60 Free Things to Do in Paris - A Hedgehog in the Kitchen

There are so many fabulous luxury activities to do in Paris but there are also lots of free things to do in Paris that you can take advantage of! While we love high tea in Paris, and searching for the best spa in Paris, we also love enjoying the many free things to do in Paris. If you are on the lookout for some free things to do, these are our 60 favorite free activities for you! If you are looking for a place to stay, take a peek at these Paris hotels with views of the Eiffel Tower.

the Eiffel Tower and the carousel free things to do in Paris

Table of Contents

60+ Free Things to Do in Paris

#1 See the Parisian carousels

Paris is filled with beautiful carousels, including the carousel pictured here at Trocadero, the Manège DoDo in the Jardin des Plantes and the majestic carousel in front of the Hôtel de Ville.

#2 Watch the sunrise over Trocadero

One of the most magical Parisian experiences is waking up early and heading to Trocadero to watch the sun rise over the Eiffel Tower.

#3 Admire Parisian/Haussmanian architecture

“Always look up!” has never been more fitting than when you are wandering the streets of Paris. The architecture is magnificent.

#4 Wander the Medieval streets of the Marais

The Marais is one of our favorite neighborhoods, having lived there for nearly 6 years! It is the perfect neighborhood to go for a stroll, admire the narrow, winding streets, pop into one of many adorable cafes in Paris, window shop and more.

#5 Explore Montmartre

Montmartre is charming and romantic and such a lovely neighborhood to explore. Explore the winding streets, take photos and enjoy every moment

#6 Stroll down Saint Germain des Près

Saint Germain des Près is home to luxury boutiques and fabulous cafés. Walking through the neighborhood, you’ll see some of the cutest cafés, boulangeries and restaurants in town.

a small street in Saint Germain Paris France

#7 Sit by the fountain in the Jardin Luxembourg

This is a Parisian spot we go back to again and again. Bring a good book, sit in one of the seats in front of the Luxembourg fountain and just take it all in.

#8 Snap a photo of the oldest house in Paris

Located at 52, rue de Montmorency, in the 4th arrondissement, is said to be the oldest house in Paris. It was built by Nicolas Flamel in 1407 and was his home.

#9 Take photos of the cherry blossoms in Paris during cherry blossom season

Paris comes to life in the Spring! Cherry blossom season is a cause for celebration – it is so beautiful. If you are lucky enough to experience Spring in Paris, take your camera and go out to see the cherry blossoms in Paris (our guide explains all the best spots to see them). Some of the best places to see them are the Jardin des Plantes and in front of Shakespeare & Company. If you’re looking for a beautiful day trip, venture a little ways out of Paris on the RER to see the most magnificent display of cherry blossoms in the Parc de Sceaux.

a couple kissing in front of a cherry blossom tree

#10 Read a book in Parc des Buttes Chaumont

The Parc des Buttes Chaumont is one of Paris’ best kept secrets. Located in the 19th arrondissement, it is a large park that even accepts dogs. It’s also one of our favorite spots to picnic in Paris!

#11 Go for a walk through the Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges was built by Henri IV from 1605 to 1612. The place has been home to many famous residents throughout history, including Victor Hugo and Madame de Sevigné. In fact, visiting Victor Hugo’s home in the square is one of our favorite free things to do in Paris (more on that below). The Place des Vosges is one of our favorite places to go for a walk, snap photos, drink a juice (from Juice Lab in the square) or a coffee. We also love the Café Hugo right inside the square if you are looking for an authentic (and affordable) place to eat.

explore the Place des Vosges as one of the best free things to do in Paris

#12 Enjoy the free museums of Paris

Musée de la Vie Romantique – located in the 9th arrondissement, this adorable house is home to Chopin and Georges Sand’s private collection.
Maison de Victor Hugo – Victor Hugo’s private home right in the heart of the Place des Vosges, in the Marais.
Musée Carnavalet – the museum of the history of Paris.

#13 Visit an English speaking bookshop

There are several English speaking bookshops in Paris. Our personal favorite is Shakespeare & Company where you can sit upstairs with a book for hours. This historical Parisian bookshop is perched over the Seine in the 5th arrondissement.

#14 Stroll down one of the prettiest streets in Paris : rue Crémieux

This pretty street in the 12th arrondissement used to be workers’ housing but has become known for the pretty, colorful, quaint houses. Rue Crémieux is a popular filming destination and has become popular on social media as well.

#15 Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle

When the sun goes down, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with the light of 20,000 light bulbs. It continues to sparkle until 1am. It sparkles every hour on the hour for 5 minutes, with the exception of the final light show each night when it hypnotically sparkles for 10 minutes at 1am.

