As soon as I booked my trip to Paris, France, I remembered this city’s high price tag, which made me want to cancel my trip immediately. So, in this post, I want to talk about the research I’ve discovered that can help you or Moi explore Paris on a budget. Therefore, I give you free things to do in Paris that don’t suck. Because let’s face it, I can stroll in the park at home.
In any case, I can’t cancel my trip; it was a round-trip ticket from Copenhagen from my last trip to Madrid and Berlin. So I’m going to use it, and I’m going to use it good dammit!
Gay Paris 2023 Digital Travel Guide
Free Things to Do in Paris, France
As much as I love to eat and shop, I’m probably not going to be able to eat on this trip because everything in Paris is made as if it were infused with gold. Paris has super expensive places to eat, but let’s not despair. A budget food post is coming soon.
So what are these free, elusive things to do in Paris? Read on and see.
1) Go to the I Love You Wall for Your Paris on a Budget Trip
The I Love You Wall is located on the Square Jehan Rictus on Montmartre Hill. It’s a little crowded, but it’s worth it because it’s cute, promotes love and joy, and it’s free.
The square on which it’s located has specific hours, and sometimes, they’re closed depending on the season. Check their website, just in case.
And if you’re interested, their website has a virtual tour so you can see what you’re getting yourself into before you go.
2) Pont des Arts
Pont des Arts was once the place where you placed your locks of love. But, several years ago, the fence weighed so much that they had to take it down due to safety concerns. Regardless, this bridge is iconic. It has a beautiful view, and you can sit here and ponder life in a way that only Paris can make you ponder.
This is not just a free thing to do in Paris, but it’s memorable and perhaps life-changing.
3) Hunt Invader All Over Town
If you’re into iconic graffiti art, download the FlashInvaders App and go around Paris to find as many pieces of Invader graffiti art as possible. You get points for finding each one, and it’s a great way to see the city.
Invader is one of the most popular graffiti artists in the world, and his home is Paris. So there are many around town. This is a great way to find them.
I did it on one of my prior trips. You can watch that video here:
4) 29 Avenue Rapp is a Door, but It’s Free and Super CUTE!
This is the address to one of Paris’s most beautifully adorned and architecturally beautiful doors.
The uniqueness of this door is something out of a fantasy movie, and while it’s just a door, it’s different, and it transports you to another place in time. It makes you wonder what it was like in a different era. Quirkly architecture can be quite fun.
5) Tour de l’Horloge
This is the oldest clock in Paris, and it reminds me of Prague’s old astronomical clock, so while it’s just a clock, it’s worth visiting. Take a picture of it, explore its history, and add it to your list of free things to do in Paris.
6) Nicolas Flamel’s House
Nicolas’s house is free only from the outside because it’s a restaurant now.
Who was Nicolas Flamel? Have you read or watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (now called The Sorcerer’s Stone)? Well, Nicolas Flamel was a French scribe and manuscript seller who became famous after his death as an alchemist. People believed he discovered the philosopher’s stone and achieved immortality. These stories have been around since the 17th century.
Apparently, Flamel learned alchemical secrets from a Jewish converso on the road to Santiago de Compostela, as per texts written almost 200 years after his death. He’s become quite the legendary alchemist in various works of fiction since then.
He is even mentioned in more recent fictional movies such as As Above So Below, which is such an awesome, scary movie.
According to the movie, Flamel left clues throughout the city, especially on his tombstone, which he carved himself, to find the Philosopher’s Stone. So, if you’re a scary movie lover like me, his house might be a good site to see. Take a picture because, in this instance, that picture IS worth a thousand words.
7) Covered Passageways of Paris
This next one is cute. There are passageways all over the city of Paris that are all different and unique and cater to different shops. Basically, they are covered passageways between buildings with many shops connected to them. The passageways are so unique that you’ll want to Instagram them til your heart is content. And it doesn’t cost a thing.
I should warn you that these covered passageways are gorgeous, and the souvenir shops and cafés are probably enticing. Nevertheless, let’s keep things budget-friendly and gratis!
Put these passageways on your list of free things to do in Paris.
8) 59, rue de Rivoli
59, rue de Rivoli used to be an artist colony that squatters took over. Now, it is a free gallery, and it looks amazing. The walls are covered in graffiti, and it’s absolutely free. So, let’s visit this place, see what it’s about, and make some memories.
9) See an old Pet Cemetery
If you love scary movies like me, you’ll love going to a Pet Cemetery and checking out the cute animal tombs. Although it’s most likely not as creepy as anything Stephen King does, it will make your Paris experience unique.
It’s also free, so if you’re planning a Paris on a budget trip, add this to your list. Let’s go check out the tombs of dogs, cats, horses, and other animals.
10) Unusual Taxidermy Shop
I love weird and unusual things. And I feel like Paris is the place to find weird, gothic, unusual sites. So when I discovered this taxidermy shop, I felt like I had to put this on my list. After all, going to a store is free. But it’s up to you to keep it that way.
So, if you go and find the cutest little critter, by all means, purchase it. But otherwise, I’d like to take a look and continue my Paris on a budget trip. I know my wallet will thank me.
As a side note, taxidermists do not kill animals. The animals usually die of natural causes, which are then turned into taxidermy.
11) Explore le Petite Ceinture
Le Petit Ceinture is an abandoned railroad track that surrounds the city of Paris. These abandoned railroad tracks are said to be really cute with many different parts to explore throughout the city.
The tracks range from beautifully floral to just abandoned, sometimes creepy and super dark. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s so dark that your iPhone flashlight is not enough. Not to mention, the darkest corners are full of rats. So be careful. This site is free and accessible to the public.
12) Find breasts all over the city
You’ll start to notice the plaster breasts all over the city now that I’ve told you about them. This graffiti artist pasted more than 400 of these all over the city.
Can you find them all?
13) See Jim Morrison’s Grave and Explore Pere Lachaise
Pere Lachaise is home to several famous graves, including Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and a few others. Most importantly, you can spend the entire day in this giant cemetery, taking pictures, discovering history, and not spending a dime because it’s free. So pack a sandwich and a beverage because we’re not breaking the bank today. How’s that for Paris on a budget?
Also, don’t be underwhelmed because Jim Morrisons grave is actually pretty small.
Free things to do in Paris for your Paris on a budget trip!
Put these things on your list for your next trip to Paris. All of these free things to do in Paris are, in fact, free, but some are surrounded by beautiful cafes, shops, stores, and the like. And like me, sometimes, I just want a cafe au lait, a macaroon, and perhaps a nice Parisian jacket. But that’s not so budget-friendly.
In any case, I hope this helps your Paris on a budget trip.