Every year, tourists flock to the French capital seeking a romantic winter break filled with twinkling lights,endless Christmas markets, and mugs of steaming mulled wine. But behind the filtered Instagram photos lies a harsher reality as Paris is, under no circumstances, an affordable city. It's also not a "secret" destination, with millions of tourists descending on the capital every year.

This year, the reality of the festive season in Paris has hit travellers hard. It comes as no surprise that the city has been ranked as the most expensive Christmas market location in Europe. According to new research from Confused.com, a festive trip here costs visitors an average of £377 to cover travel, accommodation, and daily spending.

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Visitors to the city have recently branded it "expensive," "overrated," and "overpriced," citing the markets as the primary offender. The most infamous example is the market located in the Jardin des Tuileries. One American visitor, Maddie Clark, took to TikTok to share a clip of the hectic scenes she experienced. "There's a lot of game booths and rides but be prepared to wait and spend a lot of money," Maddie warned. "When we went over the weekend, it was so crowded we could barely walk and it eventually got really overstimulating." She isn't alone. Another video by user @themindfullorax displayed scenes of absolute chaos, captioned: "Absolutely packed in like sardines at the Christmas markets in Paris, France. I don’t know how anyone saw any of the stalls, forget browsing!"

It isn't just the Tuileries. Airial Travel warns that the popular market in La Défense, while magical, demands a heavy wallet. "Many visitors note that items and food can be slightly overpriced," the site advises. "Budget accordingly." One Reddit user lamented the "crazy prices that everything costs," while American expat @zozomccormack revealed she spent €32 (£28) just on a few snacks during a single visit.

On top of the market markup, Paris currently holds the highest tourist tax in Europe, which can reach up to €15.60 (£13.70) per person, per night. But despite the horror stories of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and sky-high prices, Paris is definitely still worth a visit. Daily Mail travel writer Erin Deborah Waks was once a resident in the city and insists the trick is knowing where to go to find lower prices and avoid the crushing waves of tourists. Here is how to salvage your Parisian Christmas.

If you are looking to do a spot of Christmas shopping, you will want to skip the big boulevards like the Champs-Élysées. Instead, look for the department stores that go all-out on decorations without the tourist trap feel.

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is a fancy department store offering a whole range of goods, from French delicacies to beautiful fashion options. It's the kind of shop you can spend hours browsing. Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are spots on Boulevard Haussmann and can be great spots to shop, but be warned it can be hellish on a Saturday as tourists and locals search for gifts.

The buzzing markets in La Défense, Jardin des Tuileries, and near Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower are often overcrowded havens for pickpockets. To avoid the stress, opt for a weekday visit instead and avoid weekends entirely if possible. Visit smaller markets outside the city centre, these will often be less busy. The Boulogne-Billancourt Christmas market is a great alternative, or try the option in La Villette, according to writer Erin.

Finally, use the winter schedule to your advantage. At this time of year, sunrise in Paris can be as late as 8:30am. You can make the most of this by visiting tourist hotspots like Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning. You will get stunning snaps before the crowds roll in. For a truly festive feel without the chaos, try ice skating at the Grand Palais, or take a stroll around Place Vendôme, Place Maurice Barrès, and Avenue Montaigne to take in the spectacular light displays at your own pace.

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