Paris can be as expensive as you let it be, but its essential character — the grand boulevards, the river, the café-lined corners — costs nothing at all to soak up. Beyond the ticketed monuments there is a whole city to enjoy on foot, and even some of the famous museums open their doors for free at certain times. Here are some of the best ways to see Paris on a budget without feeling you have missed out.
Free things to do
Stroll the banks of the Seine
The riverside walkways, quays and bridges are among the great free pleasures of Paris. The stretch through the historic centre, past the Île de la Cité and its neighbouring island, is especially lovely on foot, and there is always something happening along the water.
Explore Montmartre
The hilltop district crowned by the white domes of the Sacré-Cœur basilica keeps a village-like feel, with steep, winding lanes, small squares and artists at work. From its steps you get a sweeping free view out over the rooftops of the city.
See Notre-Dame and its island
The great Gothic cathedral sits on the Île de la Cité at the very heart of the city. Admiring its exterior and wandering the surrounding island, with its quiet corners and riverside benches, costs nothing.
Wander the parks and gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries and larger green spaces such as the Bois de Vincennes are all free to enjoy, and are exactly where Parisians themselves go to relax on a fine day. Take a book, or simply watch the city at rest.
Window-shop and people-watch
From the grand seasonal displays of the big department stores to the small boutiques of the Marais, browsing — and simply sitting at a pavement café to watch the city go by — is a very Parisian and pleasingly low-cost pastime.
Père Lachaise cemetery
This vast, atmospheric cemetery is the resting place of many famous figures and is free to walk. Its cobbled, tree-lined avenues make it feel as much a park as a monument, and it is a peaceful escape from the busier streets.
Neighbourhoods and viewpoints
Some of the best free Paris is simply its neighbourhoods. The Marais rewards slow wandering among old mansions and narrow lanes; the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain are dense with bookshops and cafés; and the Canal Saint-Martin, in the north-east, is a relaxed spot to sit by the water. For a view that costs nothing, the steps of the Sacré-Cœur or the open space in front of the Trocadéro, looking across to the Eiffel Tower, both deliver — no ticket required.
Good to know
Some national museums offer free admission on certain days or to particular categories of visitor — worth checking before you set out — and many of the city's churches are free to enter and admire. Paris rewards walking, but it is a large city, so it helps to mix strolling with the Métro, and a reusable water bottle is handy in the warmer months. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else, since the best of the city is found on foot. As free-entry schemes, opening days and timings all change from time to time, confirm current details before you travel.