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A suspension bridge and the belvedere of Syblil in the middle of a lake are other unique attractions. Deciding which museum to go to while in Paris is not easy, as the city houses more than The most visited museum in the world, the Louvre was originally a fortress, built by Philip II in the 12th century. It was later turned into a palace, and then, following the French Revolution, became a museum. I would not recommend trying to see everything in one day, as the Louvre houses around 35, objects dating from prehistory to the 19th century.
Since its opening in , this modern art museum the largest in France has had more than million visitors. The building features unorthodox architecture; all the piping is on the outside.
Its size makes the museum perfect for a morning or afternoon outing. While the Metro is always a great option, before you descend into those subterranean tunnels, consider taking one of these tours:. Paris Rando Velo offers year-round, free biking tours every Friday evening at 9: Rides usually last a few hours, ending at 1am.
Discover Time Out's pick of things to do in Paris, including culture, restaurants, A rock-focused venue in Bastille where every gig is free. City of love, fashion capital, literary paradise Paris has many different guises. And while museum entry can be steep and fine dining comes at.
For morning people, the group offers tours that start at The website is in French, but if you use Google Chrome, you can get a pretty accurate translation of the website for free. Pari Roller For a similar tour of Paris on a different set of wheels, try a gander about the city on a set of Rollerblades.
Pari Roller offers free, year-round tours on Rollerblades every Friday at 10pm. Tours often last three hours, ending at 1am. Routes change weekly, so check the website before you go.
Picnic Paris is rife with beautiful public plazas, squares, gardens, and parks to enjoy a picnic. Buy your groceries at an open-air market or at a non-centrally located grocery store, such as Monoprix. If you are able to cook, you can prepare your meals beforehand; if not, you can opt for some more portable items such as cheese, sausages, and baguettes. The biggest expense in any vacation is usually the cost of getting there. Use these tips to save money on airline tickets:.
Paris is best enjoyed when avoiding costly hotels, and believe it or not, cheap lodging is available. By opting to stay with strangers, swap houses, or stay in a hostel, you save a lot of money — and also avoid the temptation to take refuge in your isolated hotel room. There are several websites you can check to find free or extremely affordable accommodations that will make your travel experience one of a kind:.
CouchSurfing By creating an account at CouchSurfing. Accommodations range from couches, to guest bedrooms, to floors. In addition to having free lodging, you can stay with someone who knows the city well and can recommend local hangouts not included in the guidebook.
You may even make a lifelong friend. In terms of safety, CouchSurfing. If you consider becoming a couch surfer, be sure to stay with someone who has a lot of vouchers, positive reviews, and is CouchSurfing verified, which means their name and address have been checked. In hospitality exchanges, parties host their guests at designated times.
There are benefits to either arrangement: Home exchanges offer privacy, while hospitality exchanges offer a window into a new culture with a native. Whichever you choose, you have free lodging, and can save money by making your meals at home. This, however, is not true. In all my hostel experiences, boarders have become travel buddies, exploring the city with a kindred spirit they met in their room or in the courtyard.
Going off the pricey, beaten path will not only benefit your wallet, it will benefit your experience. Many people come to Paris wanting to see these Parisian staples and leave happy; others take the road less traveled and have a much richer experience. Instead of limiting yourself to the traditional assembly line of supposed Parisian must-sees, your money-saving adventure can spur you onto unorthodox experiences, new foods, and interesting encounters. Bigstock , John Hellewell.
Music is a universal language. DJs speak that language in a way no one else can, translating moods into irresistible grooves. And they can get rich by doing it. Robberies are one of those things that you often hear about on TV but believe, deep down, will never happen to you. There are several permanent studios and rotating places, so you will see a wide range of art — from sculpture, to colourful collage, photography or more traditional portraiture.
This is a marvellous opportunity to get a glimpse of the Parisian art scene, but you should also be respectful: Tue-Sun, 1pm-8pm; closed Mon Nearest metro: T he distinctive green metal boxes of the riverside 'bouquinistes', or book-sellers, are veritable Paris icons they have been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site. The placement of the stands was set by the state in the 19th century and today there are still only designated sellers. Peruse the curious selections of yellow-paged novels, retro fashion magazines and back issues of Tintin, which in recent years are also accompanied by tourist trinkets and postcards.
Wandering the length of these stalls, a picturesque route that takes in Notre-Dame, is a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon. Daily, from sunrise until sunset. M ix in with young, trendy types and drink in the lovely view with a picnic on Canal Saint-Martin. This is a great way to start a balmy spring-summer evening and you always have the option to move on to the lively bars of the area after.
The canal is car-free on Sundays, so this is a great time to go. I t is possible to walk in front of the vast doors of Hotel de Sully on Rue Saint-Antoine and have no idea about the magnificent mansion courtyards inside. This exquisite Louis XIII-style hotel particulier, formerly belonging to the Sully family, dates from the 17th century when the Marais was the place to be for the French nobility. Stop to listen to the birdsong in the tranquil gardens before emerging on to the magnificent Place des Vosges another great spot for a picnic.
There is always some kind of street entertainment here, ranging from fire jugglers, buskers strumming guitar covers and footballers performing amazing keepy-uppies.
If you head here in the evening, the atmosphere is generally lively but friendly, but as with any densely packed city spot, you should be vigilant with your belongings and keep your valuables close. Anvers Line 2 , then take the funicular or climb the stairs; Abbesses line The mini-village, which sits atop a small mound in the un-touristy 20th arrondissement, is comprised of 92 impossibly quaint houses. The village was founded as a cooperative intended for working families — today the houses are rather more expensive. Conclude your trip with a wander to nearby cultural hotspots La Bellevilleoise or La Maroquinerie.
T his vast Gothic church that stands over the Les Halles-Montorgueil district on the Right Bank is Paris' second biggest church after Notre-Dame and yet receives only a fraction of the footfall. Its magnificent gothic nave and vaulting combined with Rennaissance architectural detail are reason enough to visit, but it also has stained glass dedicated to charcuterie and a tryptich by New York artist Keith Haring.