The Best Free Things to Do in Paris

Situated within two spectacular Renaissance mansions in the Marais, this dedicated museum tells the incredibly complex story of the city from its ancient origins to the modern day. The permanent collections are entirely free to enter and feature everything from medieval gargoyles to authentic bedroom furniture belonging to Marcel Proust. The beautifully manicured courtyards provide a stunning, peaceful environment to rest between exhibits. It is a deeply immersive and visually stunning way to absorb the local history without spending any money.

Often overshadowed by its larger neighbour, this magnificent Beaux-Arts building houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts, offering free access to its permanent collections. The grand galleries display an impressive array of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts ranging from antiquity to the early twentieth century. The highlight is the breathtaking interior courtyard garden, a tranquil oasis featuring mosaic pools and exotic plants. It provides a highly luxurious, uncrowded cultural experience completely free of charge.

Long before New York built its High Line, this elevated linear park was constructed atop an obsolete railway viaduct in the twelfth district. Walkers are treated to a unique, three-storey-high perspective over the bustling streets, completely surrounded by lush gardens, cherry trees, and bamboo. The path weaves between modern apartment blocks and historic facades, providing a fascinating architectural cross-section of the residential areas. It offers a spectacular, entirely free escape into an inventive urban green space.

Located in the corner of the stunning Place des Vosges, the former apartment of the legendary French author is open to the public for free. Visitors can wander through the rooms where he lived before his political exile, examining original furniture, personal artefacts, and his own surprisingly dark ink drawings. The museum brilliantly captures the intense, dramatic atmosphere of the romantic literary period. It is an intimate and highly evocative look into the life of one of the nation's greatest cultural figures.