Looking for the best free things to do in Paris? You’re in the right place!
Visiting Paris can be quite expensive, but it can also be reasonably cheap if you know where to go. The city is basically an open-air museum and strolling around is the perfect way to discover some sights under a budget. You could spend your whole vacation exploring incredible places without breaking the bank, and the city would still enchant you!
So, whether you’re planning your first visit to Paris, or have been there several times, below are the best 5 free things to do in Paris:
1. STROLL ALONG THE SEINE
Whether this is your first trip to Paris or not, you simply cannot help but fall in love with the city after a stroll along the Seine. A simple walk along the bank of this beautiful river will in fact show you wonderful sights of the everyday Parisien’s life: book stalls, food and flea markets, shops and cafes, as well as famous sights like Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and a glittering array of bridges.
For some reason, I have a soft spot for Parisian bridges. Of the 37 bridges that span the river Seine in Paris, my favourite by far is Pont Alexandre. Which one is yours?
2. TAKE A BREAK AT LE JARDIN DE TUILERIES
Every neighborhood in Paris has its own little garden, but some of them are truly enchanting. Case in point, the beautiful Jardin de Tuileries.
The Tuileries Garden was created by Queen Catherine de Medicis in 1564, but wasn’t opened to the public until over a century later. Today, Parisians and visitors alike gather by the garden’s ponds and sculptures to relax. Tuileries Garden is also a perfect spot for a picnic – just pull up a chair near one of the fabulous fountains or find a more intimate spot under a statue.
3. ADMIRE THE VIEW FROM MONTMARTRE
Montmartre has been the artistic heart of Paris for centuries, and the actual home of geniuses like Van Gogh, Monet, Mondigliano and Dali, among others. The neighborhood is filled with cozy cafés, bars and art galleries –take your time to explore it, no rush!
The Sacré-Coeur sits right at the top of a hill in the Montmartre district. The entrance is free, and the view from its steps is majestic. The only negative side to capturing that view are 5 million steps that must be climbed to get to it, but hey, you probably need to burn some calories after all those chocolate croissants you ate for breakfast, right?
4. VISIT NOTRE DAME
A beautiful island located right in the middle of the Seine, the Île de la Cité is the epicenter of Paris, while the Notre Dame is its heart. This imposing Parisian icon is a sight you shouldn’t miss. After the tragic fire that partially destroyed this monument in 2019, the cathedral’s parvis is now accessible to the public, a first step towards the full reopening. However, the cathedral’s towers, treasures and crypt are still closed to the public until further notice.
5. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE MUSEUM DAYS
You can actually visit for free many gorgeous museums in Paris every first Sunday. And I’m talking about Institutions like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Musée Rodin (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, click here). Of course this open-arms availability on special days can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, lines are so long they eventually become hilarious.
On the other hand, it’s free!
