Paris On A Budget: Top 35 Things To Do In Paris For Free!

If you long to see Paris but have a smaller budget and need free ideas, this post is for you!

I’ve had several people tell me that they have gone into credit card debt because they wanted to take a trip to Paris. I get that it is a dream destination, but I am here to plead with you to not go into debt for it! You can stay on budget in Paris with these top free things to do.

I’ve been to Paris in many different seasons of my life. From a broke college student to a semi-broke married couple to taking in the finer things of Paris with my girlfriends. I have experienced Paris in many different financial states!

Because I’ve been broke in Paris numerous times, I’ve been fortunate enough to gather a list of the free things to do. With this list, you’ll be exploring The City of Lights extensively without opening your wallet.

Grab your favorite pastry (Costco croissants are pretty good 🙂 ) and start planning your budgeted trip to Paris with these free suggestions below!

🇫🇷 Beautiful Places In Paris That Are Free

Idea #1 – Montmartre

You thought I was going to start out with the Eiffel Tower, didn’t you? I’ll get to Lady Eiffel, but my first suggestion is one that a lot of people miss when in Paris. I can’t have that be you so its going first on my list.

Montmartre is not only my favorite place in Paris, it is one of my favorite places in the world! Called “The Painter’s Neighborhood”, this area of Paris was home to none other than Picasso himself!

This neighborhood fits a budgeted trip to Paris perfectly as it is free to explore. Montmartre sits on a hill and has incredible views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Once you walk up all 222 steps, you’ll immediately be memorized by all of the artists that fill the square. From live portraits to finished paintings, you’ll have an array of artwork to explore.

This quaint neighborhood will make you feel like there is an artist in you too. In fact, it is what inspired me to create my own art for our local art crawl here in Nashville. I even called it “Momartre” as a play on words for “Mom Art” with a nod to Montmartre! (Check out Nashville’s art scene in my blog post here!)

These pics below aren’t of Paris, but of my art booth here in the Nashville area. I wanted to show you how Montmartre inspired me and what I did with that inspiration!

Ok back to Paris…

To make Montmartre even more memorizing, your senses will also be filled with live French music, the smell of cafés that surround the square and the sound of the bells tolling from the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.

Speaking of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, this church is free to tour and is an important part of Paris’ history. It is also where you can get some beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower!

Make sure you have plenty of time in Montmartre. Every time I go, I always wish I’d scheduled more time there. Spend time not only in the square with the live artists, but also stroll through the cobblestone streets taking in the views of the charming neighborhood.

While you are walking around, be on the lookout for unique art pieces. I always like seeing these faces coming out of the walls.

Also, go and find Picasso’s first studio for a photo op! You can find it at 49 Rue Gabrielle. There is a little plaque that you can take a picture in front of indicating that he lived there.

If you would rather do a tour, Montmartre Free Walking Tour is “pay what you wish.” I know if you are reading this post you have a budget for Paris and want the free stuff. However, don’t not tip or pay anything if you choose this service! Make sure you are fair in what you pay. (I have not done this tour but it gets really great ratings.)

If you find yourself in Montmartre at night, you’ll find that this little part of Paris takes on a romantic vibe. It’s even better if it rains as this whole area seems to have a quiet sparkle about it.

Do you see now why I listed Montmartre first? Everyone I have ever taken up to this part of Paris has said it is their favorite spot. It’s free, which keeps you on budget, so it’s a Paris must-do!

Free & Budget Friendly Eiffel Tower Experiences

Ok, I know you all want me to talk about Lady Eiffel, so here it goes! 🙂

While there is no getting around paying to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, there are other ways that you can experience it for free!

Idea #2 – Have A Picnic Underneath The Eiffel Tower

One of my best memories that I have in Paris with my husband was when we did a picnic dinner at the the base of the Eiffel Tower.

At this time in our lives, we were trying to position ourselves financially so that we could start a family. Every time we spent money, it put us further back in our goals.

Why were we in Paris then, you ask? I was there for work and my company paid for both Ben and I to be there (flights and hotel). However, meals and sight seeing were on us. We tried to do things the most free and budget-friendly way while also not leaving Paris feeling like we missed out.

