Free Paris – EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog EuroCheapo editors take on the world of budget travel. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:54:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.3 Top 25 free things to do in Paris https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-25-free-things-to-see-and-do.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-25-free-things-to-see-and-do.html#comments Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:00:50 +0000 https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/?p=43048 You really don’t have to spend much money at all to enjoy Paris. Sure, food and a hotel will require a bit of an investment, but if you play your cards right, you can soak up the best Paris has to offer without dropping an extra euro. That’s because there are hundreds of free things » Read more

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You really don’t have to spend much money at all to enjoy Paris. Sure, food and a hotel will require a bit of an investment, but if you play your cards right, you can soak up the best Paris has to offer without dropping an extra euro.

That’s because there are hundreds of free things to do in Paris, from markets to churches, parks, and concerts. We’ve pulled together our favorites below, with something to appeal to every type of traveler.

Have something to add to our list? Add your own free favorite activity in the comments section at the end of the post.

Related:
45 ways to save on your trip to Paris
How to save on your hotel in Paris


Top 25 free things to do in Paris

Here’s our official “Top 25” list of our favorite sights and activities in Paris that are completely free. Now let’s explore Paris… gratuit!

1. Try to get lost

We need to start with the most celebrated (if obvious!) freebie of all in Paris… getting lost in this romantic metropolis. Pick a starting point and just go. Soak up the sights and the sounds, the sidewalk ballet, the countless stories playing out before you. Move with the flow and see where the city takes you. Chances are you’ll stumble upon a new favorite shop, cafe or lunch spot — or at least wind up with a few stories to tell. (And you’re never really lost, of course. You’re hardly ever more than a couple blocks from a Metro stop — and a quick trip back to where you started.)

2. Bridges over the Seine

We know, it sounds so cliché, but strolling the bridges of Paris is truly a timeless activity. Of course, the bridges are free to cross, the tolls having disappeared hundreds of years ago. The Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, and Pont Alexandre III are some of the most famous of the city’s bridges.

And a warning: Don’t even think about spending money attaching one of those locks to any bridge. That’s not cool anymore, so please refrain, thanks!

3. Candy samples

Many of the city’s chocolatiers will offer you a sample if you seem keen to purchase their wares, and some extra-friendly spots encourage samples, even if you don’t have a cent in your pocket to buy anything afterward.

4. Christmas markets

We’re not rushing the seasons here, but the delightful Christmas markets in Paris are coming up soon, and they are all delightfully free to wander. Splurge on a bit of hot wine (“vin chaud”), please, but other than that, there’s no reason to do too much shopping, as prices tend to be a bit inflated for oddball items. Enjoy the atmosphere for zero euros.

5. Churches

Nearly all of Paris’ historic churches are free to enter, wander the aisles, and sit and contemplate. You will need to buy a ticket to take in the stunning stained glass of the Sainte-Chapelle (recommended) and to descend into the crypts of Saint-Denis, but otherwise, all of Paris’ Catholic sanctuaries are free to enter.

Although we are still mourning the loss of Notre Dame (which fortunately reopens its doors this December!), there are other beautiful churches like Saint Sulpice and Saint Germain-des-Prés that you can see and almost never have a wait. In short: If you see a church, stop in and see what’s behind those doors. You’ll probably be impressed.

6. Covered shopping arcades

Fortunately, several of Paris’ charming 19th-century shopping arcades (“passages”) are still open and lined with cute shops and galleries. These glass-covered passages, located mostly in the 9th and 2nd arrondissements, offer an atmospheric throw-back, rich with beautiful architecture.

Our favorites include the Passage des Panoramas near the Musée Grévin and the Passage du Grand Cerf near rue Montorgueil.

7. Eiffel Tower light show

It’s the epitome of kitsch and we love every sparkling moment of it. Every hour on the hour at night, the Eiffel Tower lights up for a few minutes, glittering wildly like the diva she is. Catch a great view from one of the bridges or from Trocadéro just across the river. And good luck with those photos!

8. First Sundays of the month

On the famous first Sunday of the month, admission to Paris’ largest and most famous museums is free. That’s quite a deal, although it also brings with it crowds and insanity. To keep your sanity, avoid any major museums like the Orsay. It’s pointless to wait in line for an hour to save a few euros.

