Free Guide To Paris: Free Museums, Things To Do & Attractions

Soak up the charming Parisian culture and visit world-class attractions without breaking the bank. Enjoy the budget-friendly side of the City of Light with our guide to the best free things to do in Paris.

Paris can be an expensive city to visit, but there are ways to experience the charm of the French capital without spending a small fortune.

Take in panoramic views, explore hidden gardens, admire opulent architecture and visit some of the best museums in the world for free.

We’ve put together the best free things to do in Paris, some of which only opened to the public in 2023.

Enjoy some of the best experiences Paris has to offer without spending a dime.

For ideas on how to save on accommodation, read our where to stay in Paris guide.

FREE MUSEUMS IN PARIS

The first tip you need to know if you’re planning a trip to Paris and want to save some money is that many museums and galleries are free for certain demographics and on some days of the month.

Here is the full list of the Paris museums and when they are open free of charge.

BEST FREE EIFFEL TOWER VIEWS

It’s hard to miss the Eiffel Tower when you’re in Paris. But, there are some locations that are particularly good for photography.

Here are a few of the best free viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower.

TROCADÉRO

The best free viewpoint is Trocadéro, an elevated open space opposite the Seine where our 3-day Paris itinerary starts. There’s an English-style garden leading towards the tower with a 22-canon water feature, making it an excellent place for photography.

PONTE ALEXANDRE III

Ponte Alexandre III, the ornate bridge over the Seine is another great place to photograph the Eiffel Tower. Champs de Mars, the green space directly in front of the tower, is also worth a visit.

RUE DE L’UNIVERSITÉ

Rue de l’Université is a very cute residential street with excellent views of the Eiffel Tower between the beautiful architecture. It’s just across the river from the Ponte Alexandre III.

PORT DEBILLY

Just up from Ponte Alexandre III on the Flame of Liberty is another great location for Eiffel Tower Views. You can continue along the lower walkway, Port Debilly for more great views.

INTERESTING NEIGHBOURHOODS TO STROLL AROUND

Paris is a beautiful city, and just strolling around and admiring the architecture is a great free thing to do.

Here are some of the areas we’ve loved exploring on our trips to Paris.

LE MARAIS

Le Marais is a fashionable district known for its old streets, historic architecture, trendy boutiques, and art galleries.

It’s probably our favourite area of Paris if we had to choose, and it’s the neighbourhood we most like to stay in. You can read our full review in: where to stay in Paris.

The best way to see it is just stroll around, picking off streets that take your interest. But here are some free things we recommend:

• Visit Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris.
• See the whimsical Stravinsky Fountains outside the Pompidou.
• Have dinner along Rue du Temple or Rue des Archives.
• Visit the Musée des Archives Nationales, the finest private mansion in Le Marais.

PLACE DU TERTRE, MONTMARTRE

Montmartre is one of the most popular neighbourhoods to visit in Paris. It’s been home to artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso and has an artistic legacy that lives on today.

At Place du Tertre, artists are allocated 3 feet of space, which must be shared between two artists on alternating days.

You can hire one of the artists to have your portrait taken while you wait.

The charming streets around the square have cafes that are perfect for people-watching.

PÈRE LACHAISE CEMETERY

Père Lachaise is one of the world’s most famous cemeteries. The 44-hectare space contains over 70,000 burial plots throughout a large English garden.

Some of the most famous people buried here include Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison.

We had a great time strolling around the cemetery, searching for the famous graves.

It’s totally free to enter and well worth visiting if you have the time of your Paris trip.

Make sure you take a photo of the map at the entrance to help find the graves.

How to visit? – The easiest way to get to the cemetery is on the Paris Metro system. The stops are Père Lachaise (lines 2 and 3) or Gambetta (line 3).

MONTPARNASSE CEMETERY

The Montparnasse Cemetery serves as the final resting place of several of France’s most celebrated writers, artists, philosophers and political figures.

Covering 19 hectares, it’s set among lush greenery with pathways meandering through the labyrinth of tombs and monuments.

Some of the notable residents include Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett and Auguste Rodin.

How to visit – It’s free to enter, and the cemetery is open From 8 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday, and 9 am to 5:30 pm Sunday.

PLACE DES ABBESSES

Place des Abbesses is a charming square in Montmartre with a village-like atmosphere.

There are plenty of cool boutiques, cafes, and bistros to check out as well as one of the few original Art Nouveau metro entrance signs.

This was our favourite area to hang out in Paris, especially on weekend mornings, as the second-hand market was coming to life.

Don’t miss the Wall of Love just off Jehan Rictus Square, featuring 612 tiles with the phrase “I love you” in 250 languages.

SAINT GERMAIN DES PRÉS

Nowhere feels more quintessentially Paris than Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

This arty district on the left bank has cobbled streets lined with luxury boutiques, antique stores, classy galleries, and stylish cafes.

We stayed in Saint Germain des Prés on our last trip and really enjoyed the area. For more tips on where to stay, read our Paris accommodation guide.

Don’t miss Cour du Commerce Saint-André, a picturesque passageway with lively cafes.

