You won’t be short of things to do in Paris for free. The City of Light is quite an expensive city for tourists, but there are always a lot of tricks to save money.
Even some entertainment options without spending a single euro! In this post, we propose 15 activities to do in Paris for free so that you can enjoy the French capital to the fullest without affecting your pocket.
1. Enjoy a free tour of Paris
Most of the big European cities have free tours to discover their attractions on foot. And Paris could not be any exception! It will allow you to know the most famous places in the city without spending a single euro and with the comments of a local. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Paris for free.
2. The surroundings of the Notre Dame Cathedral
This cathedral is an icon of Paris and, like all the churches in the city, it can be freely admired both inside and out. Unfortunately, after the fire you will have to settle for seeing it from the outside since it is closed indefinitely.
In the square where the cathedral is, there is also another attraction for the curious: the km. 0 from France. There is usually a long queue to get in, but it is worth the wait as it is one of the most impressive cathedrals we have seen along with the Cologne Cathedral.
Although it is not free to climb its towers, we also believe that it is essential because it is one of the best viewpoints in the city.
If you want to take a beautiful photo of the cathedral, go down to Quai de Montebello, on the banks of the Seine.
3. Stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries
As per Julius Homes, These gardens are a hallmark of the city and can be enjoyed for free. A walk through the Tuileries to get from the Louvre to the Champs Elysées is wonderful. It is one of our favourite corners of Paris to relax since along the promenade there are chairs and sun loungers. It is a real pleasure to sit and contemplate its fountains and sculptures with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background.
But the Tuileries are not the only green corner of Paris, there are many equally or more beautiful parks. Some of them are the Luxembourg Gardens or the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
4. Visit the museums for free on the first Sunday of the month
As in many other cities, on Sundays, you can enter the museums in Paris for free. It is quite an opportunity to be able to visit renowned museums such as the Pompidou or the Louvre without paying anything. Of course, if the queues every day are long, on the first Sunday of the month be prepared to wait a long time. The vast majority of museums and monuments do this promotion, but some of them only in the low season.
Below you have the complete list. Do not miss our guide with practical information and tips to visit the Louvre without the queues.
Every month’s first Sunday is free museum day.
- Pompidou Center
- orangeries museum
- Orsay’s Museum
- Picasso museum
- Quai Branly Museum
- Rodin museum
Museums and monuments of Paris are free on the first Sundays of the month from November 1 to March 31:
- Louvre Museum (from October 1 to March 31)
- Arch of Triumph
- Conciergerie (Palace of Justice)
- Pantheon
- Sainte Chapelle
- Basilica of Saint-Denis
- Palace of Versailles
5. Stroll through the Montmartre neighbourhood
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is impressive, both for its beauty and its location. It is located at the top of Montmartre, from where there are beautiful views of Paris. You can also enter the temple for free, although its interior is not as spectacular as that of Notre Dame. On the stairs in front of the basilica, there is usually a ball magician doing a show that will leave you speechless.
6. Falling in love with the Wall of Love
In Montmartre, the most bohemian neighbourhood in Paris, there is a corner for the most romantic. It is a mural with the expression “I love you” written more than 1000 times in 300 languages. A nice place to remember that Paris is also the city of love. In addition, it is close to many other free Paris attractions such as the Place du Tertre , a magical place where the city’s artists have congregated for many years.
7. Enter the Sacred Heart or Sacré Coeur, one of the best things to do in Paris for free
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is impressive, both for its beauty and its location. It is located at the top of Montmartre, from where there are beautiful views of Paris. You can also enter the temple for free, although its interior is not as spectacular as that of Notre Dame. On the stairs, in front of the basilica, there is usually a ball magician doing a show that will leave you speechless.
You can enter the temple for free, although if you want to go up to the dome you will have to pay.
8. Enjoy fashion shows
What would Paris be without fashion? It has been the cradle for great designers and is still very present in its shop windows. If you like the scene, you can enjoy a free show twice a week at Galeries Lafayette. They take place on Mondays and Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and you have to reserve a seat through their website.
9. Have privileged views from the terrace of the Printemps Galleries
In the Printemps Galleries, there is a terrace with spectacular views of Paris for free. Going up will not cost you a single euro and if you want to avoid consuming anything in the bar on the terrace, that’s fine. But it must be said that the prices are not at all excessive for the privileged views that the place offers.
Paris has several special viewpoints, but going up to this site is one of the best things to do in Paris for free. Without a doubt, a good way to take a break from a tiring day of sightseeing!
10. Visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery, one of the best things to do in Paris for free
It is one of the best-known cemeteries in the world and has the peculiarity that many Parisians use it as a park. Among its beautiful tombs are the remains of famous people such as Jim Morrison, Molière or Chopin.
In addition, it is a historical place due to the executions that took place there during the Paris Commune. If you have time in the French capital, visiting this cemetery is one of the best things to do in Paris for free.
11. Go for a walk to the Canal St-Martin, one of the best visits to do in Paris for free
Surely you know him because he is the protagonist in the famous Amélie film. Immersed in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, very close to République and the Garde du Nord, it is a perfect place to go on a picnic and enjoy its magnificent atmosphere to relax.
12. Explore the Promenade Plantée
Most of them know about the High Line in New York, but few know that in Paris there is a similar and older park. The Promenade Plantée opened in 1993 on some former elevated railway tracks. With its 4.5 kilometres full of trees and plants, it is a great place to see the city from another perspective and get away from the crowds.Â
13. Take a photo from the Trocadéro, one of the best things to do in Paris for free
No trip to Paris can miss a stop at this esplanade with exceptional views of the great protagonist of the city: the Eiffel Tower. There are usually a lot of people taking photos, so it’s best to get up early and start the day with good views without too many people.
14. Relax on the Place des Vosges
It may seem like just one of the many pretty squares in Paris, but it has something special about it. Victor Hugo lived at 6 Place du Vosges from 1832 to 1848. The home of the author of Les Miserables has been converted into a free house museum that reviews his life and work. You can even see the original bed where the French author died.
15. One of the best free things to do in Paris is to visit La Défense.
And to end this post about the best things to do in Paris for free, we wanted to mention the financial district of the capital. It is located on the outskirts of the city and is the place where the headquarters of major French brands meet in skyscrapers that contrast with the architecture of the rest of the neighbourhoods.
Also, there is the third arch of the city perfectly aligned with that of Carrousel and Napoleon. There are also several fountains and modern sculptures that are interesting to see and a shopping centre where you can spend some time.