#16 Visit the secret covered passages of Paris

Most of the covered passages in Paris were built in the 19th century. The oldest passage is the Passage des Panoramas, built in 1799. We definitely recommend you visit the Passages des Panoramas, as well as the Galérie Vivienne next to the Palais Royal, the Galérie Vero-Dodat, the Passage du Grand Cerf and the Passage Brady, also known as Little India, as it is focused on Indian culture and cuisine.

#17 Sit in the Place Dauphine

A square to the side of the Pont Neuf bridge, the darling Place Dauphine is on the Western end of the Ile de la Cité, in the first arrondissement.

#18 Visit the Marché aux Fleurs (the Parisian flower market)

The Marché aux Fleurs is one of the many surprises on the Ile de la Cité! It has been welcoming flower seekers since 1830. Going there is one of our favorite free things to do in Paris. It is open every day from 8am to 7:30 pm. There are many different floral varieties in the market, including a stunning selection of orchids. There are also two smaller flower markets in Paris : the first is in Place de la Madeleine and the second is in the Place des Ternes.

#19 Visit Saint Augustin

Located at 46 Boulevard Malesherbes, this exquisite church is a must visit site during your Paris trip. The church was built between 1860 and 1868 in an eclectic style combining Tuscan gothic and Romanesque elements. Come to see the beautiful exterior, the gorgeous stained glass windows and the statue of Joan of Arc.

#20 Take a photo in front of La Maison Rose

This adorable pink house in Montmartre is now a restaurant, made famous by Picasso, Modigliani, Piaf, Camus and many more talented artists, singers and writers. It was built in 1908 and is a Parisian treasure. You will definitely want to to take a photo in front of this lovely little house.

#21 Visit the Petite Ceinture

The abandoned railway line circles the city of Paris. It was in use from 1862 to 1934. Come here to see a piece of Paris history, as well as the beautiful flora and fauna now covering certain parts of the railway. There are entry points to visit La Petite Ceinture in the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements. Easy access at Villa du Bel Air near Porte de Vincennes.

#22 Walk through the Palais Royal Gardens and admire the Colonnes de Buren

If you follow us on Instagram, you know how often we are in the Palais Royal Gardens. We love coming here on the weekends because it is home to one of our favorite coffee shops, Cafe Kitsune, and because it is one of the only gardens in Paris that accepts dogs (and we have two).

#23 Admire the oldest tree in Paris

The oldest tree in Paris is American! It is located in Montebello Square, near the Saint Julien le Pauvre church, in the 5th arrondissement. It was planted in 1601 by Jean Robin. Apparently, the seeds planted to create this tree were brought to France from America by Robin himself. The tree is 15 meters high and has a circumference of 3.5 meters. It’s massive and heavy and today, it’s being held up by a cement block due to its age, height and weight, but it is definitely a sight to be seen!

#24 Visit Saint Julien Le Pauvre

After visiting the oldest tree in Paris, head down to the street to my personal favorite church : Saint Julien le Pauvre. Said to be Paris’ oldest church, this Greek Catholic church was built in the 13th century.

#25 In Summer, enjoy Paris Plages

During the Summer, you can go to the beach… in Paris! Paris Plages was first started in 2007. It is a stretch of beach that is created every Summer along the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette, complete with sand and sun parasols! You can even go for a swim along the Quai de la Loire, on the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement.

#26 In Winter, enjoy the window decorations and the Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette

Every Winter, the Galeries Lafayette transforms their department store into a Christmas wonderland, including a suspended Christmas tree. It is magical and absolutely free to visit!

Christmas tree inside the Galeries Lafayette free things to do in Paris

#27 In Winter, visit the Christmas markets

I get so excited every time the Christmas markets reopen each year. A walk through the Christmas market will make you feel all the Christmas cheer in no time at all. It’s lovely to just walk through or to stop for a saucisse aligot (a thick sausage served with very cheesy mashed potatoes) and hot mulled wine.

#28 Walk along the Seine any time of year

There are few places more spectacular, or more romantic, than the Quais de Seine in my opinion. Take in the beautiful view of many of the most famous places in Paris as you walk along the Seine, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais

#29 Walk through the Tuileries

The Tuileries is the magnificent garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement. It is the perfect place to stroll, stop for a coffee or ice cream (in the Spring and Summer) or have a picnic.

#30 Check out the Bibliothèque Forney in L’Hôtel du Sens

The Bibliothèque Forney is a library housed in a French château in the Marais. The name of the château is L’hôtel du Sens. (Not to be confused, it is not a hotel but a Medieval château.) The beautiful building is definitely worth visiting and entry is free. The library specializes in the decorative arts and often houses small exhibitions which area open to the public for a small fee.