Instead, take advantage of the free admission and head to one of the less famous museums like the Musée des Arts et Métiers or the Musée National Eugène Delacroix. You’ll get in for free and won’t have to wait in line. It’s a cheapo win-win!

9. Galeries Lafayette’s observation deck

Sure, the iconic department store Galeries Lafayette doesn’t give away its merchandise, but that doesn’t stop us from visiting the gorgeous stained glass cupola or heading to the observation deck. Take the escalator all the way to the top for a great free view of Paris, and you won’t break a sweat or your wallet.

10. Gardens and parks

From the Tuileries to the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris’ few but formidable green spaces are all free to enter and explore. Throw a picnic in the Place des Vosges, sniff the flowers of the Jardin des Plantes or go for a jog in Parc Montsouris with the locals. No admission, no fuss. Just free outdoor beauty.

Related: Parc des Buttes Chaumont: A breath of fresh (and free) air in Paris

Spend a free afternoon visiting the final resting place of everyday Parisians. Photo: Faungg

Spend a free afternoon visiting the final resting place of everyday Parisians. Photo: Faungg

11. Graves

No matter which cemetery you visit — Père Lachaise, Montmartre, Passy, or Montparnasse — the final resting place of famous and everyday Parisians are free to visit. These beautiful cemeteries feature stunning graves and mausoleums of some of the most famous Parisians, including Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, and temporary resident Oscar Wilde. But just as interesting and beautiful are the graves of thousands of normal Parisians. Spend an afternoon getting lost wandering through history.

12. Hotel de Ville exhibits

Always keep an eye on the grand Hotel de Ville (City Hall), which regularly hosts free exhibits throughout the year. The shows could be about anything from movies and fashion to history and art. Lines can get long during the weekends, so try to go during the week if possible. (Check out this page for exhibits.)

13. Mansions in the Marais

The Marais was once the home of the rich and (possibly) famous. Many mansions dating back to the Renaissance are still here, including the Hotel de Soubise and the Hotel de Sully. Many of these are now public buildings or museums that are free to explore inside.

While wandering the Marais, be on the lookout for large doors with cute courtyards that might be open to the public, like the Hotel de Marle that houses the Swedish Institute and their cute little café.

Related: A Cheapo day in the Marais

Visit the Maison Victor Hugo to check out where the great writer worked and lived. Photo: BernieCB

Visit the Maison Victor Hugo to check out where the great writer worked and lived. Photo: BernieCB

14. Museums

The museums run by the city of Paris are F-R-E-E whenever they’re open. The Musée Carnavalet (which reopened in 2021),the Victor Hugo House, and the Musée de la Vie Romantique (which is temporarily closed for renovations until March 2026) are just a few that we can name. Most are closed Monday — you’ve been warned.

Note that several of these museums (we’re looking at you, Carnavalet) will push you to purchase a “donation ticket” for €5, while others (like Maison Victor Hugo) will push tickets for not-free temporary exhibits. Payment is not required for entry, although, of course, donations to museums and cultural institutions are always a good idea.

Related: A list of free and discounted museums in Paris

15. Music recitals

Many of Paris’ lovely old churches offer free musical recitals, most notably the Eglise Saint-Merri next to the Pompidou Center. You’ll likely find something free and classical most nights.

16. Produce markets

Heading to an outdoor food or shopping market, like the Bastille market on Thursday and Sunday, is a great way to see how many of the locals go grocery shopping. The best part is that vendors will often toss you a slice of cantaloupe or whatever they are pushing that day. Take the samples, enjoy them, and pay nothing.

Related: 10 Tips for shopping at outdoor markets in Paris

17. Promenade Plantée

Stroll above the streets on this renovated, elevated train track. You can basically walk from Bastille to Vincennes with very little car traffic to get in your way along Promenade Plantée. It’s a favorite for joggers on the weekends and early mornings, though, so give us — I mean them — a little space, please.

Related: 12 Things to do on a budget in the 12th arrondissement

18. Royal castle

The Chateau de Vincennes, in the east of Paris, is an actual castle that was once home to several of France’s most important kings, as well as a prison for at least one other. It may not be as regal today as it was during its heyday, having been a bit beaten up over the years, but strolling the grounds is a delight… and delightfully free. (You’ll need to pay to get inside, but no pressure.)

