What sight are free in Paris?

Luckily there are many Paris attractions which are free. See the Eiffel tower from the Parc du Champs de Mars, stroll down the Champs Élysées, pop in to Shakespeare & Co book shop, lose yourself in Pierre Lachaise cemetery, have you photo taken outside Moulin Rouge and head to the Sacre Coeur. So much wonderful architecture is there to be loved in Paris for free!

How can I spend little money in Paris?

Enjoy your own picnics with food bought from supermarkets rather than the expensive restaurants. You can sit at the foot of the Eiffel tower and eat your own food all for free! Seeing the roof tops views of Paris from the Sacre Coeur, stroll though the glorious shopping arcades, and monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe are free to have your own photo taken outside of!

What to do if you only have one day in Paris?

You can visit some of the top attractions in Paris quite quickly as they are close by one another. For example the Louvre, the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe are walking distance from each other. A great view over the city can be had from Sacre Coeur and of course the Eiffel tower is an absolute must when visiting Paris. These are some of the best places to visit in Paris in a single day!

17 Awesome FREE Things to Do in Paris

The city of love is an incredible city to visit, but it’s not necessarily the cheapest. Fortunately there are lots of great free things to do in Paris for a budget-friendly trip.

I set myself a little challenge to see as much of Paris for free as possible in 24 hours. I ended up spending €64, but that was because it was raining so I had to take the bus and Metro instead of walking, and I had to drink that carafe of wine to dry me out and warm me up.

Who knew there were so many awesome free things to do in Paris, hey? Not me.

I saw a grand total of 17 free Paris attractions, and would absolutely recommend them all. Here goes…

Awesome free things to do in Paris

From museums and galleries to cemeteries, shopping centres and iconic districts, here are some of the best things to do in Paris for free.

1. Galleries Lafayette inside and rooftop

Head straight up the escalators and don’t stop till you get to the top, or you could be at risk of spending a euro or two (hundred). Galeries Lafayette is a luxury shopping centre, but you’re not here for the clothes, handbags and make up, the building is stunning – it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris. This is a great spot to pick up some souvenirs from Paris to remember your trip by.

Look up while you’re inside to see the colourful stained glass roof and dramatic dome. Then find the magic stairs leading outside and you’ll be welcomed with a FREE view of Paris – Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur in the distance, amongst other attractions in Paris, all included.

There’s a wine bar, restaurant and ice cream shop up top, but we’re talking free, so ignore them and focus on the scenery. There are even deck chairs up there and everything.

2. Printemps Shopping Centre

Just a few minutes walk from Galeries Lafayette you’ll find the Printemps Shopping Centre. Apparently there’s another roof top garden here, but err, I think I was so mesmerised by the roof up there I forgot to look for the secret elevator. It was also raining so I was drenched and was seeking the shelter.

Anyway, although I missed the view outside, I did get to admire the roof above.

The building is rather opulent – I mean it is located in the Opéra Garnier district, which even sounds fancy. It was founded in the 19th century and today is one of the leading, upscale fashion shopping centres in Paris. Shopping might not be free (or cheap) in the city, but who says you can’t simply browse and admire the architecture?

3. Eiffel Tower and Champs des Mars

It’s €28 to enjoy the view from up the Eiffel Tower, but once you’re up, you look out over Paris, and there’s no Eiffel Tower on the skyline, making it one of the worst Paris views in my opinion. Le Tour de Eiffel is Paris.

So, my recommendation to include a trip here on your free Paris itinerary would be to grab a bottle of wine / beers / French stick, and sit in the park surrounding the tower – the Champs des Mars – and relax and enjoy the scenery.

It’s free!

Word of warning: do not buy the nougat from the stall nearby. They lured us in by letting us try loads, just enough so we felt guilty and bought some, and didn’t tell us (we didn’t ask) the price before they bagged it up. It was only a slither and cost €13. And then just as Kellie made me hand over the money (I didn’t want to) she started having some sort of allergic reaction and her throat started itching and swelling up. I ate a big chunk and didn’t want anymore, ever, ever again, so I reckon that was €13 totally wasted.

But back to the picnic. Get yourself some supplies from a Monoprix somewhere – olives, meats, etc – pop to the boulangerie for some bread and the wine shop to sample their best. Remember the bottle opener and a blanket / sarong and enjoy the view.

If you do want to go up the Eiffel Tower, I’d definitely recommend booking your tickets beforehand to jump the queue as it is the most famous of Paris attractions, and make sure you get summit access to the top. You can book your Eiffel Tower tickets with GetYourGuide here.

4. Walk round the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is one of the cheapest areas of Paris to eat. Here you’ll find plenty of set menu offerings and drink deals too.

Boutiquey shops, cute churches, crepe stands and galleries are standard here, and are all free to look around. If you have a weekend in Paris