London and Paris on a Budget
London and Paris have reputations as being fearsomely expensive for visitors - but it's perfectly possible to visit both these cities, see the best they have to offer, and not spend a fortune. How? Because many of the most important attractions are free and there is an alternative to ruinously expensive hotels.
London has six of the world's greatest art collections, each in a stunning building, with unique gallery spaces and superb visitor facilities, and all for FREE!
The British Museum's African, Asian, European and Ancient World collections include real-life legends like the Rosetta Stone and Easter Island statue. You can also see masterpieces such as the Lewis Chessmen and Michelangelo cartoon, and iconic objects, from the oldest man-made tools on earth to the first known image of Christ. And that's all before you get to the Egyptian mummies.
The National Gallery's stunning collection offers you masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. You can come face to face with portraits by Rembrandt, Velázquez and Van Dyck. See Constable's The Haywain, enjoy a Sunday afternoon by the river with Georges Seurat and bask in the radiance of Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
The National Portrait Gallery's stunning collection of portraits weaves together 500 years of history, art, biography and fame to offer a fascinating insight into the individuals that together characterise a nation. From the oldest portrait of Henry VII painted in 1505, to the magical portrait of Harry Potter creator, J.K. Rowling, the Gallery really is a people watcher's paradise.
Tate Britain holds the largest collection of British art in the world. The gallery shows work from the last five centuries, including contemporary British art in a series of free changing displays. The Tate's Collection includes masterpieces by British artists such as Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Whistler, Sargent, Turner, Sickert, Hepworth and Bacon.
A visit to London isn't complete without a trip to Tate Modern. Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Giacometti, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.
Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's greatest museum of applied and decorative arts. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures. See ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings, absolutely free, at the V&A.
The British Library houses one of the greatest collections of the written word in the world. See world famous items like the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's First Folio of 1623, King John's Magna Carta, Handel's Messiah and original Beatles' manuscripts.
Most of London's historic churches, for example, St Brides in Fleet Street, the model for the classic wedding cake and St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square charge no admission. St Martin's also organises free lunchtime concerts. Also, London's second cathedral, Southwark Cathedral, is well worth a visit to see the burial place of the founder of Harvard.
Cemeteries provide a who's who to London's past as well as a fascinating wander through Victorian memorial sculpture. Kensal Green is the burial place of Thackeray and Trollope while Highgate Cemetery is the resting place of Karl Marx and George Eliot.
The Royal Society of Arts is an architectural gem and has recently opened its doors to the public. On the first Sunday of every month, from 1000-1300, visitors can roam the Adam Brothers' historic rooms, dating back to the 1770s - for free, of course. In Somerset House Nelson Stair, Seaman's Waiting Hall and interpretation gallery can all be seen for free.
The Changing the Guard is a must see event for any visitor to London. The Queens' Guard is changed at 1130 inside the gates of Buckingham Palace and can be viewed from outside. The 40-minute ceremony takes place daily between April and July and on alternate days for the remainder of the year. The Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, Whitehall offers a closer look at the pageantry and is changed daily throughout the year at 1100 Mon-Sat and 1000 on Sun.
Ceremony of The Keys. This 700 year old ceremony of the locking of the main gates of the Tower of London is carried out every night of the year at 2150 by the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower accompanied by an escort of Guards. Passes are essential to attend the ceremony and can be obtained free of charge upon written application.
St Martin-in-the-Fields organise free lunchtime concerts as does the Royal Academy of Music. Be sure to visit the foyers of concert halls, especially the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Centre for regular free recitals at lunchtimes and in the early evenings.
The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has a regular programme of free concerts in the Floral Hall and its studios. Tickets are required and can be picked up from 1000 on the day of the performance.
During July and August, the floors, foyers and terraces of the South Bank transform into stages for performances by the top names in music and dance. All events are free and programme details are available from the box office.
More details of these and other FREE attractions can be found at: http://visitlondon.com/city_guide/budget/f_free_intro.html
While Paris does not have as much free entry as London, the majority of national museums and monuments are free all the time for under-18s, and on the first Sunday of the month, for everyone, depending on the time of year. The permanent collections of the Paris City museums are also free for everyone, all year round. See http://en.parisinfo.com/guide-paris/money/free-admission-and-good-deals/
There is no charge to enter churches and cathedrals, and there are two not to be missed. In the heart of Paris on the Ile de la Cité is that world famous cathedral and masterpiece of gothic architecture - Notre Dame. A mile or so to the north, crowning the Butte Montmartre, is the Sacre Coeur Basilica - built as an act of penance after France was defeated by the Prussians in 1870. The views over Paris from the square in front of the basilica are stunning.
You do not have enter museums or monuments to appreciate Paris. One of the most alluring images of the city is that of the River Seine, which glides a path through the heart of the City of Light. Lovers kiss atop its bridges and many films have been shot on its banks. Best of all, you can see the river in all its splendour without spending a cent. Be sure to check out the various bridges, each of which has its own unique charm and personality.
You do have to pay to ride to the top of The Eiffel Tower, but who wants to stand in an impossibly long line anyway, and the views from the Sacre Coeur are free and just as good. You can take in this architectural icon from below, or actually from almost anywhere in the city.
