Paris – the city of love and home to world class art, world class wine and of course, world class food. There’s no denying that Paris is one of the Europe’s most expensive cities – and with so much culture, it’s expected. But fear not, if you want to visit Paris but are short of a penny or two – there are fun, interesting and cultural experiences that you can enjoy still enjoy. Below we take a look at 5 of our favourite Paris activities that will cost you nothing – that’s right, nothing!
5 free fun activities in Paris
1. Land on your feet, on a Sunday
Say hello to First free Sunday programme. Get the timing right and you could be seeing some of the most popular museums and cultural phenomenons for free. Among those included are The Louvre and Musee d’Orsay, along with a few lesser known but equally as impressive places like Albert-Kahn musée et jardins (a homage to gardens around the world) and the Musée de l’Assistance Publique, which celebrates the history of Paris hospitals. So you can see Paris in ways that perhaps you wouldn’t if you had plenty of money to go around – what’s not to love in this city of love.
2. Park yourself at Parc de la Villette
The French know cinema and this open-air cinema is proof of just that. Open throughout July and August – this open air theatre usually follows a theme and it’s a great communal, quirky event.
Image Source: Parisinfo
3. Visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Visiting Paris implies that at some point you will visit the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. It’s a sight to behold from both the inside and outside, and of course if you want to rub shoulders with the locals – outside the square is buzzing with local buskers and live bands to give you a real Paris feel.
Image Source: The Classy Traveler
4. Visit the Père Lachaise cemetery
Visit over 100 acres of graves, tombs and memorials and some of the world’s most famous graves. Jim Morrison from the Doors and Oscar Wilde are both buried here so although visiting a graveyard may not be on everyone’s to do list – it’s a great opportunity for fans to pay respect, and for everyone else – you can see some very over the top style tombs.
5. Take a walk in the many avenues
The sights and sounds of Paris are amongst the most pristine in the world. The architecture and general vibe of the city make for a beautiful walk, morning, noon or night. The French love to speak French, so if asking for directions and even striking up conversation – be sure you have a French handbook handy or maybe even a translation app to help you on your journey.
While you can certainly find lots to do in Paris for free, accommodation is a different story. Hotels in Paris can range from the basic budget hotels to the luxurious hotels that only the elite can afford. Whatever your budget, be sure to look for a hotel, hostel or guesthouse that locates you in a good area of the city. Paris is a very large city so be sure to stay somewhere that has easy access to those key areas you will want to get along to.