25 Best Free Things to Do in Paris: Day & Night
Paris is known for a lot of things: from the Eiffel Tower, picture-perfect streets, French pastries, and stunning parks – and sadly, being on the more expensive side – so are there really any best free things to do in Paris for those travelers on a budget?
View of the Eiffel Tower from Notre-Dame; September 2026
I know from having lived in and traveled across Europe for years that Paris is indeed one of the European cities more on the expensive side (except Scandania, no place was more expensive than Oslo or Iceland!) – but Paris can still be a little rough on your bank account.
Even as someone living here making a decent living, I often find my money disappearing left and right for basic things in Paris like groceries, toiletries, and going to the bakery – even as someone who is on the more frugal side trying to save to buy an apartment here one day!
Luckily, there are millions of free things to do in Paris – none of which ever require ever taking a single euro cent out of your pocket.
Jardin du Luxembourg; September 2026
The majority of articles online talk about free things to do in Paris and share cheaper things to see and do in the city, but seldom do they share truly free, zero cash-out-of-pocket Parisian excursions.
This is where I'm stepping in as someone who is lives in Paris on a solo-salary constantly in negative cash flow (thank you very expensive French citizenship, passport renewal, and resident card applications for that!)
If you’re looking to do Paris on a budget and for the truly best free things to do in Paris , look no further: I’m going to share all of my favorite free things to do in Paris as a local when I’m trying to have a “no-spend” day, week, or let’s face it – in this economy: a no spend month!
I’ve broken down my guide into the best free things to do in Paris both during the day and night: so you’ll never run out of budget-friendly activities while in the City of Lights.
💶🇫🇷 My Local Tips for Visiting Paris on a Budget 🗼✨
🏘️ Stay in Quieter Neighborhoods
Try to stay in quieter neighborhoods in Paris, like the 17th or the 13th. They're still family-friendly, safe, and easily connected to public transportation for all your sightseeing needs, without putting you right in the most expensive tourist areas.
🛒 Skip Monoprix & Franprix for Groceries
Don't grocery shop at Monoprix or Franprix if you're trying to save money, as they tend to be more expensive. Opt for a G20, Carrefour, or Super U instead!
🧺 Have Picnics
Of course, you'll have to eat out in a café at least once while in Paris – but Paris was made for picnics, and they're a great way to save money on your trip. That's what I would do when I visited Paris in college with little to no money!
🚫 Don't Fall Into Tourist Traps
Many people will try to take advantage of you in Paris if you don't speak French. I've sadly seen it with my own eyes. For instance, if they ask you how much you want to tip in a restaurant – don't fall for it! You don't ever have to tip unless you really enjoyed the service.
25 Best Free Things to Do in Paris (According To a Local)
Best Free Things to Do in Paris During the Day
Picnic in a Park
This may be the one thing on my “best free things to do in Paris” list that isn’t actually completely free (as you need to buy food for a picnic) – but it’s definitely more budget friendly.
And hey, you have to eat eventually during your trip to Paris – right?
Although a picnic in Paris isn’t totally free, it can be extremely cheap if you shop at the right places – such as by hitting up a G20, Carrefour, or Super U instead of Monoprix or Franprix.
View of sunset from Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris; July 2026
A baguette, a bottle of wine, a bag of nuts or chips, and a block of cheese can easily come out to be under 10€ if you shop right.
This is personally my favorite budget friendly thing to do in Paris when it’s summer and the weather is still nice, as you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of whichever park you choose and the lively atmosphere of other tourists and locals alike trying to soak up the sunshine as well.
Pro Tip: I know it’s enticing to spend money at the gorgeous produce stands, such as the ones of Rue Cler, but it’s much more budget friendly to fill up your picnic basket with grocery store goods instead!
2. Explore the Art at Place du Tertre
Art exhibits and museums can get pricey in Paris, even if you qualify for senior, student, or residential discounts. One of my favorite ways to get a taste of Paris’s art scene without breaking the bank is to wander around Place
Pro Tip: I know it’s enticing to spend money at the gorgeous produce stands, such as the ones of Rue Cler, but it’s much more budget friendly to fill up your picnic basket with grocery store goods instead!
View of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmatre; September 2025
3. Window Shop the Boutiques in Le Marais
If there was one place in Paris where I could go to simply pursue little stores with cute trinkets that I don’t need and do not fit in my microscopic apartment – it’s the little boutiques that are inside and surround Le Marais.
As the daughter of a New Yorker, I grew up being accustomed to window shopping on Fifth Avenue – and I really think Paris can be just as entertaining, but that most tourists make the mistake of trying to do this on Champs-Élysées (which is filled with generic stores and tourist traps).
Some additional fun stores in Le Marais to “shop” (but not buy anything) are Merci and taking a stroll down Rue des Rossiers.
