Chic & Cheap: How to Be Like Emily in Paris on a Budget

4 Low-Cost Travel Tips for Fans of Emily in Paris

L.B. Lewis
4 min readSep 17, 2024
Boulangerie Moderne is an actual bakery, next to the fictional L’Esprit de Gigi. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)

[Spoiler Alert]

Until I can live like Emily in Paris and Rome, I’ll watch another season.

I used to strongly dislike this show but Season 4 turned my frown upside down! I’m excited that Netflix just announced there will be a Season 5 of “Emily in Paris,” keeping us all guessing what will happen next.

This season, it seemed the French actors were actually speaking French, and even Emily was working in French lines occasionally. The new storylines took us all over Paris and then to Rome to meet more intriguing accents. It’s been exciting to see the core characters evolve (like Sylvie!) and all the beautiful scenery.

Before “Emily in Paris” and before the pandemic, I had the opportunity to work in Paris. But, I was nothing like Emily. My life and Emily’s life couldn’t have been further apart. I got my job off Craigslist and certainly didn’t have Emily’s large budget for clothes, going out, and travel!

I agree with the critics that say her life on screen is unrealistic, plus she never has visa issues or rides the Paris Métro either.

But I will tell you from my experience: In Paris, in real life, there is something for every budget.

In Season 4, I was happy to see a few places Paris I recognized. If you are visiting Paris, it’s easy to find some of these budget-friendly options:

Picard Surgeles

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Picard is a French frozen food chain with over 1,000 stores. It also sells a few non-frozen snacks like chips, too.

In Season 4 Episode 7, we seen Sylvie and Antoine at a Picard in Paris, a well-known spot for busy singles.

There are Picards throughout Paris and each has hundreds of food options. One of my favorites were the frozen soup cubes which I wish we had in the U.S.! Entrees can range in price from around 2,99 euros for a fish and rice meal to 13,50 euros for a family-sized cake.

The famous Beef Bourguignon at Le Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)

Bouillon Chartier

Founded in 1896, Bouillon Chartier is an iconic restaurant. There are three of these amazingly affordably brasseries in Paris, serving all the French classics.

In Season 4 Episode 5, Gabriel takes Emily to a Bouillon Chartier for a restaurant industry after-hours party.

My ex-boyfriend first took me here and while that relationship has faded, my love for Bouillon Chartier remains as strong as ever. I went to the Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse by myself in April 2024 and enjoyed the famous beef bourguinon and a cider. Prices run 7,00 euros upwards for main courses.

Place de l’Estrapade

One block away from the Pantheon is where Emily’s apartment and L’Esprit de Gigi are located. The Place de l’Estrapade is easily accessibly by foot and has a cute plaza. You can see my tour of this area on YouTube here.

Lidl Paris display of Pantene’s Emily in Paris Serum. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)

Lidl

Although not in any Emily in Paris episodes (yet), this Germain discount chain with multiple locations in Paris is known to sell Emily in Paris hair products from Pantene along with many other products. Recently, Lidl even promoted “Emily in Paris Week.”

You most definitely can be like Emily in Paris on a budget. BUT…

Sylvie from “Emily in Paris” Season 4 as played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu. (Source: Netflix)

While we wait for Season 5, if you’re interested in an upgraded, sustainable, pre-loved wardrobe in the meantime and are not going to Paris anytime soon, you can get 10% off at Vestaire Collective (Season 4 Episode 1).

Until Season 5 or a glamorous new life manifests itself, I look forward to watching another season and talking about it with friends!

Two big teddy bears at Le Voltigeur. (Photo: L.B. Lewis)

~~~~~~
If you liked this post, please let me know by clapping! I personally have visited all the places in Paris listed here and created this as a resource. Follow me on Medium to read my stories in Haven Comedy, The Startup, Any Writers, and more.

--

--

L.B. Lewis

Author of SMALL TALK WITH MYSELF, a 2022 Official Selection of Catalyst Festival and #1 Amazon book. Views are my own. Founder: MonteCristoStudio.com.