Paris has been reinventing itself since Roman Lutetia, from medieval lanes on the Île de la Cité to the grand 19th‑century boulevards carved by Baron Haussmann. Today, it’s a city of café terraces, bookstalls along the Seine, and neighborhoods that feel like small villages stitched together by history and style.

Even with a lean budget, Paris delivers: many churches are free, parks are exquisite, and top museums offer reduced or free entries for select ages and on certain days. Fill your days with riverside walks, hidden passages, and people‑watching that costs nothing—but feels priceless.

Practical notes: buy a rechargeable transit card and ride the Metro for about €2–€3 per trip; carry a small cross‑body bag and be pickpocket‑aware in crowds; refill your bottle at public fountains marked “eau potable.” For food, seek neighborhood boulangeries, weekday lunch menus, and classic “bouillons” serving traditional dishes at friendly prices.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of distinct quarters: artistic Montmartre, elegant Saint‑Germain, the hip Canal Saint‑Martin, and the medieval Marais. Iconic sights—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre courtyards, Notre‑Dame’s reborn nave—share space with pocket‑parks, markets, and corner cafés humming with daily life.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, Musée d’Orsay, Sacré‑Cœur, Notre‑Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Canal Saint‑Martin.
• Why now: The interior of Notre‑Dame is open again, riverbanks gleam after recent spruce‑ups, and affordable “bouillon” dining is having a renaissance.
• Good to know: Many national museums are free or discounted for under‑26 EU residents and on select days; always reserve timed tickets for major museums when possible.

Where to stay (budget‑forward picks plus a few upgrades):

• Generator Paris (hostel, lively common areas): Great for solo travelers and friends near Canal Saint‑Martin. Check Generator Paris
• Hôtel des Arts Bastille (wallet‑friendly, creative vibe): Simple rooms by lively Bastille/Marais. See Hôtel des Arts Bastille
• Hôtel du Temps (boutique, value for couples): Cozy design, handy for Montmartre/Opera. Explore Hôtel du Temps
• Hotel du College de France (excellent value, Latin Quarter): Quiet street, walkable to the Seine. View Hotel du College de France
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (family‑friendly): Spacious rooms, easy transport connections. Check Novotel Montparnasse
• Apartment stays (often a bargain for groups): Browse studios and flats across the city. Search Paris on VRBO or compare hotels broadly: Hotels.com Paris

How to get to Paris on a budget: Within Europe, compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). From outside Europe, check fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Sample times: London–Paris by train in about 2h 20m; Brussels–Paris ~1h 25m; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h 20m.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and Sunset on the Seine

Morning: Fly or train into Paris; grab a light bite en route (viennoiserie and coffee). If you arrive early, store bags and stretch your legs with a gentle stroll.

Afternoon: Head to the Île de la Cité to see Notre‑Dame’s restored façade and interior (free entry; security queue). Explore the flower market and peek at Sainte‑Chapelle’s exterior; save the paid glass spectacle for another day if needed. Coffee break at Fragments (Marais) for excellent espresso and pastries.

Evening: Welcome dinner at a classic “bouillon”—try Bouillon République or Bouillon Chartier for onion soup, roast chicken, and île flottante at budget prices. Then take an atmospheric cruise: Seine River Evening Cruise with Music (Drink Options) for night‑lit views of the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, with optional drinks.

Day 2: Tuileries, Courtyards, and the Impressionists

Morning: Breakfast at Boulangerie Utopie (award‑winning breads and viennoiseries). Walk the Tuileries Garden, then admire the Louvre’s cour Napoléon and glass pyramid from the outside (free). Duck into the nearby covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas) for a time‑warp stroll.

Afternoon: Cross the Seine for a deep dive into Impressionism at the former Beaux‑Arts train station: Paris: Orsay Museum Daily Entry Ticket. Prioritize Monet’s cathedrals, Renoir’s dancers, and Van Gogh’s self‑portraits—perfect for 2–3 hours without museum fatigue.

Evening: Affordable dinner near the Louvre at Bistrot Victoires (steak‑frites, roast chicken, classic desserts). For a nightcap, wander the Pont des Arts and the booksellers’ green boxes along the Seine.

Day 3: Rue Cler, Champ de Mars Picnic, and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Assemble a picnic along rue Cler (cheese, baguette, fruit) and take it to the Champ de Mars for postcard views. Coffee at Coutume (Rue de Babylone) if you’re nearby.

Afternoon: Ascend the Iron Lady with timed reserved access to keep queues short: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift. If watching your budget closely, opt for second‑floor access (stunning enough) and enjoy the summit another time.

Evening: Cross to Trocadéro for blue‑hour photos, then metro to Montparnasse for dinner at Crêperie Josselin (buttery buckwheat galettes and cider) or Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse for reliably inexpensive classics.