#31 Explore the Cimetière de Montmartre

Many well known artists, writers and singers are buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre, officially known as the Cimetière du Nord. They include Dalida, Degas, Gustave Moreau, Ary Scheffer, Stendahl and Zola.

#32 See a free movie at Parc de la Villette

From late July to late August, you can enjoy a movie outside under the stars at the Parc de la Vilette. Bring a bottle of wine, cheese, a baguette and lawn chairs, or even just a blanket, for this fun, quintessentially Parisian experience.

#33 Enjoy the Fete de la Bretagne

This festival is one of my personal favorite yearly events in Paris because it takes place in May, my birthday month. It celebrates the culture and food of Brittany. You can enjoy free live music as well as a variety of (paid) food treats, such as crêpes and kouign amann, a Breton cake made nearly entirely of butter and even called “the fattiest pastry in all of Europe” by the New York Times.

#34 Visit the Statue of Liberty

There are actually several in Paris but the most famous is the Statue of Liberty on the Pont de Grenelle. This Statue of Liberty was installed about 3 years after the real Statue of Liberty in NYC. It was a gift from the American community in Paris in 1889 and was actually one of the working models created while prepared to make the real deal! The statue can be accessed via either the Pont de Bir-Hakeim or the Pont de Grenelle. They both cross the Île aux Cygnes.

#35 Visit Notre Dame (currently closed)

One of the World’s most famous churches and one of the most beautiful landmarks in Paris, Notre Dame is a sight to be seen. Notre Dame de Paris, literally Our Lady of Paris, was built starting in 1160. Although Notre Dame is currently closed due to the devastating fire on the site in April 2019, the city of Paris has put out panels explaining the renovation process that you can visit and you can still peek at the magnificent church from afar.

#36 Photograph the magnolias

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Paris when the weather starts to get warmer and the flowers are in bloom. Some of the best places to spot magnolias are in the Palais Royal Gardens, the Tuileries, in front of the Hôtel de Ville and at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

#37 Snap photos of the wisteria

When you will be able to see the wisteria in Paris will depend largely on the weather on any given year but it typically blooms in late April or early May. Some of the best places to photograph it are on the exterior of the famous restaurant Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, the Square Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet (pro tip : this is also a fabulous spot to get a great view of the Sacre Coeur sans crowds) and the rue de l’Abreuvoir (the same street as La Maison Rose).

#38 Celebrate Chinese New Year in Paris

Chinese New Year comes to Paris each January. There’s a Chinese New Year parade, exhibitions and shows in the 13th arrondissement, historically the Chinese neighborhood in Paris. There’s also a dragon parade that travel through Paris which you can see in the Marais, in the 8th arrondissement or even in other parts of the city.

#39 Festival Indien (September)

Every July, Paris celebrates Le Festival du Ratha Yatra, or the Festival Indien with a parade that starts in the 18th arrondissement and travels through the city to Les Halles in the 1st arrondissement. In Les Halles, there is an Indian village set up where you can enjoy concerts, dance and even an authentic Indian meal.

#40 Visit the Saint Paul antiques market

The Village Saint Paul, located just a few steps from the Seine in the Marais, could be anywhere in France. There are over 80 antique dealers and artisan boutiques in total within the walls of the village. You can enter the space from the rue Saint Paul or the rue Ave Maria or from the St. Paul and Charlemagne gardens. (At the time of writing this, the Village Saint Paul is open Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays).

#41 Enjoy the Paris Carnival (in February)

Every February, locals and visitors alike celebrate the Parisian carnival in the streets of Paris. If you happen to be visiting during this time why not join in on the fun?

#42 Enjoy La Nuit Blanche (1st Saturday of October)

Every October, all of Paris stays open all night to celebrate La Nuit Blanche, literally “the white night”. On this night, museums stay open all night and host special exhibits for one night only. You can experience these exhibits in addition to musical performances and more.

#43 Head out to celebrate Bastille Day (if you’re visiting the 14th of July)

If you’re in Paris for Bastille Day, you may want to take part in the celebrations at the base of the Eiffel Tower. There are fireworks and a large, free concert for all. It does get quite crowded so you will need to arrive early if you’d like to be close to the Eiffel Tower.

#44 Visit the Petit Palais (permanent collection)

This gorgeous museum hosts a wide collection of work from Greek and Roman art, to the Renaissance and through to 20th century paintings. The permanent collections at the Petit Palais are free to the public. There is an entrance fee to access the temporary exhibits.