With this, we tried to eat smart and not eat through our wallet. Our hotel had a breakfast so we took advantage of that and ate a huge breakfast every morning, skipped lunch and then had an early dinner.

We ate at many restaurants, however, nothing was as memorable as doing the picnic at the Eiffel Tower.

Once the stress of how much dinners were costing crept in, we decided to go to a local market and grab some items for the picnic. We grabbed a bottle of wine, goldfish crackers, cheese and a few meats. (The goldfish crackers are really showing how young we were here haha!)

At the base of the Eiffel Tower there is a large, public park called Champ de Mars. We set up our picnic there right before dusk. It wasn’t a fancy picnic. We used a large towel from the hotel and our shoes as wine glass holders lol.

We ate and people watched all with the Eiffel in the background. Then came the best part – being there for when the tower lit up for the night!

Every night when it becomes dark, every hour, on the hour, the Eiffel lights up and sparkles for 5 minutes. Times vary depending on the season, so make sure to look it up for when you are going to be there.

We met some people from South America and did photo swaps with them. It was such a sweet night and ended up being a really special memory.

Even if you do have money, I still suggest doing a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. It a more unique experience that many people don’t think to do. So grab some goodies at the local markets, get cozy on the lawn and bon appétit!

Idea #3 – Do A Photoshoot With The Eiffel Tower

You don’t have to pay to get amazing Eiffel Tower Instagram worthy shots. There are great free locations around Paris where she stands tall in the background and keeps you on budget.

When I was planning my girls trip to Paris, I thought it would be fun to do some glam shots. My outfits weren’t expensive. In fact, my red dress that you see below was only $11!

Whether or not you want to do fancy pics, plan a day visiting the spots listed below to get different angle pictures. The earlier that you go to these places, the better. (Lots of pick-pocketing happens near the Eiffel, so keep a close eye on your belongings!)

• Place du Trocadero
• Champs De Mars
• Avenue de New York
• Pont Alexander III
• Various stopping points along the Seine River
• Pont d’Lena
• Rue de L’Universite
• Eiffel Tower Carousel
• Pont De Bir Hakeim
• Avenue de Camoens
• Rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette Mall

Here are just a few angles that I have snapped over the years. Some of these photos are before I knew I was going to blog so the picture quality isn’t great. Regardless of the quality, you can still see that there are lots of varied angles to get of the Eiffel. Another win for staying on budget in Paris with these free photo ops!

Idea #4 – Shakespeare & Company Bookstore

The time has come for me to share with you one of my most favorite places in Paris – Shakespeare & Company Bookstore! There are so many reasons why I love this place; however, I want to start with something personal.

There have been two places where I hid away from the world after something tragic happened in my life. The first was in a small little surfing town in California after I lost my first baby due to a miscarriage. The second was here, at Shakespeare & Co., after I lost my beloved cousin in a car wreck.

I found out about this bookstore from the movie ‘Midnight in Paris’ with Owen Wilson. After I saw it in the movie, I started researching the bookstore. I fell in love with the things that I read about it!

While on my girls trip to Paris, I slipped out of our Airbnb one morning and went to the bookstore by myself. The girls told me that they wanted to sleep in so it was a perfect time for me to scoot out without anyone knowing. (I left them a note saying not to wait for me if they woke up. I told them where I was and that I would catch up with them later.)

When I first arrived, the bookstore wasn’t open just yet. They have a coffee shop next to the bookstore so I grabbed a coffee and a donut and waited.

I had read that lines to enter the bookstore can get really long. I wanted to get there as soon as it opened to avoid this. When it opened, there were only a few of us waiting. It was a huge blessing to have the bookstore almost to myself.

I knew that I didn’t want to just walk through like all of the other tourists though. I wasn’t here just to say that I’ve been here. Deep, quality time in this space was what I was looking for. I needed to read and write within its walls and be a part of the building’s history.

I went upstairs and found a small room with an old chair and table at a window. The view from the window – Notre Dame! I truly felt that no one knew where I was and I was hidden away. (In the photo above, you can see where I was – its the 2nd story window with the lights on.)