Pro Tip: Be sure to hop inside La Mouette Rieuse on Rue Pavée – it’s mostly filled with locals shopping for books, puzzles, stationary, and more. I love coming in here to find new mini guidebooks on Paris for locals and to eye all of the gift cards and notebooks on display!
Rue des Rosiers, Paris, France; July 2026
4. See the Sunrise at the Sacré-Cœur
This may sound like a tourist-central thing to do in Paris, but in reality – it’s something that is adored by locals alike, too!
In the summer, it can be a challenge to see the Sacré-Cœur at sunrise (as it requires getting up well before 5am) – but it’s honestly worth it.
Rarely will you ever get to see the iconic white church perched-on-the-hill in Paris free of people-forward chaos, but seeing it at the first break of daylight allows it to feel much more grandiose than it usually does when swarmed by tourists.
Pro Tip: Try to do this on a weekday morning, otherwise – you’ll arrive there just to find that you’re accompanied by all of the clubbers who never went to sleep in the first place, which really ruins the vibe!
Check out me visiting the Sacré-Cœur at sunrise in my vlog below!
5. Discover the Amazing Produce at Bastille Market
Even if you never spend a dime, another exhilarating and very culturally immersive free thing to do in Paris is to explore the riveting Bastille Market.
Lined with endless produce, cheese, clothing, and flower stands – this is nearly like a “one-stop-shop” to see, smell, and maybe even taste all the best that France and Paris have to offer.
Pro Tip: Try to come as early as possible, especially if you plan on visiting on a Sunday morning – as it can get overwhelmingly crowded by the afternoons on weekends.
View of the Bastille Market in Paris, France; May 2023
6. Walk the Paris “High Line” Coulée-Verte
Another one of my all time “let’s have a no-spend-weekend” in Paris activities is to walk the pathway found at Coulée Verte René-Dumont.
Reminiscent of New York City’s High Line that runs from Chelsea to Hudson Yards – this is a gorgeous, 3-mile-long walkway adorned with little garden-arches, ponds, and accompanied by classic Parisian Haussmann style buildings on every side.
Pro Tip: There’s a wonderful, massive park at the end – perfect to pair this as a trifecta of “free things to do in Paris” morning that starts with wandering the Bastille market, picking up some goodies for a picnic, then walking the entirety of Coulée Verte before enjoying a picnic.
Wandering Coulée Verte in Paris, France; April 2026
7. Take a Long Stroll Across the Seine
This sounds like a tacky and cliché free thing to do in Paris, but trust me – it has stood the test of time, while living here.
Whether you want something low-budget to do when catching up with a friend or just need to sit with your own thoughts, you can never go wrong with a walk along the seine – as it’s also a free way to see all of the same sights offered on those overpriced tourist cruises you often see passing by.
Pro Tip: When walking towards the Eiffel Tower, walk alongside the right bank side of the seine to get better views of the city!
Sunny day along the seine in Paris, France; March 2022
8. Feel Alive on Rue Montorgueil
If you want to feel like you did something in Paris without ever having spent a single euro, try hopping over to Rue Montorgueil – which is lined with cafés, restaurants, chocolate stands, produce markets, and more.
Bustling with energy, it’s the perfect afternoon activity in Paris that will make you feel like you had a full day without putting a damper on your wallet!
Pro Tip: Be sure to walk down the quieter and cuter Rue Mandar, as it’ll be a nice break from the incessant vivacious demeanor that you’re bound to encounter while exploring Rue Montorgueil.
Rue Montorgueil in Paris, France; September 2025
9. Explore famous T.V. Show & Movie Spots (links to Emily in Paris and TSITP)
As someone who has been living in the French capital for years, one of my favorite free and solo activities in Paris has been to go location-scouting for popular movies and T.V. shows that have been filmed in Paris – like The Summer I Turned Pretty or Emily in Paris.
Pro Tip: This is honestly the perfect free Paris winter activity, as it often involves hopping from one place to another (helping you to keep warm by increasing your count) with lots of nearby cafés to easily pop in, have a warm sip of something, and recharge before heading back out there to see the rest of where your favorite characters were on screen.
Check out my vlog of me exploring some famous Paris filming locations from these TV series below!
10. Find the Best Views of Paris
Tourists often try to make their way up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the best views in Paris, but in reality – the most marvelous views of the city are no where near the Iron Lady, and are usually much cheaper or even free!
Pro Tip: Some of my favorite free views of Paris can be found at Belleville Panoramic, Centre Pompidou, and at the steps of the Sacré-Cœur.
View of Paris from the Notre-Dame; September 2026
11. Relax in a Garden
This might sound like an obvious one, but it really is one of my favorite ways to spend a cheap, lazy Sunday in Paris.