MARCHÉ AUX PUCES DE ST-OUEN

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is a sprawling flea market on the northern edges of Paris.

It’s the largest second-hand market in the world, with an eclectic array of antiques, vintage goods, furniture, and unique finds.

One of the best areas of the market is Marché Paul Bert Serpette. It’s the trendiest section with fine furniture, art, and decorative items.

This is quite a different side to Paris and one that we recommend you visit to see just how diverse the city is.

FREE NOTABLE LANDMARKS

SALLE OVALE

The stunning Oval Room (Salle Ovale) in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France Library opened to the public in 2023. It has ceiling-height bookshelves and ornamental arches under a 44-meter-long glass roof.

It’s free to enter and look through any of the 20,000 works available to everyone. There are 160 seats where you can take a quiet moment to read with no advanced booking required.

For comic book fans, this is a dream location. They have over 9,000 titles which you can browse through completely free of charge.

How to visit – Salle Ovale is open from 10 am to 8 pm Tuesday, and 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday to Sunday. It’s closed on Monday. Address: 58 rue de Richelieu, 75002

NOTRE DAME

Following the devastating fire in 2019, Notre Dame has finally re-opened to the public, and it is again completely free to enter.

It’s a magnificent example of French Gothic architecture with a rich history spanning over 850 years.

We haven’t been back to Paris since it re-opened, so we’d love to hear about your visit in the comments.

How to visit – It’s free to enter. However, you can reserve a timed entry (for free) to avoid the queue at busier times. Notre Dame is open from 7:45 AM – 7:00 PM Monday to Friday and 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday and Sunday.

CENTRE POMPIDOU OBSERVATION DECK

The Pompidou Centre stands out in Le Marais, famous for its inside-out design.

The plumbing, air vents, and cables form the outside of the building, providing complete flexibility over the internal layout.

There’s an excellent gallery inside, the Musée National d’Art Moderne, but you can also visit the roof completely free of charge.

How to visit? – You don’t need to book a slot; just use the regular entrance, then head up to the 6th floor for panoramic views of Paris. It’s not the best view in Paris, but it’s probably the best free one.  

Free entry to the museum – The permanent collection in the Musée National d’Art Moderne is free on the first Sunday of every month.

EGLISE SAINT EUSTACHE

Saint-Eustache Church is a magnificent Gothic church renowned for having the largest pipe organ in France.

We’d walked past the church on previous visits to Paris but finally went in on our last trip, and we weren’t disappointed. The interior is classical Renaissance, and it’s an awe-inspiring place to visit.

There are organ recitals on Sundays at 5 pm where you can hear the world-renowned instrument being put through its paces.  

How to visit? – Visiting the church and attending the organ recitals are both free. Arrive at around 4:45 pm for the recital to get a seat near the console.

SACRÉ-CŒUR

The Romano-Byzantine Basilica of Sacré-Cœur offers a picture-postcard Paris experience with excellent views across the city.

The interior of the church is free of charge, where you can admire the ceiling which is decorated with the largest mosaic in France.

The climb up to the dome is one of the best things to do in Paris, but unfortunately, it’s not free.

Nonetheless, the views from the steps at the front of the church offer incredible views of the Paris skyline.

GALLERIES LAFAYETTE HAUSSMANN

The flagship location of this upmarket department store is an iconic shopping experience. But even if you’re not here to shop, the Art Nouveau building is topped by a shimmering glass dome, which looks particularly festive at Christmas.

It’s also free to head up to the roof for one of the best, free views of Paris.

Location: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009

ARC DE TRIOMPHE

Built to commemorate French military victories, the colossal arch stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

Although you need tickets to go to the top, which is well worth doing, you can visit the base of the arch to see the eternal flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier free of charge.

You can also admire the intricate carvings and stunning statues on the façade.

One of the best ways to capture it is by strolling along the Champs-Élysées.

EGLISE DE LA MADELEINE

Église de la Madeleine is a neoclassical church, planned by Louis XV as the main focal point in what is now the 8^th arrondissement.

It’s free to enter and explore the interior. However, it’s not overly decorative inside.

The building is most impressive when viewed from the outside. Built like a Greek temple, the façade is adorned with 52 Corinthian columns.

OTHER FREE THINGS WE LIKE

BOUQUINISTES & SHAKESPEARE & CO BOOK COMPANY

The iconic book stalls along the Seine River are an unmissable part of the Parisian landscape.

Over 200 booksellers offer vintage books, prints, historical illustrations, engravings, and collectables. They are so important to the culture of Paris that they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

You can also visit the Shakespeare and Co Bookstore, a happy hunting ground for book lovers in Paris.

MARCHÉ AUX FLEURS

The Flower Market on the Seine, just near Notre Dame, sells rare and unusual flowers in grand pavilions dating back to the 1900s.

The huge selection of seasonal flowers, exotic orchids, and shrubs makes it popular with locals picking up some colour for their living rooms. For visitors, it’s a wonderful free thing to do in Paris.

Location: Place Louis Lépine – Quai de la Corse, 75004