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What Are the Best Free Things to Do in Paris?
If you’re planning a visit to the City of Light, you know you want to experience it to the fullest—and why not do it for free? Paris offers countless options for free activities, and each one will give you a piece of traditional Paris life.
From parks and gardens to awe-inspiring sights and secrets spots, here are some of the best free things to do in Paris.
Explore the Gardens and Parks
Paris plays host to some of the world’s most stunning gardens and parks –and luckily many of them are free. In the heart of the city, the Jardin du Luxembourg is an oasis amongst the city. A shady park with classical French gardens, the park was created in the 17th century for Marie de Medici, and is known for its plethora of statues and ponds of carp.
Not far from the Jardin is the Jardin des Plantes, which is home to a large pond and lush gardens. Originally an experimental botanical garden, it also hosts a couple of lovely museums as well as an alpine garden for a little outdoors adventure.
For a slightly more adventurous experience, visitors can explore one of Paris’s many cemeteries. Père Lachaise Cemetery is perhaps one of the most famous with its beautiful statues and artistic sculptures. Among the dead lie some famous figures, making it not only a melancholic but educational experience.
Walk Around Montmarte and the Latin Quarter
Head to Paris’s hilltop district of Montmartre for lovely views of the city’s skyline. Colourful streets full of history and culture make it a must-see district on anybody’s list. Plus, many of Paris’s best street art can be found here. The Pain Quotidien and L’Entrecôte Mandette are just a couple places to enjoy some French cuisine without denting your wallet.
The Latin Quarter is a classic for visitors to explore, famed for its winding roads open for exploration by day or night. Here you also have the opportunity to find good food at inexpensive prices. There are also many street artists playing jazz as well as historical monuments like La Sorbonne University, making it an ideal spot for culture vultures who don’t mind doing a lot of walking.
Take in Free City Views
Paris has plenty of rooftop bars to take in panoramic views, but those can often be costly. If you still want to enjoy sweeping views of Paris try some of the following free options.
The first is Montparnasse Tower, the highest tower in Paris – but head there at night for a truly magical experience. From the interior bar and cafe or from the outside terrace you can catch spectacular views of the cityscape without paying a penny except for transportation costs.
The second is Sacre-Coeur, where from its front steps you can get picturesque views over the historic quarter while soaking up some sunshine too. From this perfect spot, you can also take in views of iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
The third is Place du Trocadéro at the tour-Eiffel where both parks on either side of la Seine will give you a great view of what Paris looks like at night. Whether it’s the glittering Eiffel Tower or the illuminated bridges linking both sides of Paris – this view will take your breath away.
Museums and Libraries
Musée Carnavalet is one of Paris’s best preserved historical libraries and every Sunday from 10am-5pm entrance is free for all guests. For those with a passion for fashion, head over to Palais Gallera for its extensive costume collection with around 85,000 items from ancient times to present day. Every first Sunday of the month is free entrance from 10am-5pm so don’t miss out!
Conclusion
Paris is full of beautiful parks, historical sights and hidden gems that can be experienced for little or no money at all – if you know where to go! From iconic sights such as Montparnasse tower to quieter locations like Père Lachaise Cemetery, there several ways to explore and experience Paris without having to pay extra fees. Whether you’re interested in culture, architecture or fashion there’s something out there that’ll make your trip extra special – and not break your budget either!
If you want even more information regarding free things to do in Paris, we recommend visiting Travel Freak’s guide for more detailed insights into what an amazing city this really is!