I pulled out my notepad and began to write. The words flowed out about my cousin, Saxzonee, dying and all of the emotions that I had built up inside of me for a couple of weeks. I had asked Saxzonee to go on this girls trip to Paris just a month before she passed. And now I was sitting in Shakespeare & Co. writing about her death.

I would write for awhile and then stare out the window then write some more. Eventually, when I felt that I said all that I could say, I decided to draw on my sketchpad the view from that window. No pictures are allowed inside Shakespeare & Co. so I thought this would be a great way for me to remember what I was seeing. It was all so therapeutic.

As the morning became closer to lunchtime, more and more tourists started coming in. People who were just passing through though. They’d peak their heads inside the room and quickly walk away feeling like they got to experience this historic bookstore. I’m happy for them and their experience, but I know that what I was able to get was hundredfold.

So whether you are going to just peek around, read or write in it, or just purchase a book, I think this old bookstore is an absolute must when you are in Paris!

Plus, its free and will keep you on budget while in Paris! (Sans any books that you want to purchase.) I purchased several fiction chapter books that I have since read aloud to my kids. Even though they are older (9 and 12) and can read, I wanted this to be an experience for them. I want them to remember their mom buying books in Paris and reading them out loud to them.

If you do purchase any books, Shakespeare & Co. will stamp the book with their logo and address. Having a book stamped with ‘Paris’ as the address is fun. It can be a souvenir that you bring home with you.

The history of this place is pretty remarkable. It has housed great writers like Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and the Scott Fitzgerald. I hope one day people will visit the bookstore and say, “This is where Natasha wrote!”

With that, one thing that I absolutely love about this place is that it has something called a “Tumbleweed” program. This is where non-published writers have the chance of actually living at this bookstore’s apartment FOR FREE!

The founder, George Whitman, called himself a “tumbleweed”. He traveled the world and in his words, “Blowing from place to place, sheltered by the grace of the strangers I met.”

He lived by the motto ‘Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise’. This quote can be found on the wall inside the bookshop. Living by his words, he opened his doors to aspiring writers who asked for a bed.

The maximum time to be a “tumbleweed” is a month. A month in Paris for free writing about budget travel (and other things) is a goal of mine. Stay tuned, my friends. Lord willing, this dream will become a reality.

Until then, I hope that you enjoy this Parisian bookstore and find your own special story with it too.

Idea #5 – Mouffetard Market

I discovered Mouffetard Market on my 2nd trip to Paris with my husband. We didn’t have a lot of money so we just wandered the streets to see what we could find. (This is before iPhones and GPS so we were truly wandering lol!) It was a true blessing to just happen upon the Mouffetard Market!

When I took my girlfriends to Paris, this was one of the places that I put on our itinerary right away. This Paris trip wasn’t necessarily a budget trip, but I still included it on our itinerary as I love this free market!

Ever since the medieval days, farmers would bring their goods to this street and sell to those who lived in the city. It is fun to meander through the shops and the stalls. You’ll find things like fresh produce, cheeses, meats, dried fruits, etc. I especially liked watching the fromagerie vendors!

Speaking of cheeses, make sure to visit ANDROUET Mouffetard. This is one of the premier fromageries in Paris with over 200 cheeses!

Ernest Hemmingway lived on Mouffetard and wrote, “That wonderful narrow crowded market street which led into the Place Contrescarpe.” Make sure to go find his building. It has a plaque for a photo op.

Have fun, get your steps in and purchase stuff around the market for your Eiffel Tower picnic!

Idea #6 – Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg was another random find that my husband and I stumbled upon. Even though I think most people know about it, we didn’t at the time and we were treated to a beautiful surprise!

You will find gardens inspired by Boboli Gardens in Florence, a large pond, orchards, 106 statues, and the Luxembourg Palace. This palace was built to be the royal residence of Louis XIII’s mother, Marie de’ Medici. If this doesn’t make you second guess if you are doing enough for your mom or not, I don’t know what will lol!

When my husband and I stumbled upon the gardens, I was happy to see that there were chairs where we could sit and take it all in while we rested. We had walked a ton that day so sitting in the sun and people watching here was awesome.

I took my friends back to the gardens when we went on our girls trip also. Even though it was December and their weren’t a lot of flowers, there was still a lot of life there for us to view.

