A trip to Paris? That feels a little extravagant.
If you feel like you may need to reach just a little deeper into your pockets to enjoy your time in this marvellous city, here are some pointers that could prove you wrong. In the heart of Paris there is always a lot going on and a lot of free things to see. You’re bound to enjoy yourself in Paris. Here are a few great ways to take it all in without taking your wallet out:
✔ Have a picnic at Champs du Mars, with the view of the Eiffel Tower
✔ Step into the famous Notre Dame Cathedral
✔ Find your heroes in the Père Lachaise Cemetery
✔ Chill out in the Jardin des Tuileries
✔ Feed the sparrow at the Jardin du Luxembourg
✔ Walk the labyrinth at the Jardin des Plantes
✔ Walk the Champs-Elysées
✔ Check out the street art in rue Dénoyez
✔ Photograph the Arc de Triomphe
✔ Relax at Place de Vosges in Le Marais
✔ Go window shopping at Marché aux Puce de St-Ouen
✔ Have dinner on the banks of the Seine
✔ See Sacré Coeur in Montmarte
✔ Explore Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
✔ Stay up all night enjoying free events during Nuit Blanche
✔ Decipher the Egyptian hieroglyphics on the obelisk at La Place de la Concorde
✔ Keep an eye out for the many seasonal free museums, festivals, exhibitons and fashion shows
Eiffel Tower
Of course, you have to visit the Eiffel Tower first. The tower and the grounds around it are beautiful at any time of day and in any season.
The Riverside & Bridges
Paris has made a point of keeping the history of bridges intact which makes the river and long, shady riverside banks really beautiful to explore.
Notre Dame de Paris
This is one of Paris’s biggest tourist attractions. Because it’s free there is usually a long queue and you might be surprised to know that this monument is a well-used running church.
Jardin des Tuileries
Perfect for a summer’s day, you’ll have to come to the gardens early if you want to secure a seat. One you’re here though, you could spend all day nibbling on picnic food and taking in the romantic Parisian air.
Sacré Coeur
Sacré Coeur in Montemarte is a popular spot for a sunset picnic because the hill gives you one of the best views in Paris
Père Lachaise Cemetery
This cemetery is overwhelmingly large and quietly beautiful. Be sure to plan out who’s graves you want to visit before you get lost amongst the trees and tombstones.
Arc de Triomphe
This well-known landmark is worth visiting because of the history behind it and the level of detail that becomes more evident the closer you are to it.
Champs-Elysées
A window-shoppers dream, this street is definitely worth a stroll.
La Place de la Concorde
If you are intrigued by Egyptian artefacts and don’t want to lose a day in the Louvre, then this ancient monument is going to be worth checking out!
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
There are plenty of tame sparrows in Paris and they’re really tame. Feed them some seeds in Le Jardin du Luxembourg.
Le Jardin des Plantes
An old medicinal garden turned into an international living plant library, this green space also has a very old labyrinth that you could walk for a bit of meditation.
Le Marais
Once this area was home to kings and nobles and today it is filled with art and fancy buildings. La Place des Vosges is a great spot to take a break on some grass.
Sunset at the Seine
Forget the sunset cruise, an intimate picnic on the banks of the Seine is just what the locals to and so should you.
