On a budget? From parks, festivals, and a list of free museums to visit, the City of Love is nothing if not bustling with activity. Discover the best free things to do in Paris with this guide for 2023!
Paris, the City of Love, is famous for its sophistication and beauty. But let’s face it, it can also be pretty expensive. However, fear not my budget-conscious travellers, because Paris has a whole bunch of fun, free activities for you to enjoy. From watching the Eiffel Tower light show to exploring the fascinating Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen flea market, there’s something for everyone. So put on your walking shoes, grab a blanket and a bottle of wine, and let’s dive into the best free things to do in Paris. Bon voyage!
P.S. While it might be wise to avoid Paris due to the current bed bug infestation, you can save this guide of free things to do in Paris for when the situation gets better later!
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9 Free Things To Do In Paris:
1. Watch The Eiffel Tower Light Show
Image credits: Eiffel Tower
Who doesn’t dream of watching the iconic Eiffel Tower light up the night sky in all its glory? Well, here’s a budget-friendly way to do just that! Skip the expensive elevator ride and head to Parc du Champ de Mars instead. This lush green space at the foot of the tower was once a former army marching ground, and offers a perfect vantage point for the light show. So grab a blanket, a bottle of wine, and some delicious picnic treats, and settle down for a magical evening. The light show is on for 5 minutes every hour in the evening, from sunset to 11:45 PM.
📍 Address: Parc du Champ-de-Mars, Quai Branly – Avenue de la Motte Picquet, 75007 Paris
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Parc du Champ de Mars here
2. Go Window Shopping
Galeries Lafayette:
Image credits: Galeries Lafayette
If you’re keen on seeing what the fashion capital of the world has to offer, try window shopping (or lécher les vitrines if you speak the local language) at the Galeries Lafayette. Galeries Lafayette is a popular and upscale department store in Paris that has been established since the 1890s. Some renowned fashion brands you can see there are Armani, Balenciaga, Bulgari, Chanel, Celine, Christian Dior, Givenchy, and many more. But that’s not all. As Galeries Lafayette is such a historical building, visiting it also gives you the opportunity to admire its Art Nouveau architecture and iconic glass dome.
📍 Address: Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, 40, Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Check out our guide on the best things to check out at Galeries Lafayette here
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen:
Image Credits: Tourist Office of Plaine Commune Grand Paris
If luxury fashion is not for you, check out Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, a chic Parisian flea market. It’s the largest antiques and second-hand market in the world and the fourth most visited attraction in France! It’s like a treasure trove of objets d’art and wild curiosities that you’d probably never buy but would still love to admire. You’ll be amazed by the bearskin rugs, antique tapestries, and brass diving bells on display in this decadently eccentric marketplace. Just make sure to keep your eyebrows from rising too high when you see the price tags. You never know what kind of strange and wonderful treasures you might discover. The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is a wonderland for collectors, decorators, and curious visitors who want to discover a unique side of Paris.
📍 Address: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, 99 All. des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, France
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen here
3. Visit The Museums
Image credits: France Info
While most of the famous museums require ticketed entry, there are that open their doors for free on the first Sunday of each month. The exception to this is The Louvre which allows free admission on the first Friday of the month after 6 PM (except in July and August) That means you can visit Paris’ most famous museums for FREE if you plan for the right time of the month.