19. Ruins and monuments

People don’t automatically consider ancient civilizations when they think of Paris, but we have our share of ruins, ancient monuments and other artifacts, including the Egyptian obelisk at Place de la Concorde. There are also Roman baths next to the Musée de Cluny and, a crowd pleaser, the Arènes de Lutèce, the old Roman amphitheater in the Latin Quarter. Today, locals play pétanque in the old gladiatorial arenas while tourists stop in for a picnic and to use the free Wi-Fi. Times have indeed changed!

Related: 20 Overlooked attractions to explore in Paris | Where to find free Wi-Fi in Paris

20. Street art

Who said art has to be confined to a gallery? Street art from Belleville to the Canal Saint-Martin to Place d’Italie changes semi-regularly, so there’s always something new to see. If you’re a true fan of street art, you can check out the official Paris tourism site for tips on seeing works up close.

21. UNESCO world heritage sites

Usually, UNESCO heritage sites are a big deal, but in Paris, you can stroll one for absolutely free. The banks of the Seine are considered a world heritage site, and with renovated portions like the Berges de Seine finally free of automobiles, it’s a free, world-class activity. (Unless, of course, you get distracted by the cafés and bars along the Berges…)

22. Stuffed animals

The Musée de la Chasse et la Nature is a fantastic museum for anyone interested in dead animals, but the Deyrolle shop in Saint Germain-des-Prés is a great, free-to-visit alternative. This taxidermy shop has a huge collection of stuffed animals that died of natural causes — no poaching here. Maybe you’ll leave with a little butterfly… or something larger. Who knows? (Just be careful about what you bring home!)

View Montmartre

An endless view of the city from the tip-top of Montmartre. Photo: Craig Nelson

23. Views

You don’t need to pay to get a nice view of Paris. Forget the Eiffel Tower. You can march up Montmartre, get off the beaten path in Parc de Belleville, or take the elevator to the top of the Institut du Monde Arabe for some stellar shots of Paris. No lines, no fees, just free awesome views over the most beautiful city in the world.

24. Walking tours

We’ve written before about the free Paris tours — which are never really free — but they are a great way to get a cheapo orientation to the city. You’re expected to tip your guides, and they will make this abundantly clear during the 3-4 hour tour. A few euros is usually acceptable, but paper money always makes their day. (Trust me, I know, I was one!)

25. Year-round culture

Depending on when you come to Paris, culture surrounds you and is usually free. It might be free outdoor cinema in the summer, an open-door day at the major monuments, live concerts, a festival, a parade, a fake beach, or free macaron day.

Do your research and know what’s on when you arrive so that you can take advantage of the year-long free events that Paris hosts.

Your favorite free things to do in Paris?

Have something gratuit to add to our list? Add your favorite free thing in our comments section below!

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Museum Night in Paris: Free admission and late hours during “La Nuit des Musees” https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/plan-ahead-cheapos-la-nuit-des-musees-in-paris.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/plan-ahead-cheapos-la-nuit-des-musees-in-paris.html#respond Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:44:33 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/plan-ahead-cheapos-la-nuit-des-musees-in-paris.html For those on the hunt for a good cultural bargain, “La Nuit des Musees in Paris” (Museum Night in Paris) is always an excellent bet. If you’re not familiar with it, in 2005, the French Department of Culture launched this program to provide free admission to select museums in Paris and throughout France, keeping museum doors » Read more

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For those on the hunt for a good cultural bargain, “La Nuit des Musees in Paris” (Museum Night in Paris) is always an excellent bet. If you’re not familiar with it, in 2005, the French Department of Culture launched this program to provide free admission to select museums in Paris and throughout France, keeping museum doors open until late in the evening.

The development of free museum nights has really taken off across Europe, with city after city opening their doors once or twice a year for a free evening. Paris usually holds its free night each year on the third Saturday in May.

This year, Cheapos headed to Paris should mark their calendar for May 19, 2018, when most museums will be free and museums will keep their doors open later than usual to give guests the experience of a lifetime.

