14 free things to do in Paris

Enjoy the City of Light without breaking the bank...
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Liz Connor11 October 2016

At under an hour away by train, Paris makes for an attractive short break for Londoners.

But the city of love doesn’t come cheap - if you’re not careful, museum entry can cost a small fortune while dining in the French capital can easily run up an eye-popping bill.

Thankfully, there are lots of free activities you can do in Paris that can shave a significant discount off your final sum.

Here are just fifteen to consider on your next trip across the Channel:

1. Take in the views at Montmartre

Once an artists' quarter, this uniquely bohemian village within the metropolis is a must-visit for any serious Instagrammer. Ascend the steps of the Basilica, to the top of Paris’s tallest hill. and gaze upon one of the most romantic (and photogenic) views in the city. There’s plenty of history to soak up - Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec immortalised the cabarets here in the late 19th century, and you can still visit the famous Moulin Rouge windmill. At the foot of Montmartre you’ll find Pigalle - the closest thing Paris has to a ‘Soho’ district. Think sleaze shops, hipster bars and cool music clubs on every corner.

Montmartre
Flickr/katsuhiro7110

2. Visit some famous film spots

Plenty of brilliant films and TV shows were shot in Paris and you can skip the 25 euro tour fee by planning your own walking route of famous, off-the-beaten-track districts featured in films shot in the French capital. Visit the famous merry-go-round from Amelie (in Montmarte), the Pont de Bir-Hakeim double-decker bridge from Inception or the Plauce Dauphine where Carrie and Aleksandr strolled around in Sex and the City. Couples should make their way to the beautiful Pont Alexandre III bridge from Midnight in Paris. And of course, there's the Louvre’s role in The Da Vinci Code.

The Plauce Dauphine where Carrie and Aleksandr strolled around in Sex and the City
Flickr/CpaKmoi

3. Go shopping at a flea market

For one-of-a-kind treasures, visit hip neighbourhood Belleville. Its renowned flea markets are a magpie’s paradise of retro furniture, antique jewellery and colourful pottery. Just make sure you leave some extra room in your suitcase...

4. Stroll around Pere Lachaise

Visit the tombs of the rich and famous at the cemetery Père Lachaise. It sounds rather macabre, but the cemetery in the 20th arrondissement is a surprisingly picturesque place to stroll around the resting places of Chopin, Edith Piaf, Marcel Proust and Jim Morrison to name a few. Legend holds that polishing the grave of Victor Noir can bestow good luck and improve fertility.

16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Paris, France

Cemetery Pere Lachaise
Flickr/emile lombard

5. See some free street art

If street art is your thing, the best spot to head for is Canal St. Martin in the 10th arrondissement. This up-and-coming, boho-chic neighbourhood is packed with trendy little restaurants, boutique shops and some of the most exciting graffiti murals in Paris. It’s truly one of the last hidden gems of the city. Many locals share a bottle of wine at the edge of the canal with friends on a warm evening.

6. Visit the food markets

Foodies should make a beeline for the quaint rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement, one of the best market streets in Paris. Here you can find bakers, cheese sellers and gourmet food producers setting up stalls alongside trendy bistros and pavement cafes.

rue des Martyrs
Flickr/David McKelvey

7. Get your cultural injection at Nuit Blanche

Every autumn, Parisians celebrate Nuit Blanche, a night in the year when galleries, museums and other art institutions open all night, free of charge. The event celebrates the contemporary international art scene, scattering stunning sculptures, installation and projections across the city.

8. Go dancing on the river

The say Paris is the city of love, so why not spend a warm summer night on the quai along the left bank of Port St. Bernard? When the sun sets, the area comes alive with couples picnicking and and ballroom dancing. Every evening, from June until the end of August, hundreds of dancers gather spontaneously at the Jardin Tino Rossi, just below the Institut du Monde Arabe to salsa, tango, waltz and swing.

9. See a classic at Parc de la Villette open air cinema

If the weather’s decent, catch a free film at the open-air cinema at the Parc de la Villette, which runs between July and August each year. Previous screenings have included Where the Wild Things Are, Be Kind Rewind and Rushmore. If you’re feeling flush, you can always upgrade to a deckchair for €7.

Parc de la Villette free open air cinema
Parc de la Villette

10. Visit the 'Lock Bridge'

Couples flock to the Pont des Arts to fix a lock to the famous bridge before throwing the key into the River Seine below. More than a million locks currently sit on the bridge, so even if you head over there single - it still makes for a great photograph.

Pont des Arts, 75006 Paris, France

11. Listen to some free live music

Located underneath a bridge on the bank of the Seine in the heart of Paris, Showcase has free admission alongside a roster of live acts playing everything from rock to jazz, along with some of the world’s top DJ acts.

12. See the Eiffel Tower sparkle

Every hour from sunset, Paris’ famous tower sparkles continuously for five minutes. It’s one of the most famous attractions in the city, but the spectacular light show is a must for any first-timer.

The Eiffel Tower
Flickr/gerardreyes

13. Listen to an organ concert at Saint-Eustache Church

If you fancy hearing some free music, make your way to Saint-Eustache Church where they hold free organ concerts every Sunday at 5.30pm. The organ in this Gothic church is said to be one of the biggest in the world, boasting an impressive 8,000 pipes.

2 impasse Saint-Eustache. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 9am-7pm.

14. Visit Paris's coolest neighbourhoods

For a village atmosphere head to Butte aux Cailles, which is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, boutique shops and pretty Parisian restaurants. The multicultural Belleville is home to a bustling Chinatown, art squats and traditional outdoor market held each Tuesday and Friday along the Boulevard de Belleville. And at Ile Saint Louis, you’ll find old-fashioned markets, traditional ice cream shops and cheerful street performers. Best of all? You can wander them all for free.

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