Paris taxi drivers seem to have a problem with carrying more than three people. We were surcharged for a family of three adults and one child with various excuses given, including an additional charge for luggage! Use the Metro whenever possible, and buy a carnet of 10 tickets for both adults and children (1/2 price).

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If you are taking a short break to Paris and need to use the car to get to London (sadly we had to), Eurostar use NCP for the St Pancras station car park and this means a minimum £25.00 per day which can dampen the holiday spirit.

We used Lomax car park in Camden Town (15 minutes' walk) - very helpful staff, they will drive you to the station and pick you up on your return and, best of all, it's about £50 for four days.

www.lomaxcarpark.co.uk

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A lovely little Jewish/Greekish deli in the Jewish part of the Marais. They have a cosy little restaurant attached where you can select from the deli items. Great value for money, high quality and very tasty. Plenty of Parisien(ne)s.

2, Rue Hospitalières St Gervais
75004 Paris, France
+33 1 42 72 18 86

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Les Tuileries is the most central park in Paris. It stretches its 'à la Française' alleys and lawns along the Seine river from the Louvre museum to the Concorde square. There is a large round central fountain where an ancient Parisian hires out beautiful yachts made by himself - the boats sail across the fountain and the kids are armed with long canes to push them into another direction. We grabbed a coffee and sat around the fountain watching Paris go by and the kids were entertained by the boats for an hour - what more could you ask for 15 euros!

Use les tuileries metro station on line 1

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The Galleries Lafayette is a stylish department store in Paris. By taking the escalator to the top floor and then walking up the single flight of stairs from the restaurant, you can walk out on to the roof terrace and get a splendid view over Paris.

The height is about the same as the first level of the Eiffel Tower - but you won't have to queue, you can stay as long as you like (so long as the shop is open!), and it's TOTALLY FREE!

Galeries Lafayette, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 75009

Nearest Metro: Chaussee d'Antin Lafayette

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Friendly, cheap café on the side of the bassin de la villette. Not too 'bobo'. Drinks are cheap, you can help yourself to snacks - chorizo, crisps, marmite (yes, really!).

In summer you can borrow a set of balls to play pétanque. Has been non-smoking for years before the smoking ban.

68 quai de la loire, metro jaurés, 75019

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In the recent flurry for Eurostar tickets to the Rugby World Cup final in Paris, return train tickets were costing hundreds of pounds.

My friends found that for half the price they could travel to Lille and then TGV onwards to Paris for considerably less. Although it's bit of a pain to change trains you can save a considerable amount.

www.tgv.com/FR/

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Forget those designer boutiques and get on the metro to head to the Place d'Aligre for a fascinating market full of clothes, antiques and world goods (particularly great for African crafts).

There really is something more enjoyable about grabbing a bargain at the market than flashing the credit card down the Champs Elysees!

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Want to enjoy the sport of kings but not pay a king's ransom? Then head to Paris on the first Sunday in October where you'll experience a sporting extravaganza, with a difference.

Racing reaches its pinnacle at Longchamp where the focus is the richest prize in Europe, the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. But Arc day is much more than a day at the races. The Paris fashionistas compete as fiercely as the horses. So what would you expect to pay to rub shoulders with racing's elite in the world's style capital? How about £5 and that includes your racecard!

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In May, they hold Nuit des Musées - where the museums are open late into the evening and are free. So whilst everyone is eating you can go and see your favourites and with the entrance fees you have saved have a delicious meal.

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If you are under 26, you can visit the Louvre for free on Friday evenings. In an expensive city, this is more than just helpful euro-pinching.

You can arrive as the setting sun catches the top of the glass pyramid (making for the perfect ‘I heart Paris’ portrait) then dash to all the best bits while everyone is making their way out.

As you stand tête-à-tête with the Mona Lisa, you might finally realise what all the fuss is about.

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Forget the queues and the disappointments at Wimbledon, head to Roland Garros, home of the French Open. It's on the outskirts of Paris, easily accessible using the Metro, and with less competition for tickets, you can book a seat on Philippe Chatrier Court and a day return on Eurostar for the price of a Centre Court ticket (and a few glasses of Pimm's) at Wimbledon.

Worth it for the change in atmosphere (and lack of braying Brits on Henman Hill).

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For discounted Chloe, go to a little un-named shop on the south side of Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud between Rue Amelot and Blvd Voltaire in the Marais. Great selection at prices more than 50% off retail.

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A no-star hotel in the front garden of Notre Dame Cathedral. The wallpaper is bizarre, there is no lift (five floors though), and the bathroom door (yes, we had an en suite) came away in my hand.

But the view from the window is breathtaking and the owner is friendly and helpful. Shakespeare Books is just across the street. Doubles from €60 per night.

4 rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, Paris 75005

+33 (0)1 4354 1920

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If, like me, you know that going to Paris means going clothes shopping then here is a treat: mens’ and ladies’ wear shop Comptoir du Marais.

It has two floors packed with stylish but wearable designs by young French designers and is unbelievably cheap! The shop has a tea room and small gallery where you can relax with your bags - inevitably full of clothes you have just bought. Tucked away at the end of Rue des Mauvais Garcons (street of the naughty boys) in the heart of gay Paris – this boutique is well-behaved wallet-pleasing fun.

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Looking for some cheap and cheerful shopping? Fairly near the Gare du Nord is a wonderful shop called 'Taties'. It occopies a whole block and is a perfect Aladdin's cave full of bargains.

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Take a packed lunch bought in the fine food department on to the rooftop of Le Printemps for the most luxurious/cheapest/freshest lunch with the best views over the city.

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Lunch at the Jules Verne is much better value than dinner. This is true for all great restaurants.

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Go treasure hunting at the Puce de Montreuil, a great flea market where you can find great second hand clothes. Avenue de la Porte de Montreuil.

Avenue de la Porte de Montreuil

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If you want a cheap way to stay in Paris, use the Citea hotels - there are several dotted around the city and for around £40 per night you get a comfortable, basic self-catering apartment!

Some of the Citea hotels also have a free-for-residents swimming pool, and they all have a breakfast service available for a small fee.

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