Paris hotels:  Our favorite budget picks for 2018


“La Nuit des Musees”: Museum Night in Paris

While there will be more 1,600 museums participating throughout France, we’ve narrowed down a list of 10 museums in Paris that will be open. Follow this Museum Night guide to quench your thirst for adventure and art while exploring the different neighborhoods that Paris has to offer.

1. Le Musee Nissim de Camondo

63 Rue de Monceau
8th arrondissement
website

Have you ever wondered what kitchen looked like the housed the inspiration for the movie Ratatouille? The museum of Nissim de Camondo was given by Nissim’s father, Moise de Camondo, to the French government upon his death. After his son and only heir died in World War I, Moise de Camondo was heartbroken and dedicated his house to his son in order to carry on his child’s memory and legacy.

This museum will give you a history lesson of what it was like to live in the 1% in France during the early 1900s. Amenities include two elevators (one for the guests and one for the maids), a food lift (forget farm-to-table fresh, Moise de Camondo demanded kitchen-to-table fresh), color-coated tile bathrooms (green, blue, and white for dad, his sister, and Nissim), heated floors and walls, a grand staircase, and many more opulent perks that were simply unimaginable in the early 20th century.

2. Musee Gustave Moreau

14 Rue de la Rochefoucauld
9th arrondissement
website

After enjoying stunning architecture in the 8th, we’ll take a stroll into the 9th arrondissement to have a look at the house of the symbolist painter, Gustave Moreau. This three-floor museum is filled with his paintings that draw inspiration from the Italian Renaissance. Furthermore, you even get to see some of his unfinished paintings and sketches to truly experience the life of a Parisian artist of the mid- to late-1800s.

3. Musee de la Franc-Maconnerie

16 Rue Cadet
9th arrondissement
website

What’s a French vacation without a little conspiracy theory? The Museum of Freemasonry is also located in the 9th arrondissement, and it’s sure to scratch whatever itch you’ve had about the 14 US Presidents that were part of this organization. Yup, George Washington, the first president was indeed a Mason, and the Museum of Freemasonry will give you all the inside scoop on the French history of this secret society, complete with many paintings and drawings of the famous triangular Illuminati eye. You might have to unstrap your Ben Stiller Night at the Museum character for a more appropriate Nicholas Cage in National Treasure while you peruse through this museum.

Accommodations: Cheap Paris hotels in the 9th arrondissement

4. Musee des Arts et Metiers

60 Rue Reaumur
3rd arrondissement
website

Now that you have enjoyed the architecture, art, and organization of Paris, it’s only fitting that you also explore the scientific innovations that kept this city running. Located in 3rd arrondissement of Paris, this industrial museum of art and trade houses seven sections about the history of scientific instruments, materials, energy, mechanics, construction, communication, and transportation. You’ll get to explore early prototypes of carriages, printing presses, airplanes, industrial sewing machines, steam engines, satellites, locomotives, and many more technological inventions.

Nature Museum

Visitors during Museum Night 2011 at Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature. Photo: Knowtex

5. Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature

62 Rue des Archives
3rd arrondissement
website

For this visit, we’ll need a bit of help from our Ben Stiller character from the Night at the Museum because this museum of “hunting and nature” is not so much about hunting as it is about animals and their relationships with humans. The exhibit has been heralded as one of the best-curated museum in Paris… as long as the animals don’t come back to life at night!

6. Musee Picasso

5 Rue de Thorigny
3rd arrondissement
website

Although he is a Spanish artist, Paris has a Picasso Museum that’s worth visiting. It includes over 5,000 works of art by Picasso including paper art, ceramics, sculptures in wood and metal, and paintings. The museum also houses the African art that inspired Picasso’s cubism style, as well as paintings that Picasso did when he was much older.

Accommodations: Cheap Paris hotels in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement

7. Centre Pompidou

Place Georges-Pompidou
4th arrondissement
website

The Centre Pompidou is not for the faint of heart (or legs). It is a large complex that houses three important structures: The Public Information Library, the Musee National d’Art Moderne, and Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music. Most people go for the Modern Art Museum aspect because it not only holds the largest collection of European modern art, but the top floor boasts one of the best panoramic views of Paris.

