If you are visiting Paris and you have set aside the large part of your budget for visiting Disneyland or other world renowned sights, then it is likely you will want to save as much as possible on the days that you have nothing planned. It is a well known saying that the best things in life are free and in this article we outline the top things to do in Paris for free! All of the below sights are easily accessible from Marriott’s Village D’Ile de France, so you can pick and choose your itinerary with ease.
Visit The Parisienne Markets
The best way to get the best sensations of a city is to visit the local markets. In Paris almost all the neighborhoods have their own market. In my opinion, this is the best way to know the true Essence of Paris and interact with its locals. It’s not about food markets, but you can find books by well-known or known French authors, antiques and the latest “shout” in Parisian fashion (remember to watch is free). Buy here the best sourvenirs and of course do not forget to try the typical products of the local gastronomy that you can not get anywhere else. Here are a couple of markets in Paris you can visit:
Marche Bastille
It is one of the largest markets in Paris and twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) offers the best gastronomic products in the area, it is undoubtedly the best choice for lovers of food. It is big, full of atmosphere and with a lot of flavor so be prepared to be able to find everything from fruit, vegetables, salsas … to aged wines and of course, do not miss the cheese!
Marche aux Puces de St-Ouen
This market opens Saturdays (from 9:00 to 18:00), Sundays (10:00 to 18:00) and Monday (11:00 to 17:00). It is the oldest and most famous in Paris and also considered one of the largest in the world. Did you know that it is popularly known as the “flea market”? It is ideal for buying anything, musical instruments, clothing, military uniforms from World War I … a place to get unique and authentic utensils.
Visit The Museums
There are many free museums in Paris that you should visit. Even though some we have listed below are not free, be aware that most museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Below is a list of museums and timetables that you can visit at no cost:
- Musee D’Art Moderne De La Ville From Paris: Free for permanent collections (open Tuesday to Sunday)
- Petit Palais, City of Paris Fine Art Museum: Free for permanent collections (open Tuesday to Sunday)
- Musee Carnavalet-Historie de Paris: Free for permanent collections and thematic exhibitions (open Tuesday to Sunday)
Outdoor Sights To Visit In Paris
Paris is an amazing city that must be explored on foot to discover all its corners and not miss anything out, so you can enjoy its atmosphere of the “city of light and love”. It is a city full of tradition, many places of interest, culture, history, style and much charm you can experience without spending a penny. For example, some local attractions like the Champs-Elysées full of shops, cafes and very famous monuments like the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. Montremartre, a very bohemian neighborhood are all free to visit. The latter is the place where the Basilique du Sacré Coeur is located, historically it was the scene of artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dalí, hence it is known as the ” the painters”. If you want to enjoy some truly breathtaking views, we recommend climbing to the highest part of the mountain and from there breathe in and absorb all of the charm that Paris has to offer.
