Experience the Best of Paris—Elegantly and Mindfully
Paris is synonymous with luxury, culture, and indulgence, but experiencing its magic doesn’t mean you have to spend extravagantly. Your Paris vacation is not out of reach.
The Fancy and Frugal mindset allows you to enjoy the city's elegance intentionally—investing in meaningful moments while skipping excess. It’s about curation over consumption, ensuring your trip is as enriching as it is effortless.
This is the hill I will die on!! In fact, I'd go even further and say that in order to experience Paris "like the French" the fancy and frugal approach is the proper way to vacation. By nature the French are fancy and frugal. You can buy a 4 euro bottle of wine, 3 euro comte, and a 1 euro baguette to have a luncheon on the Siene. Or dine almost Michelin in the same day! Having a fancy and frugal vacation in Paris is all about priorities, intention, and wisdom. You can have a fancy time while being smartly frugal. We're all about embracing luxury in small thoughtful ways.
Here’s how to embrace Fancy and Frugal for a Parisian getaway that feels indulgent—without unnecessary expense.
Accommodations with Character
I'm sure you've seen the viral reels about Le Meurice or The Ritz Paris. But there's a fancy and frugal way to have a similar experience for a fraction of the cost.
Staying in a five-star hotel may seem like the ultimate Parisian dream, but the reality is that many of these hotels are designed for international business travelers rather than those looking for authentic charm. Instead, consider a boutique hotel or elegant guesthouse that offers personalized service, stylish décor, and a more intimate experience—often at a fraction of the cost.
On a recent visit I stumbled across Hotel Residence des Arts in the 6th near the Fontaine St. Michel. Our 10 day stay was booked in the Junior Suite but upon arrival we have been upgraded to the larger top floor two bedroom suite with views of Notre Dame. These are the kinds of experiences that can happen when you choose a boutique location. Most rooms are under $300 per night.
They key to selecting the right accommodations are to know exactly the aesthetic you're looking for. I wanted quintessential French!
Choose you accommodation based on location, style, and then price.
For example, Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais in the Marais is a hidden gem with 18th-century-inspired décor and a warm, romantic atmosphere. If you prefer something modern yet chic, Hôtel des Grands Boulevards offers a Parisian retreat with beautifully curated interiors and a rooftop bar—without the five-star price tag.
Fancy and Frugal Tips:
- Choose a well-located boutique hotel over an international chain for a more authentic experience.
- Consider aparthotels like Citadines Apart Hotel or Maison Armance, where you can enjoy extra space and a kitchen for effortless Parisian mornings. Having even a small kitchen is one of my favorite splurges. Especially since I *gasp* haven't found a Parisian coffee I like! So strong!
- Want a home-like experience? Look for a charming Airbnb in a historic Haussmann building—but ensure it’s a legal rental to avoid last-minute cancellations.
Dine Like a Local
French cuisine is legendary, and while Michelin-starred dining is a dream experience, there are savvy ways to indulge without overspending. The secret? Strategic splurging and a mix of experiences.
Start by booking a prix-fixe lunch at an iconic restaurant like Le Meurice or Restaurant David Toutain, where you can enjoy a world-class meal for significantly less than at dinnertime. In the evening, embrace Parisian café culture by ordering a glass of wine and a cheese plate at a lively bistro, or create a beautiful picnic from fresh market finds at Marché des Enfants Rouges.
Fancy and Frugal Tip:
- Enjoy affordable gourmet lunches at Michelin-starred restaurants instead of dinner. Remember the Parisians eat from 12-2 so arriving for a later lunch around 1:45 will help you make it to the 6:00 apero!
- Mix in casual dining—try neighborhood bistros like Chez Janou for a delightful Provençal meal without the hefty price tag. When selecting local places to dine head to Google Maps. Zoom in on the area you will be visiting and look for highly rated, but reasonably priced locations with reviews from the locals. I look for menus that range from 20-50 euros per person and almost always find a unique experience.
- Indulge in a curated picnic with fresh bread, cheese, and charcuterie from Maison Verot and a pastry from Pierre Hermé—then enjoy it by the Seine. It very common to gather a variety of local eats and bring them to your favorite location to rest and eat. Pick up a jambon buerre, a crepe, or falafel. While they still don't take their coffee to go often - take away lunch is always a good idea.
