Oven-fresh croissants tickle your nostrils. Your amant pours coffee from a French Press. You stretch, light a cigarette, and toss your feet out from under the covers. You flâner around the apartment like an indecisive diplomat before taking breakfast on the balcony. Orange juice, espresso, and five-star views.
… And then you wake up in your two-star accommodation (which cost about the same as a four-star hotel anywhere else). It was all a dream, and a cruel one at that. But why is Paris so expensive, even for those of us who can usually afford decent digs elsewhere?
As we reported last year, space is at a premium in Paris, and locals live in a way that, if you don’t adapt to it, can easily throw off your brief Parisian experience. So, aside from indulging in enough Grand Marnier to blur the line between a budget backpacker’s spot and a five-star hotel, what can you do?
In the past, we’d say to grin and bear it. But a recent piece by The New York Times suggests there’s another way. The article, titled “How To Have A Five-Star Experience Without Booking A Room,” gives budget-conscious travelers five ways to get the five-star Paris experience—without paying five-star prices.
How? By simply walking into five-star establishments from the street for a one-off luxury experience at a fraction of the cost. Intrigued? Here are some of the top spots to try, courtesy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning publication.
Dinner: V Restaurant at Hotel Vernet
Hotel Vernet, 25 Rue Vernet, 75008 Paris, France
Like leather banquettes? Romantic stained-glass domes? Or architecture designed by Gustave Eiffel? This is the spot to be for that quintessential “pinch-me-I’m-in-Paris” moment.
With only 35 seats, V Restaurant showcases the talents of chef Richard Robe, a master of French gastronomy who brings intense flavors to life using seasonal ingredients. The winter menu includes the V pie—a puff pastry stuffed with duck, foie gras, and porcini mushrooms—and Lievre à la Royale, a slow-braised rabbit dish stuffed with foie gras and a roulade of Parmesan-crusted cannelloni.
For €95, the seven-course tasting menu balances rich, savory dishes with lighter options, like crayfish carpaccio with avocado and passion fruit, risotto with chanterelles and chorizo, and a decadent puff pastry dessert called “Le Chocolat.”
Cocktails: Duc de Morny Library at La Réserve Paris
La Réserve, 42 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France
Tucked into Avenue Gabriel, this former mansion oozes Belle Époque glamour while maintaining an intimate, cozy feel. The bar offers a classy ambience, while the library provides a more homely setting for enjoying cocktails.
If you visit, be sure to try the Femme Fatale, a mix of Champagne, lime, cucumber, and elderflower liqueur, or the Bain de Folie, a sweet concoction of raspberries, lime, gin, Chambord, egg white, and fresh mint.
Cooking Class: Ritz Paris
Hôtel Ritz Paris, 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
Instead of braving long lines at a restaurant, why not take a half-day course at the Ritz Escoffier cooking school, located within the legendary Ritz Paris? Afterward, enjoy your creations alongside the chef and fellow classmates.
Dishes include roasted duckling with quince and creamy polenta or warm molten chocolate cake with orange custard. Plus, there are specialized classes on Madeleines, macarons, and all things chocolate. And if that’s not enough, grab one of François Perret’s award-winning pastries at Bar Vendôme.
Art: Le Royal Monceau
Le Royal Monceau, 37 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris
This five-star hotel features an in-house art concierge, a private 99-seat cinema, and avant-garde artwork installations throughout. On Sunday evenings, non-hotel guests can attend a private screening at Katara Cinema for €40, which includes a glass of Champagne and caramelized popcorn by renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé.
If you’re visiting in the winter, step out to the Winter Terrace for a Veuve Clicquot tasting experience in a cozy, alpine-themed chalet.
Afternoon Tea: Four Seasons George V, Paris
Four Seasons George V, 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris
For an elegant afternoon, the Four Seasons George V offers a luxurious tea experience for €60, featuring a selection of teas, champagne, scones, and artful pastries. If you’re feeling indulgent, consider a €130 spa session afterwards to relax and detox from all the treats.
