Paris has a reputation as one of the greatest cities in the world - and also one of the most expensive. But visiting one of the most luxurious places on earth seems to come with the understanding that one will inevitably break the bank. Enjoying the city of love should not be expensive and one doesn’t need to shell out big bucks to experience the wonder of Paris. Tourists can get closer to the city’s culture and history for free. This lovely city can offer so much from walking tours to enjoying the views of the Eiffel tower.
Here’s a list of things to do in the 'City of Love' for free.
10 Paris Walking Tour
Pack some comfortable footwear for a long day of walking and discovering the city. Make sure to do some research before taking a walking tour. The advantage of taking walking tours is that travelers get to see the hidden spots in the city and act as their own guide. The highlight of walking tours include visiting the following attractions; Montmarte, Le Marais, Ile de la Cité, and the Latin Quarter.
9 Peruse The Market Of Saint – Paul
Located in an area with plenty of boutique shops and known for its middle ages history is the Village St Paul. Stroll around this street and discover a little bit of Paris' history through the vintage shops. There are hidden gems in these shops so never miss seeing one. Village St Paul is also known to be Paris' very own antique market, which serves as the heart of Le Marais. Hotel de Sens is a medieval mansion, it is the closest attraction and the oldest building in the area.
8 Bibliotheque Forney
Tourists don't need to be bookworms to enjoy this setting. This library lends its guests available books for free by just bringing an ID and filling out some papers. The library is inside the beautiful architecture of Hotel de Sens, a former mansion owned by Archbishops in the 1700s. Anyone can study and work here quietly. However, it is closed on Sundays and Monday.
7 Jardins des Tuileries
Stroll around the Jardins des Tuileries for free and enjoy the scenery of the Orangerie and Monet’s lilies. This gem is located between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. It was designed by Catherine de Medici in the 15th century and was opened to the public after the French revolution which has been visited by the locals and every traveler ever since. The garden closes at 7:30 PM.
6 Jardin Tino Rossi Or Sculpture Garden
Art lovers or not, any tourist will find this garden a work of art. It is an outdoor sculpture garden featuring views of the popular river of Seina. Also known as Jardin Tino Rossi, the garden is consists of late 20-century sculptures including the works of late artisans like Alexander Archipenko. The garden is open 24/7, but the best time to stop by is during sunset which makes it perfect for a romantic date!
5 Galeries Lafayette Flagship Store
Offering one of the best views of Paris is the rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette, a department store located on Boulevard Haussmann. Inside the building, an art-nouveau glass dome is installed. Head to the terrace of the shop's rooftop and prepare to be mesmerized by the beauty of Paris under the orange skies. From the rooftop, tourists can freely take a photo and enjoy the peaceful view of Paris Opera Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, and the stunning Parisian architecture.
4 Filming Locations
Paris is one of the most used places for movie locations and these spots are easy to access on foot! Saint Sulpice, Palais Royal, Comedie-Francaise, Hotel Ritz, and Louvre Museum are featured in Dan Brown’s iconic movie – Da Vinci Code. Gossip Girl was also filmed in almost all of the wonderful attractions of the French capital. The film ‘Amelie’ was also largely filmed in the Canal Saint-Martin and Montmartre districts of the city.
3 Parc de Saint-Cloud
Parc de Saint-Cloud is a terraced garden giving peaceful views of the entire city. Tourists are captivated by the rows of trees and endless maze of paths and passageways featuring the colorful flowers of this garden. Named as one of the most beautiful gardens in entire Europe, it is also known as the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.
2 Eglise Saint Philippe du Roule
France is home to some of the best architectural churches and these can also be seen in Paris. One of these is the Eglise Saint Philippe du Roule that was designed by architect Jean-François Chalgrin who is known for his Neoclassical designs, reflected in the carved interior of this ecclesiastical building. Featuring a vast domed ceiling with plenty of stained glass and some of these are designed by Emile Hirsch. The church is located in the 8th district of the city where other attractions are situated.
1 Twinkling Lights Of Eiffel Tower
Get captivated by the twinkling lights of one of the most popular landmarks in the world – the Eiffel Tower. During the evening, the tower sparks every hour for 5 minutes. It was designed by senior engineers working for Gustave Eiffel's company. There are several restaurants and stores in the tower, as well as a mesmerizing view.