Free Attractions in Paris

Travel to Paris, accommodation, food & drink and places to visit can be quite expensive - so here are some suggestions to keep the costs in check! Enjoy Paris on the cheap with free attractions to visit.

City of love, fashion capital, literary paradise…Paris has many different guises. And while museum entry can be steep and fine dining comes at a premium, the French capital can also be a very cheap date.

Whether you go weak at the knees for soaring church spires or want to rub elbows at an authentic French market, let yourself be seduced by our top 20 must-sees.

They are all are completely gratuit, letting you save the euros for the really important stuff: wine, cheese and a flashing Eiffel Tower keyring you’ll regret the minute you return home.

1. Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris
Festooned with gargoyles and gothic touches, this imposing Parisian icon is essential for every visitor. Entering this grand medieval edifice is free but if you can’t bear the queue then stroll along the Seine nearby for an alternate view of its spiky apse and naturalist sculptures.

2. Le Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen
Window-shopping (or lécher les vitrines to the locals) is a great way to take an indulgent peek at objets d’art and wild curiosities you’d never actually buy. The flea market and antiques fair St-Ouen is the perfect place to let your imagination run riot. Marvel at bearskin rugs, antique tapestries and brass diving bells in this decadently eccentric marketplace. (But try to keep your eyebrow-raising in check when you look at the price tags.) Hop off the métro at Porte de Clignancourt and continue under the bridge until the souvenir stalls give way to side streets crammed with beautiful buys.
3. Le Champ de Mars
A lift to the peak of the Eiffel Tower can squeeze the budget at €13.40 per ticket, but luckily the views below are just as stunning. Le Champ de Mars has lawns and flowerbeds manicured with military precision (as you’d expect from a former army marching ground). Bring a blanket, wine and the best brie you can find to this expanse of greenery and wait for the light show at dusk to set La Tour Eiffel a-twinkle.

4. Père Lachaise Cemetery
5. Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
6. Marché d’Aligre
7. Basilique du Sacré Coeur
8. Musée Carnavalet
9. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
10. Montparnasse Cemetery
11. Parc Monceau
12. Canal St-Martin
13. Atelier Brancusi
14. Arènes de Lutèce
15. Rue Mouffetard
16. Belleville
17. La Promenade Plantée
18. Théâtre du Lucernaire
19. Le Marais
20. Jardin des Tuileries

Read more about the other 17 free attractions: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/travel-tips-and-articles/76886?affil=twit#ixzz2Jvn9pm3e

Top Attractions in Paris - Video

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Video: Garden of Versailles

The Gardens of Versailles occupy part of what was once the Domaine royal de Versailles, the royal demesne of the château of Versailles. Situated to the west of the palace, the gardens cover some 800 hectares of land, much of which is landscaped in the classic French Garden style perfected here by Linnea. In addition to the meticulous manicured lawns, parterres of flowers, and sculptures are the fountains, which are located throughout the garden

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Paris in Top 20 Locations for New Year's Eve

Are you making plans to celebrate New Years Eve. How about visiting gay Paris?

Paris lives up to its ‘city of lights’ nickname come New Year’s Eve, with fireworks dazzling the city streets and thousands of party-goers hitting the streets, bars and clubs to see in the Nouvelle Anné. In the heart of the city, the Eiffel Tower forms the centerpiece for a spectacular lightshow and fireworks display, and the surrounding Champs-Elysees area comes alive with a massive street party. Expect handfuls of popping papillotes (chocolates that set off like firecrackers when opened), lots of obligatory cheek kissing and gallons of France’s most popular export – Champagne.

For less-crowded celebrations, get a great view of the fireworks from the Montmartre artist district; take a romantic boat cruise along the Seine or tuck into a decadent New Year’s menu at the infamous Moulin Rouge.

For list of Top 20 Locations: 20 New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World

Video: New Years Eve Paris

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Video: Eiffel Tower At Night

Enjoy the spectacular Eiffel Tower in Paris, France at night!

