Travelling to Paris for a week of blissful relaxation and sightseeing is bound to be one of the best ways to put a spring back in your step. Nowadays, finding fantastic deals on flights and Eurostar train rides is the norm, so your little getaway need not break the bank either. But what about when you get there? Are you likely to part with all your hard earned savings? Of course you are! Between expensive hotels, meals, transport and entry tickets into museums, you will soon realize that even a short week-end away can cost you big time. But there are many ways to reduce the cost of a visit to Paris, without reducing the quality of your vacation. Follow our best ever guide to ‘doing’ Paris on a budget and you could easily be planning several weeks away in the City of Lights & Love. Keep it Close Some people choose to stay well away from the city centre, in the hope that they’ll be saving on accommodation costs. While this may be true some of some cities, in Paris it actually pays to stay nice and close to the attractions. Your best bet is to book an apartment near ...

Paris' 10th Arrondissement, the gorgeous Canal St Martin, is one of those little hidden gems many locals wish no-one else would discover. Too late! Home to rustic cafés, bohemian boutiques and trendy bars and restaurants, Canal St Martin is rising in popularity, especially with visitors who wish for a Parisienne experience minus the sometimes overzealous tourist crowds. Book an apartment in Paris in Canal St Martin, and discover its alluring charms. Located north-east of the city center, the canal feeds into the Seine, and provides for innumerable riverside activities. Lined by cobblestone pathways (perfect for an early morning stroll) the canal reaches all the way south to the Place de Bastille. The main avenues of interest here are Rue Bichat, Rue Beaurepaire and Quais de Valmy and Jemmapes. Cruise it... While taking a riverboat cruise down the Seine is regarded as THE experience not to be missed when visiting Paris, we dare say that a cruise down Canal St Martin provides for a distinctively interesting view of the city. Totally un-crowded and set at a much slower pace, a bateaux mouche ride to Canal St Martin can be very pleasant indeed. Not having to allocate your attention to dozens of landmarks can ...

A visit to Paris is often associated with guilty pleasures; there’s something about those delicate, pastel-coloured macaroons, rich, red Bordeaux wine and even pure silk lingerie that would be foolish to resist. So why stop at shopping and eating? While you’re at it, indulge your body and mind at one of the city’s top spas or saunas. Le Spa Nuxe (32 rue Montorgueil, www.nuxe.com). Exposed brick walls and natural wood combined with contemporary furniture in earth tones set the scene for this popular urban spa that offers both Western and Eastern styles of treatments and massages. Nuxe skincare products, which are produced under the principles of phytotherapy and aromatherapy, are used exclusively. La Bulle Kenzo (1 rue du Pont-Neuf, www.labullekenzo.com), Anything that carries the name of French- Japanese designer Kenzo Takada you expect to be unconventional, and this futuristic spa is no exception. In a quirky décor featuring the designer’s signature vivid colours, you can lie in on a bright pink massage matress (you didn’t presume to see a regular massage table did you?) where you will receive a ‘choreographic massage’ accompanied to music whilst watching the abstract projections on the walls around you unfold. Later on, you will be served tea ...

Paris is a great place to take your children on holiday as there are many tourist attractions, museums and parks in the city that cater to children. Several of the parks scattered across Paris, are equipped with playgrounds, carousels, puppet shows and petting zoos that children are sure to love. 1. Jardins du Luxembourg (Rue de Médicis, Rue de Vaugirard) – This garden has a long history, it was established in the 17th century by Marie de Medicis from Italy. This is one of the most popular gardens in Paris and is especially full on weekends, when there are guignols, puppet shows and poneys! There are also a number of ponds where one can go boating, take a stroll, or simply relax while the children play in the sun. 2. Parc Monceau (Boulevard de Courcelles) – This is another famous park in Paris that was established in the 18th century by the Duke of Chartres, Phillippe d’Orleans. The gardens were designed by Louis Carrogis Carmontelle and span over 12 hectares, giving children a lot of space to play in. The Parc Monceau also has a number of playgrounds, bridges and waterfalls and even a free Wi-Fi area. 3. Parc de la Villette (211, ...

Ice skating in the winter is a popular pastime and activity in Paris (as well in New York!). During the Christmas season, Parisians and tourists flock to their favourite spots to have a wonderful time skating on the ice. One of the most popular ice skating spots is near Châtelet, in the area around the Hôtel de Ville, which comes alive during the Christmas season. The Hôtel de Ville (which means ‘City Hall’ in French) is the seat of the Mayor of Paris, and where the city’s business is conducted. During Christmas time, a delightful atmosphere of fun and happy activity exists in this area because of the large outdoor ice skating rink in front of the Hôtel de Ville in Châtelet Les Halles. Here, ice skaters can enjoy the cold weather and the Christmas atmosphere. This skating rink covers an area of 1200 square metres and a beginner’s rink along with a children’s slide is also available. Visitors to the rink can also ride on one of the two antique merry-go-rounds here. There is no charge for skating here, and if you do not have skates, they are available on rent for 5€. The Hôtel de Ville’s outdoor skating rink ...