Some of my favorite gardens to relax in for free are usually Palais Royal or Jardin du Luxembourg – as the classic, Paris green park chairs and sounds of the nearby central fountains havoc peace in every direction.
Pro Tip: Try to get to your garden of choice earlier on in the day, as usually by 2pm – it’ll be a challenge to find a seat and truly relax.
Relaxing with the fountain in Palais Royal in Paris, France; August 2026
12. Have a DIY photoshoot on Rue Cremieux
Paris isn’t used repeatedly in movies for no reason: it truly is a picturesque and cinematic city, even when it’s driving you crazy.
That’s why one of the best free things to do in Paris is to have a little DIY photoshoot with your friends, especially on Rue Cremieux – which is colorful and is the epitome of Instagram-cover-story gold.
Pro Tip: If you aren’t into the Instagram-colored scene, try having a photoshoot in quieter, non-touristy places in Paris like La Cité Florale.
Rue Crémieux in Paris, France; May 2025
13. Marvel in the Magic at La Cité Florale
Speaking of La Cité Florale, this is another 100% free thing to do in Paris that I can’t believe tourists continuously miss.
Adorned with pale-colored houses covered in ivy and other flowers, this is a fairy-tale-like spot that is just as photogenic as the other crowded and more expensive things people usually do on a first trip to Paris.
Pro Tip: Be sure to also explore the nearby Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood, as it’s significantly cheaper than other neighborhoods in Paris and will allow for a laid-back, local feel while also enjoying a cheaper café outing.
Pretty homes in La Cité Florale in Paris, France; May 2025
14. Discover the Coolest Books at Shakespeare and Company
Although this is something on a lot of tourist’s radar in Paris, I have to say – this bookstore near the Latin Quarter is genuinely worth visiting.
The line is usually long, even by mid day – so the earlier you can get here, the better.
Inside, you’ll get to explore all of the little reading nooks and even the views of the city from the top floor.
Pro Tip: Take your newly purchased book and hop straight over to the nearby Square René Viviani – which is a colorful and peaceful garden with commanding views of Notre-Dame. Also, the café at Shakespeare and Company itself is actually really good!
Check out me exploring Shakespeare and Company for the first time in my vlog below!
15. Visit the Petit Palais Museum
The majority of museums in Paris are getting more expensive by the day, but luckily – there’s one that remains free to visit, and that’s Petit Palais.
Be sure to walk around the half-dome outdoor garden, which is lined with a café and makes for lovely photos or a quiet place to catch up with friends.
Pro Tip: If you’re a big museum-goer, you should know that in Paris, tourists and locals alike can gain free entry into museums on the first Sunday of every month. However, note that this must be planned in advance – as everyone tries to get into museums free on the first Sunday of the month!
16. Explore the Library and Exhibit Hop at the Centre Pompidou (Currently Closed Until 2030)
When I first moved to Paris, I would waltz right into Centre Pompidou on my way home from running errands any chance that I could get.
Between its massive library, stunning views of the city from the top, and the revolving door of art expositions – there’s plenty to keep you occupied here without spending a single penny.
Pro-Tip: The Centre Pompidou is currently closed until 2030, but fear not – it’ll be back better than ever soon. In the meantime, I like chilling in the square just outside of the Centre Pompidou – as lots of young artists are often drawing, making it a great spot for people watching in Paris.
View of Paris from the Centre Pompidou; June 2022
Best Free Things to Do in Paris At Night
Listen to Amazing Tunes at Fête de la Musique
Held once a year during the summer solstice, Fête de la Musique is one of the best ways to enjoy live music without digging into your pockets while in Paris.
You can practically wander anywhere in the city, and find artists singing their new songs live right before your eyes!
Pro-Tip: Just beware that this particular music festival in Paris has gotten rowdier in recent years: so be sure to stay hydrated and keep your belongings close to avoid pickpocketing.
2. Contemplate Life with the Art in Paris During La Nuit Blanche
Once a year, usually in the fall or early June, Paris becomes an open-air art exhibit on what’s called La Nuit Blanche – which allows locals and residents alike to discover incredible art just by frolicking the streets of Paris.
Pro-Tip: Try to stick to more walkable neighborhoods like Le Marais and the Latin Quarter, so that way – you aren’t running around the city on the metro, but truly wandering and seeing what catches your eye along the way.
View of Musée d’Orsay at night in Paris, France; January 2026
3. See Moulin Rouge Lit Up at Night
Something that I think is more iconic than it gets credit for and is completely free to see in Paris is the iconic Moulin Rouge at night.
You can of course pay to go inside for a show or check out the rooftop bar in the top – but my personal favorite is to just watch the windmill turn in the night, golden with the bustling Paris nightlife happening below it.
