15 absolutely free things to do in Paris!

The Cathedral de Notre Dame is an iconic sight in Paris and is an important symbol in the city. A building filled with sculptures and stained glass, it is a true sight to behold. The main section of the Church is free to enter between 7.30 am-7.30 pm in winter, and 7 am-9 pm during summers. If you wish to climb the towers or enter the crypt, you need to pay a small fee beforehand. Check out your Notre Dame ticket options here.

Known for being a hotspot for conducting events, the Parc du Champ de Mars can be accessed freely and offers a beautiful view of the capital’s iconic monument. A lot of tourists and Parisians flood the lawns for picnics and watch the Eiffel Tower’s lights in the night sky. You will spot a pleasant surprise in the park, Wall for Peace, otherwise called the Mur pour la Paix.

Situated near the prestigious Avenue Champ-Elysees, there exists a museum that houses 1,300 works of art from Ancient Greece through the early 20th century. The collection was often overlooked because it is not very popular, but is one of Paris’s hidden gems that portray the arts of various artists like Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, and Eugene Delacroix. Usually, on the first Sunday of every month, many well-known museums in the city give free entry like the Louvre. Similarly, all visitors can get access to the permanent collection at the Petit Palais free of charge. This collection has been amassed in the museum’s long history.

Amongst the many neighborhoods situated in Paris, the Montmartre is a special one situated in the hilly northern heights of the city. Home to the city’s struggling artists in the past, Montmartre is filled with impressive architecture and historic monuments that are sure to charm you. Montmartre is an ideal area to explore art and culture. As a tourist, you shouldn’t stop yourself from taking a stroll down the roads, visiting the museums, and other hubs filled with art and culture. You should soak in the wonderful view of the city from the top of Sacre Coeur, an iconic landmark of the city, filled with grandeur and grace.

If you are in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must on your to-do list. Also known as The Iron Lady of Paris, the Eiffel Tower can be seen from all over Paris with light bulbs lighting up the iron structure. Although you may require a ticket to go all the way up to the viewing decks, it is completely free to take a picture with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop from any location in the vicinity. For the best views of the city, you can always grab a seat at Parc du Champ de Mar or Sacre-Coeur. A daytime stroll on the Bank of the River Seine gives a lovely view of the Tower. But strolling across the streets of Paris at night is sheer bliss. It is not called the city of lights for nothing after all!

You don’t want to be on your feet all day long, do you? Sit back, relax, and sip on a hot cup of brewed coffee as you admire the panoramas of Paris. Printemps Rooftop Café serves the purpose just right with its delicious and simple café food or has a drink with stunning views, making you feel like you are right at the heart of this beautiful city. On one end you get to see the hills of Montmartre, whereas on the other end you get to see the iconic Eiffel Tower. No matter what seat you pick, you are sure to be awestruck with an experience that is quite breathtaking.

Champs-Elysees is one of the very famous avenues in France and along its 1.2-mile stretch there consists of luxurious boutiques and restaurants, which is a common spot for celebs to shop and dine on their visit. You can witness street performances, and also attend one of their major events that take place every year like the Bastille Day Military parade, or the arrival of the Tour de France, witness the dazzling Christmas lights, and more. So, plan your trip accordingly, otherwise, it is always a good time to take a walk in the area and is one of the top free things to do in the city.

• Early mornings are the best time to visit Champs Elysees if you need a picture-perfect memory consisting of the morning rays along with the gorgeous view of the Arc De Triomphe.
• Head to the local shops for culture-inspired souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones.
• Get a taste of the French fares and desserts by visiting the local eateries.
• If you don’t mind splurging, head to a luxury fashion shop for original styles.
• Avoid traveling with heavy luggage around Champs Elysees.
• Summers and weekends are not recommended to visit Champs Elysees as the area could be flooded with huge crowds. If you happen to visit around that time, make sure you go during the mornings when the crowd is less.
• The best time of the year to visit the avenue would be during Christmas. You can admire the avenue filled with dazzling lights and approach local shops to purchase those gifts for the occasion.

Fancy a guided tour that includes more than just Champs Elysees?

If you fancy a free experience that could give you the chills, a stroll among the Pere Lachaise is a rewarding dive into French culture and the international heritage. Pere-Lachaise in Paris is one of the most visited cemeteries, with around 3.5 million people visiting the attraction each year. The largest cemetery in Paris comprises celebrity graves, haunting statues, well-manicured lawns, cobblestone lanes, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a very unusual attraction and burial ground in the world. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, to name a few, are the celebrities buried here.

If there is any museum that gives a free display of a permanent collection of modern and contemporary works of art in Paris, it is Musee D'Art Moderne, otherwise called the Museum of Modern Art. You can deep dive into the permanent collections of various paintings, sculptures, sketches, and much more. The space also provides a surreal view of French culture, from Braque’s cubism to Matisse’s dancers, the Museum of Modern Art is a must-see and you will be amazed by the combination of classical architecture and modern art within the walls of the Museum. We highly recommend you to visit this museum!

Looking for a place to go on a stroll with your special one in Paris, head to the banks of the River Seine for the ideal evening. The place is good for long walks and you can even sit by a bench and soak in the lit-up city around you. You get glimpses of the most magnificent and iconic structures, cityscape, and cheerful faces at the Seine. At night, you can see the bridges across the River Seine, illuminating the night sky with a pleasant view of Paris’s major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the City Hall, and many more.

The Pompidou Centre is one of the largest modern art museums in Europe. The building is a work of architectural significance and houses various art collections of famous artists like Picasso, Dali, Man Ray, Andy Warhol, and many others. An insight into their work would change the way you would perceive any kind of art in the real world. You can also witness some of the contemporary works by living artists. The center is a hub for a lot of free events for kids under the age of 18 where they can indulge themselves in interactive art and create one of their own too. You are sure to establish a deeper connection with the art world once you have visited the Pompidou center.

Place de L'etoile Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in the city and is a symbol to honor all those who fought and died for France during the time of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic War. The rubber and outer surface of the monument consist of the names of all the French generals and victories. Below the vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Canal St Martin in Paris is a street that is too hard to miss. During this tour, you are sure to discover how the walls of Paris come to life. It is an area where the creative heads often resided in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. You get to see walls adorned with art, and can explore the funky restaurants and bars all over the neighborhood. Taking a stroll around the street is like a breeze of fresh air, and one can enjoy a view of Paris away from the busy streets.

Love is on the wall, literally! Known for being the city of Love, Paris is undoubtedly the most visited destination that attracts couples from all over the world, and what better place to have a monument that portrays love and eternal adoration. Covered in 612 lava tiles, the mural features the words ‘I LOVE YOU’ in 311 languages, of which 192 are of the United Nations. Created by Frederic Baron and Claire Kito, this piece of art is an unusual monument situated at a small corner in Montmartre. If you look closely, you can see splashes of res on the wall, which represent the pieces of a broken heart, that symbolize the human race being apart and the wall gives a canvas to bring back together with the powerful sentiment of love.

Looking to have that ideal backdrop of the Eiffel Tower while clicking a picture, we know the perfect space to capture this frame. The Trocadero Square, located opposite of the Seine to the Tower in Paris’ 16th arrondissement, is a raised platform at the Trocadero gardens, which gives you the most spectacular view of the iconic landmark of Paris. This is easily one of the top free things that you can do on your visit to Paris.