Discover Paris for free: tips and good deals
Paris, a true beacon of world tourism, is an essential cultural center that attracts huge crowds every year. However, immersing yourself in the magic of the City of Light can quickly become expensive, between museums, monuments and local experiences. Fortunately, guided tours in Paris, as well as many free activities, offer a chance to explore Parisian treasures without emptying your wallet. From museum discoveries and strolls through historic neighborhoods, to enchanting gardens and cultural events, Paris reveals itself to you without you having to spend a fortune.
This guide offers you the best advice for exploring Paris at no cost, with secret addresses and details that will enrich your stay.
Dive into the history of Paris's free museums
Culture and history are at the heart of Paris, and numerous municipal museums offer free immersion in the city’s artistic and historical heritage. To discover these institutions is to understand the many facets of Parisian identity.
Museums Free All Year Round
- Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris
Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris
This museum explores the history of Paris through a diverse collection of paintings, artifacts, and historical furniture. Admission is free year-round, and free guided tours are often offered to enrich the experience. - Petit Palais – Fine Arts Museum of the City of Paris
Address: Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
This art museum features works from antiquity up to the early 20th century, with an inner garden perfect for relaxing. Free admission all year. - Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris
Address: 11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris
Admission to the permanent modern art collections is free, featuring major works by artists such as Delaunay and Braque. - Maison de Victor Hugo
Address: 6 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
In this former apartment of Victor Hugo, visitors can discover the writer’s furniture, personal items, and artworks. Free admission for the permanent collections. - Musée Bourdelle
Address: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris
Dedicated to sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, this museum is located in his former studio and offers a free permanent collection of his works. - Musée Cernuschi – Museum of Asian Arts of the City of Paris
Address: 7 Avenue Vélasquez, 75008 Paris
This museum showcases free Asian art exhibits, including permanent displays of Buddhist statues and ancient artifacts.
Museums Free on the First Sunday of the Month
- Musée d’Orsay
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
On the first Sunday of each month, visitors can view Impressionist masterpieces for free in this former railway station turned museum. - Musée de l’Orangerie
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris
Home to Monet’s famous Water Lilies, with free admission on the first Sunday of every month. - Picasso Museum
Address: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
This museum is dedicated to the work of Pablo Picasso, with free admission on the first Sunday of the month. - Centre Pompidou
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
This center offers free access to the National Museum of Modern Art on the first Sunday of each month, showcasing renowned contemporary artworks.
Conditionally Free Museums
- Louvre Museum
Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Free admission every Friday after 6 p.m. for EU residents under 26, and free for everyone on July 14. - Rodin Museum
Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris
Free for EU residents under 26 years old.
See iconic monuments for free
Paris is teeming with famous monuments, and just seeing them from the outside is an experience in itself.
- The Eiffel Tower
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Although access to the tower’s upper levels is paid, the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro offer splendid and free views of the Eiffel Tower. In the evening, the tower sparkles every hour, a tradition established in 2000. For a special atmosphere, visit early in the morning or late at night to avoid crowds and enjoy the tower in a more intimate setting. - Notre-Dame Cathedral
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Currently under reconstruction, the exterior of Notre-Dame remains a powerful symbol of Gothic architecture. Explore the bridges surrounding Île de la Cité, like Pont de l’Archevêché and Pont Saint-Louis, which offer unique perspectives of the cathedral and the Seine. You can also admire the gargoyles, fantastic figures that have watched over Paris for centuries. - Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
Montmartre offers a unique experience where history, art, and spectacular views come together. The ascent to the Sacré-Cœur basilica can be made on foot or by funicular (paid), but once at the top, the view over Paris is free and unforgettable. Stroll around Place du Tertre to see local artists painting and selling their works, reminiscent of the era when painters like Picasso and Modigliani frequented this bohemian neighborhood. - Arc de Triomphe (Free exterior view)
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris
While entrance to the interior is paid, admiring the Arc de Triomphe from the square is an impressive experience. This monument honors French soldiers and offers an unobstructed view of the Champs-Élysées. - The Pantheon (Free exterior view)
Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
This neoclassical building houses the tombs of iconic French figures. The forecourt offers a lovely view of the Latin Quarter, and the monumental facade is impressive to observe for free.
Stroll through the capital's gardens and parks
Paris’s green spaces are places where residents come to relax and recharge their batteries, and each park has its own character.