8. Musee Curie

1 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie
5th arrondissement
website

As we cross into the Rive Gauche (Left Bank), we’re met by a blast from the scientific past. Formerly Marie Curie’s laboratory, the Museum of Curie is a historical institution located in the 5th arrondissement focusing on radiological research. It holds archives and documentation about the history of radiology and oncology — the same two topics that allowed Marie Curie to become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

9. Musee des Arts Decoratifs

107 rue de Rivoli
1st arrondissement
website

A trip to Paris is incomplete without a visit to the Art Decoratifs. Not only does it house artifacts of decorative arts and design, but it also includes must-see exhibits that explore the Haute Couture fashion aspect of Paris (think Dior, Hermes, and Margiela). Furthermore, it even has part of the actual house of French designer, Jeanne Lanvin of the House of Lanvin! The Art Deco, as it goes by for short, houses jewelry, furniture, tableware, and carpets of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. It gives visitors a chance to see how the French upper class lived.

10. Musee du Louvre

Place du Carrousel
1st arrondissement
website

It’s always high on everyone’s list, so we certainly couldn’t leave the dear Louvre off of ours. Because it’s so big, it may be more beneficial to experience the Louvre when you have a full day and use Museum Night to take advantage of the smaller Parisian museums with free admission. Nonetheless, the Louvre is phenomenal and has come to represent the epitome of Paris and the resting place of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. And it is here, at the Louvre, in the center of Paris, that we end our Museum Night journey!

One caveat: We tried getting into the Louvre at midnight during previous Nuit des Musées only to find the entrance closed at 11 pm, so check the hours in advance. Our advice? Plan ahead. Fortunately, the Louvre’s terrace bar overlooks the pyramids. And, of course, there’s the adjacent Jardin des Tuileries, with its much more hospitable hours.

Hotels: And if you need a place to stay close to this world-famous museum, you can browse our list of cheap hotels near the Louvre.

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The Parisian Art of Squatting https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/the-parisian-art-of-squatting.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/the-parisian-art-of-squatting.html#respond Thu, 05 Sep 2013 09:24:56 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/?p=34373 The Parisian artists squat has a storied history, with famous figures like Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani having taken up residence in city squats during the 20th century. Artists still dream of having a studio in the center of Paris, but prohibitive rents make this impossible for all but the lucky few. In recent years the » Read more

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The Parisian artists squat has a storied history, with famous figures like Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani having taken up residence in city squats during the 20th century. Artists still dream of having a studio in the center of Paris, but prohibitive rents make this impossible for all but the lucky few.

In recent years the city government has legalized several artists squats throughout Paris, bringing buildings up to code and offering agreements with artists in residence to exchange token rents for the ability to work (if not live) in Paris.

The most famous and easily accessible of these squats is 59 Rivoli, which began in 1999 as an artists squat in an abandoned Crédit Lyonnais building in the heart of Paris and soon attracted a steady stream of visitors and media attention.

The squat got the blessing of the government when mayor Bertrand Delanoë kept a campaign promise to legalize what is now a renovated government-subsidized “aftersquat” that houses artist studios for some 30 permanent artists and visiting artists, features a ground floor gallery and hosts weekend concerts. It’s free to the public and open daily except Mondays. For a virtual visit, go here.

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Paris Rolls Out Its Third Free Sparkling Water Fountain https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-rolls-out-its-third-free-sparkling-water-fountain.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-rolls-out-its-third-free-sparkling-water-fountain.html#respond Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:34:23 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/?p=34202 Not content to offer its citizens and guests mere free, clean, delicious tap water from the city’s 820 water fountains, Eau de Paris, the publicly funded organization that manages and promotes the city’s water, has introduced its third sparkling water fountain at the André Citroën park in the 15th arrondissement, offering complimentary chilled sparkling city » Read more

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Not content to offer its citizens and guests mere free, clean, delicious tap water from the city’s 820 water fountains, Eau de Paris, the publicly funded organization that manages and promotes the city’s water, has introduced its third sparkling water fountain at the André Citroën park in the 15th arrondissement, offering complimentary chilled sparkling city water made bubbly on the spot.

Sparkling water fountains are popular in Italy and were first introduced in Paris in 2010 in an effort to reduce the plastic waste produced by the over-consumption of bottled water.

La Pétillante (The Sparkling) fountains are able to deliver chilled sparkling water thanks to a clever system that cools public water to a precise temperature using an ice block and adds carbon dioxide to the carefully cooled water to make it bubbly.

