20 of the Best Free Things to Do in Paris
From no-cost Louvre entry and the best Eiffel Tower views to tango lessons along the Seine.
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As they say at the end of Casablanca: "We'll always have Paris." But does Paris always have us—especially on the financial front? Oui, Paris is a luxurious city. But that doesn't mean it's an inaccessible city. Au contraire, she is filled to the aesthetic bicycle-basket brim with plenty to do—much of which you don't have to spend a single euro to enjoy.
Take the Iron Lady herself: Not only is she visible from nearly every part of the city, but she's situated on top of a park, where you could have a lounge, or a picnic, or the perfect photo—at no cost to you.
Also complimentary are the City of Light's many churches, nearly all of which are artistic and architectural marvels. There's also a gigantic flower market, an even bigger antiques market, a lineup of holiday markets, and one of the most beautiful libraries you've ever seen, available to all visitors gratis. And then, there's the Seine. Is there a more scenic walk? A better spot for people watching? A more romantic spot to take a tango class, for free?
Whether you're dropping in for the Olympics or pre-planning a holiday adventure, rest assured, you can enjoy all the things that make Paris Paris without emptying your wallet. (Unless, of course, you can't resist French fashion. But then, can you really put a price on style?)
Take advantage of free museum Sundays.
On the first Sunday of every month, Paris's many flawless art museums are free to enter. While each museum has something special to offer, if we had to recommend just one, it would be the Musée de l'Orangerie. That's where you'll find Monet's "Waterlilies" series—and trust, no matter how many times you've "seen" them, there's nothing quite like seeing them in person.
Some of our favorite museums that participate: Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée D'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso, Musée National des Arts Asiatiques
Admire the Louvre's pyramids.
The Louvre doesn't participate in that free Sunday perk—they do the first Friday instead, but only after 6 p.m. and not during July and August. Even if you don't go inside to say hi to the Mona Lisa, though, the outside of the Louvre, once a palace, is certainly worth visiting. With the addition of I. M. Pei's glass pyramids, it's the perfect blend of old and new that Paris does so well. Plus, that'll put you on the Rue de Rivoli, the perfect place to eat and shop.
Tiptoe through the Tuileries.
While there are plenty of beautiful gardens in the world, few cities do formal urban gardens quite like the French. Case in point: the Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Garden, which—though ideally located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde—just might make you believe you strolled into Versailles. There are fountains, statues galore, and even a pristine, white ferris wheel. And yet, it doesn't feel too precious: Chairs are scattered haphazardly around each "pond," into which you'll see plenty a Parisian dip a toe.
More formal gardens to explore: Jardin du Palais Royal, and Jardin des Plantes
Read a book or play pétanque in Luxembourg Gardens.
While Musée du Luxembourg entry isn't free, Jardin du Luxembourg itself is—and it's an absolute oasis. Claim your spot and settle in for hours on end with a good book, podcast, or even for a picnic. (Seats around Medici Fountain are especially peaceful.) Once you feel rested, seek out pétanque (similar to bocce) and chess areas throughout the gardens.
Have a picnic on the Champs de Mars.
While it may be fenced off at times, try not to leave Paris without toting baguettes, croissants, and cheese galore to the Champs de Mars for an unforgettable picnic. The Iron Lady will be third-wheeling your date—and really, what's more romantic than that?
Unleash your inner Belle (or Beast) at the Salle Ovale.
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France Library (France's big, beautiful research library and archives) opened to the public in 2023, which means you can finally see the pièce de résistance: the Salle Ovale, or Oval Room. Located within the Richelieu wing, the Salle Ovale is truly magnificent—and not just because it's easy on the eyes. It's also home to more than 20,000 books, including a surprisingly large collection of comic books.
Take a dance lesson along the Seine.
Feeling, how do you say, romantique? Do as local lovers do and go dancing on the Seine. Every evening throughout the warmer months, you'll find couples tango-ing under twinkling lights on the Left Bank. And don't let not being Fred Astaire hold you back. Free lessons are offered around 7 p.m., so truly anyone can join in.
Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
You haven't truly seen La Tour Eiffel until you've seen her do her thing at night. While she starts glowing at dusk, she sparkles every hour on the hour from sunset until 1 a.m. (2 a.m. during the summer). All of the light shows last five minutes, save for the last one, which continues for a full 10.
Climb the hills of Montmarte.
