Free Museum Days
Most Paris museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou all participate. Arrive early—queues form by 9 AM. The permanent collections at the Petit Palais and Musée Carnavalet are always free, making them perfect for any day of the week.
Pro Tip: EU residents under 26 get free entry to national museums year-round. Bring your ID or passport.
Parks and Gardens
Paris has over 400 parks. The Luxembourg Gardens offer free chairs, people-watching, and a stunning palace backdrop. The Tuileries connects the Louvre to Place de la Concorde—perfect for a morning stroll. For something quieter, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement has dramatic cliffs and a temple with panoramic views.
Pro Tip: Pack a picnic from a local boulangerie. A baguette, cheese, and fruit costs under €10.
Church Architecture
Entry to Paris's churches is free. Notre-Dame's exterior is accessible (interior reopening in 2024). Sacré-Cœur offers free entry and the best sunset views over Paris. Saint-Eustache near Les Halles rivals Notre-Dame in grandeur with a fraction of the crowds. Saint-Sulpice features Delacroix murals.
Street Markets and Window Shopping
The Marché Bastille (Thursday and Sunday mornings) is a feast for the senses. Wander through stalls of cheese, flowers, and rotisserie chickens. The covered passages—Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas—offer 19th-century architecture and window shopping without entrance fees.
Free Walking Tours
Several companies offer tip-based walking tours covering Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and Le Marais. Guides work for tips, so you pay what you feel the tour was worth. It's a genuine way to learn history while meeting other travelers.
Pro Tip: A fair tip is €10-15 per person for a 2-hour tour. Don't feel pressured if you're truly on a tight budget.
Seine Riverbanks
The banks of the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage site you can explore for free. Walk from the Musée d'Orsay to Île de la Cité. In summer, Paris Plages transforms sections into beaches with sand, lounge chairs, and activities—all free.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
This 110-acre cemetery is an open-air museum. Find the graves of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, and Chopin. Free maps are available at the entrance. Allow 2-3 hours to explore the winding paths and elaborate tombs.