The sparkling water is distributed in roughly five ounce portions to avoid waste. But you can bring your own bottle to refill. And at the fountain at Park André Citroën new Philippe Starck-designed reusable water bottles are now on sale for €3.

The city’s two other sparkling fountains are located at the Jardin de Reuilly in the 12th arrondissement, and at the headquarters of Eau de Paris on 19 rue Neuve-Tolbiac in the 13th. And this year Eau de Paris plans to install an additional two new fountains, at Jardin d’Éole in the 18th arrondissement and Parc Martin Luther King, ZAC des Batignolles in the 17th, with another at the Square Tino Rossi in the 5th arrondissement coming in the spring of 2014.

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Free Walking Tours with Real Parisians https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/free-walking-tours-with-real-parisians.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/free-walking-tours-with-real-parisians.html#respond Mon, 05 Aug 2013 15:16:49 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/?p=33773 Looking for a free guided tour of some untouristy corner of Paris and a way to actually meet a local other than a shopkeeper or a waiter? Part of the Global Greeter Network, Paris Greeters is an all-volunteer organization made up of outgoing tour guides who are passionate about their neighborhoods and anxious to share » Read more

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Looking for a free guided tour of some untouristy corner of Paris and a way to actually meet a local other than a shopkeeper or a waiter?

Part of the Global Greeter Network, Paris Greeters is an all-volunteer organization made up of outgoing tour guides who are passionate about their neighborhoods and anxious to share the love with you and up to five other people.

Have you already explored every corner of the city and wonder what lies beyond its borders? There are also Greeters available for tours of surrounding communities outside of Paris but accessible by Métro (departments 92, 93, and 94).

Be prepared to be surprised as you can’t choose tours by area; sign up online here. The tours are free, but post-walk online donations are accepted.

Related: For more freebie tours, check out our previous post on free walking tours in Paris.

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Where to find free Wi-Fi in Paris https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-where-to-find-free-wi-fi-in-paris.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-where-to-find-free-wi-fi-in-paris.html#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:27:18 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/?p=14841 By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— If you’re visiting Paris and need a wireless network, the first place you’ll probably turn is your hotel. These days, even cheap hotels have begun offering free Wi-Fi. However, sometimes hotels charge a ridiculous amount and sometimes they don’t offer a wireless network at all. Luckily, there’s no need to » Read more

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By Bryan Pirolli in Paris—

If you’re visiting Paris and need a wireless network, the first place you’ll probably turn is your hotel. These days, even cheap hotels have begun offering free Wi-Fi. However, sometimes hotels charge a ridiculous amount and sometimes they don’t offer a wireless network at all.

Luckily, there’s no need to overpay for the service, as wireless internet service is offered almost everywhere in Paris. Here’s a quick overview of where to find a cheapo-friendly wireless network:

100% Free Wi-Fi

Without dropping a dime, Facebook addicts can access city-provided Wi-Fi networks in over 260 public parks, civic centers, and libraries. Access is provided by the city of Paris for free and unlimited for anyone.

Once you’re ready to start, just click on the “Wi-Fi ORANGE” network, fill out an online form (which simply involves creating a username and password), et voilà, you’re online!

This service is very popular. For example, it isn’t rare to see people hanging out in the lobby of the Centre Pompidou with their laptops. Additionally, in warmer months, users camp out in every park, garden, and even around the mayor’s office in any of the 20 arrondissements.

Check out the city’s website for a comprehensive list of locations where you can access free, city-provided Wi-Fi.

Almost Free Wi-Fi

Cafés in Paris will usually have a “Wi-Fi” sticker on their window if there is free wireless available, but always verify that it is offered before ordering a drink. For €2 you can get a quality signal and (quite often) a lower-quality coffee. Don’t feel pressured to keep buying things while you type your emails, unless it’s lunch time and you are clearly taking up a table. (Remember, waiters don’t work for tips!)

In a pinch, most McDonald’s also offer Wi-Fi alongside their very budget-friendly €1 menu.

Not Actually Free Wi-Fi

Many users will automatically pick up a signal in Paris called “FreeWifi,” but this is actually the name of a service provider that costs money on a pay-as-you go basis. These “hotspots” are widely available with providers like “SFR” or the company “Free.”

