Paris is stunning at any time of year. In summer, you get crowds of tourists bustling through the Jardin du Luxembourg and picnicking beneath the Eiffel Tower. Autumn might be the perfect time for you to embrace your artistic side and see some of the most famous works of historical art in the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. If a weekend of escapism and picturesque views in one of the most beautiful cities in the world is all you can concentrate on, look no further. It is doable for students on a budget and worth it for the rich culture Paris has to offer.

Yes, a balcony with a view of the Eiffel Tower naturally sounds ideal. But realistically, not much time is spent in the hotel room when you’re in a place with so much to explore. Hotels which are outside of the centre will be much cheaper and still be of good quality. Check for hotels without a TV or an included breakfast to make your stay less expensive. The metro in Paris is also the easiest and fastest way to get around, so this is convenient to use when you are outside the centre. Don’t be fooled into getting taxis which are offered to you, especially from the train stations and airports, as they will undoubtedly be more expensive.

There is so much to see - museums, gardens, buildings of architectural excellence. If you want to explore the art of Paris, the Louvre must be seen first. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the museum is open until 9.45pm and its entrance fee is reduced. Why not romanticise seeing the Winged Victory of Samothrace in a vast museum when it’s dark outside and the museum is quiet? In terms of navigating it, there are big exhibits which you won’t want to miss. These include the Mona Lisa (small but mighty), Liberty Leading the People and the Wedding at Cana. There’s nearly always a crowd in front of the Mona Lisa, but how can you visit Paris without making eye contact with her?

In terms of the notorious Eiffel Tower, it shows a stunning skyline when you go up it, but the view is just Paris from very high up. You can go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for around half the price and this way, you’ll get a view with the Eiffel in it. The tower lights up for the first five minutes of every hour after dusk until 1am, and this would add to the stunning backdrop of Paris’ night sky. It was designed by Pierre Bideau to look like camera flashes and it actually helps to light the city for tourists wandering the streets at night. The Arc de Triomphe can be accessed by an underground walkway, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to intercept the traffic spinning around it at any point!

“Why not spend a couple of hours sipping on hot chocolate in a café on the Champs-Élysées?”

Naturally, the gardens of Paris are also free to look around. The Jardin du Luxembourg is filled with sculptures and statues, with the palace and gardens commissioned by Marie de Medici. The palace itself has an Italian style as she wanted to reflect her childhood in Florence.

There are also some tricks to eating well in Paris. You might notice that restaurants will add a service charge to your bill. Large tips are not necessary, a tip of one or two euros is normal. Additionally, bread and water at restaurants in Paris are nearly always free. Instead of dining in restaurants though, the bakeries mean you can get a picnic lunch full of baguettes and pastries. The cafés in Paris are likewise chic and sophisticated. Why not spend a couple of hours sipping on hot chocolate in a café on the Champs-Élysées and watching the world rush by? This avenue is home to the most famous brands in the world including Hermès, Dior Homme, Gucci, Chanel. Window shopping is recommended on a student budget!

So, if you’re planning a short city break during the Easter holidays or this summer, Paris will always be 100% worth the money you do spend; and with these tips and tricks hopefully you can bring down the expenses of what could be an amazing weekend. A weekend isn’t enough to do everything, but it is enough time to be completely swept away by the French charm and to fall in love with Paris.