Looking for free things to do in Paris?
You've come to the right place! I've lived in Paris for the last four and a half years, and have become an expert at discovering the best free activities.
But let's get one thing straight: I’m not a fan of budget travel. I’m more than happy to spend extra for comfort and convenience. Still, not every activity you do when you’re traveling has to come at a premium price.
I’ve found that free activities can lead to some of the most genuine experiences you’ll have in a destination. It can help you embrace local culture, see lesser-known attractions, and help you save for (and decompress from!) the big attractions. It's all about finding a good balance. Here are 6 of the best free things to do in Paris for first-time travelers and repeat visitors alike.
1. Stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens
A gorgeous summer day in the Luxembourg Gardens.
The Luxembourg Gardens are a stunning, manicured green space located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, south of the Seine.
It was originally constructed by order of Marie de' Medici, the widow of the French King Henry IV. It was built in pair with the Luxembourg Palace in 1612, which was to become her new residence.
Sandy paths in the garden.
One of many statues in the garden.
Check out the palace from the outside and be sure to take note of the many impressive statues and fountains.
The green space is especially beautiful in the summertime. The grass is green, the flowers are in bloom, and the sun is surely out. You'll find kids racing motorized sailboats in the water, while the adults soak up some vitamin D on a nearby lounge chair.
2. Perfume tour at the Perfume Museum
The museum walks you through the chronological history of perfume.
The term "museum" may be a bit of a stretch for this place. The Musée du Parfum is actually home to the Fragonard perfumery, located very near the Palais Garnier at Opéra in the 9th arrondissement.
The perfume brand Fragonard, one of the oldest perfumeries from the French city of Grasse, has curated a small, permanent exhibition dedicated to all things perfume. The so-called Perfume Museum offers free guided tours in English or French. Alternatively, you can walk through the museum yourself, though I recommend the 30-minute guided tours as they are truly excellent.
The museum used to be the private residence of a rich French family.
Visitors are walked through the process of developing a perfume, from harvesting raw materials to understanding the fascinating profession of a "nose". You can also see examples of how perfume bottles have changed over the centuries.
At the end of the tour, you're dumped out into the Fragonard shop, where you can test more of their perfumes, or purchase a souvenir if you wish.
I didn't know much of anything about perfume before I went, and I can't say I held much of an interest. Still, I learned a lot and the former private residence is reason enough to visit. The interior is well-preserved and incredibly ornate.
Visit their website to book your free guided tour.
3. Picnic on the Champ de Mars and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle
There's nothing like watching the sun go down behind the Eiffel Tower and staying just a little too long.
The Eiffel Tower on New Year's Eve from the Champ de Mars.
One of the best things to do in Paris is to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. Grab a picnic blanket and some bread and cheese and head to the Champ de Mars. The Champ de Mars is the lawn right in front of the Eiffel Tower, used mostly for lovers and friends alike, picnicking and taking in the view.
Be sure to stay for nightfall, too. On the hour, every hour, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with a million tiny lights and the sight is truly magical.
It can actually get pretty packed on a warm summer night, so arrive early to get a good spot.
4. Visit Père-Lachaise cemetery
Weave your way through the rows of tombs and search for famous final resting places.
Père-Lachaise is a massive cemetery in the 20th arrondissement. It serves as the final resting place for many famous (people) such as the lead singer of the Doors Jim Morrison, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, and French singer Édith Piaf.
Oscar Wilde's tomb is protected by glass littered with lipstick stains.
You can get a printable map of the famous gravesites in the cemetery, but I prefer Google Maps. All the famous sites are listed on Google Maps. If you download an offline map of Paris, you should still be able to navigate through the cemetery by using your phone.
Each tomb and gravestone appears completely unique to its neighbors. There's gorgeous stained glass, tall structures, and cut stones that seem to be slowly returning to the Earth.
The cemetery is fascinating and beautiful at all times of the year.
One of the many impressive tombs.
The pathways are narrow and winding. You're allowed to veer off the main pathways to explore, just remember to be respectful while you're there!
Père-Lachaise is impressive all year round, but it's particularly stunning in the late fall when the leaves change colors.
5. Walk along the Seine to see Notre Dame
Notre Dame may be under construction, but it's still awe-inspiring from the outside.
A leisurely walk along the Seine is one of the best ways to experience Paris. Starting at Pont de Sully in the 5th arrondissement, you'll pass by Île de la Cité, the island in the center of Paris, and see Notre Dame.
I didn't see the fire of 2019 start, but I was there that evening as the fire continued to burn as people took to the streets to sing and pray. It was a moment I'll never forget.
A bouquinistes, or bookseller, tends to his shop along the river.
Because of that terrible night, the medieval cathedral is currently under construction to fix the roof and replace the spire. It's meant to be done by the end of 2024.
All the same, it's still a marvel for the eyes despite the scaffolding. Take to the left bank (the southern bank of the river) and stroll along the water's edge. Paris is the kind of city that entices you to walk for hours. Late afternoon into the evening is the best time to go, so you can watch the City of Lights come alive at night.
6. Explore Montmartre and visit the Sacre-Coeur basilica
Montmartre has held onto its old charm despite the modernization of much of the rest of the city.
One of my all-time favorite places to explore in Paris is the neighborhood of Montmartre. Located in the 18th arrondissement, it was once the place to be for artists and creatives in the late 1800s.
Today, it's managed to hold on to its charm and escape the modern-day city feel. It really does feel like stepping back in time.
The pink cafe known as La Maison Rose is a must-see!
One of Paris' two surviving windmills.
Be sure to make time to enter Sacré-Cœur, the wonderfully free basilica with impressive architecture that touts one of the best views of Paris. There's a simple bag check to enter, but you don't need a ticket. Anyone can enter. And despite the confusing signs, you can take photos inside the basilica without a flash. If you can, put your camera on silent shooting mode to respect the space and those worshiping in the pews.
Inside the Sacré-Cœur.
Stained glass paints the interiors with rainbows.
A lot of my favorite things to do in Paris cost nothing at all: exploring timeworn parts of the city, marveling at the sunset behind the Eiffel Tower, and walking home among twinkling lights reflecting back at you along the Seine. There's nothing like it.
It can also be helpful on a whirlwind trip to take a break from the chaos of the Louvre. I hope you can implement these cost-saving ideas on your next trip to Paris! Is there anything you'd add to the list?
2 Comments
Having a picnic on the champ de mars in my favourite thing to do in Paris, I just love the atmosphere. I hadn’t heard of the perfume tour before – definitely adding that to my list of things to do next time I visit!
Me too, I feel like you really get a sense of what Paris is all about when you slow down a little! And yess the perfume tour is such a gem. I hope you like it!