Costs

I have been hearing that costs-- especially for food items-- are very expensive and that it is hard to find any bargains in and around Paris. Someone even said that a bottle of water is above 5 euros. Is this true?

What can I expect to pay for, say, a bottle of water? A sandwich? A coffee?

Thanks.

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Those traveling to France hoping to find shopping bargains may be disappointed, particularly with the value of the dollar at near record lows.

Those searching a rich cultural experience, magnificent architecture, and arguably the finest dining on earth will find their travels richly rewarding. It is not necessary to spend a great deal of money to experience to best of what France has to offer.

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As with any large city it just depends where you are -- if you are getting a cup of coffee at the bar of a high end hotel, it will be a lot more than in a cafe where %26quot;real people%26quot; go.

I think it%26#39;s possible to do a trip on a budget, if that%26#39;s what you%26#39;re trying to figure out. You can, for example, buy bottles of water at convenience stores and supermarkets (outside the very center of Paris), and get crepes at stands, and so on. I will leave it to someone who has been in the last couple of months to supply specifics, but think of it like going to NYC -- you can spend a lot, or go to slightly less touristy areas and pay a lot less. If you are thinking of going and getting a small flat for instance (almost certainly much less expensive than a hotel), you can do your own grocery shopping and restaurant prices won%26#39;t be nearly as important.

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eating in Paris can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it. I found the grocery stores, patisseries, and boulegeries to be very reasonably priced. I can%26#39;t remember exact prices right now, but I do know I never spent 5 euro%26#39;s on a bottle of water and one or two lunches total were 5 euro%26#39;s. - completely depends on the experience you are looking for.

I did not go to any of the rated, or stared restraunts, not really my thing. If you are looking for a true dining experience be prepared to pay the price. Lunch can be more affortable than supper.

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Hi,

While I%26#39;m sure that a bottle of water at 5 E can be found, I think it%26#39;s a pushing it a bit.:-)

Obviously, everything will be more expansive than anywhere else in the touristic area. You%26#39;ll find that prices are pretty elastic as you move around...that crepe you bought with a coffee for 2.50 in the 10th will suddenly be 4.50 for the crepe alone in Montmartre. Still, if you%26#39;re on a budget, you always have the option to shop around.

Grocery stores can be a great way to save some money -and buy water - and give you the opportunity to sample some local delicacies. Snacks in parks are very common.

Anyway, for details, do a search for %26quot;cost%26quot; and you%26#39;ll find many comment. Some can live on 25 E a day while others make it with a hundred.

Here%26#39;s one :

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k11409…

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I just did a trip to Paris at Easter and yes it can be expensive but only in the very obvious places (Try London it%26#39;s far more expensive!). My suggestion would be to avoid any bars, cafes or restaurants slap bang next to major landmarks (Champs Ellysees, Opera, Louvre etc) and venture into the side streets. You%26#39;ll find plenty of bars selling water, coffee and breakfast at very reasonable prices. Also if you want to avoid restaurants go to the brasseries at lunch time and eat the %26#39;formula menu%26#39; which is what all the office workers tend to eat - hot two course meal at a very reasonable price. There%26#39;s also the food markets and of course the super markets selling water / sandwiches etc (Monoprix is great!) . I%26#39;d say for coffee expect to pay around 2 euros fifty (same for a bottle of water large in a cafe but much much less in a supermarket. A Sandwich / Bagette will set you back between 2 and 5 euros but again it very much depends where you buy it. Like people in any city, Parisiens want to make money from the tourists, it%26#39;s up to you how much you let them but it doesnt have to be expensive....

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Another great money saver that also adds to the experience of visiting Paris is to make some of your food purchases at the pedestrian markets such as the Rue Cler or Mouffetard, or the marche volantes that spring up in designated places on regular days during the week in each arrondissement.

Here%26#39;s a link to these great local food markets:

paris.fr/portail/…

Pick your moments.

You have to get off the tourist track a bit but there is where you%26#39;ll find the Paris where Parisians live... sometimes it%26#39;s only a few blocks from the most crowded tourist spots

For the down right least expensive markets in Paris look for Ed%26#39;s.

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For the record, a large 1.5 liter bottle of Evian mineral water is 0.55 centime, or about 75 cents US.

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Here...

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k11759…

Pjk

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We bought some bottles of water and then filled them from our hotel room each morning for the rest of our trip. Tasted the same. In a restaurant ask for a Caraffe d%26#39;eau and you get a jug of tap water for free. We also bought our breakfast and lunch at the nearby grocery store to save money.

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You can also refill water bottles in any of those Wallace Fountains that you find here and there around Paris.

Pjk