Free things to do in Paris
Paris is a famous city that so many travelers want to visit at least once in their lifetime and experience the city to the fullest. The city has so much to offer and there is so much to see.
Paris is also a pretty expensive city in terms of accommodation, museums and food. There are a lot of really cool and special museums in Paris, but as I said, their tickets can be quite expensive.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of really cool things to see and do in Paris, but guess what – they’re literally FREE!
Here are 5 free places with a map to visit in Paris that I liked the most. If you are in a certain area, you can squeeze them in between other activities on your itinerary, or challenge yourself to visit only the free places.
1. See the view from the roof of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Iconic shopping mall in the city center. Go to the rooftop for the best view of the Eiffel Tower. Enter from the side where Bd Haussmann and Rue la Fayette intersect, head towards the escalators and go straight to the top. At the end there is a staircase that leads to the rooftop, which makes you wonder if this is the right place or not. But it is and there is also a modest sign indicating that you can access the rooftop from here. Admission is free, but check the mall's opening hours before you go. The view is fantastic, but the rooftop is quite crowded, so be patient. :)
Address: Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris
2. Petit Palais
A stunning large palace with lots of detail, dating back to 1900 when it was built for the World’s Fair. It currently serves as the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, where admission to the permanent collection is free. It is said that during peak tourist months it is better to book your visit in advance, but this is not mandatory. The building itself, designed in Art Nouveau and Classical styles, is also worth seeing, as it is truly spectacular.
Address: Petit Palais, Avenue Winston-Churchill, 75008 Paris
Open: from Tuesday to Sunday (see opening hours HERE)
3. Sentier district
A really cool and different area to wander around in Paris. It used to be a textile and clothing industry area. Today, it still has fabric shops and is now home to a lot of startups and cool bars and restaurants. Plus, it's not a very touristy place.
Address: Sentier neighborhood, 2nd arrondissement
4. Street art in Canal St Martin
The Canal Saint-Martin is actually an extension of the Seine River and is a 4.6 km long canal in the 10th arrondissement. It was opened in 1825 (!) to connect the Seine and the northern parts of Paris for shipping purposes. The area around the canal is called Canal St Martin because of the canal. It is considered a more authentic part of Paris, with fewer tourists. Today, the area is full of cafes, bars, restaurants, galleries and fashion boutiques. When the weather is nice, people sit outside by the canal and chat and have lunch. But the district also has a lot of really cool street art in unexpected places.
5. Fontaine Stravinsky
The Fontaine Stravinsky is located on the Igor Stravinsky Square near the Pompidou Center. The fountain features 16 unique moving colored elements representing the music of Igor Stravinsky.
Address: Igor Stravinsky Square, Rue Brisemiche, 75004 Paris
