10 Free Things to do in Paris That You Shouldn't Miss

April 9, 2022 Giuseppe Pratt

Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
Restaurants in Paris

1. Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges 4th Arrondissement, 75004 Paris France +33 1 48 87 94 07 http://en.parisinfo.com/transport/73189/Place-des-Vosges
Excellent
61%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,664 reviews

Place des Vosges

Paris's oldest public square has a meticulously manicured central park and is surrounded by beautiful 17th-century townhouses.

Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia

Walking the colorful streets of Marais neighborhood, sooner or later, you're about to run into this terrific sq, very close to Bastille sq. It's considered to be the oldest planned sq in Paris, rectangular in shape with extraordinary same shape houses around. The central part is a French manicured park with Louis XIII monument in the middle. Victor Hugo lived in a corner house which is now converted into a museum.

2. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris France +33 1 42 34 56 10 [email protected] https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 71,255 reviews

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

This famous cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture on which construction began in the 12th century, stands on the Île de la Cité and is the symbolic heart of the city.

Reviewed By ashwathramr - Kochi (Cochin), India

A must visit landmark Cathedral in Paris, I turned up at 7:45 AM.. early and entered inide at 8 : 00 AM, the exterior architecture is amazing magnificent , the cathedral is stunning with ornate and intricate statues and two bell tower , he facade of the Cathedral is well designed in Gothic architectural style, the interiors of the cathedral is impressive with high column and glass works ,as i walked inside the cathedral i was just lost in the era of the Gothic Period. This is one of the best cathedral that i ve ever visited in my life. You can capture some of the stunning views of the cathedral . My suggestion to visit the cathedral is enter the cathedral in the morning early hours , when the crowd is less, the entry is free, but you have to stand in line to enter and security check is there. the touristic crowd and group tour pours in so visit at early is always the best to enjoy your visit to this marvelous masterpiece.. At evening hour the views of the cathedral is also stunning...there is a huge open space in front of the cathedral for capturing beautiful views.

3. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

8 Boulevard de Menilmontant, 75020 Paris France +33 1 55 25 82 10 [email protected] http://www.paris.fr/perelachaise
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,629 reviews

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

This famous cemetery is the burial site of numerous French luminaries - authors, writers, musicians and more.

Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States

My visit was exponentially valuable thanks to Rick Steves audio guide (download available free online, do a search), which was an hour guided walk describing the history and directing us to the best known graves, like Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf, Chopin, Colette and of course Jim Morrison; as well as memorials to deaths in war, Nazi victims and plane crashes. Definitely I recommend doing this guided walk!

4. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

1 rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris France +33 1 48 03 83 10 http://equipement.paris.fr/parc-des-buttes-chaumont-1757
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,060 reviews

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

This elevated park in the northeast section of the city features an artificial lake and waterfall as well as impressive views of the surrounding area.

Reviewed By fionaa860 - Toronto, Canada

What a lovely place to go and sit in the shade on a hot day. It is a park with its fair share of tourists getting a good view from the mini temple, but it also has many, many Parisians just enjoying the park. There are paths to walk, benches to sit on, a little stream, and a pond with fish, ducks, geese, and we even saw a turtle. We didn't make use of the children's rides or the cafes, but they are there for those who want.

5. Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

24 rue de Sevres, 75007 Paris France +33 1 44 39 80 00 [email protected] http://www.24s.com
Excellent
57%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,257 reviews

Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

Welcome Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, the oldest department store and the only one of the Rive Gauche. A space for living and shopping, Le Bon Marche serves as a creative breeding ground designed along resolutely contemporary lines. Its spaces express the way it interprets trends and define a unique art de vivre.

Reviewed By alisonpriceLeeds - Leeds, United Kingdom

Think top end department store then add a fantastic food store (with small eating “pop up” stalls for tapas / pintxo / jambon / seafood - couldn’t resist sitting down for a glass of wine and treats) next door amazing wine cave

6. Montmartre

75018 Paris France
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,757 reviews

Montmartre

Located in the 18th Arrondissement, this elevated rural neighborhood on the outskirts of the city has a collection of upscale shops and cafés and still exudes hints of old village charm.

Reviewed By RaeBar - Durban, South Africa

It's hard to believe that Montmatre is part of the frenetically-busy city of Paris! It has an old bohemian village feel about it and has much less traffic. There's loads to see, from the amazing Sacre-Coeur Cathedral towering above the city, to the famous Moulin Rouge, little streets meandering up and down the hillside, the buzzing artists' square of Place du Tertre, the fascinating old Cemetary, loads of cafes, restaurants & galleries and so much more!

7. Latin Quarter

75005 Paris France http://www.parisinfo.com/transports/73228/Quartier-Latin
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,027 reviews

Latin Quarter

This famous Left Bank neighborhood, so named because the numerous university students in the area spoke only Latin to their professors until the French Revolution, preserves an authentic Parisian atmosphere of old.

Reviewed By izol44 - Malatya, Turkey

The Saint-Michel Neighborhood, Shakespeare & Company Bookshop, Soak in Medieval Art at the Musée Cluny, the Pantheon, Art-House Cinema, Old Sorbonne University...thanks for everything...Ramona rorvik

8. Luxembourg Gardens

Rue de Medicis Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris France +33 (0) 1 42 64 33 99‎ http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71393/Jardin-du-Luxembourg
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34,885 reviews

Luxembourg Gardens

These formal gardens, open to only royalty before the French Revolution, now serve as one of Paris's most popular destinations for relaxation.

Reviewed By 263rosieg

Staying near the gardens and found them a little magical pocket. Well worth the stroll or flanneur through the gardens....joggers, and tennis players, pony rides for the kids, fabulous museums, sculptures, fabulous gardens of incredible beauty...and the light...the light only Paris can provide. Winter or summer...please visit these gardens...you will not be disappointed

9. Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre

35 Rue du Chevalier-De-La-Barre, 75018 Paris France +33 1 53 41 89 00 [email protected] http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38,638 reviews

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre

This Montmartre landmark, a 19th-century basilica built by the French government following the Franco-Prussian War, features a large medieval dome that provides excellent views of the city.

Reviewed By Safari649767 - Hollywood, United States

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, A popular landmark and the second most visited monument in Paris,the basilica stands at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Must visit place while in Paris.

10. Saint Germain des Pres Quarter

Place St-Germain-des-Pres, 75006 Paris France +33 1 45 61 11 46 http://www.patrickroger.com
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,805 reviews

Saint Germain des Pres Quarter

Reviewed By ChristopherC4678 - Berlin, Germany

The beautiful church portrayed here worth a visit and a period of rest and contemplation once within.This district has so many surprising artisan and creative addresses.I spent a part of several days 'discovering' one after another, Paris at its most beguiling!

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