Paris Travels – 6 Incredible Places To Visit

I don’t know about you, but when I travel these days I’m not a fan of crowds. Thus, we try and plan things that are perhaps a bit different when it comes to visiting landmarks. For us, Paris travels are full of living like a local with meals usually taken in brasseries and visits to the local shops on Rue Cler for sandwiches and delicious fresh produce. We love to take advantage of all that is free in Paris and much of it simply involves walking! My husband and I always say that you could never run out of things to do in this city and never ever become bored! I’ thought that I’d sharing 10 activities that you can do for free in this second post of my Paris travels so that you can be sure to have this list on hand for your next visit. Also, where we went in terms of landmarks is a bit further down, so be sure to keep scrolling for that. I have even included a couple of videos, so you can feel as if you are actually there.

If you missed my first post that’s chock full of great tips, find that one here!

“Paris is always a good idea”

Audrey Hepburn

Here are some things that you can enjoy in Paris that are totally free!

1. Simply walk by or visit if you have time, these iconic landmarks: Take in the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the many other landmarks that have stood the test of time. While entrance to some of the monuments may have a fee and/or reservations involved, you can still appreciate the beauty and grandeur from the outside as you walk along.
2. Paris trips are never complete without a leisurely walk along the banks of the Seine River and enjoy the views and people watching. Watch the often crowed tour boats and the delivery barges go by and stroll along past the the Bouquinistes of Paris (booksellers of Paris) at your leisure . You’ll find public benches along the riverbanks where you can relax and catch your breath.
3. Wander through the charming neighborhood of Montmartre. It’s known for a bohemian atmosphere with many small cobblestone streets. You can visit the Place du Tertre, which is the artists’ square and have a drink or meal in the cafes that dot the area.
4. Be sure to visit at least some of the many parks and gardens. Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Jardin des Tuileries or the Luxembourg Gardens. Have a picnic, take a walk, and just enjoy the surroundings.
5. Stroll down the elegant Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world. The luxurious shops can be pricey but window shopping during your Paris travels is always free.
6. Many museums in Paris offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. They include popular attractions like the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre Museum. Bear in mind that they can get quite crowded on these free days, so get there as early as possible.
7. Check local listings and event calendars for upcoming free events! Parisians love culture and these can be plentiful, so keep an eye out for free exhibitions. You’ll often find these to add to your Paris travels in galleries, cultural centers, and libraries with concerts, lectures and more.
8. Paris is home to a large number of beautiful churches and many of them are free to enter. Explore the Sainte-Chapelle, Eglise Saint-Sulpice, and others. You will appreciate their stunning architecture and religious artifacts.
9. Some of the city views are not to be missed! Climb up to the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe or the terraces of the Printemps Haussmann or Galeries Lafayette department stores for panoramic views of Paris. Entrance to the terraces is free, and you can enjoy the vistas especially on a sunny day.
10. Visit the local flea markets, brocantes or vides greniers (garage sales) for a fun day of looking or shopping. You’ll find these listed weekly and conveniently here but take note that they can often be cancelled without notification due to weather.

Paris Travels – Landmarks To Visit

“Paris is a museum displaying itself”

Jean Cocteau

We kept ourselves busy on this trip to Paris, but had plenty of free time to wander and relax as well. Staying in an apartment gave us the opportunity to wake up when we wanted, eat breakfast and then get ready for the day at a leisurely pace. No schedules to keep except for the days when we had reserved museum reservations or day tours planned. Below is what we did in order with lots of photos that I hope you enjoy! I did not take my camera and only used my iPhone 14 ProMax and carried everything in the fabulous Travalon Cross Body Anti-Theft bag. In the previous Paris travels post I shared a list of my capsule wardrobe and I’ll share that again below. These are great staple pieces not just for Paris but for everyday life!

