Posted on Wednesday, 15 July 2015

If there's one place that might just make London look a little costly, it's Paris. But you don't need to have the finances of Louis XIV to enjoy this incredible city. Here are seven affordable things to see and do in the French capital.

1. Eiffel Tower

Even though it costs 13 euros, you simply must visit Le Tour Eiffel. Pretty much wherever you go in Paris, you can see this iron monolith, and you'll never quite feel content until you've scaled it. The views are astonishing.

2. Galeries Lafayette

Visiting a department store might not be every thrifty person's idea of a good time, but wait until you see the magnificent interior of Galeries Lafayette. Move up the Art Deco staircases and take in the majesty of the huge glass dome which dominates the main shopping area.

Galeries Lafayette, Paris, France (Veniamin Kraskov/Bigstock.com)

3. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

As well as quoting lines from that musical of a similar name, let yourself be bowled over by this gothic masterpiece. You can even go inside for free, but access to the Hunchback's towers will cost you 8 euros.

4. Palais du Louvre

You might visit this vast museum in search of the Mona Lisa, but you'll probably find a thousand other works of art before you locate the famous ‘smirker'. If you love art, then the 15 euro entry fee will seem very reasonable indeed.

Palais du Louvre, Paris, France (TTstudio/Bigstock.com)

5. Cimetière du Père-Lachaise and Cimetière du Montparnasse

If you have a penchant for spotting the graves of deceased celebrities, then these two Parisian graveyards are for you. A host of French and international greats rest in these cemeteries, often headed with ornate gothic gravestones. Look out for Jean-Paul Satre, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and many others.

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, Paris, France

6. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

If you arrive by train you'll see this stunning church to your right as you enter. It's perched on the highest point in Paris, and so offers fantastic views over the sprawling metropolis. And best of all, it won't cost you a cent to enter.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Paris, France (PlusONE/Bigstock.com)

7. Jardin des Plantes

This eccentric garden boasts more than 10,000 species of plants and dates back to 1626. It's free to get in, although visiting the small adjacent zoo does cost 8 euros. Great if you're visiting with kids.

Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France (Tupungato/Bigstock.com)

Ne Pas Oublier L'assurance

As you can see, there's no reason to break ‘le banque' when in Paris, especially considering the strength of the pound. And what's more, you can even insure your trip for a very affordable sum, with starttravel.co.uk.

Whether you choose annual travel insurance or cover for a single trip, you'll enjoy comprehensive protection while in the French capital.

With our great 5-Star cover you'll get:

• £10,000,000 Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses
• £4,000 Cancellation and Curtailment cover
• £25,000 Legal Expenses cover
• £1,000 Catastrophe Cover
• £10,000 Personal Accident Cover
• £2,000 Personal Effects and Possessions cover
• £100 Luggage Delay cover
• £300 Travel Delay and Disruption cover
• £200 Withdrawal of Services cover
• £100 Hospital Benefit cover
• £250 Hijack, Kidnap and Mugging

Get a quote for your Paris trip today

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