Paris has a unique historical and cultural heritage that millions of tourists come to visit every year, often while spending a large amount of money. Indeed, visiting the European capitals on a small budget is not easy, but there is always a way to keep the budget down and still get the most out of your trip – and Paris is no different. While entrance fees to museums are sometimes excessive and good restaurants are overpriced, there are plenty of incredible free things to do in Paris for you to enjoy.
This is a guest post by Nesrine from Kevmrc
How to Have a Fabulous Trip to Paris on a Budget
I love finding free things to do wherever I travel, and you can have an amazing Paris trip with a very limited budget. However, there are some unique things to do in Paris that might be worth paying for if you have the budget to do it. Perhaps by compromising and saving money on some things, you can afford to splurge a little on something you really want to do.
For example, you could save money by staying in cheap accommodation and doing lots of free activities in Paris, and then treat yourself to a food tour or a macaron making class or a once-in-a-lifetime experience like visiting Disneyland Paris!
We’ve picked out some of the best cheap places to stay in Paris plus a bunch of free Paris activities so you can do just that – and if you have the budget to treat yourself a little bit, these are some of the most popular paid attractions and tours in Paris that you might be interested in:
Or you can browse more tours and attractions in Paris here. That said, no matter what budget you have, there is no need to pay for things to do in Paris if you don’t want to. You can still have an amazing Paris vacation without spending a lot of money, and have some unique experiences you will remember forever!
Cheap Places to Stay in Paris
Like in all large cities, some neighbourhoods in Paris are less popular than others and therefore, offer more affordable accommodations. Most of the time, they are quieter areas, perfect for resting and recovering after a long day of sightseeing. Here are 3 options that you can’t go wrong with.
- Caulaincourt Montmartre by Hiphophostels: This hostel is ideally located in the 18th district near the famous places of Montmartre and the subway is very close. The hostel has clean and modern individual rooms and dorm beds with private or common bathrooms >>>BOOK NOW
- Cafe Hotel de l’Avenir: Located right at the entrance of the city close to the subway station, this greatly rated hotel offers clean rooms with all commodities, wifi included. This place is also wheelchair accessible >>>BOOK NOW
- Boissiere: Also located at the entrance of Paris in a safe and quiet neighborhood, this hotel is pretty well decorated and some rooms have a terrace. The little extra: you will be only a 20min walk from the Champs Elysées >>>BOOK NOW
If you’d like more options, you can browse all hostels in Paris on Hostelworld, or find great value hotels on Booking.
The Best Free Things to do in Paris, France
Now we’ve covered some key travel tips for exploring Paris on a budget, here are the 10 best free things to do in Paris, so you can enjoy the city without spending a cent.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Top Paris Travel Tips for First-Timers
Stroll along the River Seine
Walking along the quays of the River Seine is one of the best ways to visit the city and admire the most beautiful monuments in Paris.
Some quays are known for their night activities like the Quai de la Gare du Nord or the Quai de Jussieu with their bars and barges. In summer, you can even find a few artificial beaches in Paris set up on some quays, the best known being the Quai des Célestins.
Moreover, reading lovers may find their happiness upstream of the banks with the many bookshops located on the foothills of the Parisian banks.
So don’t hesitate to take a breath of fresh air on the Seine River banks during your next visit to Paris.
Enjoy Free Museums in Paris
Contrary to what you may think, Paris is a generous city when it comes to free museums. Some are free all year round, and others only on special occasions.
To visit the most iconic of the Parisian museums, the Louvre for free, you should know that the entrance is exceptionally free on the 1st Sunday of each month, which will save you no less than 17 euros. The same goes for the Orsay Museum or the Centre Pompidou.
Other museums are free of charge all year round such as the Balzac Museum, the Shoah Memorial, or the House of Victor Hugo. A good way to get plenty of culture at a lower cost!
Otherwise, all museums without are free for people under 18, and for European citizens under 26 years old, so Paris is a great city for exploring as a student or when you’re young!
Get the Best Views of Paris
Looking for a unique rooftop to admire Paris from above and enjoy some of the best views in Paris for free? Go to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann!
In addition to being a temple of luxury and fashion, this historical department store in the French capital has a terrace on its top floor offering a breathtaking view of the best landmarks of Paris: the Opera Garnier, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower… The cherry on the cake: access is completely free!
