The cost of living keeps climbing, and all of us are looking for ways to travel without emptying our wallets. Paris is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it has plenty of free attractions that can make your trip fun and affordable. Among the city’s picturesque streets, stunning gardens and historical sites, you’ll find a wide range of activities and attractions, all free of charge. So if you’re dreaming of a trip to Paris but worried about the expenses, this article is exactly for you: all the best of Paris, without spending a single euro.
The Eiffel Tower: A Light Show
Why bother going up and standing in line? Every evening, as darkness falls, the Eiffel Tower is decked out in golden lights and sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour, with a searchlight cutting across the sky. We’re talking about no fewer than 20,000 light bulbs, which need about 25 miles of electrical cable to run. The last light show of the night happens at 11:00 p.m. It’s a great photo opportunity, completely free, and an impressive light show at the most iconic monument in Paris.
Notre-Dame Cathedral: A Look from the Outside
Notre-Dame Cathedral is an enormous stone building with groundbreaking architecture, designed to balance structural forces and prevent collapse. The architects used a number of techniques that required deep expertise, such as lightening the weight of the walls, incorporating large windows, adding supports to the facades and crossing the ribs of the vaults. It’s one of the most impressive monuments in Paris, and you can tour the exterior of the cathedral free of charge.
The cathedral reopened in December 2024 after its restoration, and visiting the interior is free as well.
A Walk Along the Champs-Élysées
You don’t have to go shopping on the Champs-Élysées! This famous avenue offers much more than luxury stores and glitzy boutiques. A walk along the Champs-Élysées is an experience in itself, full of magical Parisian atmosphere. The avenue, which stretches from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, offers stunning views of historic buildings, elegant cafés and well-kept gardens. You can enjoy a relaxed stroll along the avenue, watch tourists and locals go by, and experience the grandeur and glamour of Paris without spending a dime. On top of that, various free events take place on the Champs-Élysées throughout the year, like Christmas parades and live performances, which add to the special atmosphere of the place.
If you’re looking for a walking route along the Champs-Élysées, you can find one in the article The Champs-Élysées: A Walking Tour of the Famous (and Secret) Attractions.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
A little macabre, but why not? Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris, spread over about 110 acres. Among others, it’s the resting place of Chopin, Édith Piaf (1915-1963), Marcel Proust, Marcel Marceau, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and more.
Père Lachaise Cemetery sits in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, and it also has memorials from World War I. It’s a pleasant, quiet and distinctive option that won’t cost you a thing. And if you’re afraid of ghosts, you won’t be alone there: Père Lachaise draws about 3.5 million visitors a year.
If you’d like to read more about this cemetery, feel free to check out my article on Père Lachaise.
Parc Monceau and Its Promenade
This public park sits in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and covers about 20 acres. It’s one of the most elegant parks in Paris, and it blends beautifully into the neighborhood around it. A walk through the park will bring you past several attractions, including statues of Guy de Maupassant, Frédéric Chopin, Charles Gounod and Ambroise Thomas, lovely trees and a chance to birdwatch (there’s also a large pond).
The park is surrounded by beautiful mansions, and next to it stands the Musée Cernuschi, which showcases Asian art. The park also has play areas for kids, making it a great free option for families traveling in Paris.
Want to read more about this charming park? Check out my article on Parc Monceau.
The Sacré-Cœur
A free visit to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, in the heart of Montmartre, is a wonderful experience. The basilica, perched on a high hill, offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. Entry to the basilica itself is free (climbing up to the dome costs money), and you can take in the architecture, the stunning mosaics and the quiet, spiritual atmosphere of the place.
I highly recommend visiting in the evening as well, when Paris is lit up in magical lights. Nighttime gives the basilica and the whole Montmartre neighborhood a romantic, distinctive atmosphere, and the view from the dome becomes even more beautiful under the Parisian night sky.
A Picnic Along the Canal Saint-Martin
Okay, so food costs money, but it’s still a lot cheaper than sitting down at a restaurant. Stock up on an assortment of pastries, cheeses and a bottle of wine, and head out at sunset for dinner along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.
Musée Carnavalet: A Free Visit
It’s great that my favorite museum in Paris also happens to be free! I’m talking of course about Musée Carnavalet, located in the heart of the Marais, which gives you a glimpse into the fascinating history of the City of Light. The museum underwent an extensive renovation in recent years and reopened in 2022, and visiting it is an experience you shouldn’t miss.
By the way, if you’re looking for more free museums, I recommend checking out the museums page on my site.
Place de la Concorde
Another option is a free visit to Place de la Concorde, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The square is one of the most historic and impressive spots in the city. It sits between the Tuileries Garden and the Champs-Élysées, and it offers a wealth of attractions. At the center of the square stands the striking Luxor Obelisk, a gift to Paris in the 19th century. Around the square you’ll also find magnificent fountains, built in the style of classic Roman fountains.
I recommend visiting the square during the day to enjoy the impressive architecture and the panoramic views, though evenings work too, when the square is lit up with beautiful lights and offers a romantic, distinctive atmosphere. The square is within walking distance of the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Garden, so you can combine your visit with other sites in the area. Place de la Concorde is also a great starting point for exploring the Champs-Élysées or taking a walk along the Seine.
You can read more about the square and its history in the article Place de la Concorde: Visitor Information.
Looking for More Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Paris?
Here are two articles that can help you spend less during your trip to the City of Light:
- Budget hotels in Paris: these are relatively inexpensive hotels, but ones that won’t make you feel like you’re staying in a dive.
- Paris on a budget: an article with even more ways to save money in Paris.
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