10 Things to Do in Paris on a Small Budget

The Velib’ is one of the cheapest ways to get around Paris. This bicycle-sharing network features mechanical and electric bicycles that you can rent at the 750 stations available throughout the French capital. The price is based on the time you spend on the bicycle: €1.70 for the subscription, the first 30 minutes are free, then it costs 1 hour for €1.

A less demanding way to travel around Paris is to purchase a Passe Navigo Découverte. Used with a Forfait Navigo Semaine, it gives you access to all public transport throughout Paris for about €30 for 1 week.

From Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and other striking landmarks, Paris is like a huge open-air museum. You can simply walk the streets and experience 2,200 years of history for free. Impressive and historic buildings are dotted around the city and offer great photo opportunities.

Cathedrals and churches are usually free to visit, but you’ll also encounter attractions that ask for an entrance fee. If you plan to visit a lot of them, the Paris Attractions Pass permits you to travel around the city and to get into over 60 attractions at discounted rates.

The Saint-Ouen Flea Market, also known as the Clignancourt Flea Market, is a shopper's haven. Located in the north of the city, beside the Paris Ring Road, the market is big, colorful, fun, noisy, and crowded.

You can find almost anything here, from clothing to vintage objects and from furnishing to jewelry. It's a friendly place with a relaxed atmosphere, but it’s a good idea to bargain hard to get the best prices. Also, as with any crowded place, beware of pickpockets.

The Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of the Romantic Life, Victor Hugo’s House and many other museums are free all year round in Paris. Even famous museums such as the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, the Pompidou Centre and the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum are free on the first Sunday of each month.

You can also get a free access to most of the museums in Paris if you’re under 26 years old and from one of EU countries. The Paris Museum Pass can be a good option if you plan to visit many museums during your stay.

La Promenade Plantée is a free and scenic elevated park walkway – at times 32 ft above street level – from the Opéra Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. This mid-19th century railway viaduct is also known as Coulée Verte René-Dumont and it consists of a narrow pathway bordered with small trees, shrubs, and plants such as roses, lavender, and wisteria.

At times, the walkway seems to float amidst old and new buildings, Haussmannian avenues and dense residential streets. Here you’ll have many opportunities to view local habitats from another angle. The panorama across Parisian rooftops can be spectacular. There are staircases and elevators along the route, so you can climb down and check out the street level shops and cafés.

The Jardin des Tuileries (the Tilery Garden) takes its name from the gardens of the Queen Catherine de Medici’s 16th-century Palais des Tuileries, built on the site of a tile factory. The beautiful garden lies between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, and offers a charming spot for locals and visitors to enjoy a leisurely walk and immerse themselves in Parisian culture.

The works of Maillol, Rodin, and Giacometti are all on display, and you’ll find two tranquil ponds for relaxation during your stroll. Art lovers will enjoy the renowned Musée de l’Orangerie, a showcase of Monet’s masterpieces on the south-western side of the garden.

The Canal Saint-Martin is a trendy place for a walk in Paris. The 2-kilometer uncovered segment of the canal attracts strollers and diners who’d like to explore a touch of nature in the center of the city, and there’s a thriving café and restaurant scene.

If you work up an appetite, go to the Marché Saint-Martin on Rue du Château d'Eau, 500 meters west of the canal, to purchase freshly prepared food. You can then enjoy a picnic under the shade of the chestnut trees that line the artificial waterway.

Listing a cemetery as an attraction may sound odd, yet the Père Lachaise Cemetery is really an interesting place to explore, thanks to the celebrities who came to rest here. It’s one of the largest and most visited cemeteries in the world.

From Oscar Wilde to Frédéric Chopin and from Jim Morrison to Edith Piaf, many famous artists, writers, musicians, and scientists are buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. If you’re looking for a specific tomb, you can purchase a map just outside the cemetery or find it online for free.

Le Baron Rouge (the Red Baron) is a popular wine bar and restaurant located a short stroll away from Bastille Square. It’s a great venue to enjoy delicious French food and wines at very affordable prices.

With cheese and cold-cut plates available every day, and oysters on weekends, you can enjoy a typical French meal here without breaking the bank. You can even come with your empty bottle and fill it with one of the wines on offer in their large barrels.

Student bars are often a great choice if you want to enjoy a fun night out while not spending too much. You’ll find a warm welcome, a lively atmosphere, and refreshments that don’t break the bank.

The list of friendly, budget bars in Paris is long and varied, but here are 3 recommended venues to start your night: Le Requin Chagrin on Rue Mouffetard, Chez Georges on Rue des Canettes, and Paname Brewing Co. on Quai de la Loire. Each has a different style, and all offer a lively ambience and rock-bottom prices.