40 Things You Can Do in Paris for FREE
Paris is one of the world’s most expensive cities, and its high prices can quickly drain even the most carefully planned travel budget. But here’s the secret seasoned travelers know: some of Paris’s best experiences don’t cost a single euro. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through 40 incredible free things that I love to do in Paris.
🎨 FREE Museums & Cultural Sites in Paris
Musée Carnavalet
This one’s a quiet charmer. Tucked into the Marais, the Carnavalet Museum wraps you in centuries of Parisian life, from the Revolution to the Roaring Twenties. It’s free every day and rarely crowded, which makes wandering its grand salons feel strangely intimate. Don’t miss the model of the Bastille.
Location: 23 Rue de Sevigne, 75003 Paris
Insider Tip: The hidden garden in the courtyard is a perfect pit stop on a sunny day.
Maison de Victor Hugo
You don’t have to be a fan of Les Misérables to enjoy snooping around Hugo’s old apartment. The furniture? His. The views? Still dreamy. The wallpaper? Wild. It’s a curious, slightly theatrical peek into the life of one of France’s literary giants—located right on Place des Vosges, which is worth the visit in itself.
Location: 6 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
Insider Tip: Go early, then grab a bench in the square and watch the world drift by.
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
Here’s one for art lovers who don’t want the tourist crush. The permanent collection is totally free and covers everything from Delaunay to Sonia Rykiel’s sketches. It’s quietly brilliant. The building itself is a bit of a 1930s relic but has that no-frills charm. And the terrace café? Surprisingly decent coffee.
Location: 11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the massive Raoul Dufy mural—it’s tucked away and worth hunting for.
Petit Palais
Opulent. Underappreciated. Free. The Petit Palais is the kind of place that feels like it should charge a small fortune, but doesn’t. The mosaic floors, vaulted ceilings, and dreamy courtyard café make this a real showstopper. You’ll find everything from Dutch masters to 19th-century French paintings. Go once, then go again.
Location: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Insider Tip: The inner courtyard is one of the prettiest spots in Paris to sit with a book.
Musée de la Vie Romantique
Up a cobbled path in Pigalle, this museum feels like stepping into someone’s daydream. Set in a dainty villa once frequented by George Sand and Chopin, it’s all rose gardens, antique pianos, and soft light. Free entry and a cozy tea salon in the courtyard? Yes, please.
Location: 16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris
Insider Tip: The garden café is open seasonally—ideal for a quiet escape post-Montmartre stroll.
Musée Bourdelle
Bourdelle doesn’t get half Rodin’s attention, but that’s part of the appeal. This lesser-known museum in Montparnasse was once the sculptor’s studio, and you’ll find his towering works scattered through peaceful indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s atmospheric, slightly eerie, and thoroughly memorable.
Location: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris
Insider Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for a moment of near silence among the sculptures.
Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air
Think of it as a riverside stroll with benefits. Along the Seine near the Jardin des Plantes, you’ll find dozens of large-scale sculptures scattered across a public park. It’s a quirky, offbeat kind of open-air museum—no tickets, no guards, no glass—just you and the art.
Location: Quai Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris
Insider Tip: Best on weekdays when the path is less crowded with joggers.
Musée – Librairie du Compagnonnage
This tiny museum-library hybrid tells the story of France’s trade guilds—woodworkers, metalworkers, pastry chefs, the lot. It’s a niche stop, sure, but there’s something lovely about seeing old-world craftsmanship so thoughtfully preserved. Blink and you’ll miss it—don’t.
Location: 10 Rue Mabillon, 75006 Paris
Insider Tip: Look for the carved wooden staircase models—they’re mind-bending.
Free Museum Sundays
On the first Sunday of the month (October through March), a long list of Parisian heavyweights—Louvre, Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Château de Fontainebleau—open their doors for free. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s worth it. Arrive early, pick just one museum, and commit. Trying to cram in more will just leave you tired and grumpy.
Location: Various major museums across Paris
Insider Tip: Orsay is manageable with a plan—head straight to the top floor for the Impressionists before the rush.
🌳 FREE Parks, Gardens & Outdoor Spaces in Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg
There’s something about those green metal chairs—once you sit, you stay. The Luxembourg Gardens are elegant without being stiff. Watch a game of pétanque, grab a crêpe, or just let time melt on a park bench. It’s equal parts tourist magnet and local hangout.
Location: Rue de Médicis / Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
Insider Tip: Kids (and kids-at-heart) love the mini sailboats you can rent on the pond.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Dramatic cliffs. A temple on a hill. Hidden waterfalls. Buttes-Chaumont is Paris turned loose. It feels wild and unruly compared to the city’s usual polish, and that’s why it’s magic. Climb to the top—you’ll get one of the best views in town without paying a cent.
Location: 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris
Insider Tip: Head to Rosa Bonheur, the hilltop guinguette, for cheap wine and dancing in summer.
Parc Monceau
This one’s really beautiful. Curved walkways, statues of composers, and a surprise Roman colonnade make Parc Monceau feel like a secret garden plucked from a storybook. It’s where joggers, kids, and art students all peacefully coexist.