We just happened to come upon a parade through the gardens so that was a fun surprise as well. I especially loved watching this one particular musician entertain a little girl (see photo below). Watching her dance with her balloon to the sound of French music playing was just so precious and a cute memory.

There are many things to keep both adults and kids entertained including puppet shows, slides, chess, tennis and even remote boats in the pond. These budget-friendly gardens are free to walk around so go and see this gem while you are in Paris!

Idea #7 – The Tuileries Gardens

Dating back to the 1600s, the Tuileries Gardens border the Seine River and the Louvre Museum. Between the months of March – December, if you speak French, you can enjoy a free tour that will cover the garden’s history.

If you don’t speak French, you still have access to the gardens for free year round. You can enjoy a casual stroll taking in the beauty and even some works by Monet!

Idea #8 – Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville is Paris’ City Hall and it is absolutely stunning! You definitely don’t want to miss out on seeing this beauty.

If you are there at Christmas time, they turn the area in front of city hall into a winter wonderland. They light up the building and have tons of decorations. If it isn’t Christmas, I still definitely think you should walk over and appreciate the architecture of the building. Inside will be open during business hours and/or for special events. Inside you can see stunning Salles des Fetes (translates to ‘Event Hall’ in English), the beautiful staircase, salons dedicated for the arts & sciences, and the ballroom!

As Paris’ government building, it is free entry and budget-friendly!

Idea #9 – Visit The Churches Of Paris For Free

Some of the most incredible architectural work can be found on the churches of Paris and entry is free to almost all of them, keeping you on budget!

I’m not Catholic, but it is hard to not admire the architecture of some of the Catholic buildings. A few that are notable are, of course, Notre Dame, Sainte-Etienne-du-Mont (for any of my Midnight in Paris movie fans, this church was featured in that film), Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, St. Eustatius, and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.

When my girlfriends and I did our girls trip to Paris, one of the things that we loved was going Hillsong Paris and worshiping the Lord in French. None of us speak French, but they played songs that we play here in the U.S. and had the words up on the screen. It was a really beautiful moment and reminded me of how the Bible says that there will be people from every nation and every tongue in Heaven. We got to experience a little glimpse of that as we were surrounded by worship in another language. (They had headsets available for English translation also.)

I didn’t take many photos of our time there, but I did go live during the worship so you can find that by clicking here.

Hillsong Paris doesn’t have the big, beautiful buildings like the Catholic churches do. In fact, it is actually inside of a shopping center. However, their hearts are for Jesus and it is warm and welcoming inside. Highly recommend!

This next church suggestion is The American Cathedral of Paris as it hits those that are on a tight budget perfectly with their free sandwich ministry!

At first, I thought this might be a ministry feeding the homeless. However, after reading more about it, I really don’t think so. Their own website says, “This ministry nourishes volunteers and guests alike with much-needed food and fellowship.” (Source: https://amcathparis.com/programs)

Food & fellowship is something that we all need! So stay on budget by swinging by the American Cathedral of Paris and meet new friends over a free lunch! (Served on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10:30am-1:30pm. Its first come, first served so I’d get there early.)

There are so many churches it would be hard to list them all. Plan a self-guided tour by mapping out which ones you’d like to visit. You could spend a significant amount of time seeing the churches of Paris without spending a dime!

#10 – Arènes de Lutèce et square Capitan

When in the Latin Quarter, you can visit the Arènes de Lutèce et square Capitan unrestricted and for free. This arena is listed as a historic monument. It was built between the 1st and 2nd centuries and is the only remains of the Gallo-Roman period still visible in Paris.

Visitors can still see the location of the actors’ dressing room, the stage and the features of this arena that used to seat 15,000 people!

Idea #11 – The Promenade Plantee

If you have ever been to New York and walked the High Line, then you’ll know exactly what I’m describing as I go over the Promenade Plantee. 🙂 However, the Promenade Plantee came before the High Line and is the world’s first elevated park.

This public park was once a viaduct. A viaduct is a bridge supported by arches that was elevated to carry trains over valleys or low-lying ground. In 1993, Paris renovated the viaduct into the Promenade where you can walk nearly 3 miles above the city street.

