Paris is on many people’s bucket list for so many different reasons. During our recent trip there we completely loved the city and all that it has to offer travelers. However, something that is hard for budget travelers like ourselves is how expensive visiting Paris can be. So here are 5 free things to do in Paris that won’t break your budget!
So many of the iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre within Paris require a steep admission ticket and all those can quickly add up. Not to mention expensive accommodations and wanting to try out some of those Parisian cafes mean it can be quiet an expensive trip. But even in the more expensive cities around the world you can always find free things to do.
1. Have a Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Cost: Free
Going up the Eiffel Tower can run you over 20 Euros and also requires waiting in line for quite a while. We did go to the top and thought the views from the top were spectacular. But we also can definitely understand why that might not be in everyones budget. Also if you’ve already done it once you might not want to spend the money a second time.
Having a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, however, is free and requires waiting in no lines! We would recommend going around sunset as it is absolutely beautiful as the sun is setting behind the Eiffel Tower. You can then stay and see the light show which goes on every hour. You will see many other people doing the same thing but we found plenty of space to throw something down on the ground and enjoy the view!
Save even more money and forgo a fancy sit-down dinner that night by stopping by a market or shop on your way and pick up a few snacks. Grab a baguette, some cheese, maybe a few pieces of fruit or a bottle of wine and you are good to go. We saw lots of people having picnic dinners and then you get to experience the Eiffel Tower without the expensive cost.
Travel Truth: Make sure to check the time of the sunset when you’re there. In the summer months the sunset can be as late as 10:30 at night! Had we not checked beforehand, we would have been there at 8:00 waiting and waiting for a few hours.
If you do go up the Eiffel Tower, check out our Complete Guide to the Eiffel Tower for tips for avoiding the lines and buying the right ticket!
2. Walk Along the Seine River
Cost: Free
Walking along the Seine River, both during the day and at night, is an amazing way to get a good feel for the different parts of the city with no cost to you! We walked from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame which was about 3 miles and can be done along the Seine River. It was a very well paved walkway with many other people walking and running. We passed some places to get a drink or something to eat as well as a small festival going on.
Really though I think the highlight of the river walkway was just seeing so many people enjoying the area whether they were sitting having a picnic or walking along the river.
3. Visit Notre Dame
Cost: Free (to enter the inside)
Visiting the inside of Notre Dame is completely free! We waited for no more than 10 minutes (the line moved super quickly) and were able to wander through the inside for free. We would recommend planning out your visit to Notre Dame for the morning as it can get very crowded and sometimes requires a significant amount of waiting.
Seeing such a well known place like Notre Dame for free is sometimes rare in cities like Paris so take advantage and check it out! To go up to the top and see the views of the city does cost a few Euros, however, it is not necessary to see the inside of the cathedral. We actually tried to go to the top a few times but were not able to for various reasons so if you are interested definitely head there early!
Read More: Photography Guide to Paris
4. Explore other neighborhoods such as Saint Germain and Montemartre
Cost: Free
We absolutely loved the Saint Germain neighborhood which is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The rows and rows of cafes and people sitting outside had such a nice feeling to it. Especially if you are not staying in this neighborhood, which can be a little pricey, exploring the streets can be a great way to see what all the fuss is about without spending the money to be there. The same could be said about any other neighborhoods that you are interested in checking out.
The Montmartre neighborhood, which is in the 18th arrondissement, is a little on the outskirts but has a very unique feel to it compared to some of the lower arrondissements. The Sacre Coeur Basilica is also free to go inside and would make for a very nice day trip. It was very easy to take the Metro up to the 18th to explore this part of the city!
Not sure how to use the Metro in another country? Check out our Public Transportation in Paris post for how to use the Metro and RER trains to get around for super cheap!
5. See the Outside of the Louvre
Cost: Free (inside, however, will cost you)
The outside of the Louvre Museum was beautiful and worth the visit. The symmetry of the Louvre Pyramid with the sheer size of the museum building is something worth seeing! A ticket inside, however, can be quite pricey and to be honest, once you are inside it is very crowded. We went inside as it was our first trip to the Louvre but we would not recommend it unless you particularly enjoy art museums. The pictures we got from the outside, however, are some of our favorite from our trip to Paris!