- The Tuileries Garden
Address: 113 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
The Tuileries Garden is the oldest public garden in Paris and offers unobstructed views of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and Concorde. Its statues, with works by Maillol, Rodin, and Giacometti, make it an open-air museum. In summer, the garden hosts a funfair, a tradition since the 17th century. - The Buttes-Chaumont Park
Address: 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris
This lesser-known park is one of the city’s most spectacular, with cliffs, waterfalls, and suspension bridges. Enjoy the Temple de la Sybille, a Roman-style temple perched on a hill, to take in a romantic view of Paris. - Luxembourg Garden
Address: 75006 Paris
Created by Marie de Medici, this garden blends Italian and French styles. The fountains, flowerbeds, and sculptures are meticulously arranged, and the Medici Fountain is particularly photogenic. Attend concerts in the summer or watch Parisians play chess and pétanque. - Monceau Park
Address: 35 Boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
This romantic park is ideal for walks with its small bridges, statues, and beautiful rotunda. It offers a peaceful setting with shaded areas, perfect for relaxing. - Jardin des Plantes
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris
This historic botanical garden houses a wide variety of plants, exotic greenhouses (paid access), and an alpine garden. It’s also a lovely place to stroll and enjoy nature in the heart of the city. - Bois de Vincennes
Address: Route de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris
The largest park in Paris, it offers lakes, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even a Buddhist temple. Perfect for a nature escape in the east of the city. - Bois de Boulogne
Address: 75016 Paris
Located in western Paris, this vast green space offers a variety of activities: lakes for boating, trails for running or walking, and a rose garden at Parc de Bagatelle (free on weekdays). The Bois de Boulogne is perfect for nature lovers.
Explore historic districts
Exploring the neighborhoods of Paris is an adventure in itself, as each arrondissement has its own secrets.
- Montmartre
This neighborhood offers a village atmosphere with its vineyards, windmill, and steep staircases. Don’t miss the Montmartre Museum, once home to Renoir, which traces the artistic history of the area. Also, visit the small Place Dalida, where a statue honors the famous singer. - Le Marais
This trendy area is a blend of boutiques, art galleries, and historic sites. Discover the Hôtel de Sully and its hidden gardens, as well as the Maison de Victor Hugo located on Place des Vosges. For a unique experience, stroll through the Jewish Quarter on Rue des Rosiers to explore its bakeries and falafel shops. - Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Once an intellectual hub, Saint-Germain is now a vibrant area filled with bookstores and art galleries. Discover the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, the oldest in Paris, and wander through the narrow streets that have inspired many artists.
Enjoy the best views of Paris for free
There are plenty of free viewpoints in Paris to admire the city from a different angle.
- Rooftop of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
By accessing the rooftop of these famous galleries, you’ll enjoy an unobstructed view of the Paris rooftops and the Eiffel Tower. Numerous free events are held here, including concerts and temporary exhibitions. - Belleville Park
This park is a hidden gem in the 20th arrondissement and offers a view of the city from its hilltop. Explore the neighborhood’s mural frescoes and enjoy the terraced green spaces for a picnic with a view. - Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
One of the most beautiful panoramas in Paris can be found in front of the basilica. Sunrise here is especially impressive as the city awakens under the golden light. - Saint-Cloud Park
Address: Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, 92210 Saint-Cloud
Just outside Paris, this historic park offers a clear view of the capital from the heights of Saint-Cloud. On a clear day, you can easily see the Eiffel Tower, the dome of Les Invalides, and many other landmarks. - Arab World Institute
Address: 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris
The terrace of the Arab World Institute offers a free and lesser-known view of Notre-Dame and the Seine district. Accessible without a ticket, it’s an excellent place to contemplate Paris from a different perspective.
Cultural activities and festivities
Paris offers a wide choice of free cultural events throughout the year, immersing you in Parisian life through art, heritage and music.
- La Nuit Blanche (The white night)
Period: First Saturday in October.
Each year, on the first Saturday in October, Paris transforms into a vast artistic stage. During this night dedicated to contemporary art, the streets, museums, and buildings of Paris are adorned with light installations, performances, and ephemeral art pieces. Many museums open their doors for free, allowing visitors to experience art from a unique perspective. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the city in a different light and meet local and international artists. - European Heritage Days
Period: Third weekend in September.
Each third weekend in September, European Heritage Days allow visitors to discover places usually closed to the public, such as embassies, private mansions, official buildings, and theaters. Many historic sites also offer special guided tours and temporary exhibitions. These days are perfect for those who wish to explore the hidden treasures of the capital and gain a deeper understanding of Paris’s history. - Fête de la Musique
Period: June 21.
Every June 21, to celebrate the summer solstice, the Fête de la Musique offers free concerts all over the city. Bands of all musical genres perform in the streets, parks, cafés, and even monuments. You can enjoy a variety of performances, from classical to jazz, rock, and electronic music, in iconic locations like Parc de la Villette or along the banks of the Seine. - Paris Plages
Period: Mid-July to the end of August.
During the summer, the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette are transformed into temporary beaches with sun loungers, umbrellas, and free activities like beach volleyball, kayaking, and open-air concerts. It’s an original way to enjoy summer in the heart of Paris without leaving the city. - Open-Air Cinema at La Villette
Period: July to August.
Each summer, Parc de la Villette hosts an open-air cinema festival, where free films are screened on a large outdoor screen. Spectators can sit on the grass or rent a deckchair to enjoy classic and contemporary films under the stars. - Jazz Concerts at Parc Floral
Period: Weekends from May to September.
This free festival, held in the beautiful Parc Floral de Vincennes, offers jazz concerts every weekend between May and September. It’s an ideal opportunity for jazz lovers to enjoy live performances in an exceptional natural setting.