It is the perfect place to sip a drink while taking the most beautiful shots of Paris.
Walk Picturesque Parisian Streets
If you want to discover Paris in a totally different way, you should know that the city is full of typical narrow and cobbled streets. Some of them are listed as the most Instagrammable places in Paris!
Among the most beautiful streets, we can mention the following:
- rue Soufflot, located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, famous for its architecture
- rue des Rosiers in the Marais, known for its restaurants and stores
- rue Crémieux in the 12th arrondissement, one of the most colorful streets in Paris
- the Montsouris square in the 16th arrondissement, a piece of countryside in the middle of Paris.
So get lost in the city to discover a little-known side of Paris by visiting these pretty hidden gems.
Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral
When talking about things to do in Paris it is impossible not to mention the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the symbolic heart of Paris and for many, the heart of France.
Before the terrible fire in April 2019, it was possible to visit the incredible interior of the Gothic cathedral (for free), but also it’s exterior with its gorgeous architectural details and the unforgettable view of Paris, between the gargoyles, from the top of the south tower.
While that currently isn’t possible, the cathedral is under reconstruction and a reopening is planned for April 2024.
In any case, you can’t leave Paris without seeing its outstanding facade, a cathedral of beauty and harmony almost unmatched in the world.
Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica
The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur is the other church not to be missed during a trip to Paris.
It is hard not to believe that you’re going to heaven when you visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, this white castle perched at the top of the hill Montmartre. Lie down on the lawn of the hill to relax while admiring the view of Paris. At the top of the hill on the basilica’s square, between the jugglers and other animations, the view is even more beautiful.
The entrance to the basilica is free, but if you want to climb to the top of the dome for an even higher view, you will have to pay 6 euros.
Visit famous people’s graves in Père Lachaise cemetery
A cemetery isn’t necessarily a place you think of when you visit a city. But it’s a free place, and besides, the one of Père Lachaise is a real institution.
Located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, this cemetery has the graves of many illustrious people like Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf or Oscar Wilde, which makes it one of the most visited cemeteries in the world.
Visiting Père Lachaise is also a chance to discover some of the strangest and most eccentric graves you could ever see.
Discover the covered passages
Paris has 21 covered passages scattered all over the city.
More than just old shopping malls, the Passages Couverts are galleries with a special atmosphere dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Covered by a charming glass roof, their second-hand bookstores, tea rooms, and gift stores make these passages fun alternatives to the Parisian shopping malls.
Some of the most iconic passages include the Galerie Vivienne, Passage Jouffroy, and Passage des Panoramas.
Taking a walk in the beautiful parks of Paris
Paris is also a city of parks, which is great to escape the hustle of the city. You will find many French-style green spaces all over the city and some of them are real masterpieces.
All free, the most beautiful parks in Paris to visit are the Jardin des Tuileries, the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Parc Monceau and the Parc de Vincennes.
Note that some monuments or museums are located inside the parks, so it is possible to combine free activities with a nice walk.
Picnic on the Champs de Mars for a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower
And the best for last: the most beautiful view you can have of the Eiffel Tower!
Right in front of the Iron Lady, you will find the Champs de Mars park, a magnificent green space of several hectares perfectly maintained. Ideal to relax and have a picnic with your family or to enjoy drinks with friends on sunny days.
Unless you really want to climb the tower, this will save you hours of queuing and a hefty 17 euros.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about how to visit Paris on a budget. These free things to do in Paris certainly will help to keep your costs down, so enjoy your trip! If you have any more budget Paris travel tips then let me know in the comments below.
Want More Cheap Travel Tips for Europe?
Check out these blog posts about budget travel in Europe, or click here to read all of my Europe posts.About the Author
Nesrine is a travel blogger and a true Parisian girl: she was born in Paris, grew up in Paris, and still lives there to this day! After a couple of years of studying and working in South Korea, she met with boyfriend Kevin in 2017 and founded together Kevmrc, a travel blog to share their adventures around the world. You can check out Kevin’s greatest shots of Paris and more on Instagram.
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Agreed! It’s been too long since I was in Paris, I am definitely due a return visit! 🙂
I love France. It’s such a diverse place!