Location: 35 Boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
Insider Tip: Early mornings are golden—almost cinematic with the soft light.
Jardin des Plantes
Part park, part open-air science lesson. The Jardin des Plantes is home to Paris’s botanical garden, plus greenhouses and a small zoo (some areas require a ticket, but the garden itself is free). It’s one of my go-tos for a quiet midday wander.
Location: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris
Insider Tip: The alpine garden section is easy to miss—and beautifully strange.
Parc de la Villette
La Villette is a playground for grown-ups and kids alike. There’s no central lawn or symmetry here—just themed gardens, red follies, and modern architecture stitched together with wide paths. You’ll see dancers, skateboarders, families, and the occasional open-air film screening.
Location: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
Insider Tip: Don’t skip the Dragon Garden slide—it’s as fun as it looks.
Parc Rives-de-Seine
Once a congested highway, now a car-free riverfront escape. This stretch along the Seine is perfect for walking, biking, or just lounging with a baguette and a book. You’ll spot hammocks, pétanque players, and plenty of Parisians reclaiming their city.
Location: Along the Seine from Bastille to Eiffel Tower
Insider Tip: In summer, check out the pop-up bars and concerts.
Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont)
Paris did the elevated park before New York’s High Line. The Promenade Plantée is a leafy trail built atop an old railway line. It snakes quietly through the 12th arrondissement, above shops and apartments. Expect roses, ivy, and a peaceful escape from street noise.
Location: Start at 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris
Insider Tip: Bring coffee and start your walk early for golden morning light.
Jardin du Palais Royal
Tucked behind formal arcades, this is the kind of place where you forget the city exists. The gravel paths, neatly trimmed hedges, and signature black-and-white columns make it ideal for a slow wander—or a sneaky break from the tourist fray.
Location: 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris
Insider Tip: The café in the northeast corner is overpriced—but worth it for people-watching.
Champ de Mars
Let’s be honest: it’s not the prettiest park in town. But for that Eiffel Tower view? It’s hard to beat. It’s also where locals come to picnic, nap, and pop champagne at sunset. Bring snacks, avoid the aggressive souvenir sellers, and settle in.
Location: 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris
Insider Tip: The southeast corner tends to be quieter and less trampled.
Tuileries Garden
This one’s perfectly placed between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, which makes it ideal for a breather mid-sightseeing. Stroll past fountains, sculptures, and kids in pony carts. It’s manicured, yes—but that’s part of the charm.
Location: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Insider Tip: Head to the café by the octagonal pond for a low-key break with a view.
🏛️ FREE Historic Sites & Architecture in Paris
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Even mid-restoration, Notre-Dame is breathtaking. The flying buttresses, gargoyles, and stained glass still tell stories. Standing in front of it, you feel the weight of centuries—and maybe a pang of nostalgia for what was.
Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Insider Tip: Walk around the back for a quieter view and a better look at the apse.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur
It’s a climb, sure, but the payoff is enormous—one of the best views in Paris, full stop. The Sacré-Cœur itself is serene inside, often filled with soft choral music. Outside, the steps turn into a daily performance space. Street musicians, tourists, locals—all mixing in Montmartre magic.
Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
Insider Tip: Skip the funicular—walk up the Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre for a quieter, scenic ascent.
Place des Vosges
Symmetrical, red-bricked, and dripping with history—Place des Vosges is where Paris goes to feel regal. Victor Hugo lived here, and you can still feel the old-world elegance in every archway. The central lawn is a favorite with sunbathers, bookworms, and small kids chasing pigeons.
Location: Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
Insider Tip: The arcades have some fantastic galleries and cafés, perfect for a lazy browse.
Arc de Triomphe
Don’t bother with the ticket—admire it from the Champs-Élysées side or the traffic circle. The sheer scale is jaw-dropping, and the details are easy to miss if you’re rushing. Stay a while. Read the names. Watch the eternal flame flicker for the unknown soldier.
Location: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris
Insider Tip: Best viewed at golden hour when the light hits the stone just right.
Panthéon
A proper heavyweight of Parisian history. Even if you don’t go inside, the outside alone is worth a detour. That dome, the columns, the steps—it’s dramatic in the best way. I often sit on the steps with a coffee and just let the square buzz around me.
Location: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Insider Tip: Walk around the back for a different (and usually quieter) angle.
Pont Alexandre III
Gold-winged horses, Art Nouveau lamps, and sweeping views—Pont Alexandre III doesn’t do subtle, and that’s the whole point. It’s theatrical and proud. Perfect for a golden-hour photo walk or a slow stroll with someone you like.
Location: Connects Champs-Élysées and Invalides, 75008 Paris
Insider Tip: Look west for a killer sunset view with the Eiffel Tower in frame.
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
Free, breezy, and unexpected. The rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette offers a full sweep of the city—Opéra Garnier up close, Eiffel Tower in the distance. You’ll share the view with plenty of shoppers, but it never feels too packed.
Location: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Insider Tip: Time your visit right before sunset for that perfect Paris panorama.