Père Lachaise Cemetery is the most famous and most visited in Paris. With a surface area of 44 hectares and a total of around 70,000 burial plots it's the largest open green space in the capital. Famous people buried in here include Balzac, Colette, Proust, Chopin, Bizet, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrisson (of The Doors) and Edith Piaf.
The Avenue des Champs-Elysées, also named "La plus belle avenue du monde" in French (the most beautiful avenue in the world) stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde and is central to Paris life. Sit and people watch from one of the many pavement restaurants and cafés or stroll down the avenue and on through the Tuilleries Gardens to The Louvre.
Paris is a great city for strolling and soaking up the atmosphere, an activity that costs nothing! Areas not to be missed are Montmartre, Ile St-Louis, the Marais, and the Latin Quarter.
And don't forget Paris's famous markets. Every arrondissement (district) has its own market, many are historic and full of character. Paris is also renowned for its "marché aux puces" or "flea markets". More details at: http://www.intransit-international.com/life_paris_markets.html
No visit to Paris is complete without a fashion show and you can feel like one of the elite without even opening your Gucci purse by attending one of the free weekly fashion shows at the Paris Galleries Lafayette department store. They are held each Friday at 3 p.m. http://www.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=fashion_en&lang=en&fontLang=latin
You can also take a free guided tour of a breathtaking Napolean III townhouse while learning about the history of perfume at the Fragonard Perfume Museum (Le Musee du Parfum). The museum features perfumery objects from various time periods. It's certainly worth a visit to see the lovely home and decor alone. http://www.fragonard.com/
Accommodation
Hotels in London and Paris can be frighteningly expensive, especially with the diminished international value of the dollar. You really can save on accommodation costs by staying in a vacation rental rather than a hotel. Not only will it be much cheaper but you will also have much more space, freedom to dress and behave as you want and you will be living like a native - no need to eat out every meal in expensive restaurants - buy something in the market and cook it at home.
Coach House Rentals are the leading specialist in short term central London and Paris rentals. We have a comprehensive web site with pictures and full descriptions of all our properties and services. How much cheaper is it to use us rather than a hotel? Well in London and Paris a standard double room in a 3 to 4 star hotel will cost at least £115, €165 ,US$225 per night, so a party of 4 people will be paying £225, €330, US$450 per night. Compare this with a Coach House rental for 4 where the price could be a low as £125, €180, US$250 per night, a saving of almost 50%! For larger parties the saving is even greater. At the time of writing we still have some availability for July, August and September but it's going fast. Here is a selection:
Property reference: WES. Westbourne Park Road, W2
Quality high tech family house in Bayswater, with car parking - sleeps 8/10. Price per night: £425 / $830
Property reference: PET. Peterborough Road, SW6
Comfortable 5 bedroom house in convenient location - sleeps 9. Price per night: £250 / $490
Property reference: CDS2. Cadogan Square, SW1
Old world elegance at prestigious Cadogan Square address - sleeps 6. Price per night: £295 / $575
Property reference: THC. Thurloe Court, SW3
Comfortable apartment in central South Kensington location - sleeps 3/4.Price per night: £135 / $265
Property reference: CAM2. Cambridge Street, SW1
Convenient relaxed house in quiet Pimlico location - sleeps 3. Price per night: £125 / $245
Property reference: CLT. Chelsea Towers, SW3
Attractive, modern Chelsea apartment - sleeps 2/4. Price per night: £130 / $255
Property reference: MCH. Metro Central Heights, SE1
Excellent budget accommodation - wonderful views, great transport links - sleeps 3/4. Price per night: £95 / $185
Property reference: PCSP. Cour St Pierre, 17th
Large family house in private gated street, a rare find - sleeps 7. Price per night: €250 / $335
Property reference: PMHB. boulevard Malesherbes, 8th
Charming family residence in the upscale 8th arrondissement - sleeps 5/6. Price per night: €255 / $340
Property reference: PFRC. rue Francoeur, 18th
Comfortable modern apartment in genuinely "Parisian" Montmartre - sleeps 5 .Price per night: €185 / $250
Property reference: PCDB. rue Claude Bernard, 5th
Typically French apartment in the Latin Quarter - sleeps 5. Price per night: €195 / $260
Property reference: PJJR. rue Jean Jaques Rousseau, 1st
Quality 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in the 1st - sleeps 5. Price per night: €255 / $340
Property reference: PLGN. rue Legandre, 17th
Charming 2 bedroom apartment in chic and historic Batignolles - sleeps 4/6. Price per night: €180 / $240
Property reference: PSCB. rue Saint Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th
Beautiful and stylish Marais apartment - sleeps 4. Price per night: €195 / $260
Ref: PPON. rue Ponceau, 2th
Contemporary artist's apartment in an area of "old Paris" - sleeps 2. Price per night: €125 / $170
Full details of these and other properties and all Coach House Rentals services, together with helpful tips on how to plan your stay, what to see and do etc. can be found at: www.rentals.chslondon.com and www.rentals.chsparis.com.
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