Paris has a reputation for being expensive, but many of its best experiences are completely free. If you enjoy wandering, photography, architecture, and people-watching, you can easily spend several days in Paris without spending much money.
Here are some of the best free things to do:
1. See the Eiffel Tower
While going to the top requires a ticket, admiring it from the ground is completely free. The lawns at the Champ de Mars are perfect for a picnic, and the tower sparkles for five minutes every hour after dark until late evening.
2. Explore Montmartre
Wander through Paris’s most artistic neighbourhood with its charming streets, colourful cafés, and street artists. Climb the steps to the basilica for one of the city’s best panoramic views.
3. Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Entry to the basilica is free. Inside you’ll find beautiful mosaics, while the steps outside offer spectacular views across Paris.
4. Walk Along the Seine
Stroll beside the river, cross historic bridges, browse the famous green bookstalls, and watch boats drift past. Sunset is one of the best times to go.
5. Relax in the Luxembourg Gardens
One of Paris’s most beautiful parks, with fountains, flowerbeds, statues, and plenty of chairs where you can simply sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
6. Visit the Tuileries Garden
Stretching between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, these formal gardens are ideal for a leisurely walk.
7. Discover Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Less touristy than the central parks, this green oasis features cliffs, waterfalls, bridges, and a hilltop temple with fantastic city views.
8. Enjoy the View from Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
The rooftop terrace offers one of the best free panoramic views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Opéra district.
9. See Notre-Dame Cathedral
After its restoration, visitors can once again admire the exterior and, when available, enter the cathedral free of charge.
10. Browse Shakespeare and Company
This iconic English-language bookshop is a favourite among book lovers and has welcomed famous writers for decades.
11. Visit Free Museums
Many Paris museums offer free admission:
- The permanent collections at the Petit Palais
- The Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris
- Many national museums also offer free admission on the first Sunday of selected months (check each museum’s current policy before visiting).
12. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle
After sunset, the tower lights up every hour for five minutes—a magical sight that’s completely free.
13. Explore Covered Passages
Walk through elegant 19th-century shopping arcades such as:
- Passage des Panoramas
- Galerie Vivienne
14. Wander Le Marais
One of Paris’s oldest districts, filled with medieval streets, hidden courtyards, boutique shops, and beautiful architecture.
15. Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery
A peaceful place where many famous people are buried, including:
- Oscar Wilde
- Jim Morrison
- Frédéric Chopin
16. Watch the Sunset from Trocadéro
This square offers one of the most famous views of the Eiffel Tower and is especially beautiful in the evening.
17. Walk the Champs-Élysées
Window-shop, admire luxury boutiques, and continue to the Arc de Triomphe. While climbing the monument requires a ticket, enjoying the avenue is free.
18. Visit Local Markets
Browse vibrant markets like:
- Marché d’Aligre
- Marché Bastille
Even if you don’t buy anything, they’re wonderful places to experience everyday Parisian life.
Sample Free One-Day Itinerary
- Morning: Eiffel Tower → Champ de Mars
- Mid-morning: Seine riverside walk
- Lunch: Picnic from a local bakery
- Afternoon: Louvre courtyard → Tuileries Garden → Place de la Concorde
- Evening: Montmartre → Sacré-Cœur
- Night: Trocadéro for the Eiffel Tower light show
With a little planning, you can enjoy many of Paris’s most memorable sights without spending anything beyond food and transport.