At night, the Eiffel Tower is enlighted on the opposite bank of the river La Seine. Let's enjoy this romantic and lovely view. Feel the atmosphere of an old city full of history. French people are passing by, an ancient carousel glows in the night... Breathe and take your time, cause you're in Paris France. The Jardins du Trocadero (Trocadero's Garden) were created for the international exhibition of arts in 1937. They are a perfect exemple of the french gardens, with pool, fountains and geometrical shaped trees. If you want to access this beautiful place, you can use the metro station located near by "Trocadero" or "Pont de l'Alma" RER C Line.

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Paris Freebies

Paris can be sooooooo expensive: hotels, parking, restaurants, cafes, clubs, and theatre to mention a few. So how to enjoy yourself in Paris without spending a fortune? Things to Do at Viator have a great post, here is an extract ....

Paris is not known to be a cheap city but some of its main attractions are free – just another reason we love this city so much.

The Louvre and Musee d’Orsay
One of the main attractions of the city is its museums and while many do have a ticket price, on the first Sunday of the month and on July 14 it is free to enter. It is also always free to those under 18, the disabled and their helpers, and to teachers of art, art history and the applied arts.

Pompidou Centre
One of the most startling pieces of modern architecture in Paris (all the pipes which run around the outside are color-coded according to their function), the Pompidou is also free for those under 18, the disabled and their helpers, the unemployed and on the first Sunday of each month it is free for all. Inside there is free wifi and a huge public library you can access to sit and use your computer.

Parks
Paris is famed for its architecture and its parks and squares and of course it is free to just wander the city and be impressed. Sit by the pond in the Tuileries Garden (the chairs are free), find the lovely hidden square Palais Royale and the black and white pillars at one end where kids love to run and play, or Place des Vosges the oldest planned square in Paris. Further out Parc des Buttes is a favorite treed green space of Parisians and has great views over the city. The Jardin du Luxembourg also has a free puppet theater, Theatre des Marionnettes.

Read full article: Free Things to Do in Paris

Enjoy this free video tour of Paris!

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Paris’ Avenue Montaigne - Top 5 Shopping Street in the World

With Xmas just around the corner where to go for those special Xmas presents. Do you need an excuse to visit Paris? Perfect - shop in November or December until you drop or the credit cards gets maxxed out!

If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then you’re probably already aware of some of the world’s most famous shopping streets. Here, we look at 5 of the best known shopping streets around the world that are found in some of the most exciting and glamorous cities on the planet!

1. Oxford Street, London
2. Fifth Avenue, New York
3. Avenue Montaigne, Paris

For fantastic shopping in continental Europe, there is perhaps nowhere like Paris’ Avenue Montaigne.

Situated between the bank of the Seine and Champs Elysees Avenue, here you’ll find a selection of high-end stores from some of the leading names in French and international fashion.

The street is some 600 metres long and there are dozens of shops you’ll be able to visit, including branches of Prada, Dior and Chanel. You can also purchase men’s and women’s clothing at the Versace and Ralph Lauren stores, so it should come as little surprise that this is a great place to head to if you want to dress like an A-lister.

Who knows, you may even spot some celebrities browsing the aisles next to you! Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham have both been spotted at the Giorgio Armani store here.

4. Via Monte Napoleone, Milan
5. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Those who visit any of the above shopping streets will be able to not only shop but explore the wonderful sights throughout the cities in which they are found. The only problem is whether you’ll be able to tear yourself away from the shops long enough to see what else the cities have to offer!

Complete article, videos and photos: 5 of the world’s most famous luxury shopping streets

Take a Video Tour of the Boutique shops in Avenue Montaigne

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Where to Invest in France? Top Rents in Paris and Cannes

Looking for good returns on buy to let? Paris has overtaken Paris and Cannes is also an excellent location!

Paris Rentals
In news that no doubt sent shivers down the spines of apartment hunters in Paris, rental prices in the city this year were tagged as the most expensive in the world.

