Free Things To Do In Paris
Visit Paris without spending money
Traveling in Europe does not mean having to spend a lot of money when visiting a city. What does usually happen is that if you want to visit a specific museum or monument, with a paid entry, you have to spend money to see that particular thing. In Paris you can do many activities without spending money. In fact, you will find a large number of free attractions in our section essential places to visit in Paris as well as in the section with secret places for an alternative trip.
If you are interested in knowing what you can do in Paris for free, in this section we are going to give you ideas about free activities in Paris. In our article on how to save money during a trip to Paris you can find more ideas to combine them with those of this article and try to make your adventure as economical as possible.
Also Read: 15 Most Beautiful Countries In Europe
You can add these ideas to the Paris itineraries that we have in the guide. In these itineraries we offer you different route options, depending on the days of stay, which you can complete with free or cheap ideas. We encourage you to organize on your own a comfortable trip that suits your tastes. So, here are a series of things to do in Paris for free:
Visit The Neighborhoods Of Paris
Strolling through the different neighborhoods of the city is a completely free tourist activity. You can marvel at the views of the Seine River, the views of the city from a hill, and lose yourself in the different streets, each with its own charm and thousands of corners to discover.
The “Beaches” Of Paris
One of the free things to do in Paris, and that few people imagine, is to sunbathe on the beach. Although the city does not have a sea, the banks of the river are dressed in sand and sun loungers are installed in the summer months. During your relaxing time, ice cream and soft drink vendors may pass by to cool you down on those hot days. You can also take a dip in the Bassin de la Villette where you will find, in the summer months, three free swimming pools open from 11 in the morning to 9 at night.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
Visiting one of the most famous points of interest in the city is completely free. Notre-Dame, next to the Eiffel Tower, is one of the characteristic monuments of the city of Paris. If you like gothic architecture, it is one of the free things you can do in Paris. You only have to pay if you go up the towers, in case you stay at ground level, you can rest assured that visiting the cathedral has no cost.
Visit The Basilica Of The Sacred Heart
Another of the churches and cathedrals in Paris to which access is completely free is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This basilica, located in the Montmartre district, is known for being situated on a hill that offers wonderful views of the city. The white color of this building stands out when the sky is completely clear. The basilica has a free audio guide that you can download for a totally free tourist visit.
Go Up To The Terrace Of Galeries Lafayette
Another way to get views of the city is to go up to the terrace of Galeries Lafayette. If you are shopping in the area, you can take the opportunity to go up to the cafeteria area of the galleries to be amazed by the views and get a totally free souvenir photo.
Watch Fireworks
Every year on July 14, during Bastille Day, fireworks are set off from the Trocadero area. It may be that each year they make changes where the fires are installed and from where they can be seen perfectly, so we advise you to ask your accommodation to have detailed information each year. At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the same day, a classical music concert is held that can harmonize the night.
Watch Movies Outdoors
During the months of July and August you can not miss having a picnic while enjoying a movie in a cinema in the cool. Every year in the Parc de La Villette, giant screens are installed where different free films are projected at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Go To The Fête Des Vendanges
This fair is organized every year in the month of October in Montmartre. The program includes, apart from bars and restaurants, activities for all audiences such as dances, walks, concerts, visits and exhibitions.
Visit Museums For Free
Paris is known for hosting museums with large collections, and for this reason, they have carved a niche to be recognized worldwide. During the first Sunday of each month, some of them open their doors to be visited for free. The free museums on the first Sunday of each month are:
- Musée d’Orsay
- Picasso museum
- Rodin Museum
- Pompidou Center
- Orangerie Museum
The Louvre Museum is free only on the first Sunday of the month between October and March, during the low season months.
If you are under 26 years old, and resident in the European Union, you are in luck, you have free admission to most museums in Paris. You can find a list of the museums in our guide to museums in Paris, we recommend you visit the website of the museums to find out if they are still on discount when you decide to visit the city.
There are also free museums throughout the year for all ages. Free museums in Paris are the House of Victor Hugo and the Museum of Modern Art.
Stroll Through The Gardens Of Paris
Paris is a city that has beautiful gardens where you can have a picnic to eat cheaply and to rest during a busy day of visiting the city. During the summer you can sunbathe and during the winter, if it is midday and the weather is good, it can be a relaxing moment during the holidays. In our guide to parks and gardens in the city you can choose the one you like best.
Discover Secret Places In Paris
Among the bustling streets and colorful neighborhoods, different secret places are hidden that are worth discovering. You can visit the oldest square in Paris and walk among the sleepers of a disused railway line, among many other secrets hidden around the city. Do you dare to find them.
Visit The Markets Or Supermarkets
It may sound like a cliché but really one of the ways to experience a trip is to mingle with the locals. It is obvious that if you go to a market or supermarket it is to buy something, but you can also just observe. In the markets of Paris there are many antiques and artists selling their works, as well as regional products that you may not find in your country. About food, it also happens in supermarkets, you will realize that it is like traveling to another world, since the products are completely different from those of your supermarket. Or does it just change the label? We invite you to discover it for yourself.
Free Concerts
During the year different free concerts are held in different areas of the city. If you would like to party at a free concert, you can visit this website. In the “free concerts” tab you can choose the day of the month and you will see the different free events that take place in the city.
There are also large free music festivals such as La Fête de la Musique, where hundreds of musicians, amateurs and professionals, offer free concerts on July 21.