If your hotel doesn’t provide free internet, you can always purchase minutes from one of these carriers. For example, SFR offers an hour of service during a 24-hour period for €8. It is a great service for emergency web browsing, but it can  quickly become costly.

General Wi-Fi Tips

Never assume that a hotel or hostel will offer free Wi-Fi. It is always best to ask. Many apartment rentals, short and long term, will come with wireless, but sometimes charge an extra fee for the service.

While free Wi-Fi is commonplace in Paris, electrical outlets are not always available, so make sure that you charge up before heading to the café or park!

If you’re living in Paris and you don’t have an internet provider, the first question is, “Why not?” With companies like Orange and SFR offering packages for €30 a month that include wireless and international calling, staying connected is actually pretty affordable.

Planning on bringing an American iPhone to Europe? Read our article about how to use your iPhone in Europe without going broke. While you’re at it, consider whether or not you need to take you’re iPhone with you at all by reading our post on How NOT to use your iPhone in Europe.

Your Wi-Fi advice?

Have you had an experience getting free (or almost free) wireless internet service in Paris? Tell us about it in the comments section.

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Paris: 5 free things to do https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-tip-5-free-sights-in-the-city-of-lights.html https://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-tip-5-free-sights-in-the-city-of-lights.html#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:32:55 +0000 http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-tip-5-free-sights-in-the-city-of-lights.html Visiting Paris can be, how shall we say, très cher? But, several of its finest tourist sights don’t cost a euro-cent. Here’s a list of our top five favorite free attractions. 1) Père Lachaise Cemetery Frédéric Chopin, Guillaume Apollinaire, Honoré de Balzac, Édith Piaf… This cemetery is a “who’s who” of famous names, and not all » Read more

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Visiting Paris can be, how shall we say, très cher? But, several of its finest tourist sights don’t cost a euro-cent.

Here’s a list of our top five favorite free attractions.

1) Père Lachaise Cemetery

Frédéric Chopin, Guillaume Apollinaire, Honoré de Balzac, Édith Piaf… This cemetery is a “who’s who” of famous names, and not all of them French (Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and other expats are buried there as well). Bring flowers to leave graveside or just stroll the cobblestone paths and well-landscaped grounds. Better yet, take a virtual tour on the cemetery’s web site. Check out Baron Haussmann’s mausoleum! Very schmancy.

Open: Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM and on Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Note: When sundown occurs before 6 PM, the cemetery closes at dusk.

2) The Seine and Islands

Man, if this river could talk! It has certainly seen its share of history, revolution, and passing love interests. Take a walk along the Left Bank and browse the local bookseller wares. The Seine’s stream flows to name a few). Cross the Pont-Neuf bridge for an added plaisir and visit Île de la Cité. Behind Notre Dame, cross the Pont St. Louis to visit the charming Île St. Louis.

3) The Eiffel Tower

Now, wait: Before you get all worked up, yes, it costs €11.50 to ride the elevator to the top of the tower. But, it costs rien de tout to take one of those novelty photos where you look like you’re giving it a pinch or kissing its pointer. And, here’s an added bonus: Each night at sundown, the Eiffel lights up the sky until 1 AM (2 AM during the summer months). Each hour on the hour after sundown, there’s a ten-minute light show, too.

4) Victor Hugo House

We first fell in love with Hugo when we read Les Misèrables (we finished it–we swear). Jean Val Jean is like a personal hero. Today, you can visit all permanent collections in Hugo’s first home—at the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée, which sits proudly on the gorgeous Place des Vosges in the Marais. Hugo lived here from 1832 to 1848. The collections, which are free to visit, showcase an impressive array of ancient Chinese pottery, original furnishings and beautiful classical paintings. Just don’t steal any bread.

Open: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5:40 PM.

5) Sacré-Coeur Basilica

Sit on top of the world, or at least Paris, when you trek up to the glistening white “Sacred Heart” basilica, perched 420 feet above the City of Lights. While it costs €5 to climb up the spiral stairs of the famous white dome, there’s no charge to walk through the gorgeous Byzantine-style Basilica, built in 1875 after the Prussian and German invasions. Afterward, you’re free to traipse through the picturesque streets of Montmartre.

Open: Daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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