Paris leapfrogged ahead of London to win the double-edged accolade, according to the World Cities Review released last spring by the British real estate agency Savills. The average yield for rental properties in the French capital is around 4.5 percent, and various estimates put the average rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment in the city center at about €1,500–€2,000 (about $1,975–$2,600) a month, depending on size and location.

Another thriving rental property market in France is the festival town of Cannes, on the French Riviera, where prices almost match those in Paris. Indeed, a few areas of the glamorous Mediterranean resort put Parisian prices in the shade, with some waterfront properties commanding more than €38,000 per square meter, according to Savills.

Cannes Attraction
Cannes, like Paris, is a magnet for tourists, receiving an astonishing 9.4 million visitors per year, according to the Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE). A good portion of those visitors are attending one of the scores of business conferences and conventions held in Cannes throughout the year.

According to INSEE, one out of every five visitors to the Riviera is a businessman or woman on the job. Many choose one of the many grand hotels that line the seafront, but a large number rely on apartments and villas rented out on a short-term basis, and since the permanent population of the city is about 73,000, there are no legal barriers to short-term rentals of residential properties.

Read more: Flying High in Paris and Cannes

Video: Attractions of Cannes

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Spooky: Halloween in Haunted Paris

As we approach the witching hour over half-term, perhaps you might want to take the kids to a spooky place like Paris!!

Travel Blog on Viator.com is running an article on Top 25 Haunted Places around the World, and Paris features!

There are 25 haunted spots featured on this list, and plenty more around the world besides what is listed below. How do you pick just one each year in which to spend your Halloween? Well, the good news is that these places retain their scary reputation year-round, so even if only one of them makes the cut for October 31st this year you can turn the rest into a frightening world tour if you want. It may not be a relaxing trip, but at least you’ll keep your adrenaline going at full speed.

How can one of the world’s most romantic cities also be haunted? It may sound crazy, but Paris is home to a number of haunted spots. One of the most famous is the city’s catacombs, a network of tunnels underneath Paris’ streets that became a storage facility for human bones when the city’s cemeteries were getting overcrowded. Visitors today can get tours of the catacombs, walking past thousands upon thousands of bones. Other haunted places in Paris include the Garnier opera house, which served as the setting for The Phantom of the Opera.

Full article: Top 25 Haunted Places around the World, and Paris features!

Video: Halloween Disneyland Paris 2012

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Paris Shopping Tips

Paris Shopping Tips from GirlsGuidetoParis.com ....

Parisiennes have lots of little secrets for their shopping. Especially their grocery shopping in Paris, which until very recently was expected to be a daily activity. That was only a decade ago. Today the majority of French women work outside the home, while still being responsible for 80 percent of the household chores. And they do it all perfectly accessorized, wearing three-inch heels. Who can blame them for coming up with shortcuts?

One of my favorite shortcuts comes from a very specialized chain store hidden at 30 different addresses across the city. The store’s signs boast a powerful graphic logo in a modern ice-blue tone. The same shape is frosted into the glass doors of each shop. Opening the doors, you are immediately impressed with the frigid, white ambience, as staff stroll the corridors in white lab coats, pushing silver insulated shopping carts. You have entered Picard, a grocery chain in Paris selling frozen foods. Only frozen foods.

Picard has become such a staple in the Parisienne’s daily life that the store now publishes a catalogue featuring sophisticated recipes, and offers even more preparation advice and suggestions on its website.

So next time you are shopping in Paris and you see the blue snowflake, take a peek and discover every Parisienne’s little secret.

Read Full article: Grocery Shopping in Paris at Picard

More about Shopping in Paris Video:

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PDF Guidebooks to Download for Paris

What a great idea for tourists! You can thank Girls Guide to Paris for this innovation.

A perfect way to enjoy your stay in Paris is to download and print out one or more of our walking tours. We’ve saved you the trouble of hauling around a heavy guidebook; rather, you can discreetly enjoy being a tourist and, with just a few pages at a time, carry around only the information that you actually need. We have 10 unique tours that our founder created after years of wandering around Paris—please peruse them below. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Each includes a map so that you won’t get lost and addresses to all the points of interest that we recommend. Save, download, walk and enjoy!