The promenade has greenery all throughout and even little gardens and pools to relax by. At the end of the line are 45 old arches that are now artisan shops. You’ll find anything from glass-blowers to violin makers to furniture stores in these arches! So take a stroll along the Promenade Plantee for a free, budget-friendly Paris afternoon!

Idea #12 – The Bibliothèque Nationale de France

I am a sucker for an awesome library. I have visited many libraries in the world so that it is why it is so shocking that I haven’t been to the French National Library yet!

Even though I haven’t personally been yet, I wanted to list it because it is free to visit and the photos look beautiful. I will definitely add this to my list for the next time I’m in Paris. (I’m going to visit a beautiful library in Austria next month and I’m so excited about it! More to come on that later.)

🇫🇷 Paris Museums For Free

Idea #13 – The Louvre For Free

So you want to see Mona Lisa’s smile but the cost to get into the Louvre is not making you smile, right? Well, I’ve got some options for you to stay in your Paris travel budget while exploring the biggest museum in the world for free!

The Paris Louvre for free option #1:

Even if you have been on the Louvre’s website, the information about how to get in for free is buried pretty deep and could definitely be missed. But they do have some options! Their website says:

Admission is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August) and on 14 July (unless it falls on a Tuesday, when the museum is closed).

So if you are there during a first Friday, take advantage of this and do an evening museum visit! Great chance to pretend you are in the movie, Night at the Museum haha!

Louvre for free option #2:

So this one may not apply to everyone; however, there are some people who can get into the Louvre for free anytime. Check the list below (from the Louvre’s website) to see if you match any of the following:

• All visitors under the age of 18 and 18-25 year-old residents of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein)
• Teachers of art, art history, and the applied arts (proof of subject taught required)
• Artists affiliated to the Maison des Artistes (in France) or the IAA (International Association of Art)
• Holders of a valid ICOM or ICOMOS card
• Job seekers and people on income support, on presentation of proof of entitlement (dated within the last year or indicating a period of validity)
• Visitors with disabilities and the person accompanying them

Let’s expand on the International Association of Art just a little bit. This is a new concept to me and something that I wish I would have known sooner. If you are an artist, visit The IAA’s website and see if you can apply to have an IAA card which will get you into many art museums across the world for free, including the Louvre!

Side notes about the Louvre:

Even if you fit the listed categories above, it is still highly suggested to book a time slot in advance to make sure that you can get into the museum.

The Louvre is massive and there is so much to see other than the Mona Lisa so make sure you have lots of time to explore!

From the ancient stone pillars holding the Louvre up to the jewels that adorned the kings and queens of France, you don’t have to be artsy to be blown away by all of these exhibits!

#14 – Maison de Balzac

“Men will rate you according to your usefulness, and not according to your worth.” – Honoré de Balzac, Lily of the Valley.

This museum featuring the life, writings and artwork of French novelist and playwright, Honoré de Balzac, is located in one of his only homes that still remains today. It was here that Balzac wrote ‘La Comédie humaine’.

Keeping you on budget, go visit this Paris museum as it is free to all visitors. It even has a coffee shop and a view of the Eiffel Tower!

Idea #15 – 59 Rivoli – Free Modern Art Exhibits

There are many buildings in Paris that stand out, and 59 Rivoli is one of them!

As you are walking down Rue de Rivoli, you’ll notice that this building has artwork screaming that this is a building full of creatives. (Photos below from 59 Rivoli’s IG page).

Known as an artist squat, it houses 30 artists-in-residence that have regularly changing exhibits and themes.

It is free to the public and gets great reviews so it is definitely a great way to experience Paris’ current artists on a budget!

Idea #16 – Musée Carnavalet – A Free History Museum Of Paris

Oh I wish I had known about this free museum when I was in Paris last! I think my girlfriends and I would have loved to have seen it. I will definitely be putting it on my list for the next time I visit though.

The Musée Carnavalet mansions date back to the 16th and 17th century and is dedicated to the history of Paris. Starting from Paris’ origins to modern day, the collections range from medieval and Gallo-Roman archeological finds, items from the French Revolution, paintings, art and furniture over the years.

Check out this free museum and I’ll make sure I do as well next time I’m in Paris! Check out these few images I grabbed from the https://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/ website.