Shopping, Thoughtfully.
Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of designer shopping. But the Fancy and Frugal approach means choosing quality over quantity—investing in timeless, well-crafted pieces, local specialties, and unique finds instead of trendy, fast-fashion, or viral purchases.
Fancy and Frugal Tip:
- Instead of larger purcahses, consider lots of smaller purchases of items you'll use. Luxury honey, tea, choclates, coffee, lingerie, sneakers, and so on.
- Visit consignment stores like Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. for vintage designer finds at a fraction of retail prices.
- For beauty lovers, skip the crowds of city Pharma and head to the larger and better priced Pharmacie du Forum Des Halles
Exclusive Experiences
Paris offers countless incredible experiences, and while private tours and luxury events can be amazing, you can often get a similar level of exclusivity without the steep price.
For example, instead of a private Louvre tour, opt for a semi-private tour with an expert guide. Or, skip the expensive Seine dinner cruise and instead enjoy a romantic evening with a bottle of wine and sunset views from Pont Alexandre III.
Spending a little bit of time researching and curating experiences that interest you and are meaningful investments is a great way to save on the things that don't.
Fancy and Frugal Tip:
- In all of the times we've visited Paris, we've never scaled the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomphe, or Sacre Couer. We prefer to save the steps and to see the monument from below. This saves us time and money
- Visit museums during late-night openings for fewer crowds and sometimes lower ticket prices. Consider a cooking class, renting a scooter to zoom around the city, or booking after hours concerts at your favorite sites.
- Check the official Paris events calendar for free cultural happenings, from classical concerts to outdoor film screenings. Events like Aura Invalides or a visit to the Musee de Chocolat are a great to have fancy yet frugal experiences in Paris.
Thoughtful Transits
Navigating Paris doesn’t have to be expensive—and sometimes the most luxurious way to get around is also the simplest.
Keeping your tranpsoration fancy and frugal is all about wise planning and well thought out itineraries. I personally love using Uber in Paris. It's one my favorite splurges. I prefer to stay above ground, avoid all the Metro stairs, and have a restful ride (even in traffic). But I counter balance this investment by being strategic about when and how often I use them.
Another option, and a well loved inexpensive way to experience Paris is to embrace Parisian-style transit by using the Metro, Uber, or walking between beautiful neighborhoods. Many of the most breathtaking moments happen while strolling along the Seine, wandering through hidden passages, or biking through the Marais.
Fancy and Frugal Tips:
- Use Uber for occasional convenience but rely on the walking and plan your itinerary carefully. Paris is full of bike lanes and rental bikes.
- For a more scenic yet more time consuing ride, take the Batobus—a hop-on, hop-off boat along the Seine.
- Paris is a walkable city—wear comfortable, stylish shoes and soak in the charm on foot. The bus system is also a wonderful inexpensive way to traverse Parise.
A few tips:
In this section, you can address common questions efficiently.
Monoprix
A department store that's a cross between Target and Kohls! It's a great way to bring home wonderful French finds at an accessible price.
Shop The Soldes
In France sales are only allowed to take place in the month of January. So if you love shopping, head there in the winter months.
Find the Vintage Shops
I brought home a beautiful French trench for 10 euros from a little vintage shop in the Marais. It's gorgeous and a great every day wearable for me.
Combine Experience and Shopping
Paris has many wonderful experiences that include take away items with educational experiences. Take away a perfume sample from your Fragonard museum vist.
BHV
Printempts and Galarie Lafayette are wonderful but can be slightly more expensive. Head to BHV in the Marais for an equally exciting experience and more reasonable pricing. It's a local favorite.
Get the Paris Pass
If museums, historical sites, and experiences are on your itinerary and it's your first time in Paris, the Museum pass is a great way to save money and get fast tracked entry to your planned sites.
That's how to plan a fancy and frugal Paris Vacation!
A Fancy and Frugal Paris vacation isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about choosing wisely so every moment feels intentional and indulgent. By curating where you stay, eat, shop, and explore, you’ll craft an experience that’s both luxurious and mindful.
Want a beautifully planned Paris itinerary that blends refinement with mindful spending? Explore our custom itinerary planning services and let us design your dream trip—without wasted time or unnecessary expenses.
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