Paris is full of amazing sights and activities…but they can certainly add up cost wise. If you’re looking for something a little easier on the budget, consider one of these fun and free things to do in Paris.
Explore a Free Museum
Paris is full of small museums that are free to visit.
Art: Petit Palais offers free access to their permanent fine arts collection which includes medieval and Renaissance paintings alongside those from Monet, Cezanne, and other 19th century artists. If modern art is more your style, check out the free exhibits at Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. For sculpture, you can’t miss the Musée Bourdelle–a student of Rodin.
History: Learn about the history of Paris at the free Musée Carnavalet. The free Musée de la Liberation de Paris focuses exclusively on Paris’s history during the Second World War.
Literature: Homes of both Victor Hugo and Balzac have been turned into free museums highlighting the authors’ life and work.
Science: Marie Curie’s labs have been transformed into a free museum.
Free Museum Day
Many of the large museums in the city offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month including the Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, the Centre Pompidou, Musée Picasso, and Musée Rodin. The Louvre offers free evening admission on the first Friday of most months. Note that, because these museums are quite popular, days with free admission are likely to be crowded and reservations may be required.
Step Inside a Church
Some of the most beautiful buildings in Paris are churches…which are free to visit (there may be a fee for climbing a dome/tower, entering a crypt, or for permission to take photos). Recommendations include Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur, Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Église de la Madeleine, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés,
Enjoy the Gardens
Paris is full of gardens where you can sit in one of the city’s iconic green chairs and read a book or watch the world go by! Some which are convenient to popular tourist areas include Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, and the Jardin du Palais Royal.
Walk Through a Cemetery
Though a cemetery may seem like a strange place to visit on vacation, both Père Lachaise and the Cimetière de Montmartre offer quiet garden-like environments full of statues and monuments.
Take a River Cruise (On Your Birthday)
If you happen to be visiting Paris on your birthday, you can take a free daytime Seine River cruise with Vedettes de Paris. Don’t forget to bring your passport!
For more Fun and Free things to do in Paris, check out this updated list from Paris je t’aime!