Idea #17 – Musée Bourdelle

If you like sculptures, Musée Bourdelle is a great museum for you to visit.

With over 500 plasters, marbles and bronzes, this museum features the artwork of Antoine Bourdelle, the man who was responsible for the decor of the Champs-Elysées Theatre.

Free to the public!

Idea #18 – Musée Cognacq-Jay

If you want to see how a mansion in Paris was decorated in the 18th century, then Musée Cognacq-Jay is the museum for you!

This mansion itself is from the 16th century, but is adorned with pieces from the Age of Enlightenment. From the courtyard to the porcelain pieces throughout, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time visiting the Musée Cognacq-Jay.

Permanent exhibit is free to all guests!

Idea #19 – Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris

The treasures that Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris holds are many and you can see all of them for free!

Some of the things that you’ll find here are collections of Greek vases, Flemish and Dutch paintings based around Rembrandt’s famous Self-Portrait with a Dog, a magnificent collection of French paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, Renaissance decorative arts, and even a rare collection of Nordic drawings!

Idea #20 – Free Science Museum Featuring Paris’ Marie Curie

If you haven’t ever seen the show Timeless, then this is your cue to do so! It is because of this show, specifically episode 1 of season 2, that I visited the Musée Curie when I was in Paris with my girlfriends.

I honestly didn’t know anything about Marie Curie until that episode, but after I saw it, I knew I wanted to learn more about her. She was an incredible woman and was the first person to win two Nobel prizes!

The museum celebrates Marie Curie as she pioneered research on radioactivity, including the discovery of the elements polonium and radium.

Marie Curie was also known for developing mobile X-ray units during WWI. She then took these mobile X-ray machines to battlefield hospitals so that doctors could locate bullets, shrapnel, and fractures in the wounded soldiers.

Make sure you stop by this free museum to see some of her machines, writings and lab where she worked!

Idea #21 – Maison de Victor Hugo

Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, written by Victor Hugo, are some of the most known French writings in the world so it would be a shame not to pay tribute to them while you are in Paris!

You can do so by visiting the museum that was once Hugo’s home, the Maison de Victor Hugo. The museum showcases his rich collections and the author himself.

If you are a writer, like I am, then putting yourself in places where great authors wrote feels so inspiring!

Take a journal with you and sit in either the cafe or garden and see what comes to your paper. Who knows, it could be just as wonderful as Les Mis! If you do, I want credit for pushing you to write in the inspirational Hugo home! 😉

This Paris gem stays within budget as it is another free museum!

Idea #22 – Musée de la Vie Romantique

Currently closed for renovations until 2026, but if you are planning a trip after 2026 then add this beautiful museum to your list!

The public can explore this free museum that features paintings from artist Ary Scheffer that focus on the romantic period accompanied by furniture and jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Keeping with the beauty of the museum, they added a tea room and garden where guests can relax with delightful treats!

Idea #23 – Musée de la Légion d’honneur et des ordres de Chevalerie

This museum is different than all of the others but is a super cool way to explore France’s most honored men and women of valor.

The Musée de la Légion d’honneur et des ordres de Chevalerie features French and foreign awards and decorations from the Middle Ages (since Louis XI) to the present day, including many Napoleonic souvenirs.

Located in the Hôtel de Salm (built in 1782), the building also houses the Grand Chancellery of the Legion of Honour and is free to the public.

Idea #24 – La Maison Elysée

Wondering what goes on behind the scenes at Palais de l’Elysée, where the French presidents have resided since 1848?

Then checkout the La Maison Elysée – a free museum that gives you a peek inside that world through objects, portraits, and even a virtual reality immersive film!

Idea #25 – Paris Police Museum For Free

I’ve been to the Crime & Punishment Museum in Washington D.C. and it was one of my favorite museums so I will absolutely be putting the Musée de la Préfecture de police on my list for the next time that I am in Paris!

This museum features the great conspiracies, arrests, robberies, and criminal activity throughout French history. With documents, objects like weapons and uniforms, and other exhibits, this is a thrilling free museum to visit!

All I can keep thinking about is Pink Panther lol!

Idea #26 – Europa Experience

Located in the Paris City Center, the Europa Experience is one of 14 locations across Europe that is an interactive way to learn about the European Union.

