There are places where a strict food budget is a good idea, but Paris is not one of them.

Dining in Paris is a big part of the visit. To truly know this city, you must experience the food. That doesn't mean eating at every five-star restaurant you encounter, but it does mean choosing authentic cuisine and savoring the experience.

This can be accomplished in a chain restaurants such as Chez Clément, which serve delicious food at reasonable prices.

Another choice: A group of brasseries called Frères Blanc, which offer their various menus on a common Web site.

Even if your budget is very tight, a French restaurant meal should not be the first thing you strike from your "to do" list. Some budget travelers eat their biggest meals at lunchtime, when prices are lower than in the evening.

Another strategy: enjoy one of Paris' incredible parks with a picnic lunch. Most neighborhoods offer places where you can buy fresh fruit, that delicious French bread (baguette) and other ingredients. In fact, street vendors often sell them along with delicious fillings. The further you are from a tourist attraction, the more likely the prices will be reasonable for such treats.

See the pattern? You should create at least one memorable meal in Paris, and preferably several.

Students in Paris will find economical meals with ease. The area's many universities offer basic meals. You'll probably need a student ID to eat in campus buildings, but food vendors close to the schools usually offer reasonable prices.

Even so-called ordinary food can be extraordinary here. Department stores such as Printemps have coffee shops and small restaurants. Most of these places don't serve up anything too fancy, but items like salads and brownies here are made with such care and such fine ingredients that visitors often leave quite satisfied.

Remember that in Paris (and much of Europe) you will pay more for anything that is served at a table. If you only want a drink and you don't mind standing at a bar, you'll pay less than if it is served at a table. Speaking of drinks, be careful when asking for water with your meals. Ask for a carafe of tap water (carafe de l’eau) or your waiter is likely to bring you a pricey bottle of mineral water.