10 things to do for free in Paris
13th October 2011
Don't be put off by Paris' daunting price tag – you can visit the city on a budget. Daisy Cropper explains how
1. Fumble around forgotten Flea markets
On a trip to Paris don't miss the city's most famous flea market, Marché aux Saint-Ouen. Dubbed Europe's largest market, you could spend your whole trip unearthing both treasures and tat – each in similar quantities – from this sprawling bazaar.
With over 2,500 stalls there's something for everyone and you don't have to buy: wander around the trinkets and antiques of the Marché Vernaison, the vintage and second-hand clothes in Marché Dauphine or explore the 'freelance stalls' where shacks sell anything from batteries, to padlocks, to sunglasses and more.
Getting there: Take the number 4 metro all the way to Porte de Clignancourt. It's the last station on the line and feels quite suburban up on the streets, but don't be intimidated and keep an eye out for pickpockets.
The flea market is open to buyers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, although times on these days vary – stallholders often come and go as they please.
2. Ogle at street performers at Places Georges Pompidou
If the Pompidou Centre's surreal and bizarre structures aren't enough to keep you gawping and ogling all day long, the surrounding street performers certainly will. Check out clowns, mimes, magicians and even buskers performing for tourists and locals alike. The entertainers never cease to tire and you should find them there strutting their stuff all day long.
Extra tip: Want to see modern art without the added fees? Saunter around the outskirts of the Pompidou Centre – to the right of the square – to the Place Igor Stravinsky. Here you'll find the first modern fountain in Paris. Designed by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, the quirky sculptures feature multi-coloured figures, elephant heads and more.
Getting there: Take the number 11 metro to Rambuteau – it’s literally next to the Pompidou Centre. Street performers and mimes can be found all over the square.
3. Don't miss the Cathédrale de Notre Dame
Found in the very heart of Paris, the Cathédrale de Notre Dame is central to Parisian history and the booming tourist industry. As the capital's most visited site – on average ten million people visit per year – you need to get there early to miss the throngs of snap-happy tourists.
Entrance to the Cathedral is free. Once inside, take the time to examine the gloriously grand architecture, the dazzling stained-glass windows and the central choir – with memorable wooden statues and stalls.
There are free one-and-a-half hour guided tours given in English, where visitors can learn more about the building's design and history (2pm Wed and Thurs, 2.30pm Sat).
Extra tip: Don't miss the small park (Jean XXIII) behind the cathedral for sublime views and opportunities to feed small tame-ish sparrows. They fly all over the park in small flocks. Simply sneak a small piece of brioche from your breakfast buffet, pick a spot near a group of birds, hold a morsel between your fingers with your arm raised in the air and the sparrows will come flocking!
Getting there: Being central Paris, it's fairly easy to find yourself on the Île de la Cité and by the cathedral. The nearest metro station is Cité on line 4.
4. The lock of love?
Paris is internationally known as one of the world's most romantic cities, so much so that some visitors have literally latched onto the capital's bridges to declare their undying love. Most prominently viewed on the Pont des Arts and the Pont de l'Archevêché, thousands of padlocks have been attached to the bridges, regularly with the love-sick sweeheart's initals etched onto the lock.
Some couples throw the key into the Seine to declare their everlasting love, others unlock the padlock when they next return to the French capital.
Since the fad took off three years ago over 2,500 padlocks have been locked onto the city's bridges – take the time to observe visitor's declaration of love... Or if you can spare a Euro, snap one up yourself and latch it on.
Getting there: The city's most famous love-locked bridges are the Pont des Artes and the Pont de l'Archevêché. Des Artes can be found linking the left bank of the river with the Musée du Louvre. L'Archevêché joins the left bank and the Latin Quarter to the Île de la Cité and the Cathédrale de Notre Dame.
5. Take to the streets... And your feet
Paris is pretty compact in terms of the main sites and attractions. You don't need to waste money taking the Metro around the city – let your feet do the hard work and take a free walking tour around the capital.
It's simple, either pick up a free map – from your hotel or from a tourist information centre – and get going on your own. Or you can take advantage of one of the Paris' free guided tour companies offering top-notch knowledge and local info on all the sites you visit.
Sandemans Tours and Discover Walks both offer free services around the city – just make sure you have suitable shoes and a hearty breakfast!
6. Fashion for free
Shopping, for some, is a past-time that must not be missed in a city like Paris – renowned around the world as a major fashion capital – but how does one get a sense of shopping without parting with any hard-earned Euros?
Simply visit the Galeries Lafayetter – one of Paris’ best-known department stores. Not only is there room-upon-room of haute couture to window-shop around, but there’s also a free fashion show on a Friday afternoon (3pm, but you must make a booking). If shopping’s not your thing head to the rooftop for panoramic views of Paris’ city centre.
Getting there: The closest metro station to the main Galeries Lafayette store (there are three sprawled across the city) is Chaussée d’Antin. Once above ground you can see the department store from the street.
7. Creepy goings-on in the Cimetière du Montparnasse
It may sound gruesome suggesting you see a cemetery but the Cimetière du Montparnasse is home to many of France's intellectual and artistic elite and provides an insight into old-age Parisian culture.
Take a stroll around the headstones to discover the final resting places of Paris’ rich and famous. World-famous photographer Man Ray was buried here, as was painter Chaim Soutine and playwright Samuel Beckett. Controversial singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg was also laid to rest here.
Fans show their ever-lasting affection by placing used metro tickets onto his tombstone in reference to his well-known song 'Le Poinçonneur des Lilas’ (The Ticket Puncher of Lilas).
Getting there: Located further south in the city than the main tourist hotspots Montparnasse has quieter streets and a calmer atmosphere. To get to the cemetery take the metro – line 13 – to Gaîté.
8. Picnic in the pretty Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
The closest thing you’ll find in Paris to Central or Hyde Park, the Park des Buttes-Chaumont offers visitors a place to chill out and escape from the hum-drum of city life.
Encompassing over 5km of trails and paths there’s enough to see and explore here to keep you busy all day long. The main attraction for visitors to the park is a small Belvedere (or temple), which sits at the top of an island, surrounded by a charming lake.
The whole scene is very picturesque and typically Parisian – think romantic picnics and strolls in the sunset.
Getting there: The park is BIG. So there are numerous entrances depending on where you want to walk and what you want to see. For the main entrances, take the metro to either Buttes Chaumont or Botzaris – both located on line 7.
9. Somewhere for a satisfying cityscape
We all know the Eiffel tower supplies visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of Paris, but did you know that it now costs €13.40 and a lot of queuing to get to the top?
Although it may be more leg-work, it’s free to climb the stairs to the top of Butte de Montmarte, which leads to the exterior of the Basilisque du Sacre Coeur. From there you can survey an equally impressive view of France’s capital city.
Getting there: Take the metro line 2 through Montmartre to Anvers.
10. Soak up the sun on Paris Plage
When you think of bustling city centres nuzzled next to white-sand beaches Rio, Barcelona or Sydney spring to mind. Paris, with its romanticism, world-famous museums and saucy Cabarets, is not the first place we would take to the shores.
Why not? Since 2002, for four weeks during the summer (from mid-July to mid-August), the right bank of the Seine is lined with 1.5km of beach-side bliss. One ‘plage’ offers a sandy-shore another offers a pebble option. Working on the summer tan and enjoying the outdoor air is not the only activities on offer, free music concerts are held all along the river, throughout the summer months.
Visitors beware: In 2007 figures showed that four million people visited the beaches in the month it was open – want to bag a lounger? Better get there bright and early. The beaches are open daily from 8am to midnight.
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