This location in Paris has 3 floors that bring visitors unique experiences like featuring some of the EU’s successes and challenges through multimedia stations, augmented reality installations and a 360 degree cinema.

Idea #27 – Go To A Paris Art Auction For Free

No, you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a lamp shaped like a duck but you can be a spectator for free at one of the famous Bonham art auctions!

Check out their website to see when the auctions are happening and if you need to pre-register, as sometimes this is required.

🇫🇷 Paris Fashion For Free

Paris is one of the major fashion capitals of the world but you don’t have to be couture to enjoy French fashion. Check out these places in Paris where fashion is free!

Idea #28 – LV Dream

One of the most common names in the fashion world is Louis Vuitton. I personally don’t get the hype, but so many of you do and I’m writing for you, not me lol.

It’s pretty well-known that the biggest Louis Vuitton store in the world is located in Paris. While you can certainly go and browse for free, I’ve got an even better option for you.

Reserve a free ticket to the LV Dream where you can immerse yourself into a two-level exhibition of historical and contemporary models from LV’s collections!

In addition to the exhibits, there is also a cafe and a chocolaterie on site (no reservation needed). I wish I would have known about this spot when I took my girlfriends to Paris as a couple of them love LV! Guess we need to go back. 🙂

Idea #29 – Musée Yves Saint Laurent – A Paris Favorite For Free

Speaking of those friends who love LV, they also love YSL and picked up a handbag while on our trip.

However, if you are reading this blog, you are on a budget and this will not be your case. You are in good company though! While they were buying a YSL bag, I was carousing the thrift stores of Paris. There was one sweater that I liked but didn’t want to spend the 30 euros on it so ended up meeting up with them empty handed lol.

However, you can have a YSL experience too – and one that I think would make you richer by having it! That is by visiting the very spot that YSL himself worked for 3 decades at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.

This stunning museum is dripping in luxury. As you walk through the exhibits, you’ll see original sketches, mannequins, photos and other multimedia vignettes that traces YSL’s life and career. With 5,000 garments and 15,000 accessories, this museum should be at the top of any fashionista’s list – regardless if you have money or not!

Speaking of money – this museum is free to the following people: children under 10, art history students, students enrolled in fashion school, students in journalism, the unemployed and those earning the minimum wage, persons with disabilities and the persons accompanying them, refugees (upon presentation of an OFPRA proof), bearers of a professional journalist identity card, members of ICOM-ICOMOS, as well as professional and certified guides (upon presentation of a valid card).

Even if you don’t fall into one of the above categories, the price of the YSL museum admission is still really cheap at only 10 euros. I know that this isn’t free for all, but it is 99.9% cheaper than purchasing anything at the store and you’ll walk away learning more about the man and the brand!

Idea #30 – Free Paris Perfume Experience

What goes with looking good? Smelling good!

At the Musée du Parfum, you will learn the perfumery history, manufacturing techniques and even get to see perfume bottles from Ancient Egypt! It is a one-of-a-kind experience into the secrets of perfume making!

This Paris perfume museum is free and no reservation is required.

🇫🇷 Unique Shopping Experiences In Paris For Free

The words “Paris shopping” and “free” or “budget” may not seem like they can go together, but they can! You don’t have to have thousands of dollars to spend to get the Paris shopping experience. I should know! I’ve been to Paris plenty of times and have thoroughly enjoyed strolling around window shopping and taking in all of the beautiful shops without spending anything. So if you’ve got some self control, I highly suggest you go window shopping at these unique spots.

Idea #31 – Paris Thrift Stores

The day that my friends went to purchase their YSL bags, I decided to hang back by myself and check out some thrift stores. We were staying in the 4th arrondissement and there are quite a few thrift stores in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.

I know that you can find designer items at the thrift stores in Paris so I was on a hunt to see what I could find. However, I’m not really a designer girl so I had no clue what I was looking for haha.

I did find one sweater that I liked at FREE’P’STAR but didn’t want to spend 30 euroes on it so I didn’t end up getting anything while thrifting. It didn’t matter though, I had such a good time walking the beautiful streets and popping in and out of the thrift stores that I wasn’t really too concerned with if I bought anything or not.

