Many people think Paris is an expensive city. They imagine luxury hotels, expensive restaurants, designer shops and famous museums.
But you do not need a big budget to enjoy Paris. Many beautiful places and activities are completely free.
You can walk along the Seine, visit famous monuments, explore nice neighborhoods, relax in parks and enjoy beautiful views of the city.
From Notre Dame Cathedral to the Arc de Triomphe, from Montmartre to Galeries Lafayette, Paris has many free things to see and do. Here are the top 10 free things to do in Paris.
A visit to Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the best free things to do in Paris. Located on Île de la Cité, in the historic heart of the city, Notre Dame is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world.
The cathedral is free to enter, and visitors can also make an optional free reservation online to help reduce waiting time. Even if you only admire it from the outside, Notre Dame Cathedral is a must-see.
Take time to walk around the façade, look at the towers, notice the sculptures, and enjoy the view from the banks of the Seine. It is also a great starting point for a free walking route through central Paris.
The Arc de Triomphe is another iconic Paris landmark that you can enjoy for free from the outside. Located at Place Charles de Gaulle, at the top of the Champs Élysées, this monument is one of the most recognizable symbols of Paris.
While access to the rooftop terrace is usually paid, you can admire the Arc de Triomphe from the street, take photos from the Champs Élysées, and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier free of charge.
For the best photos, stand on the Champs Élysées or one of the avenues leading to the roundabout. To reach the monument safely, use the underground pedestrian passage instead of crossing the road directly.
For one of the best free views of Paris, head to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. This famous department store is a perfect stop if you want a panoramic view of the city without paying for an observation deck.
From the rooftop, you can enjoy beautiful views over Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, Sacré-Cœur and Notre Dame. The rooftop may close temporarily in bad weather, so it is always a good idea to check before visiting.
The rooftop is also a great place for photos. You can combine it with a visit inside Galeries Lafayette to admire the famous Art Nouveau dome, another beautiful free thing to see in Paris. Even if you do not plan to shop, the building is ideal for window shopping and enjoying the atmosphere of one of the most famous stores in the city.
One of the simplest and most beautiful free activities in Paris is walking along the Seine River. The riverbanks offer some of the best views in the city, especially around Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts and the Eiffel Tower.
A walk along the Seine is ideal because it lets you see several major Paris landmarks without spending anything. You can start near Île de la Cité, cross one of the historic bridges, continue toward the Louvre, and then walk in the direction of the Eiffel Tower if you have more time.
This is also one of the most romantic free things to do in Paris. In the evening, the lights reflecting on the water make the city feel even more magical.
Montmartre is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris. With its narrow streets, staircases, artists, small cafés and village atmosphere, it is a wonderful area to explore on foot.
At the top of the hill, you will find the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. The basilica is free to enter, and the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur offer one of the best free viewpoints in Paris.
From there, you can enjoy wide views over Paris and admire the rooftops of the city. For a quieter experience, try visiting early in the morning.
After your visit, walk around Place du Tertre, explore the small side streets, and look for pretty photo spots around Rue de l’Abreuvoir and La Maison Rose.
Paris is famous for its museums, but not all cultural visits require a ticket. Several museums in Paris offer free access to their permanent collections.
The Petit Palais is a great example. Its permanent collections are free to visit, while temporary exhibitions may require a paid ticket. The building itself is beautiful, with elegant architecture and a peaceful courtyard garden.
The Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris, also offers free access to its permanent collections. This is a great museum if you want to understand the story of the city, from old Paris to modern Paris.
Another excellent option is the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, where the permanent collections are free for individual visitors. These museums are perfect for rainy days or for travelers who want to enjoy Paris on a budget while still discovering art, history and culture.
Paris has many beautiful green spaces and public parks where you can take a break from sightseeing without spending anything. One of the best examples is the Jardin du Luxembourg, a peaceful garden with tree-lined paths, fountains, statues and plenty of chairs where you can relax.
You can also visit the Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. It is perfect for a scenic walk and offers beautiful perspectives toward the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
These gardens are ideal for families, couples, solo travelers or anyone who wants to enjoy a quiet moment in the city. They are also a great reminder that Paris can be enjoyed slowly, simply and for free.
Going up the Eiffel Tower requires a ticket, but seeing it from the outside is completely free. One of the best places to admire the Eiffel Tower is Trocadéro, located across the Seine.
From the Trocadéro esplanade, you get one of the most famous views of Paris and one of the best photo spots for the Eiffel Tower. It is especially beautiful early in the morning, at sunset, or in the evening when the tower lights up.
This is one of the top free things to do in Paris for first-time visitors. You can take photos, enjoy the view, then walk down toward the Seine and cross the bridge to reach the Eiffel Tower gardens.
Le Marais is one of the best neighborhoods to explore for free in Paris. It is known for its historic architecture, stylish boutiques, galleries, cafés and lively streets.
One of the highlights of the area is Place des Vosges, one of the most elegant squares in Paris. The square was originally created under Henry IV, and today you can walk under the arcades, sit in the garden, admire the red-brick buildings and enjoy the calm atmosphere.
Le Marais is also a good area for discovering hidden courtyards, beautiful façades and local Parisian life. You do not need a strict plan here. The best way to enjoy the neighborhood is simply to walk around and let yourself get a little lost.
Another beautiful free stop is Palais Royal, located near the Louvre. Its gardens and famous black-and-white columns are perfect for photos and a quiet break in the heart of Paris.
Père Lachaise Cemetery is one of the most unusual and interesting free places to visit in Paris. It feels like an open-air museum, with quiet paths, old trees, sculptures and historic tombs.
Many visitors come to see the graves of famous figures such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. Even if you are not looking for a specific grave, the cemetery is a peaceful place to walk and discover a different side of Paris.
It is one of the best free things to do in Paris if you enjoy history, art, literature or music.
The best free things to do in Paris include visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, walking along the Seine, seeing the Arc de Triomphe from the outside, enjoying the rooftop view at Galeries Lafayette, exploring Montmartre, visiting free museum collections, relaxing in public parks and visiting Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Some of the best free views of Paris can be found from the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, the steps of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, Trocadéro and Parc de Belleville.
Yes, Notre Dame Cathedral is free to visit. Visitors can also make an optional free reservation online to reduce waiting time.
You can admire the Arc de Triomphe from the outside for free. Access to the rooftop is usually paid, but the monument can be enjoyed from the Champs Élysées and surrounding avenues without buying a ticket.
Yes, the rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is known as one of the best free viewpoints in Paris. It offers panoramic views over the city, including the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, Sacré-Cœur and Notre Dame.
Yes, several Paris museums offer free access to their permanent collections, including Petit Palais, Musée Carnavalet and Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris. Temporary exhibitions may require a paid ticket.