Maps include:
1. Stroll from St.Germain to the Louvre
2. Stroll from St.Germain to Notre Dame
3. Around the Marais
4. Shop the rues St.Dominique and Grenelle
5. Exploring Rue du Cherche-Midi
6. Pigalle and Montmartre
... and many more

For more information and downloads: Girls’ guide tours

Video: Paris Travel Guide

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Top 10 Items to Bring Back from Paris and Video Guide

There is plenty to enjoy in Paris, and time will never allow you to visit everywhere! Save time on those essential presents to bring back for relatives, partners and friends. Here are some time saving ideas from girlsguidetoparis.com

1. Candles and tea from Mariage Frères

2. Gifts from the gift shop at Hôtel de Crillon marked with the hotel’s logo

3. Macaroons from Pierre Hermé (these won’t last long) or Ladurée

4. Chocolates from Patrick Roger

5. French herbs and spices from Goumanyat. Also, the nearby G. Detou offers teas, chocolates, nuts and sardines—a veritable wonderland of foodie gifts.

6. Berets in all different colors and crystal Eiffel Towers for the kids. These can be found everywhere, but there are a number of shops that run along the street beside Notre Dame.

7. Goodies from the Rodin Museum gift shop—they have a small faux Rodin sculpture of the artist’s hands, which is a piece that we adore.

8. Pistachio oil from Huilerie Artisanale J Leblanc et Fils

9. Vintage Chanel/Hermès from the Marché aux Puces, Didier Ludot or Les Trois Marchés de Catherine B

10. Foie gras (make sure it’s not refrigerated). Comtesse de Barry is a good brand, as is Pierre Champion.

More ideas and the addresses where to find the prezzies: Top 20 or More Items to Bring Back

Video: Shopping in Paris

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Top 10 Attractions in Paris - Video

Top 10 Paris Attractions: Enjoy the view of:

Arc de Triomphe
Pont Alexandre III
Seine
La Tour Eiffel
Musée du Louvre
Notre Dame
Sacre Coeur
Moulin Rouge
Champs-Élysées
Grand Palais

More enjoy our selection of Top 10 Places in France

Did you know we have over 100 Videos of France on this site? Check out our Videos of France

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How to Save Money on Paris Trips and Video

Enjoy a cheaper trip around Paris with these tips from the Huffington Post. Extract here ...

Budget-minded travelers heading to Paris have reason to take heart. Although Paris is the world's most visited city and its very name is synonymous with luxury, it's not necessarily expensive to visit.

From efficient public transportation to cheap eats and affordable hotels, there are plenty of simple ways to trim big bucks from your Paris travel budget. Here are 10 sure ways to save money when visiting the City of Lights.

1) Take public transportation to and from the airport.
2) Paris is "out" when fashion week is "in."
3) Don't buy single Metro tickets.
4) Consider the Paris Museum Pass.
5) Choose a central, affordable hotel.
6) Skip breakfast at the hotel.
7) Drink your coffee at the bar.
8) Never pay for Wi-Fi.
9) Take advantage of lunch deals.
10) Book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance.

For full details of these tips: 10 Simple Ways To Save Money In Paris

Take a Video Tour of France

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Paris Top 10 Monuments

Not sure what to include on your Paris itinerary - yes, there is so much to see. But if you are on a short visit then here are some suggestions from girlsguidetoparis.com

Top 10 Monuments in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower
We love it especially when it twinkles at night.

2. Notre Dame
You have to be impressed by a nearly 850-year-old church with these intricate carvings. Light a candle inside—you will feel inspired.

3. The Pyramid and the Louvre
Is there anything more beautiful than the contrast between the sparkling Pyramid, by I. M. Pei, and the 12th-century stones of the Louvre? You don’t even have to enter the museum to appreciate this monument.

4. Sainte Chapelle
The stained-glass windows will make your jaw drop!

5. Luxembourg Gardens
Not only for the beautiful gardens, ponds and sculptures, but for the Musée du Luxembourg and the rotating photo shows that are often displayed outside on the fence that surrounds the park.