Once home to Van Gogh and Picasso, Montmarte is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Paris, and for good reason. Not only, as you can see, is it a feast for the eyes—as well as a workout for the legs—but it's where you'll find artists aplenty. Head to the Place du Tertre, and they'll be lined up, shoulder to shoulder, ready and waiting to work on your portrait. (And really, is there a souvenir more Parisian?)
And while you're there…
Appreciate one of the best views of the city at Sacré-Coeur.
Keep climbing and you'll eventually hit the 18th's shining beauty: the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Designed in the Roman-Byzantine style, it's a sight to behold, both inside and out, so do pop in, if only for a minute. But just as stunning are the panoramic views of Paris you'll see once you walk back outside.
Stroll through Paris's coziest neighborhood, Le Marais.
If delicious falafel, cute bakeries, tiptop vintage, glorious architecture, or just plain-old history—especially Jewish history—is what you seek, the Marais neighborhood in the city's 4th arrondissement is the neighborhood for you. You can spend a whole day here and still barely discover all the gems it holds. Don't miss the absolutely breathtaking Place de Vosges (pictured), the oldest planned square in Paris.
Check in on Notre-Dame.
When Notre-Dame de Paris caught on fire in 2019, the whole world mourned. But Parisians have been hard at work on her restoration ever since, and, at long last, she's almost ready to open her doors to the public once more. (Current predictions are for December 2024.) There's still plenty of the medieval beauty you can see, though, as she's truly a work of art. Plus, visiting her puts you smack in the center of the Seine.
Pop into one of Paris's iconic bookstores.
Notre-Dame is directly across from Shakespeare and Company, one of Paris's most famous independent bookstores—which just so happens to primarily stock English books. (If you're feeling peckish, they also have a café.)
While you're in the area, don't forget to visit the bouquinistes: Paris's iconic book stalls, which line the Seine. They're free to browse, of course, but they sell all kinds of treasures, including art, posters, records, and more.
Swoon over the stained glass dome inside the Galeries Lafayette.
Tucked right behind Paris's famed Opera house is the Galeries Lafayette, arguably the best department store in the city, if only for its aesthetic treasure: the stained glass dome. It's a stunner all year round, but visit during the holidays, and you'll find it decked to the nines.
Don't skip visiting the roof. Also free to enter, it's where you'll find another one of Paris's most magical views.
Embrace your inner movie star at the Marché Aux Fleurs.
Remember the scene in 1957 film Funny Face, where Audrey Hepburn, in a stunning floral dress and oversized hat, strikes a dramatic pose inside a giant flower market? That would be Marché Aux Fleurs, Paris's biggest flower mart. It's visited by professional florists and civilians alike, and it can also be visited by you, for free, if only to channel Audrey and take in the beauty.
Ogle the Iron Lady from Trocadéro.
To take in the Eiffel Tower in all her glory, you'll want to head straight to where countless newly engaged couples have gone before you: Trocadéro. It has gardens, fountains, and ponds galore, but you'll want to be on the square plaza itself: the perfect place to get the photo. (It really is the spot, though, so if you want a human-free photo, you better set that alarm for dawn.)
See her from a different angle on Avenue de Camoëns.
While Trocadéro is second to none when it comes to getting the perfect Eiffel pic, Avenue de Camoëns comes in at a very nice second place. With the trees, architecture, and those balustrades, it's all just a little cozier. A little more classic. A little more, well, romantic.
Enjoy a feast for the ears at Eglise Saint Eustache.
Lately, the Eglise Saint Eustache has become quite well-known for its "Luminiscence" show, in which the Renaissance beauty is completely lit up in a 360-degree light show, to the tune of a live orchestra. But the thing is, you don't have to pay to hear the church's main attraction: its organ, the largest in France. Free organ recitals are held every Sunday at 5 p.m.
Walk the Champs-Élysées.
Paris's 5th Avenue is the perfect place to get your high-end shopping done. Certainly not free, but strolling along Champs-Elysees is. It begins at the Arc de Triomphe and stretches all the way to the Place de la Concorde (one end of the Tuileries), so it's a shouldn't-miss activity in and of itself—especially if you're trying to get your steps in.
Visit a few of the late greats at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Measuring 110 acres, the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris. It was also, when it opened in 1804, Paris's first garden cemetery, making it not only a somber place, but a particularly beautiful one—fitting, as its the eternal resting place of so many artists, including Colette, Frédéric Chopin, Édith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Olivia de Havilland, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison.
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