How to do Paris on a Budget in 2026

Paris does not have to be expensive. In this short video we share how to do Paris on a budget, starting with some of the best things in the city that cost nothing at all. If you are watching your spending in 2026 but still want to see the real Paris, these are the free spots we think are worth your time.

Free things we love in Paris

• The Carnavalet Museum, which tells the entire history of Paris from BC to today.
• The Petit Palais, right by the Alexandre III bridge.
• Saint-Sulpice, which has a Delacroix painting inside that most tourists walk straight past.
• The Tuileries Garden, the Palais Royal and Place de la Concorde, all connected and all free.
• Notre-Dame: walk in, look up and take your time.
• The covered passages, the bridges and the Parisian streets themselves.

Our personal favorite

A picnic on the banks of the Seine is our favorite free thing to do in Paris. Pick up a few things, find a spot by the water and watch the city go by.

For more ways to make the most of your money, from affordable restaurants to good-value hotels, take a look at our Paris Guide Bundle.