But all those extra bobbles and balls do not mean you can’t still find some affordable cheer around town.

It’s not too late to book one of the best cheap hotels in Paris and head to the City of Light for a holiday getaway as 2019 turns into 2020.

More Paris budget tips

• Paris on the Cheap: The top 25 free things to do
• A guide to finding the best time of year to visit Paris
• 10 ways to prepare for your Paris vacation

How to celebrate the holiday season in Paris

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Paris in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Here are six easy ways to celebrate in Paris à la Cheapo.

1. Bask in the glow

Through early January, the city’s iconic streets are aglow with holiday lights, Christmas window displays and the sounds of the holidays. Of special note are the trees and lights at Place Vendome (through January 2020) the festive decorations hanging across rue Montorgueil, and of course, the ever-campy but always appreciated displays on the historic Champs-Elysées (November 24 to January 8, 2020).

Ladling up a mulled mug at the Christmas market along the Champs-Elysées. Photo: anniemole

2. Stroll with mulled wine

To appreciate the lights, be sure to grab a cup of hot wine (vin chaud) to go while strolling the streets. The Christmas markets, while selling plenty of trinkets, do manage to provide enough of the sweetened, spiced wine to make them worth a trip. Once the holidays are finished, the wine is still available in most cafés, and is often a bit tastier — and it doesn’t get cold as quickly.

Check out the official Paris tourism website for the 2019 list of markets and holiday activities.

A classic and affordable French dining experience awaits at Chartier. Photo: shufgy

3. Feast for less

Holiday eating in Paris can be tricky because many places close on December 24, 25, and January 1, but diners won’t starve, even on a budget. A simple yet exceedingly affordable meal can be had at old favorite Chartier while those looking to drop a bit more can have a four-course Christmas meal (including Champagne!) at the famed Coupole for €75. Though it may seem steep, it’s a lot cheaper than many holiday menus around town!

Ice skate under the spectacular dome of the Grand Palais. Photo: Le Grand Palais des Glaces Facebook Page

4. Hit the rink

Winter is here, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your time in Paris huddled away. Strap on your skates or rent a pair and hit the largest rink in the world at Le Grand Palais from December 13 to January 8, 2020. You can also skate at the Christmas Market at Champs de Mars right under the Eiffel Tower (through January 2020). If it’s a bit too frigid outside, the Patinoire Pailleron by the Parc de Buttes Chaumont is a bit more tolerable with its indoor rink and costs just a few euros to take hit the ice.

Ring in the New Year with a twinkling Eiffel Tower. Photo: tonyjcase

5. Toast the New Year

Although there haven’t been fireworks for several years in Paris on New Year’s, the Eiffel Tower does offer a lively light show, and the Champs-Elysees is the place to be if you want to join the throngs. Otherwise, don’t expect much more than a Champagne toast at midnight and some rabble-rousers in the streets.

A cake fit for a king. Photo: lesteph

6. …and cut the cake

There is more to look forward to in early 2020. On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, you’ll see bakeries decked out with the galette des rois, the frangipane-based cake that ushers in the New Year. A small figurine of the baby Jesus is hiding inside each cake, and French tradition holds that he or she who finds the token in their slice buys next year’s cake.

Did you find the baby? Congratulations! You can start off the New Year in debt — vive la France!

Your tips

Have you been to Paris during the holiday season? Tell us what you like to do during your visit!

The post Paris: 6 ways to celebrate the holidays (without blowing your budget) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We highly recommend treating yourself to a classic French meal at least once during your stay, but for those other nights when you’d like to reign in your budget, it’s wise to have a few cheap and delicious options in mind. And remember, if you want to splurge, you can always go for a nice prix-fixe lunch. There are several great lunch deals starting from €14 that will fill you up in style, and help you save later with a light dinner.

Tips for Paris hotels:
• The Best budget accommodations in Paris
• Simple ways to save on your hotel in Paris
• 11 Cheap hotels with lots of character and charm

Our favorite cheap dinners in Paris

With that in mind, here are eight trusted Paris dinner spots, all of which can be enjoyed for less than €10.

1. L’as du fallafel: Delicious Middle Eastern eats

A Paris classic and perennial cheapo favorite in the Marais, L’as du fallafel attracts foodies from all over the world. And for good reason! The falafel sandwich here is simply fantastic, and at around €8, it’s one of the best deals in Paris. The only downside: Be prepared to wait in a line (but it moves quickly).

32-34 Rue des Rosiers
4th arrondissement
+33 1 48 87 63 60
Metro: Saint-Paul (Line 1)

Related: Top affordable Paris hotels in the Marais

2. Breizh Café: Savory and sweet crepes

A short walk from L’as du fallafel, Breizh Café serves up some of the best crepes in Paris. Paris food expert and cookbook author David Lebovitz loves the buckwheat versions with egg, ham and cheese. Try a savory one for around €9-12, and you’ll be full and happy all night!

109 Rue Vieille du Temple
3rd arrondissement
+33 1 42 72 13 77
Metro: Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (Line 8)

3. Krishna Bhavan: Spicy Indian food for less

Paris may not be known for its Indian food, but this place is a great option if you’re looking for something to spice things up. At Krishna Bhavan, you can enjoy a hearty dish, side, and drink for about €10 around the corner from Gare du Nord.

