I confess—I’m a frugal traveler. Some might unkindly call me a tightwad, or cheap. But I’ve discovered that I don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot because some of the best things in life really are free—even in top tourist destinations ...
Prices in Paris may make you want to throw up your hands and shout “mon dieu!” But never fear: I’ve found a few fabulous freebies that will lighten your mood without lightening your pocketbook.
1. Sightseeing for free? Mais oui! In the City of Light, state-owned treasure troves like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are always free for the under-18 crowd and they welcome adults at no cost on the first Sunday of the month. Better yet, sixteen other civically-run museums offer free admission on a daily basis. So frugal travelers can take a crash course in local history at Musée Carnavalet, go for the royal treatment at the newly-renovated Petit Palais, or get a whiff of famed French perfume at Musée du Parfum-Fragonard without having to spend any hard-earned euros.
2. The former homes of writers Honoré de Balzac (on Rue Raynouard) and Victor Hugo (on Place des Vosges) waive admission. Ditto for the Left Bank laboratory where Nobel Prize-winner Marie Curie worked. But if you want to cover as many cultural icons as possible, no place beats Père Lachaise. This cemetery in the 20th arrondissement has a dead celeb for every taste: Sarah Berhardt, Chopin, Isadora Duncan, Molière, Modigliani, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde … For my money (or lack thereof), none trumps Jim Morrison. To locate the grave of the Doors’ front man, just check the online map.
3. Along with open entry, the most popular Parisian churches have assorted bonus features and—you guessed it—they’re gratis! Glorious Notre Dame Cathedral, for instance, hosts afternoon organ recitals and thrice-weekly English tours. Sacré-Coeur Basilica, meanwhile, invites the public to hour-long choir rehearsals Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. Other churches also boast free music programs, usually on Sunday afternoons: the American Church in Paris and Eglise St-Merri being two noteworthy examples. If you’d prefer a more secular setting, complimentary concerts are also available at music conservatories, festivals, and even clubs citywide.
