If you are planning a visit to the French capital, you already know that it will be quite an expensive visit. Here’s what to do in Paris to discover the best of Parisian culture without spending a cent!
Say good morning to the Mona Lisa
Believe it or not, you can explore the most famous museum in the world for free! If you are a member of the European Union and are under 26, admission to the Louvre is free all year round. If not, you can always enter this museum for free on the first Sunday of each month, from October to March.
For something a little more contemporary, the Pompidou Center is always free for under 26s and free for the rest of the clientele on the first Sunday of each month. Most likely, the centerpiece is the structure of the building, with a sort of metal scaffolding structure that stands out in contrast to the nearby medieval architecture of the Marais district.
To tell you the truth, there are several free museums in Paris. You will find the complete list here .
A nice walk along the Canal St Martin
If you are passing through Paris in summer or winter, this place always offers peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is the ideal place to leave your thoughts aside, with its iron bridges, its paths covered with leaves and Parisians intent on relaxing along the canal sipping wine and sunbathing.
In summer, the municipality of Paris sets up children’s areas along the canal complete with puppet shows, sand fences and deck chairs, which will allow you to lie back and enjoy the Parisian sun in peace.
After relaxing for a while, head straight to Bar Ourcq and collect a set of iron bowls to play the most popular game in France ‘Pétanque’. The rental petanque set is free and will give you the chance to meet your Parisian best friend along the banks of the canal.
Discover the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty in New York has a rather interesting historical background. Designed by the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it was sent in 1986 as a gift to the United States to celebrate 100 years of independence.
The French were so sad to see the Great Green Goddess emigrate to North America that they decided to build replicas across the nation. Many of these replicas, some of the best, can be found on the streets of Paris and are free to visit. The most famous and visited of these replicas in the capital was built by Bartholdi for the Universal Exposition of 1900; you can now find the replica of this statue inside the magnificent courtyard of the Orsay Museum .
Another replica of this statue, around 36 feet tall, is located on an artificial island in the center of the Grenelle Bridge, with a stunning Eiffel Tower standing out on the horizon. To see the original 6-foot-tall bronze model of this famous Bartholdi sculpture, head to the Museum of Arts et Metiers (free admission for all on Thursdays after 6pm).
Finally, you’ll find an 11-foot-tall replica of the symbol of freedom at the north edge of the Ponte de l’Alma. Originally given by the United States as a symbol of the 100th anniversary of the Statue sent to New York, today this monument is considered a memorial in honor of Lady Diana who lost her life here during the terrible car accident in 1996.
A respectful visit to celebrities in the Père Lachaise Cemetery
Located in the 20th arrondissement in the eastern part of the city, Père Lachaise is the most visited cemetery in Paris and probably the whole world. Once you find out which famous people rest in peace around here, you won’t be surprised by so much popularity.
Édith Piaf, Yves Montand, Chopin, Molière, Gertrude Stein, Alfred de Musset and Marcel Proust are the most popular graves. At the top of the Top List we find the tombstones of Jim Morrison (whose tomb is constantly decorated with bottles of Jack Daniels and cigarettes) and the tomb of Oscar Wilde, embellished with love messages and kisses printed with lipstick.
These graves are often difficult to find, so be sure to download the graveyard map online to avoid having to pay for it once you get there.
Discover the city on wheels
There is no better way than inline skates to explore the streets of Paris far and wide.
The Pari Roller came to life in 1994, going from a small fashion of roller lovers to becoming a real weekly event with hundreds of people in tow. This free tour is aimed at both beginner and more experienced skaters and, weather permitting, the meeting is scheduled every Friday at 10pm at Place Raoul Dautry next to the Montparnasse metro stop. If you prefer to skate in daylight, the Rollers & Coquillages company offers tours very similar to those at night with a fixed departure every Sunday at 2 pm next to the Bastille metro stop.
It is a fun way to discover Paris with local experts ready to lead the group through the streets of the center but also through the less traveled and known streets of the city. Better still when police cars patrol the areas, ensuring traffic is blocked and, consequently, a rollercoaster tour in peace and safety.
If you are not equipped with roller skates, at the starting point you will find many people with spare skates ready to borrow or, you can also rent them directly from the tour organizers for a few euros. It’s a small price to pay for a truly great city tour.
Free food
They say there is nothing better than a free lunch, what about a free dinner in the French capital?
A surprising number of Paris restaurants and bars offer free food. Discover Moroccan hospitality and exquisite cuisine by tasting a good plate of couscous with sausage served with every drink consumed at the Les Trois Frères bar in the African quarter every Thursday. Alternatively, you can head to the Tribal Café in the 10th arrondissement, which offers mussels and fries with every drink on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 9pm.
You’ll still find the best of these no-cost goodies at Lockwood , a gorgeous bar in the heart of Paris. With low lights and spartan decor, this venue is renowned for its delicious Italian aperitivo. The gourmet experience starts at 6pm every evening. Buy a Negroni and take advantage of the open buffet of croutons, cold cuts and other Italian specialties. Ease digestion with a visit to the cellars of the same place for generous free wine tastings.
Dance until dawn
Finding free-entry nightclubs in Paris is not a mission impossible. The difficulty lies in finding free and excellent places at the same time that one would almost want to pay to enter!
If Rock-Electronic music flows in your veins, Chez Moune in the noisy Pigalle area is the place for you. The queue to get in is always long, but the neon-lit dance floor and the bar’s modest prices are worth the wait.
At the top of the impressive art complex along the Seine (complete with boutiques, restaurants, exhibition centers and the Institut Français de la Mode fashion school) you’ll find the Nuba . This relatively new club located on a terrace is original, with a rather flexible dress code, different types of customers and often free entry. Come here to experience great bar food, exceptional performances by the biggest names in international dance music, and unrivaled views of the Parisian skyline.
Find out more tips for sightseeing for free on the momondo blog .
