Have you always thought that Paris doesn't mean free? Know that this is not entirely true ... Like all capitals, Paris has its share of attractions and paid tourist or artistic sites, but it is also possible to enjoy the City of Lights, its culture and its heritage without pay a penny. Yes yes, you read that right, "without spending a penny"!
Do you live or visit the capital and wonder what to do to go out or discover it on a small budget? Just find here our list of 11 free activities and visits to do in Paris, concocted just for you!
Read also:
The 25 essential things to do in Paris
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1. The museums
Paris would not be Paris without all its museums. The capital has more than 1,200 museums and art galleries, on all subjects, and the permanent collections of some of them are part of the free visits to do in Paris. And yes, no matter your age, your status or the season! Among them are:
To these are added the museums which open their doors free of charge on the first Sunday of each month, such as:
Many other museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month, except in summer!
Also Read: 20 Must See Museums to Visit in Paris
Good to know: if you are lucky enough to be in Paris on the first Saturday of a month, take the opportunity to visit the Louvre Museum, which is accessible free of charge from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
2. Monuments
We continue our list of free tours to do Paris with these two essential monuments:
3. The Père Lachaise cemetery
With its 44 hectares, Père Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris. Why visit it? Because it shelters the tombs of politicians, artists, literary or famous scientists who marked their time like Honoré de Balzac, Simone Signoret, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Jean de La Fontaine, Alain Bashung, Molière, Edith Piaf or Oscar Wilde, for example.
Don't hesitate to consult the interactive map of the cemetery on the official website to find your way around its beautiful green alleys!
4. The quays and banks of the Seine
Wondering what to do in Paris for free? Take the time to stroll along the pedestrian banks, some of which have been developed, along the Seine and its canals (Canal Saint-Martin, Canal de l'Ourcq…) which cross the capital! These walks may allow you to attend a free ball or dance class, play pétanque, basketball or table tennis on the tables and fields provided by the city, or access nice views of the city and some of its most beautiful monuments.
5. A film lesson
Did you know that you can attend a film lesson for free at the Forum des Images? Every Friday evening (except summer), a film teacher, a historian or a critic offers a course accessible to all on a film or a defined theme. To participate, a prior reservation is strongly recommended! Visit the Forum des Images website for the program.
6. The beautiful districts
Paris is often considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and rightly so. So enjoy it! You can stroll through the lively districts of the Marais and Montmartre, go up the Champs Elysées, before taking a break at the Trocadéro opposite the Eiffel Tower, or on the Belvédère de Belleville from where you will have a panoramic view of the whole city. , for example.
Otherwise, to discover more unusual Parisian districts for free in the company of a resident and volunteer guide, you can also register on the Greeters website!
7. A rollerblading hike
And if you participated in a rollerblading hike to meet people and discover the capital while doing sports ?! The rollerblading hike is organized every Friday evening and welcomes all non-beginner skaters free of charge. In fact, for safety reasons, it is advisable to be comfortable on roller skates and to know how to brake to join the procession. The departure is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. on Place Raoul Dautry in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
8. Green spaces
Strolling in the most beautiful parks is one of the best free activities to do in Paris. The sun is coming up? Choose your favorite green space to enjoy it:
9. The Ferme de Paris
Are you traveling with your family and wondering what to do for free in Paris with children? Take a tour of the Ferme de Paris, located in the Bois de Vincennes! This 5-hectare farm allows you to discover the traditional cultures and breeding of Île-de-France, but also eco-grazing, urban agriculture and permaculture. The smallest will be able to meet there, among others, geese, ducks, rabbits, pigs or goats.
10. A cooking class
Wake up the cordon bleu that lies dormant in you and take part in one of the free cooking lessons offered by the Amateur Cooking Federation! This association, created in 2007, has the mission of promoting cooking as a leisure activity for as many people as possible and offers free cooking lessons and tastings on the Parisian markets to those they wish. You can consult the next dates on their website. Here's one more free activity to add to your list!
11. Nightlife
And yes, it is possible to attend a concert or dance until the end of the night in Paris with a small budget! Whether you prefer a friendly, tropical, quirky or trendy atmosphere, here is a list of some of the Parisian clubs and concert bars whose entry is free: