It is considered that a trip to the capital of France is a complete ruin. However, in Paris, you can easily find interesting activities for which you will not pay a single euro cent. And some iconic sights like the Louvre are available absolutely for free if you come on a certain day. Life hacks in the studio!
Content
- Go to the Louvre for free (yes, you can)
- Visit the stars on the Pere Lachaise
- Read books at Shakespeare and Company
- Take a walk in Montmartre
- Visit the Sacred Heart
- Take a walk in the Butte Chaumont Park
- Immerse yourself in the history of perfume at the Fragonard Museum
- Get inspired in the art space at 59 Rivoli
- Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Parisian life on the Rue Claire
- Join the fashion world on the Champs-Elysees
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- How to get:The most convenient option is a connecting flight in Istanbul.
- What about visas: first you need to fill out a questionnaire, and then make an appointment to submit documents to VFS global centers (available in all major cities of Russia). Here is our author’s personal experience and instructions on how to get an annual French Schengen.
- How and with what to pay: with a foreign UnionPay card (Kazakh or Kyrgyz is issued remotely in a couple of days) or in cash (up to 10,000 euros).
- Where to stay: the safest and most convenient districts for tourists will be № 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. It is convenient to book a hotel in Paris on the Island by paying for the order with any Russian card.
Go to the Louvre for free
Where: 2 François Mitterrand Embankment.
How to get there:Free of charge on the first Friday of every month except July and August.
The Louvre needs no special introduction. A place with the world’s greatest relics and art objects, home to the Mona Lisa. There are paintings, sculptures, and archaeological exhibitions. You can visit the Louvre for free on the first Friday of every month, excluding July and August, but get ready to stand in line for about half an hour.
The Louvre is really huge, it is impossible to get around it in one day, I recommend preparing in advance and choosing collections that respond more to you. I was delighted with the halls dedicated to ancient Egypt and Greece. The Egyptian department of the Louvre houses about 55,000 exhibits. I also liked the collection of art objects: here you can see the Regent’s diamond — the world’s most famous diamond — and the furnishings of Napoleon III’s apartments.
The museum has the opportunity to take an audio guide, but not in Russian, besides, this service costs 5 euros. But a free map in PDF format has been published on the Louvre’s website, it will help you navigate the space of the halls and expositions.
A place with the world’s greatest relics and art objects, home to the Mona Lisa. Photo: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
Visit the stars on the Pere Lachaise
Where: at the Père Lachaise metro station, 16 Rue du Repo.
How to get there: entrance to the territory is free, every day from 8:00 to 17:30.
The Pere Lachaise Cemetery is a place of worship. In the XVI century, there was a large private estate, gardens, gazebos on the site of the cemetery. After the death of the owner, the Jesuits, led by Francois de Lachaise, appropriated the land for themselves. When the order went bankrupt, the estate with all the infrastructure and the park was put under the hammer.
At the beginning of the XVIII century, the first graves appeared here, however, due to the fact that the cemetery was located outside the city, at first it was not very popular. Then the authorities of Paris went on an advertising experiment: they took and reburied the remains of Moliere and Lafontaine on the Pere Lachaise. And it worked! The challenge was picked up by other celebrities. Today, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Honore de Balzac, Isadora Duncan lie in the cemetery — and this is just a small part of the list.
Tombstones on the Pere Lachaise are works of art. Many of them are bizarre, frightening, or even mesmerizing. The grave of the writer Georges Rodenbach made an indelible impression on me: the bronze figure of a man escapes from the captivity of stone.
Tombstones on the Pere Lachaise are works of art. Photo: mehdi33300/Shutterstock.com
Read books at Shakespeare and Company
Where: 5 de la Bucherie Street, V arrondissement of Paris.
How to get there: admission is free, the store is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 to 20 o’clock, on Sunday from 12:00 to 19:00.
One of the most fashionable and atmospheric bookstores in Europe is the cinematic Shakespeare and Company. It opened to Parisians in November 1919, when writers and creative intellectuals of the city, such as Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, loved to spend time there.
Now you can not only buy a book here, but just read and drink coffee with a view of Notre Dame, if you are lucky enough to take a seat by the window. The store itself is cozy, sofas and high bookshelves invite you to stay longer. It is forbidden to take photos in the room, so as not to disturb the peace and not to embarrass other visitors.
One of the most fashionable and atmospheric bookstores in Europe. Photo: Mo Wu/Shutterstock.com
Walk around Montmartre
Where: in the northern part of Paris.
How to get there: the nearest metro station is Anvers (“Anver”, blue line).
Montmartre is an area on a hill in the northern part of Paris. There used to be ancient Roman settlements here, and the name itself tells us about it. Scientists are arguing in honor of which ancient Roman god the hill was named: Mars — Mons Martis (hill of Mars) or Mercury — Mons Mercori, since earlier temples dedicated to both gods of the pantheon were located on the hill.
The top of Montmartre is decorated with the Sacre Coeur Basilica, as well as two more churches: Saint-Pierre de Montmartre and Saint-Jean de Montmartre. Here is one of the best free viewing platforms in the city, which will ideally replace the hyped Eiffel Tower. And you can also pay 1 euro and use special binoculars to watch the streets and people from a height.
There are two ways to get to the top of the hill: by stairs or by funicular. The first option is free, and the funicular is considered part of the Paris metro, and the cost of the trip is approximately equal to the price of a subway ride.
The top of Montmartre is decorated with the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Photo: Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock.com
Visit the Sacred Heart
Where: at the top of Montmartre.
How to get there: the nearest metro station is Anvers (“Anver”, blue line), then walk up the stairs 222 steps.
The Sacre Coeur Basilica, or literally the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is quite young, it was built from 1875 to 1914. At the same time, she managed to become one of the main symbols of Paris.
You can visit the basilica for free, it is open every day from 6:30 to 22:30. At first glance, the interior may seem rustic, but it is in the Sacre Coeur that the ceiling is lined with the largest mosaic in France. Services are held here every two hours. If you want to buy something to remember your visit by, then you canmake yourself a coin with the image of the basilica for 3 euros. For a fee, you can climb the bell tower.
In the evening, the Sacre Coeur is illuminated, and this makes it seem even more magical. I recommend visiting here at sunset. The view of the basilica itself and the city is worth it. But I want to warn you that this place is super—touristic, so people of different honesty may approach you with offers to take pictures or buy something.
At first glance, the interior may seem rustic, but it is in the Sacre Coeur that the ceiling is lined with the largest mosaic in France. Photo: Pedro Costa Simeao/Shutterstock.com
Take a walk in the Butte Chaumont Park
Where: in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
How to get there: entrance to the park is free from 7:00 to 22:00.
The Butte Chaumont Park is the third largest in Paris, after La Villette and the Tuileries Gardens. It covers an area of about 26 hectares, and the length of the walking paths inside is about seven kilometers.
Butte Chaumont was opened in 1867. Architect Jean-Charles Alphand came up with an elegant curved shape for the park, which makes it look original on maps and live. The park is dense, it is unusually green here in the warm season. In addition to trees and shrubs, flowers are planted every year, they cover an area of more than 6 hectares. In general, it is an ideal place to admire nature.
In the highest part of the park there is a gazebo with a wonderful view of the trees and lawns, a pretty lake with a bridge and several French cafes where you can have a snack and take a break.
In the highest part of the park there is a gazebo with a wonderful view of the trees and lawns. Photo: Daboost/Shutterstock.com
Immerse yourself in the history of perfume at the Fragonard Museum
Where: on the Place du Carrousel.
How to get there: the museum and shop are open every day from 9:00 to 18:00, admission is free.
Fragonard is a large network of perfumes of the same name, but it is on du Carrousel that you can not only buy a wonderful fragrance in memory of the journey, but also plunge into the history of the creation of perfumes.