#45 In the Winter, go out and frolic in the snow

There are few things more magical than seeing snow in Paris! If you visit Paris in Winter, and you get lucky enough to have snow while you are here, make sure you put time aside to go out in the snow, take a look around, enjoy it and take photos.

#46 Visit the Arènes de Lutèce

These Roman ruins in the 5th arrondissement of Paris are amongst the most important Roman ruins in Paris, along with the Gallo-Roman thermal baths.

#47 Wander the Streets of Montmartre

From the Sacre Coeur to the Maison Rose to the lost windmills of Montmartre, there is something for everyone in this beautiful area of Paris! Walking around a new neighborhood is always one of the best free things to do in Paris. Personally, Montmartre is one of our favorite neighborhoods and one of the few Parisian neighbourhoods we have never lived in – we’d love to live here one day.

#48 Go to see the Arc de Triomphe

Built in the beginning of the 19th century, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous Parisian landmarks. It is located in the Place Charles de Gaulle at the Western end of the Champs Elysées.

#49 Head out to see the street art around the Canal Saint Martin

The Canal Saint Martin was featured prominently in the 2001 movie Amélie. Remember those beautiful iron footbridges and shady quais? That was the Canal Saint Martin! It is lovely to walk along the water and even better to stop into one of the coffeeshops or bars along the quais.

#50 Visit the Collège des Bernardins in the Latin Quarter

Located at 20 rue de Poissy in the 5th arrondissement, the Collège des Bernardins is a former Cisterian college of the historic University of Paris. Visit for the beautiful architecture. They also regularly organize events that you can attend, during which there are more rooms open to all.

#51 Go to a French food market

Our favourite market in Paris is the Marché d’Aligre, also known as the Marché Beauveau. Visit to see a true, authentic Parisian covered market. You can also buy fresh fruits and veggies and a spectacular variety of French and Swiss cheeses inside the market.

#52 Gor for a walk and take photos

Head out to take photos of the most Instagrammable places in Paris or just snap photos of daily Parisian moments you spot as you go along.

#53 Explore a museum the first Sunday of the month for FREE!

The city of Paris encourages everyone to enjoy the city’s art by making entrance to all museums 100% free the first Sunday of every month. If you live here, or happen to be visiting the city at this time, you can take advantage of this awesome offer too.

#54 Take a free walking tour

There are so many fabulous free things to do in Paris, including free walking tours. Whether you want to learn about the Latin Quarter, the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre, there is a free walking tour for that! Explore free walking tours in Paris here.

#55 Visit the Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air (Sculpture Garden)

Located on the Quai Saint Bernard, between the Sully and Austerlitz bridges, this little open air sculpture garden is a treat for the ideas! It was created in the 1980s and features work from some of the big names in world of sculpture such as Nicolas Schöffer, Gilioli, César and Brancusi.

#56 Visit Le Mur des Je T’aime

Literally, “the wall of I love yous”, this romantic wall was created by artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito. It is measures 40m2 and is composed of at least 600 tiles in total. It is covered with “I love you” written in over 250 languages. When we lived in the 9th arrondissement in SoPi, we used to walk up here sometimes on a Sunday morning with a coffee in hand and just sit for a while watching all of the couples come here to take photos in front of the wall of love – so romantic!

#57 Visit the Golden Joan of Arc Statue in the 1st arrondissement

Joan of Arc stands over the Place des Pyramides in the 1st arrondissement in all of her golden glory! This statue is a gilded bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc created by Emmanuel Frémiet.

#58 Peek at the Chinese Pagoda in the 8th arrondissement

The gorgeous Chinese Pagoda was initially built as a Parisian mansion in the French Louis Philippe style, in the 8th arrondissement. In 1925, it was purchased by Ching Tsai Loo, an avid Asian art and antiques collector and enthusiast, who decided to completely transform the exterior of the mansion into a Chinese pagoda. Unfortunately, the pagoda is not open to the public but it is worth stopping by just to see the exquisite exterior of this incredible structure. Occasionally, the pagoda hosts a temporary exhibit that is open to the public. You can also rent the space for a private cocktail reception, dinner or other event. How dreamy would it be to host a private dinner here?

#59 Visit Eglise Saint Philippe du Roule

Located at 154 rue Faubourg Saint Honoré, in the 8th arrondissement, close to the Place de la Madeleine and the Place Vendôme, this beautiful church looks like a Roman temple.

#60 Visit Père Lachaise

A lot of famous historical figures are buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery, including Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf. You can absolutely explore on your own for free or schedule a guided tour.

Schedule a guided tour of Père Lachaise cemetery