24 Rue Cail
10th arrondissement
+33 1 42 05 78 43
Metro: La Chapelle (Line 2)

4. Higuma: Well-priced Japanese menu

Rue Sainte-Anne in the 1st arrondissement is home to many tasty Japanese restaurants that serve a range of budgets. Higuma offers the perfect balance of delicious food and low prices. A bowl of ramen here starts at only €7.50 and most dishes are under €10.

32 bis Rue Sainte-Anne
1st arrondissement
+33 1 47 03 38 59
Metro: Pyramides (Lines 7 and 14)

Related: Cheap hotels near the Louvre

5. Bistrot Victoires: Tasty salads and French fare

A perennial favorite, Bistrot Victoire is classic, cozy and ideal for those traveling on a budget who want to enjoy authentic French cuisine. Try any of their amazing salads for €10-11 each.

6 Rue la Vrillière
1st arrondissement
+33 1 42 61 43 78
Metro: Bourse or Sentier (Line 3)

6. Chartier: Classic French on a budget

A tried and true budget eater’s paradise, Chartier serves up no-frills classic French food at crazy good prices. We love it so much, we wrote an ode to it on our blog. Mains range from €8.50-13.50, an exceptional value in modern day Paris.

7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
9th arrondissement
01 47 70 86 29
Métro: Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 & 9)

Related: Cheap Paris hotels in the 9th arrondissement

7. Candelaria: Cocktails and tacos

A key player in the Paris bar scene, Candelaria is also home to some of the best (and only?) tacos in the city. For about €6 per taco, you can save on dinner before heading back to the bar to splurge on their amazing drinks.

52 Rue de Saintonge
3rd arrondissement
+33 1 42 74 41 28
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (Line 8)

8. Le Comptoir General: West African food and a cool vibe

Packing a cool bar, thrift store, hair salon, museum, and more into one space, Le Comptoir General is also home to some delicious and affordable West African and Caribbean cuisine. Try the assiette africaine for around €10, and then stay for cocktails!

80 Quai de Jemmapes
10th arrondissement
+33 1 44 88 24 48
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent or Goncourt (Lines 5 or 11)

The post Eating Cheap in Paris: 8 dinners for €15 or less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Much has been written about this inexpensive joint, with mostly favorable reviews. Others are not so convinced, claiming that Chartier’s beautiful interiors mask its unremarkable cuisine. It’s time for EuroCheapo to weigh in on the debate.

Getting there and getting in

Le Boullion Chartier is located in the 9th arrondissement, in the Grands Boulevards neighborhood. You can take Metro lines eight and nine to the Grands Boulevards station that’s just around the corner. Once you arrive, you’ll surely be greeted by a line of Parisians and fellow travelers (remind you of somewhere?). This line moves surprisingly quickly, and soon you’ll be welcomed through the antique wooden doors into the majestic, busy dining hall. Don’t be shocked if you’re placed at a table next to other diners—this mixing and mingling is part of the charm.

How to order a memorable meal

We recommend starting with the house wine, which will be cheap and handpicked by the chefs.

Starters range from €1.80-6.80, and you can choose from classics like Oeuf dur mayonnaise (hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise), Salade frisée aux lardons (salad with bacon), and even escargots. The portions will be small by American standards, but generous by French eating habits.

Most main courses are around €10, which is shockingly cheap for Paris. You can choose from all of the classic dishes you might have dreamed about trying, like Steak frites, Côte d’agneau grillée (grilled lamb), and even Tête de veau (calf’s head). Side note: Chartier is not a vegetarian-friendly place, so if you don’t eat meat, you might want to have a bite to eat before and just enjoy the ambiance.

For dessert, finish with fromage. A selection of cheeses are available for less than €3 each. If you’re still hungry, all the classic French sweets are also offered, like Baba au rhum (rum cake) and Pêche melba (peach melba), all for €4 or less.

Tip: Order all your food at once, because it will be hard to get your busy server’s attention after the first encounter. Dressed in black bow ties and white shirts, they will jot down your order directly onto your paper tablecloth.

Everything is classic at Chartier, right down to the waiters’ uniforms. Photo: Sophoco

Grading the food and experience

The fare at Chartier is simple and classic, with no-frills. Don’t expect a five-star meal here or beautiful presentation. You will receive perfectly acceptable dishes; they will not blow your mind, and they won’t be the most delicious food you try in Paris.

However, this restaurant is all about preserving the Belle-Epoque style dining experience, including the dishes. So come for the experience and the wonderful selection of traditional French foods, not the originality. At Chartier, you can afford to have the French meal you always wanted, with wine, a starter, a main, cheese and dessert, all without breaking the bank.

A final thought

We believe that le Boullion Chartier is the perfect way to start a trip to Paris. A meal here can be a great introduction to French food, French restaurants and French servers without the seemingly obligatory steep prices. Get a taste for authentic dishes á l’ancienne, and then you’ll be ready to dine out in France with confidence.

Le Boullion Chartier
7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre|
9th arrondissement
01 47 70 86 29
Métro: Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 & 9)
Bus: L74
www.bouillon-chartier.com

Check out more Paris restaurants on EuroCheapo for the best deals and food around the city.

The post Traditional Parisian dining on a budget: The classic Chez Chartier appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.