The museum part occupies a small area, but everything is arranged comfortably and comfortably. Here they will tell and show how perfume was created before and how it happens nowadays. What is especially pleasant is that there are Russian-speaking guides here. For a small fee, you can mix the fragrance yourself.
In the museum’s store, a consultant who speaks Russian will help you choose a perfume. The prices are quite affordable, while the flavors are persistent and pleasant. Let me remind you that you can’t take pictures or shoot videos here, this is the policy of the boutique and the museum.
Here they will tell and show how perfume was created before and how it happens nowadays. Photo: Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock.com
Get inspired in the art space at 59 Rivoli
Where: on the Rue de Rivoli.
How to get there: admission is free, the museum is open every day from 13:00 to 20:00.
If you prefer modernity to the classics, then Rivoli 59 is exactly for you. Previously, the building was a squat (illegally occupied place) of artists. In 2006, the authorities took control of the building, but the creators were not kicked out, quite the contrary — they received complete freedom of action, and now every Parisian and guest of the city can come to this art space and admire modern art.
There is an installation, painting or sculpture at every step, every corner is occupied with something interesting, it is likely that it will even be possible to catch the masters at work in real time.
The art space may seem chaotic and even a little untidy at first glance, but it was here that I managed to experience not the historical, but the modern beauty and culture of Paris.
Be careful if you decide to go to Rivoli, 59 with the children, because some art objects may not be for their eyes.
There is an installation, painting or sculpture at every step. Photo: ELEPHOTOS/Shutterstock.com
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Parisian life on the Rue Claire
Where: in the VII arrondissement of Paris, near the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower.
How to get there: Just come and enjoy the walk.
You can feel the city right here, on Claire Street. I would not call it a tourist destination, rather the opposite: the spirit of the real Paris lives in this place.
Look here in the morning or afternoon on the way to the Eiffel Tower, and you will see charming flower shops and bakeries, as in the most cozy photos, you will catch the smell of the freshest pastries (it’s time to grab a croissant).
The street is pedestrian, so it is an ideal place for walking, visiting small shops and having a delicious lunch. I also strongly advise you to go to a small grocery market and look for something delicious.
And if you’re lucky enough to come on a day off, you’ll get to a street fair where they sell everything you can imagine, from trinkets and souvenirs to small pieces of furniture and art, even antiques.
Look here in the morning or afternoon on the way to the Eiffel Tower, and you will see charming flower shops and bakeries, as in the most cozy photos. Photo: Chris Lawrence Images/Shutterstock.com
Join the fashion world on the Champs-Elysees
Where: in the VIII arrondissement of Paris, metro George V (“George V”).
How to get there: the walk is always free.
The Champs-Elysees area was once swampy. Nobles and kings hunted ducks here, the area was uninhabited and wild. But everything changed after 1667, when the swamp was drained and a wide avenue was laid. A construction site has been buzzing around, and now this part of Paris is considered the most expensive and fashionable.
Here is the very heart of world fashion. Even if you don’t plan to spend money in stores, you can look at global trends, try on something interesting, or just have a cup of coffee with delicious pasta from Ladurée, one of the world’s most famous bakery chains.
- Note: dress like a Parisian, or 9 principles of Parisian style
Avenue des Champs-Elysees ends with the famous Arc de Triomphe on Charles de Gaulle Square. The arch is dedicated to the victories of Napoleon Bonaparte in the period from 1806 to 1836. The Triumphal Arch of the Star (this is the full name of the attraction) impresses with its scale: 49.5 meters high and 22 meters deep. Interestingly, on it you will find references to 128 battles in which the French army of that period won victories.
Now this part of Paris is considered the most expensive and fashionable. Photo: ilolab/Shutterstock.com
And finally — options for Parisian hotels and apartments on the Island:
A cheap trip to Paris is, of course, an illusion. But with our advice, you will probably be able to save a couple hundred euros for other pleasant experiences and not go out of budget. Book a hotel on the Island and hit the road to the most beloved city by tourists!
Cover photo: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com