🖼️ FREE Art, Culture & Markets in Paris
Belleville Street Art
Belleville’s walls speak, and if you’re paying attention, they’ve got a lot to say. From sprawling murals to tiny stencil art, the neighborhood is a canvas in flux. It’s gritty, honest, and far from polished, which makes it that much more rewarding to explore on foot.
Location: Around Rue Denoyez, 75020 Paris
Insider Tip: Come mid-morning—shops start opening, but the streets aren’t packed yet.
Canal Saint-Martin
This one’s slow Paris. Grab a coffee and take a long walk beside the iron footbridges, weeping trees, and still water. Locals dangle their feet over the edge with a bottle of wine, couples stroll hand in hand, and occasionally a barge drifts through, splitting the canal in two.
Location: Runs from Place de la République to Bassin de la Villette
Insider Tip: Cross back and forth over the little bridges for the best views.
Rue Crémieux
Instagram loves this street—and yes, it gets crowded—but it’s still worth a wander. Think pastel-painted houses, potted plants, and an almost toy-like charm. It’s a rare bit of color in a city known for its greys. Just be respectful—it’s a residential street, not a film set.
Location: Rue Crémieux, 75012 Paris
Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning for quiet photos and less foot traffic.
Marché d’Aligre
One of Paris’s most energetic markets. You’ll hear vendors shouting prices, smell roasting chickens, and spot everything from antiques to fresh herbs. Part flea market, part food hall—it’s noisy, messy, and full of character. Come hungry and bring small bills.
Location: Place d’Aligre, 75012 Paris
Insider Tip: Check out the covered section (Marché Beauvau) for cheeses and charcuterie.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
You could spend an entire day—and a small fortune—at this sprawling flea market. But browsing is free, and some of the window-shopping is better than any museum. From vintage Chanel to industrial relics, it’s all here. Wear comfy shoes and follow your curiosity.
Location: 99 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen
Insider Tip: Aim for Friday or Monday to avoid the big weekend crowds.
Open-Air Concerts
Come summer, the city fills with music. Parks, plazas, and even street corners turn into makeshift stages. From jazz to classical to world music, you’ll stumble upon something just by wandering. The Fête de la Musique in June is a wild, all-night celebration of sound.
Location: Various locations across Paris (especially parks)
Insider Tip: Bring a blanket, a bottle, and let the music find you.
Paris Plages
Sand, sun loungers, palm trees—no, it’s not Marseille. It’s summer in Paris. Every July and August, parts of the Seine transform into a pop-up beach scene. It’s a little kitschy, a lot of fun, and completely free. Kids love it. Adults usually end up loving it too.
Location: Along the Seine (Rive Droite) and Bassin de la Villette
Insider Tip: Go in the early evening—fewer crowds and cooler temps.
🚶 Scenic Walks & Views
Montmartre
Cobblestone lanes, ivy-covered façades, and artists sketching in the square—Montmartre might flirt with cliché, but it still feels special. Climb slowly. Get lost on purpose. There’s charm tucked into every corner if you’re willing to wander without a map.
Location: 75018 Paris (start around Place du Tertre)
Insider Tip: Skip the main drag and explore Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue des Saules for a quieter path.
Seine Riverbanks
There’s nothing hurried about a walk along the Seine. These old quays let you trace the city’s spine, watching bridges pass like turning pages. People picnic, dance, kiss. You just walk. It’s slow Paris at its finest—and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Location: Both Right and Left Bank, especially near Île de la Cité
Insider Tip: Late afternoon light makes the stone glow. Walk west as the sun dips.
Île de la Cité & Île Saint-Louis
Right in the middle of the city and yet somehow miles away. These islands feel like a Paris of another era. Notre-Dame. Quiet squares. Bouquinistes. Ice cream from Berthillon. You could rush it—but don’t. Let the rhythm of the stones set your pace.
Location: 75001 & 75004 Paris
Insider Tip: Cross Pont Saint-Louis at sunset—it’s often filled with street musicians.
Parc de Belleville
The views up here are underrated. Everyone runs to Sacré-Cœur, but Belleville gives you skyline and soul. It’s scrappier, greener, and far less polished, which is why I like it. Expect murals, locals, and a killer overlook.
Location: 47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris
Insider Tip: There’s a belvedere platform halfway down the hill—don’t miss it.
Parc André Citroën
Clean lines, wide lawns, and fountains that kids can’t resist—this is Paris in modern mode. Set on the city’s southwestern edge, Parc André Citroën is all space and sky. It’s ideal if you need a breather from old stone and want something with a bit of breathing room.
Location: 2 Rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris
Insider Tip: You can ride the tethered helium balloon here on clear days (small fee).
Wallace Fountains
They’re part fountain, part folk tale. These cast-iron green beauties pop up all over the city like sentinels from another century. Free drinking water, free history lesson, and a scavenger hunt rolled into one. Once you spot your first, you’ll start seeing them everywhere.
Location: Scattered citywide (look near squares and major intersections)
Insider Tip: The one near Place Saint-Sulpice is especially photogenic.
