“Paris is always a good idea,” said Audrey Hepburn. “Yes, especially when you discover the ultimate free things to do there,” replied us. Seriously though, Paree may be costly but all you have to do is look for the free things and check out this article, and you’re all set!
1. Discover Paris’s history
Visit the Carnavalet Museum which showcases its collection everyday (except Mondays) for free, including some really interesting pieces in two 16th century mansions.
2. Learn to cook the French way
Who doesn’t want to learn cooking the French way for free? All you have to do is to book online on Julia Child’s site, the French Federation of Cuisine that hosts free classes at some of the city’s markets.
3. Visit the Notre Dame
Say a prayer and marvel at Notre Dame’s beautiful architecture, don’t mind the long queue for it’s really worth it. Besides, the line moves quickly!
4. Sample fresh produce
Life gets better when having free food! Like honestly, who doesn’t want to take a stroll in Paris’ big outdoor markets like Marché Aligre and get free Parisian food?
5. Get a glimpse of Victor Hugo’s life
Victor Hugo’s home was turned into a museum and is free to the public! Isn’t it amazing? Hit the beautiful Place des Vosges and get a glimpse on how this icon worked, slept, wrote, and you know, lived.
6. Score free museum entries monthly
Just so you know, Paris’ major museums are free every first Sunday of the month, but expect huge crowds though. There’s this obscure museum, too, the Musée des Arts et Métiers for science and history exhibits that is also free on Thursday nights.
7. Enjoy the buskers at Sacré-Cœur
See some amazing street performers at the steps in front of the Sacré-Cœur, with the beautiful backdrop of Paris, of course. Enjoy some French pastries as you take in the City of Love’s panoramic view and good Parisian music.
8. Get a bird’s-eye view of Paris’ city center
In case you didn’t know, Institut du Monde Arabe has a rooftop café which offers view of Notre Dame and the center of Paris!
9. Get free candies!
Have some free samples of sweets in the south of Paris like praslines, candied almonds, chocolate-covered nuts and other goodies. All you have to do is head to Mazet de Montargis in the Marais and don’t get pressured in buying.
10. Explore Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo may host a few exhibits that require tickets, but you can skip those and focus on its main collection of contemporary art that costs zilch. It’s open until midnight, except on Tuesday.
11. Enjoy music in transit
Enjoy free music at the RATP, Paris’ metro service, who gives permits to certain musicians to play within the stations.
12. Watch exhibits at City Hall
The best way to avoid the crowds is to go there on weekdays! Experience free exhibits from fashion to film to photos and cycling.
13. See how Google does Paris
For the urban planning enthusiasts, you shouldn’t miss the Pavillon de l’Arsenal. Google actually contributed on this project that traces the city’s architecture all the way up to the future projects that will shape Paris with innovative and interactive displays. It’s totally free!
14. Stroll former royal gardens, even as a plebeian
Have a dose of nature and visit the famed Tuileries and Luxembourg gardens on the Right and Left Banks respectively that was once a destination of kings, queens, and other royalty in Paris. Jog, have a picnic or stroll here with your loved ones for free.
15. Visit the Palais de Justice
Most people think that the Louvre was the original royal palace, but before the kings moved there, they once lived in the Palais de Justice, on the island by Notre Dame. Today, it’s a government building but you can explore it for free! Enter right next to the queue for those buying tickets for the Sainte-Chapelle cathedral.
16. Take a free tour
There’s a group called Paris Greeters, which is a volunteer group that welcomes travellers by leading unique tours around Paris that are free of charges.
17. Play pétanque with the locals
The Bar Ourcq lends pétanque sets for free to locals to play along the adjacent canal banks.
18. Go to the military veteran’s chapel
Visit the chapel inside the Hôtel des Invalides for free, which is reserved for the injured soldiers, including flags taken from various French military victories.
19. Drink free water!
This may sound ridiculous to you but imagine getting so thirsty after strolling around Paree. The city is filled with various fountains providing free drinking water, in fact, you can find several fountains that provide free sparkling water. Hey, it will definitely save you some euros on Badoit or Perrier.
20. Step back into the 18th century
Have a trip down memory lane at the Musée Cognacq-Jay, a 16th century mansion filled with 18th century relics and lots of snuffboxes collected by a French guy who owned one of the famous department stores. And it’s totally for free!
21. Eat couscous
Couscous is now considered a staple in certain parts of Paree, thanks to the huge North African population in the city. Hit Les Trois Frères near Montmartre to score free couscous when you buy a drink. . That’s technically free, I reckon.
22. Enjoy a free concert
Aside from the buskers, you can still listen to free Parisian music, notably at the St. Merri church that hosts different free concerts on Saturdays.
23. Join the literati
If you’ve watched “Before Sunset” then perhaps you’re dying to visit Shakespeare and Company, the iconic English-speaking bookshop, which hosts occasional talks with authors, free and open to the public.
24. Enjoy another free church concerts
Concerts at churches must be a thing in Paris. This time, go Anglo-friendly in the American Church in Paris hosts a series of Sunday evening concerts at 5pm.
25. Go dancing in gay Paree!
Some of the bars may require hefty cover fees but not Bar Le freedj in the Marais.
26. Rollerblade through Paris
Grab a pair of skates and enjoy Paris on Friday nights, at pm, along with hundreds of rollerbladers, experts and amateurs alike.
27. Visit the Edith Piaf Museum
Book a free tour ahead and get a glimpse of Edith Piaf’s life, one of the iconic French singers.
28. Say bonjour to the celebrities at Père Lachaise
Although dead, you can still visit Paris’ VIPs like Oscar Wilde, Jim Morisson, Chopin and Edith Piaf’s graves. Save your time wandering for hours looking for their graves by downloading a free map.
29. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle
Witness the iconic Eiffel Tower sparkles like a Swarovski crystal on acid.
30. Enjoy another aerial view
Another aerial view of Paris is possible on the rooftops of the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, totally open to the public. Take the escalator up through the Galeries Lafayette and check out the amazing stained-glass dome above the perfume section.
31. Visit a 1900 Universal Expo hall
Get awed by one of the most majestic free museums you can visit in Paris, the Petit Palace. Tip: the place is great for a rainy day!
32. Visit the animals at Deyrolle
Check out Deyrolle’s evolving collection of stuffed animals. It is a famous taxidermist shop that has animals that died naturally, from butterflies to elephants to a human head. Okay, I think this is kinda creepy but some people still check out the shop.
33. Stroll the old train paths of Paris
Aside from the Promenade Plantée, there’s a new frontier in Paris in terms of old train track. Visit and Explore the Petite Ceinture, a 19th century railway that is slowly being converted into useable green space. It’s free!
34. Dance along the Seine
This one is seasonal but you can catch some at the Square Tino-Rossi. Enjoy dancing in tango and salsa for free!
35. Have a free wine tasting!
A visit in Paris wouldn’t be complete without tasting the French wine. Fortunately, La Dernière Goutte holds free tastings by French winemakers. Check its Facebook page for updates and schedules and taste responsibly!
Au revoir et profite de la vie!