Museums that offer free entry exclusively on every first Sunday of each month:
| Museum | Address | Opening Hours | When is entry free for all visitors? |
| The Louvre | 📍 4 Place du Louvre, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75001 | 🕐 Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 9 AM – 6 PM 🕐 Wednesday & Fridays: 9 AM – 9:45 PM | First Friday of the month after 6 PM (except in July and August) |
| Musée d’Orsay | 📍 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, Paris, Île-de-France, 75007 | 🕐 Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6 PM 🕐 Thursdays until 9:45 PM ❗️ Closed on Mondays | 1st Sunday of every month |
| Centre Pompidou | 📍 Place Georges Pompidou, Paris, Île-de-France, 75004 | 🕐 Mondays, Wednesdays to Sundays: 11 AM – 9 PM | 1st Sunday of every month |
| Quaiai Branly – Jacques Chirac | 📍 Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 PARIS | 🕐 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: 10:30 AM to 7 PM 🕐 Thursdays: 10:30 AM to 10 PM ❗️ Closed on Mondays | 1st Sunday of every month |
| Musée Rodin | 📍 21 Boulevard des Invalides, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75007 | 🕐 Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 AM – 6:30 PM. Entry closes at 5:45 PM ❗️ Closed on Mondays | 1st Sunday of every month |
| Musée Picasso | 📍 5 Rue de Thorigny, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75003 | 🕐 Tuesdays to Fridays: 9:30 AM – 6 PM 🕐 Saturdays & Sundays (and public holidays): 9:30 AM – 6 PM ❗️ Closed on Mondays | 1st Sunday of every month |
🌟 Pro Tip: If you are under 25 years of age and an EU Citizen, you get into all the museums for free!
If you can’t visit on a Sunday, there are still other museums that are free every day of the week. These are city museums, run by the City of Paris cultural team, where you can see their permanent collections for free all days of the week.
Museums that are free all days of the week:
Image Credits: Paris Insider Guide
| Museum | Address | Opening Hours |
| The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris | 📍 13 Avenue du President Wilson, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75116 | 🕐 Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 AM to 6 PM. Ticket offices close at 5:15 PM 🕐 Nights on Thursdays for temporary exhibitions: until 9:30 PM |
| Musée de la Vie Romantique | 📍 16 Rue Chaptal, Paris, Île-de-France, 75009 | 🕐 Tuesdays to Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM ❗️ Closed on Mondays |
| Victor Hugo’s House (Maison de Victor Hugo) in Haute Ville | 📍 38, rue Hauteville in St Peter Port on Guernsey in the Channel Islands | 🕐 Opens daily from 10 AM to 4 PM except on Wednesdays ❗️ Guided tour only. Reservation required |
| Musée Carnavalet | 📍 2 Rue Payenne, Paris, Ile-de-France, 75003 | 🕐 Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5.15 pm) ❗️ Closed on Mondays |
These free museums are not necessarily less interesting than the paid ones. Take the Musée de la Vie Romantique; it’s the destination for all you hopeless romantics out there. This charming museum pays tribute to two of the most influential artists of the Romantic era: George Sand and Ary Scheffer. It also homed vibrant salons that hosted luminaries such as Delacroix, Liszt, and Chopin.
Thankfully, there’s no need to break the bank to appreciate some art in France. Thank you, Paris, for reminding us that culture can be enjoyed for free. So, grab your camera and your imagination, and prepare to be inspired.
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Check out this Paris food guide for all budgets
4. Take An Atmospheric Stroll Through A Cemetery – Cimitière du Père Lachaise
Image credits: Vivre Paris
If you’re looking for a different and spooky way to explore Paris, head to Père Lachaise Cemetery, the largest and most famous graveyard in the city. The Cimitière du Père Lachaise is not your typical cemetery, as you stroll through the cobblestone paths, you’ll come across some of the most famous names in history, from Oscar Wilde to Jim Morrison. It’s like a who’s who of the afterlife! Through their exquisite embellishments or staunch simplicity, the tombstones and monuments tell their own stories. The lush greenery surrounding the area also makes it a serene pitstop from the city.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a goth or a vampire enthusiast to appreciate this place. It’s not just a place to mourn the dead, it’s a place to take in the atmosphere and reflect on life itself. But, of course, being a cemetery, there are some rules to follow. No picnics or loud music allowed. Just make sure to bring some comfortable shoes, a curious mind, and a healthy appreciation for life…and death.
📍 Address: Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, 75020 Paris, France
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Cimitière du Père Lachaise here
5. Walk Along The River Seine
Image Credits: A Paris Guide
Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic River Seine. Put on your comfiest shoes and grab your camera because this is one picturesque walk you won’t want to miss. As you wander along the banks of the Seine, you’ll find yourself in the midst of artistic inspiration that has captivated many famous artists throughout history.
