Just spent two days in Paris and spent just under £400

I've realised that I need to stop giving Paris a bad rep.<br><br>I just spent 2 days there and spent just under £400. This included accommodation, food, travel and activities.<br><br>Accommodation - £77 2 nights in a hostel. Booked last minute.<br><br>Travel - £109. Train from London direct to Gare du Nord. Booked last minute.<br><br>Food - £109. I had a lot on the first day then did my best to do it all on a budget the second. This will be the main part of this post.<br><br>Activities - £62. This included going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, going to the Louvre and walking into the cathedral.<br><br>So, starting with food. I know a lot of people moan about things being expensive. I did the first day because it was just easier to eat in 'touristy' places and it was all just a bit expensive everywhere then I just stopped being lazy and figured it out.<br><br>Day 1 - I spent £70 on three meals. Breakfast in a cafe. Big long lunch in a slightly fancier restaurant, dinner in a bar that served food. Then a few drinks. All very nice and the dinner was really really good, but a bit unnecessary.<br><br>Day 2 - £40. Breakfast in a bakery. Big long lunch in an absolute hole in the wall cafe, dinner in a street food place. Then a few drinks. All very nice, all a lot cheaper.<br><br>So, onto activities. I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I got up early and did it as soon as it opened. It was lovely and not busy and the sun was shining. I paid €29.90 for a lift ticket to the top. I then paid another €9.10 for a stairs ticket down. Overall, €39 for an hour or so. Really worth it. The views are amazing, and there's a lot to learn and see on the way up/down.<br><br>The Louvre was €18 and took up most of the afternoon. It's a lot to get through in one visit, I just did a highlights tour but still spent a few hours there.<br><br>The cathedral is just up the road from the Louvre and is free to walk in.<br><br>Anyway, I'm just going to finish by saying that Paris is an absolutely beautiful city, every time I go I love it a little more, there's so much to see, and it's actually not that expensive.<br><br>EDIT - thank you for all the awards_plane and the awards_dog everyone._plane<br><br>I guess just to add a few things in reply to comments, I also walked everywhere_plane. A big part of the cost was the train from London and it's actually slightly cheaper to fly from some of the airports direct to Paris. I just didn't have time to go to the airport etc.<br><br>Also, for the 'It's 100 years old, it's supposed to be expensive' comments. Just to reiterate, I feel like this is just an excuse for anywhere to be expensive. I went to Italy last year and spent even less than this.<br><br>EDIT EDIT - another thank you for all the awards Plane dog everyone. Getting towards Silver now. I never thought things would go this well. <br><br>EDIT EDIT EDIT - wow, another wave! Thank you everyone. Plane Dog is very much coming into view now. Going to do a little victory dance around the living room.<br><br>EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT - I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed, either through awards or comments. I've gone from bronze to within 3 awards of Gold Dog. Thank you for my first ever Gold._plane