Pro-Tip: If you’re a traveling Paris solo, keep a close eye on your surroundings when walking back to the metro – as Pigalle and Blanche (the metro stations close to Moulin Rouge) aren’t the safest at night.
Moulin Rouge at night in Paris, France; October 2023
4. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle
I know this is a tacky one, but even as someone who lives near the Eiffel Tower – I still make time to do this every single night.
It may be just a random assortment of lights all firing off at the same time, but there really is something still so magical about it.
Pro-Tip: Remember, the Eiffel Tower only sparkles on the hour for five minutes once the tower itself is already golden. If the Eiffel Tower isn’t lit up once the hour hits, you’ll have to wait another hour for the light show!
The Eiffel Tower sparkling at night in Paris, France; August 2025
5. Snap a Photo of the Silver-Like the Louvre & Olympic Balloon
A place in Paris that is absolutely free and super-underrated at night is the Louvre Museum.
I simply adore how silver it lights up, almost like the moon, once it’s dark outside – and with a usually golden Eiffel Tower in the distance – it’s almost one of the most romantic places in Paris at night, completely free of charge.
Pro-Tip: The infamous Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron, otherwise known as the “Paris Olympic Balloon” is usually only on display in the summer in Paris in Jardin des Tulieres.
6. Walk Down Rue de Rivoli from Bastille to the Eiffel Tower
I have this literal tradition every October where I take myself out to dinner on a Saturday night and walk from my apartment near the Eiffel Tower all the way past Bastille.
After five years of living here, this is still one of my favorite walks to go on in Paris – and when you skip the out-to-dinner part, it’s completely free.
The great part is that when you do this walk around 8pm to 11pm at night on the weekend, is that the streets (yes, even the main street called Rue de Rivoli) is always quiet on a Friday or Saturday night once – everyone is inside eating dinner or out partying!
Pro-Tip: I find it best to start from Bastille at sunset and walk towards the Eiffel Tower as it’s getting dark. I know it’s more popular to see the sparkle show up close and personal on Champs des Mars or Trocadéro, but I find it just as magical when you see the illuminating tower reflecting along the seine from afar.
7. Chat with Friends Alongside Canal St. Martin
If you’re looking for a student, youth friendly place to have a fun night out that's on the cheaper side – Canal St. Martin is the place to be.
This is a very lively place at night, also popular for picnics or drinking cheap beers or bottles of wine along the seine with friends.
Pro-Tip: This is best for people who love to bar-hop and have a night out on the town with friends, but don’t want to break the bank while doing it.
Canal St. Martin in the fall in Paris, France; November 2025
8. See the Traffic or Christmas Lights on Champs-Élysées
Whenever I am running errands near the Champs-Élysées during the day, I always see it flooded with tourists – not fully understanding why, when it’s much more alluring at night.
Whether it be on a typical Tuesday night eyeing the traffic that circles the arch or the iconic Christmas lights that line the avenue from head-to-toe, this is one of those free things to do in Paris that is bound to catch your eye without needing to slip into your pocket for spare change.
Pro-Tip: If you didn’t know, Champs-Élysées doesn’t allow cars on Sundays – making it the best day to freely stroll the famous French avenue without being stopped by the incessant traffic every five minutes at the crosswalks!
Place de la Concorde at night in Paris, France; December 2025
9. Enjoy Free Open Air Cinemas on the Seine or at Parc de la Villette
I always find it so cool, and so Paris when I walk along the seine on a summer night or leave from a work party at Parc de la Villette and see the open-air movies the city hosts for tourists and residents alike.
It makes for perfect casual night with friends or budget-friendly date night in Paris, though – I often get distracted by the beauty of the city around me as opposed to watching the movie itself.
Pro-Tip: Follow La Vilette on Instagram to have first dibs on all of the latest pop-ups and free events in the area, as there often are lots of art expos in addition to free cinema showings – as shown on Emily in Paris!
Check out me exploring Parc de la Vilette for the first time in my Paris vlog below!
Ultimately, Paris really is one of those cities that can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. You may see Instagrammers and Tik-Tokers roaming the more upscale streets and trying fancy restaurants – but in reality, much of Paris’s charm comes from the quiet moments that don’t cost a dime.
Have more questions on the best free things to do in Paris? Check out my FAQ table below to help plan your budget friendly trip to Paris.
🗼✨ FAQs on the Best Things to Do in Paris 🇫🇷🌙
Looking for more information and Paris and France as you plan your trip?
Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris and the rest of France.
Additional articles you may find helpful include:
10 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train (From a Local's Perspective)
15 Best Rooftop Bars in Paris You’ll Actually Want to Visit in 2026
10 Best Neighborhoods in Paris: Where to Stay (A Local’s Guide)
Your Guide to a First Trip to Paris: A Local-Approved 5-Day Itinerary
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Last updated: September 19, 2026