Day 4: Montmartre’s Hilltop, Street Art, and Village Lanes

Morning: Start at Sacré‑Cœur (free) before crowds. Wander Rue des Abbesses and leafy backstreets; grab coffee at KB Coffee Roasters and a caramel‑eclair from nearby pâtisseries.

Afternoon: Join a neighborhood deep‑dive: Montmartre Hidden Gems and Scenic Highlights Walking Tour to find artists’ studios, quiet stairways, and photo spots you’d likely miss solo.

Evening: Budget dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (nearby) or Basque comfort food at Chez Gladines (hearty salads, sautéed potatoes). End with the illuminated stairs of Montmartre or a quiet look over the city from Square Louise‑Michel.

Day 5: Canal Saint‑Martin and the Marais

Morning: Coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville, then trace the Canal Saint‑Martin’s iron footbridges and lock systems—one of Paris’s loveliest (and free) promenades. Pick up picnic supplies from a local market or a Franprix for maximum savings.

Afternoon: Explore the Marais: the free Musée Carnavalet (Paris history), Place des Vosges arcades, and vintage/indie shops. Lunch options: L’As du Fallafel (famous and filling), Chez Hanna, or market stalls at Marché des Enfants Rouges (Moroccan couscous, Japanese bento).

Evening: Casual dinner at Le Petit Cler (Left Bank bistro staples) or Breizh Café (excellent crêpes; consider splitting a savory and a sweet to keep costs down). Night walk along the Seine’s pedestrian quays between Hôtel de Ville and the Louvre.

Day 6: Budget Day Trip to Versailles

Morning: Take RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche (about 35–45 minutes; ~€4–€5 each way). Stroll the town’s market squares and, on non‑show days, the palace gardens are often free—ideal for a picnic by the Grand Canal.

Afternoon: If budget permits, tour the palace (Hall of Mirrors) with a timed entry; otherwise roam the groves, Trianon estates (smaller fee), and shaded lanes. Bring snacks to avoid pricey kiosks.

Evening: Return to Paris. Try Le Bouillon Strasbourg‑Saint‑Denis or Au Village (savory crêpes, salads) for a low‑cost, relaxed dinner. If you still have energy, a twilight stroll on the Pont Neuf frames the city beautifully.

Day 7: Markets, Elevated Greenways, and a Free Rooftop View

Morning: If it’s Sunday or Thursday, browse the Bastille Market for fruit, cheese, and street‑food bites. Otherwise, try Marché d’Aligre (bargains and a bustling vibe). Espresso at Boot Café (tiny, tasty) or Café Lomi (roastery‑fresh).

Afternoon: Walk the Coulée Verte René‑Dumont (Paris’s original elevated park) from Bastille toward the 12th—lush, quiet, and free. Window‑shop at Bercy Village’s cobbled lanes or relax in Parc de Bercy.

Evening: Cap your week with a free panorama from the Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace (subject to opening hours). Farewell dinner at Bouillon Julien (Art Nouveau stunner with friendly prices) or split a galette‑and‑dessert set at Breizh Café. If you missed it earlier and want one last icon, consider a night stroll to the shimmering Eiffel Tower on the hour.

Optional add‑on if time allows: Cruise‑and‑bus combo to hit many sights efficiently: Big Bus Paris Hop‑On Hop‑Off Tour or visit the Arc’s rooftop for sunset perspectives. Or, if you’re an art devotee, add the Orangerie’s Water Lilies with timed entry.

Budget tips (daily): Breakfast from a bakery (croissant + coffee), picnic lunches from markets, and dinner at bouillons/creperies keep daily food costs roughly €20–€35 per person. Load 10 Metro rides on a contactless card to save per‑ride costs, and walk wherever distances are under 25 minutes—the best free tour there is.

Viator activities featured in this itinerary:

• Seine River Evening Cruise with Music (Drink Options)
• Paris: Orsay Museum Daily Entry Ticket
• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift
• Montmartre Hidden Gems and Scenic Highlights Walking Tour

For a comfortable but thrifty base, compare citywide stays on Hotels.com and VRBO; if you plan to splurge one night, consider Hôtel des Arts Montmartre for romance or Hôtel des Grands Boulevards for a stylish central address.

Final note on safety and timing: Reserve major sights for morning slots to trim queues and keep afternoons flexible for parks and markets. Keep your transport card topped up and valuables zipped; Paris is welcoming but busy.

Summary: Over 7 days, this Paris itinerary balances essential icons with neighborhood wanderings, free green spaces, and budget‑wise meals. With a few well‑chosen timed entries and plenty of scenic strolling, you’ll see the city in full color—without draining your wallet.