located a bit further away from the city centre but definitely worth it.
"...there are many other less known green corners hidden in the maze of Parisian boulevards - one just needs to keep an eye open."
Meals
Eat out the French way
Picture yourself walking around Paris with a baguette
under your arm - is there anything more
cliché to check off your bucket list than enjoying a crêpe to go
while exploring the quartier latin?
If you’d like to tick this point off your bucket list, then you should definitely
try out Au petit Grec, a small crêperie that will give you a taste of
how serious are French people when it comes to food. Sweet or savoury, a crêpe is always the perfect snack
however when the big hunger strikes, you should definitely go for a full meal
and what is better than an entrecôte accompanied by a glass of
wine?
Bistro Victoires, with its
oh-so-French allure is probably the first place you should pay a visit to for
lunch. If you are one those daring and curious people (as I think you are),
then you should definitely give a chance to L’as
du fallafel (yes, with double “l”) and to Le Comptoir Général. The first one might look like just the typical
döner place, but don’t judge a book from its cover, the menu goes well beyond
the usual falafels and will take your senses straight to the Middle East.
Whereas the second option has an African-style atmosphere which is a very
peculiar and cool not only to have a meal or a drink, but also to dance and
assist to all kinds of performances.
Don’t Wait, Procrastinate with
a Glass of Wine
Since everyone loves French clichés, concluding a long
day around Paris in a very French way is a must: enjoying both an apéro and sunset on the Seine at Barapapa, a wonderful French brasserie.
Although the scenario might seem typically Parisian, this lovely bar will
surprise you since you can pair your aperitif up with delicious Italian pizza
or amazing Chinese dumplings and play table tennis afterwards. Another
wallet-friendly destination for drinks (and food) is the Grand Train, which is more of an urban-chic place. As the name may
suggest, the place is literally on the railway and hosts a variety of
train-themed activities: bars, restaurants, expositions etc. So, if you are
always looking for original places or love trains at least half as much as
Sheldon does, then believe me, it will become one of your favourites!
Nightlife
Dance ‘till you Drop
Are you a night owl and when the sun goes down you
become a party animal? Good news: most of the clubs in Paris are free-entry and
Nüba, located in the cité de la mode et
du design, is what you need to get acquainted with the Parisian nightlife. This
place is literally situated in the beauty of the city from the club’s terrace
(of course the view is on the Seine). The good vibes of the place will
literally take over and make you stay until sunrise. A completely different
place to try out is the club Au Bonheur des Dames (the ladies’
happiness, literally). The music and the setting might be a bit rudimentary,
but fear not - on Thursdays, there’s a special treatment reserved to the ladies
to kick start the evening and actually make them happy: free drinks and food
until 11 pm! What a slam dunk for students!
"Just because your wallet is tight does not mean that you can’t have some fun. Get out and explore!"
A French Tip to Conclude
Just like most of students worldwide, Parisian millennials
do organize pre-drinks at friends places before going out clubbing, which is
cheaper than buying alcohol at the club (and also more effective J ).
So, what are you waiting for! Just because your wallet
is tight does not mean that you can’t have some fun. Get out and explore!
Written by Costanza Poser, 1st year Grande Ecole MiM Student
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