Take your time and cross over some of the 37 bridges that span the river within Paris alone. Pont Neuf, a bridge that dates back to 1607, offers stunning views and plenty of opportunities for the perfect Instagram shot. And if you’re feeling adventurous, head to the Promenade Plantée, a 4.7 km parkway that was once an elevated railway track, and enjoy a unique perspective of the city from above. There’s nothing quite like a romantic walk by the Seine, so take your time and embrace the magic of the City of Love.
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more the River Seine here
6. View Arc De Triomphe
Image credits: Paris Je taime
Another iconic landmark you can see for free is the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe is a magnificent monument that honours the French soldiers who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the French Revolution. You can view the arch from the ground level for free and admire its sculptures and inscriptions, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame.
You can also access the arch by using an underground passage from the Champs-Élysées. If you want to see the panoramic view of Paris from the top of the arch, you will need to pay a fee of €13 (~S$19) for adults. From there, you can get a unique panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame with The Arc de Triomphe at the centre of a large roundabout, where twelve avenues converge.
📍 Address: Arc De Triomphe, Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about the Arc de Triomphe here
7. Enjoy The Views From Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Image credits: Afar
One of the most beautiful churches in Paris is Sacré-Cœur Basilica, located on top of Montmartre Hill. The white-domed church is a stunning example of Romanesque-Byzantine architecture, and it offers breathtaking views of the city from its terrace. You can enter the church for free and admire its interior, which features a large mosaic of Christ, stained glass windows, and an impressive organ.
📍 Address: Parvis du Sacré-Coeur, 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Sacré-Cœur Basilica here
8. Catch Free Seasonal Events In Parc de la Villette
Image credits: La Villette
Parc de la Villette is a green space and a cultural hub in Paris. You’ll find the City of Science and Industry, the Philharmonie de Paris concert hall, and the Grande Halle de la Villette, which used to be an abattoir but is now a contemporary exhibition space. While most of these establishments charge entry fees, they often host free events right in the park. One of these events is the Parc de la Villette open-air cinema, where you can enjoy movies while having a picnic during the summer months of mid-July to August for free. Picture this: a clear sky, a comfy blanket, delicious snacks, and an entertaining film – all for free! It’s a great way to spend a summer evening in Paris without breaking the bank.
If you happen to be there during other times of the year, keep an eye out for other free events that the park regularly hosts. You never know what lively and fascinating activities await you in Parc de la Villette.
📍 Address: Parc de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Parc de la Villette here
9. Check Out To Paris’ Free Festivals
Image credits: Paris je taime
Paris is not just about romance and wine; it knows how to throw a party too! And the best part is, some of these parties won’t even cost you a dollar. Get ready to soak up the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of Paris’ free festivals.
One such popular festival is La Nuit Blanche in October, where you can spend the entire night exploring eccentric art installations throughout the city. It’s like an artistic treasure hunt that’ll leave you mesmerised. If you’re a music enthusiast, don’t miss the Fête de la Musique in June. You’ll witness both pros and rising stars performing impromptu sets all over the city. For those who appreciate classical music, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse offers over 300 student concerts a year, most of which are absolutely free. It’s a chance to witness the future maestros in action.
Lastly, keep an eye out for the grand military parade along Ave des Champs-Élysées on Bastille Day, which showcases free live music and an atmosphere of pure revelry. So, get ready to dance, sing, and immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene of Paris, all without spending a penny.
YouTrip’s Budget Guide: Free Things To Do In Paris 2023 — Find out more about Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse here
Paris, Je T’aime 🇫🇷
Paris is a city that offers endless possibilities for entertainment, culture, and adventure. It’s an expensive city but luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy its charms. Follow this guide for free things to do in Paris that’ll make your trip memorable and fun! Whether you want to admire the architecture, history, or nature of the city, you’ll be able to find something that suits your taste and budget. So don’t hesitate to explore Paris for free and discover its hidden gems. Paris truly knows how to make your time here anything but boring — and most importantly, don’t forget to bring your YouTrip card along for the best EUR rates!
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Bon voyage!
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