A Budget Backpacker's 5-Day Paris & Mont Saint-Michel Adventure

Book tickets online in advance to secure entry for around €17. Make sure to check out world-renowned Masterpieces including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Veronese's The Wedding at Cana.

Located on Île de la Cité along the Seine, this 850-year-old French Gothic masterpiece is a central historical symbol of Paris. Take in the exterior architecture and ongoing restoration work.

Entry ticket costs €12, but visitors under 25 can enter for free. Head inside to view Foucault's Pendulum and explore the crypt containing the tombs of famous figures like Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.

Save money by buying a stairs-and-elevator combination ticket for around €18 instead of full elevator access. Climb the stairs for a great workout and unmatched close-up views of the iron architecture.

Return after dark to witness the sparkling light show that runs every hour on the hour after sunset. The 11 PM show offers one of the most magical night views in the city.

Take the Metro to Montmartre for sweeping elevated views over Paris. Important safety note: watch out for the friendship bracelet scam on the stairs leading up to Sacré-Cœur, where groups forcefully tie strings around wrists to extort cash.

Compare this grand triumphal arch standing at the end of the Champs-Élysées to other world-famous commemorative monuments. A fantastic photo stop along the historic axis.

Keep meal expenses under €10 per day by sourcing fresh croissants for around €1, fresh baguettes, and savory cheese omelettes from neighborhood bakeries (boulangeries).

Set aside around €20 to buy local artisanal chocolates as sweet souvenirs before heading off to Normandy.

Cross the wooden causeway leading to this UNESCO World Heritage tidal island. Fantasy fans will appreciate how its dramatic silhouette inspired the fantasy city of Minas Tirith in Lord of the Rings.

Wander along the main narrow cobblestone street lined with colorful centuries-old stone buildings, local souvenir shops, museums, and small creperies.

Climb up to the summit abbey, where monks still reside. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding bay waters and sea sand flats from the terrace.

Return to Paris via regional train and metro lines. Keep transit costs low by utilizing multi-ride metro passes or standard t+ single tickets.