Recently, I went on a weekend in Paris city break via the Euro Star to celebrate my 28th birthday! I was pretty keen on a relaxing weekend in Paris because I am a full-grown adult now (technically) and life is hard enough without a massive hang-over. Here’s my take on a relaxing weekend in Paris for adults who are DONE with stressful, expensive travel.
Side Note: unbeknownst to us, June 21st was not only the day the world was blessed with my presence (lol), BUT it also coincided with ‘Fête de la Musique,’
The Fête de la Musique (also known in English as Music Day or Make Music Day) is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. On Music Day the citizens of a city or country are allowed and urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment.
It was truly an INCREDIBLE time to spend a weekend in Paris as the streets were buzzing with street performers, free festivals, and even 7-year-old kids on their violins. It really felt like all of the pieces came together for me at this one point to say: damn, girl – look how far you’ve come.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- Trendy hotels to stay at
- Best times to go
- Budget recommendations
- Instagram Recommendations
- Google Maps Guide
I’ve put together a map of amazing locations that will dip you in and out of your comfort zone and show you more than just the Eiffel Tower (lol). I’ve also pulled together a few quirky places for you to stay at that won’t cost a kidney to book.
My hope is that you experience a wide range of things during your weekend in Paris, instead of just the tourist hubs, so you can get a better idea of how normal people conduct themselves day-to-day.
I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
Hotels
Hotels for a weekend in Paris can range from $59 per night to an insane $1500 per night! It genuinely depends on where you stay in the city and if that hotel regularly hosts European royalty lol. The key is to stay within the large metro ring that surrounds Paris.
The city is super walkable and the public transport is cheap and superb. For me, I would rather keep a reasonable budget for accommodation so I can spend the rest of my budget on delicious food.
Budget: St Christopher’s Budget Hotel Paris
Mid-Range: Hotel Europe Saint Severin Paris
Luxury: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (+ view of Eiffel Tower!)
Best Time to Go: 
The peak travel times in Europe are between July and August so avoid a weekend in Paris during these months. The best months to come – to avoid the crowds & heat – are:
- April – June
- September – October
During July and August, the majority of European families are on holiday as school is out for the summer and this is why all of the prices skyrocket. It’s also the hottest time of the year so you’re better off coming earlier or just a bit later to avoid the heat and huge lines.
Budget
A weekend in Paris ain’t cheap. That’s just the reality of the city. Even at mid-range restaurants, you can expect to pay between €15-30 per meal. If you’re in the tourist areas, I would expect to pay a tad more, but even just a weekend in Paris is universally expensive so there’s no escaping it.
A few ways to save money:
- Take advantage of your hotel’s breakfast! Maybe even steal a sneaky roll with a few slices of meat for a mid-day snack.
- Make your lunch or sample street food/open-air vendors (like at the Marché des Enfants Rouges!)
- Purchase drinks/wine at the grocery store and enjoy the outdoors. There are plenty of outdoor parks to enjoy with free music and performances.
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Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.