Let’s be honest here, you’ve probably only clicked on this page because you thought there was a typo.

Surely, for one of the most expensive cities in the world, there’s no possible way to see and stay there all for free? Well, you’re right – the restaurants and bars will still charge you (most of the time), but we’ve found some ways you can definitely cut the cost, by taking advantage of special offers and being savvy about where you go! Here is the list if you want to visit Paris for free:

The First Sunday of the Month

With this tip, it’s not about where you go – but when. On the first Sunday of the month, several museums in Paris fling open their doors for everybody. Of course, as this free entrance is for everybody, it’s going to be busy. Very busy. So perhaps instead of feeling a bit crammed in at the major attractions (e.g Musée Du Louvre) you could try some of the smaller ones? That way, you could also tick of a few in one day. 

Permanent Exhibitions are your friend

So perhaps you couldn’t come on the first Sunday of the month, but you still want to hit up some free museums? Believe it or not, in Paris there are museums and galleries dotted about which won’t charge you entry to see their permanent exhibitions. In fact, there are so many of them, focusing on a wide variety of topics, that you could spend more than a few days exploring them all! Examples include Musée de la Vie Romantique, Musée Curie and Maison de Victor Hugo.

Alongside museums and galleries, there are a serious amount of churches and cathedrals in Paris – which boast brilliant architecture and are free to enter. Sites such as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Notre Dame and the remarkable La Madeleine won’t cost you anything and are works of art in themselves. For Sacré-Cœur, you’ll also get incredible views of the Paris skyline, making it well worth a visit.

Free Food

Yeah – you read that correctly! While we maintain that most bars and restaurants in Paris will still charge you for a full meal, there are few places popping up that offer free food if you buy a drink. One such example is Les Trois Frères, which on Thursdays will serve up a plate of couscous when you buy a drink – not a bad deal! These deals will be on a set day of the week, so make sure you double check before you go to avoid disappointment.

 However, sometimes after hunting down museums, bars and churches you just want to spend some time relaxing and regaining your energy. Where better than in one of the many parks or gardens around Paris? We’d recommend Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, especially as you can have a picnic while inspecting one of the many statues or fountains in the available 460 hectares. Then once you’ve regained your energy, take the opportunity to have a stroll along the Seine.

There we go – some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time in Paris. You’ll avoid breaking the bank and you’ll also get to see some alternative spots in the city, making your visit all the more memorable.

HipHopHostels would like to thanks James Jackmann for staying with us and writing lovely articles about our hostel, Le Village : 
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