Paris On the Cheap

Considered the most expensive city in the world, living in Paris may not be for the tight-of-budget.  Visiting the City of Lights, however, can be done on a dime.  What’s that?  You say even a dime will stretch you?  Not to worry.  Working under the assumption that some of “the best things in life are free”, we have happily discovered that Paris is no exception.  Unless you are planning on an extended stay in this beautiful city (and we couldn’t fault you for that), leave your wallet behind and join us on a free ride.

1. The most challenging part of exploring any large city is knowing just where to start.  Well, get ready for the introduction of your dreams.  Sandemans New Paris tours offers a 3.5 hour walking tour, covering all the main historic sites of central Paris.  Stroll along the banks of the River Seine, past the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, down the tree-lined Champs-Elysees, through the Tuileries Gardens, into the Latin Quarter, past the Eiffel Tower and beyond.  Their knowledgeable guides will provide you with an entertaining and informative overview of continental Europe’s most popular city . . . all for FREE!

The free tour leaves daily at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM in front of the fountain at Place Saint Michel in the Latin Quarter.  No reservations are necessary.  Just show up with your most comfortable pair of walking shoes and get ready to put some miles on them!

2. Now that you’ve been introduced to some of the best of Paris, it’s time you get more intimately acquainted.  Let’s begin with a landmark which hardly needs an introduction- Notre Dame Cathedral.  This gothic treasure- the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame- overlooks the Seine River from her lofty perch on the Île de la Cité.  The cathedral’s magnificent stone architecture is particularly stunning when viewed from the West front of the cathedral.  Here you are provided breathtaking views of her two massive towers, the 28 statues of the King’s Gallery, the legendary gargoyles of the Grand gallery, and the magnificent West Rose Window.  If you can pull yourself away from the captive façade of the cathedral, take some time to step inside its serene interior, where intricate woodwork and beautiful statues glimmer in the light pouring through the 13^th century stained-glass windows.  This memorable view of the Paris’ most popular monument is FREE.   If you opt to climb the towers, (for which there is a nominal charge) keep in mind that it was here, in his job as bell-ringer, that the hunch-backed Quasimodo lost his hearing.

3. If you consider yourself something of a celebrity-hound, and you aren’t easily spooked, we have the perfect place for you to while away an hour or two.  Established by Napoleon I in 1804 and the most-visited cemetery in the world, Cimetiere du Pére-Lachaise is the resting place of some of the most notable people in history.  When one reflects on the collective contributions of those buried here- writers, composers, actors and actresses; admirals, statesmen, politicians and generals; inventors, architects, astronomers and actors- it is overwhelming to grasp.  Among the interred, some of the more well-known include Oscar Wilde (Irish novelist and playwright), Jim Morrison (American singer and songwriter with The Doors) , Gertrude Stein (American author), Simone Signoret (Academy Award-winning French actress), Marcel Marceau (French mime artist), Frédéric Chopin (Polish composer), and Sarah Bernhardt (French actress).  A visit to this infamous cemetery promises to take you on an incomparable journey back-in-time and it’s all for FREE.

4. At the top of everyone’s list of things-to-see while in Paris is the world-renowned Louvre Museum. Home to the sultry smile of the Mona Lisa and the lovely curves of the Venus de Milo (not to mention the other 35,000 works of art) the world’s most visited museum entertains 5.7 million visitors every year.  The museum is housed within the Louvre Palace, originally built as a fortress by Phillip II in the 12^th century.  For years it served as the residence for French monarchs until Louis XIV, in 1682, chose to move his base of operations to Versailles.  From that time forward, the structure was used to house both artists and the royals’ priceless collections of art, which ultimately inspired the notion of establishing a royal museum of art within the walls of the palace.  The rest, as they say, is history.   When the museum first opened in 1793, the public was given free access three days a week.  Though not as generous today, the world’s largest museum still offers FREE admission on the first Sunday of every month.

5. In the heart of Paris, and stretching from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde, is the beautiful and expansive Jardin des Tuileries.  This formal garden, with its symmetric flowerbeds and meticulously trimmed hedges, features a series of round ponds and dramatic statuary by such well-known sculptors as Rodin.  At the south end of the garden is a large terrace overlooking the Seine and offering stunning views of Paris.  [Note: This garden is also home to the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume.  Now a museum of contemporary art, it was once an indoor facility of the mother sport of tennis known as Jeu de Paume.]  Admission to the renowned Jardin des Tuileries is FREE and offers a relaxing and picturesque stroll following your visit to the Louvre Museum.

6. Located deep with the Marais district is a little slice of paradise known as Place des Vosges, the oldest city square in Paris and home to an enchanting park.   Established in 1605 by Henry IV and once serving as his dueling grounds, the park today is a lush paradise of green lawns, gurgling fountains, and shaded arcades filled with charming boutiques.  The beautiful facades of the neighborhood’s stone and brick homes- including the former residence of Les Misérables’ author Victor Hugo- border all sides of this charming little park as if to keep this serene oasis their own carefully-guarded secret.   Find a patch of grass, catch some sun, sit back and enjoy the melodies of the street musicians. . . and rest easy knowing this heavenly retreat is also FREE.2

7. If history is your passion, the Musée Carnavalet-Musée de l’Histoire de Paris, nestled within the Marais district and just a short walk from Place des Vosges, is housed in two adjoining mansions built in the 11^th and 17^th century.  The impressive collections on display- drawings, photography, etchings, archaeological artifacts, paintings, sculpture, furniture, and much more- explore the richness of Parisian heritage from pre-historic times through present day.  Open Tuesday-Sunday, admission to the permanent collections of these twin museums is FREE.

8. Paris and fashion are interchangeable terms in the minds of many and a visit to this couture capital would be incomplete without viewing some of the latest in Parisian designers’ trends.  Though our no-wallet tour won’t afford you a Dior creation, we have come across a fashion find that promises to be the perfect fit.  The popular Galeries Lafayette department store hosts a FREE fashion show every Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM.  Reservations are recommended to ensure a seat on the catwalk and can be obtained by emailing the store at welcome@galerieslafayette.com.

9. Could we interest you in a little Karaoke, Parisian style?  If you are ready for the City of Lights to cast its spotlight on you, slide into the eclectic L’Entrepôt restaurant-bar on the first Tuesday of the month, find your inner poet, and recite a short verse or two for the crowd.  Your efforts will be generously rewarded with a FREE drink to quench your thirst after the many miles you’ve logged sightseeing your way through Paris.

10. There is perhaps no better view of the city than from the steps of the stately Basilica of the Sacré Coeur atop Montmartre- considered the highest point in Paris.   This northern district of Paris was once an artistic enclave where artists- including Renoir, Degas, Matisse, and van Gogh-lived, worked and were inspired by the majesty of this hilltop community. Enjoy a FREE hour-long choir rehearsal on Sunday mornings at 9:45 at Sacré Coeur and, before you head back to the bustling streets of Paris, take some time to bask in the bohemian aura that yet blankets this quaint historic district.

- Alyce Vilines, GEM Tennis