Seine bank view of Eiffel Tower

A semester abroad can be challenging to keep on budget with meals, daily activities, and weekend trips, especially in a big city like Paris where you can never run out of things to do. Here are a few free things to do if you have an open day and are looking for something to get you out and about, without breaking budget.

Seine bank view of eiffel tower

There is no better way to learn the city and enjoy its rich history and art than the endless museums Paris has to offer. Most of the museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, as well as many are free for student entry if you have a student ID from your host school in Paris. But there are also some museums that have completely free entry all the time. Le Petit Palais is a fine arts museum with an impressive collection spanning centuries, as well as the architecture of the building itself is beautiful and has a gorgeous central garden. Another free one is Musee Carnavalet, a museum dedicated to the history of Paris. It is within two beautiful Renaissance-era mansions, and has a cute courtyard garden where you can sit for a coffee or tea before or after enjoying the exhibitions.

musee hotel de la marine

There is no shortage of quaint places to tuck away with a book in the big city of Paris. Full of gardens, courtyards, and about 8 miles of Seine to perch next to, one of my favorite ways to spend a day was grabbing a treat and a book and finding a spot to settle. A beautiful and peaceful place to sit with a book, or a journal is under the willow tree on Pont-Neuf. I recommend grabbing a drink, snack, or treat, a blanket or jacket to sit on, and heading to the tip of the Seine island, to sit under the beautiful hanging willow tree with a view of the city and a good book.

Luxembourg gardens

Another one of my go to ways to spend the evening, especially when I had friends visiting, was to walk the Seine at sunset. It is a great way to see the city without spending too much and enjoying the quality time chit chatting with a friend, a podcast, or your favorite music. My favorite way to do so is beforehand, grabbing a cheap bottle of wine from a grocery store and maybe some cheese and charcuterie, walking down the seine while the sun is setting, and then stopping to sit with a view of the eiffel tower. In my opinion, sitting on the banks across the Seine from the eiffel tower is the best way to see it. The boats undock at sunset and throughout the night to take clients out on the water leaving the banks empty to sit on, and they are never crowded.

chess at luxembourg gardens

For people who enjoy doing something creative or a little outside your comfort zone, this is a one way to experience the French lifestyle. Especially on a sunny day, you will find many locals lounging in the gardens of Luxembourg. They have the classic green chairs around the large fountain and countless benches throughout the garden. Grab your beret and a coffee and lounge there while painting or drawing. Or even better, join in with the Parisians in a game of chess on the many tabletops painted with chess boards. Either with a friend and your own chess set, or really immersing yourself and asking to join in with a stranger. A relaxing day in the Luxembourg gardens channeling your inner artist, or chess master is the perfect way to have a restful day the way the locals do it.

luxembourg gardens

Written by: Aley, Fall 2024 Paris student, from Washington State University