I do suggest that you map out a few thrift stores before you head out to make sure that you are walking in order and not ping-ponging back and forth. Have fun and happy thrifting!

Idea #32 – Explore The Passages

The Passages are beautiful old fashioned shopping malls where you can meander for free. Little store fronts line up and down the halls and above you is a beautiful glass dome. It is perfect for a rainy afternoon!

There once were 183 Passages in Paris, but now only 25 stand. They all have their own special characteristics about them, but the one that gets the most attention is the the Galerie Vivienne. Vivienne attracts over 6 million visitors each year!

Idea #33 – The Bouquinistes of Paris

You’ve seen them on all of the movies that are in Paris, so why not go explore them yourself? That’s right, I’m talking about the second hand book stalls and artists stands that line the Seine River!

What you can find in these open-air shops are rare and antique books, postcards, paintings, and other unique items. There is a lot to explore as there are around 250 vendors!

This has become iconic with the Parisian landscape as literary entrepreneurs started lining the Seine River back in the mid-1500s! The history of these Bouquinistes is pretty incredible. The selling of books to the common people boomed after the French Revolution and business for these Bouquinistes went from selling books in wheelbarrows to the fastened stalls that you see today. The wait list to become one of the 250 Bouquinistes is 8 years! Mind blowing!

Hours range per vendor so just go and explore for free this Paris staple!

Idea #34 – The Paris Street Markets

I’ve already mentioned to you the Mouffetard Market, but there are other street markets all over Paris that are worth mentioning also.

While these markets are free to wander around in, good luck getting out of there without buying a little snack. But hey, you have to eat! 🙂 Those dried strawberries in the picture above were the absolute best dried fruit that I have ever eaten. I was so sad when they were gone!

While you can nibble your way through the market, it can also be completely free and just for your enjoyment if that is what your budget needs. You can find these markets all over the city. Some are only in the mornings while others run until dusk so just be sure to look up times before you head out.

Idea #35 – Free Paris Views From Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées

Everyone knows about the high-end shopping along the beautiful Champs Elysées; however, you may not know about the Galeries that also lie on that famous street.

Before I get into the Galeries, though, here are a couple of pictures of Champs Elysées because you most certainly can and should walk around and window shop this world-renowned avenue!

Getting back to the Galeries Lafayette, I mentioned it earlier in this post when talking about where to take photos of the Eiffel Tower. However, I didn’t go in depth about it and would like to make sure that I do that for you all.

While the avenue is a great place to walk around, it may not be ideal for all weather conditions. If it is too hot, too cold, or rainy outside, you can still get the high-end window shopping for free at the Galeries Lafayette since they are inside.

You’ll find this a unique experience as the building houses famous designers all within its art deco walls. If you are like me, you’ll do research here and then go try to find these items in the thrift stores haha!

The Galeries stand out from other shopping experiences…from their “smart hangers” to their glass dome, which had a Christmas tree hanging in it when we were there in December!

We’ve all experienced malls before, but another reason to visit this particular mall is for their rooftop terrace! It not only has views of the Eiffel, but also views of the famous Opera House and other notable Parisian structures. (The Opera House is one of my favorite places to visit but unfortunately isn’t free.)

There is even a Paris Je T’Aime sign – perfect for a picture with the Opera House and the Eiffel Tower in the background!

Get on over to this one-of-a-kind mall for another fun, free adventure in Paris and stay within your budget while visiting the City of Lights!

The Wrap Up

We here at The Free Life Travel are huge activists for living a debt-free life. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t travel. You just have to do it smart and we are here to help you with that. I hope that this list has provided you with some amazing options to stay on budget and experience Paris for free!

No, I didn’t discuss in this post how to get to Paris for cheap, but I have a guide that can help you learn how to get cheap and even free flights. My intentions with this post were to talk about all of the free things you can do once you are in Paris. So snag the free guide below and it will help you find cheap/free flights and cheap/free lodging. Once you have that secured, you can come back to this post and start planning your itinerary.

Stay on budget, my free-loving travel friends. Paris is spectacular and can be done for way less than what you probably have always thought!

Sign up to get the flight guide info emailed to you below:

Thanks for reading…now go live that Free Life, my friends!