Paris is best known as a city of love, and there are plenty of ways for budget-conscious romantics to enjoy this French city. To get you started, check out these six free things to do in Paris.
The Louvre
You don’t have to shell out big bucks to see classic pieces of art like the Mona Lisa. Instead, plan your visit to The Louvre around the first Sunday of every month and on Bastille Day (July 14), when admission is free. Other famous artwork you can see at The Louvre include the Venus de Milo sculpture and “The Wedding Feast at Cana,” a painting of Jesus Christ’s miracle of turning water into wine.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Climbing your way through this steep park has a high payoff: one of the best views of Paris. Filled with rolling hills and romantic waterfalls, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the perfect setting for an intimate picnic in one of Paris’ top green spaces.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This striking Gothic structure on the River Seine is a must-see in Paris, and luckily for cash-strapped visitors, it’s free to enter the cathedral. Don’t miss your chance to snap a few travel photos of the iconic gargoyles that stand guard over the cathedral.
Free walking tour
Get to know the real Paris with a free walking tour through the city, courtesy of SANDEMANs New Europe tours. The tour includes views of sights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elyssses. It may also include landmarks like Napoleon’s tomb, the Tuileries Gardens and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Tours are led by local volunteers and your only cost is a tip for your guide.
Eiffel Tower
While there is a fee to go up the Eiffel Tower, you can soak up the best views of the tower from Le Champ de Mars, the park that sits just below the Eiffel Tower. Set up camp in this well-manicured green space and settle in for nightfall, when the Eiffel Tower twinkles at every hour.
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
More than just a must-see for travelers who like to seek out haunted hotspots, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is also the final resting place of a number of quite a few famous tombs. Those who call the Pere Lachaise Cemetery their final home include the likes of Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.
(Main image: swampa)