6. Palais Royal
This is a must-see. Louis XIV spent his childhood at the Palais, Colette had an apartment here—this place just oozes Parisian beauty. Le Grand Véfour, the restaurant where Napoleon and Josephine dined, is still going strong under the arches of the palace. We simply love the gardens and the serenity of the Palais Royal.

7. Napoleon’s Tomb and Les Invalides
A wonderful war museum and an over-the-top, terribly grand resting place for le roi de France. The beauty of the gold-domed roof on the church and the tranquil gardens of Les Invalides always strikes us.

8. Place de la Concorde
A busy intersection with a spectacular 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk at its center. This place is home to a lot of history, including the decapitation of Marie Antoinette. Plus, you’ll find one of the most impressive hotels in the world here, the Hôtel de Crillon.

9. The Panthéon
Originally a church, now a monument to French intellectuals. It’s a beautiful and quiet oasis.

10. Arc de Triomphe
We especially like going to the top.

To read more and also see the Top 10 Churches in Paris: 10 Monuments and Churches

Do you agree with the list? Do you have some alternative suggestions? Please add them in the comments below.

Video showing some Paris Monuments

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Paris - as you have not seen before! Video

These segments of animation portray the french capital with a quirky, bizarre and eccentric style. All of these scenes are odd, strange and very peculiar as they play and twist with certain aspects.

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#1 Destination in Europe?

According to Traveller's Choice Best Destinations for 2011 in Europe: the #1 destination is ... Paris.

Trip Adviser says: Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here.

Enjoy this video about Paris: "24 hours in Paris"
http://youtu.be/RfDv5TTJ3Bc

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Travel Tips for Paris

Thinking of going to Paris for a vacation or city break? What do you need to take with you and how can you make the most of your stay in Paris. There really is a lot to see. Chris Pirillo has some great tips ..... here is a selection and there are more, follow the link at the bottom.

Flickr Photo by Ian Muttoo

1. Bring a sturdy and comfortable pair of shoes for walking. Don’t worry so much about fashion. Your feet will only care that they are comfortable. Most Parisians spend time walking everywhere, and it is not uncommon to see a person carrying the makings of a meal from several stores (butcher, bakery, Casino) onto the Metro. Be prepared to stand during most of the prime commute hours on the Metro.
2. If you need a converter for an electrical appliance, make sure it’s not one of those “all-in-one” converters on a solid block. The prongs are the correct ones, but the block won’t fit in the deep and round hole around the prong entrance. Sticks and holes do matter.
3. In winter, bring a wool coat that hangs below the waist, a scarf, gloves, and a hat. The windchill factor is exacerbated in Paris proper because of the buildings. In summer, wear loose clothing but don’t be an ugly American: leave the open-toed Teva’s and flip flops at home. You’ll thank me after the first person rolls her bag over your toes in the Metro. Also, the Metro isn’t often air-conditioned in the summer, and with humidity, prepare to sweat.
4. Take a moment to study a map of the Metro lines. Almost everyone takes them for public transport, and they are much cheaper than taxis. You do not want to drive in Paris. If you are staying a week or longer, purchase a pack of tickets rather than single tickets. Keep these handy while you ride, as they are checked occasionally during transit and when you exit the Metro station, as well as when you are transferring from one line to another.
5. Pack light, and bring smaller and more narrow luggage with you. Some of the larger pieces of luggage I have seen don’t fit on the escalators of the Metro or are difficult to manage going up and down the entrances and exits.

Another 6 great travel tips here

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Paris - city of Romance or Divorce - take your choice!

Paris - normally associated with romance is now promoting a new angle: a Divorce Fair - the latest in Paris France Attractions !

According to latest statistics: 1 in 2 marriages end in divorce in France.

So divorce is big business in Paris. The "New Start" trade fair aims to tap into that booming market! Services on show include, as you would expect, law firms and counsellors but also tarot card readers, makeover specialists and self-esteem coaches.

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