Landmarks That We Visited In Our Paris Travels

We booked all of these landmarks in advance while planning our trip. The first was literally right around the corner and we have been here many times before, Sainte Chapelle. It’s magnificent and since we could quickly walk over I wanted to see it again and take a few photos. We booked entry with the Paris Museum Pass that was skip the line. I reserved a spot for us at 10:30, so it wasn’t crowded once inside.

Sainte Chapelle

The Archives Nationales in Paris

Our apartment was just over the river from Marais district, which is always one of our favorite places to stroll. By chance we came upon the The Archives Nationales, which is a grand and historic building that serves as the official repository for France’s national archives. I was thrilled that they had a temporary exhibition of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and la Révolution (free) and couldn’t get inside fast enough! If you’re headed to Paris this spring I believe that this one will be around for awhile, but do check the dates and immerse yourself in French history!

There literally were only a handful of visitors and again, go places early before the crowds. Such an extravagant and opulent setting that one could almost feel the tension of the haves and have nots during this revolutionary time period. Truly a spectacular experience and I took far too many photos to share in one post, so just a handful below.

The Hôtel de la Marine

Off the bat, this is not a hotel rather a historic building built in the 18th century. It once served as the headquarters of the French Navy and after extensive renovations has recently opened to the public. We almost had the place to ourselves on this day, so we took our time because it was raining. I think that this might have been my favorite landmark and one that surprisingly I had not been to before!

Lots of limestone, marble, gold gilding, statuary, incredible furnishings and fabrics that were simply fascinating to study and admire! My favorite color of French blue paint was everywhere.

The details in every one of the many rooms was fascinating! You can pick up a self-guided tour headset for free once inside and learn the history as you roam around.

The Palace of Fontainebleau

For our Paris travels we enjoy being based in the city and then take small day tours or sometimes the RER trains for short trips. We have used the services of Viator many times in various countries and have nothing but good things to say! The tours are contracted out by them to local tour companies, and Viator makes it easy. You can even cancel fairly close to the tour day if you need to and book early/pay later. The guides are always very knowledgeable and professional and on the small group tours you’ll only have a handful of other folks.

Our first stop this day of Paris travels was the palace of Fontainebleau, a one hour drive (at most) from Paris. It’s opulent with lots of collections and extensive gardens and a sprawling royal residence with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It served as a getaway, a royal residence for French monarchs in the countryside.

On our tour we had only 4 others besides my husband and myself, which allowed us to ask many questions as history buffs!

On this day of Paris travels our second stop was the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte that was close to Fontainebleau. This château offers a glimpse into the splendor of French aristocratic life during the reign of Louis XIV and is magnificent. Not to be missed!

The Palace of Versailles – Including Le Grand Trianon Le Petit Trianon

We’ve been to Versailles a handful of times before and although it’s always a treasure, it is a top tourist destination and can be quite crowded. Our Paris travels took us to Versailles via a fun bike tour and although the weather didn’t cooperate it was truly a great experience! We went with Fat Tire Tours and the cost of the tour included round trip transportation from Paris via RER, all fees to enter with no line, bikes and a full day with a knowledgeable guide.

The grounds of The Palace of Versailles encompases 2,000 acres and we spent the majority of our time biking the trails that surround the palace and the woods. It was pretty cold, muddy and it rained part of the time, but I was fine in my wool hat and lots of layers!

Le Grand Trianon

Le Petit Trianon

The Palace Of Versailles

I won’t post a lot of photos of the grand palace of Versailles since it was quite crowded and we didn’t still long. It’s definitely worth seeing if you haven’t been yet and if you have, go back for another look! We went at the end of the day after many miles of biking the grounds and by that time were a bit worn out. Still, it is always a thrill to see!

Read my brief synopsis of all of these landmarks below and make your own decision on what you’d like to see next time you are in Paris! Please let me know if you have any questions about my Paris travels down in the comments.

1. Sainte Chapelle: Located in the center of Paris on the Île de la Cité, this landmark is a stunning medieval Gothic chapel. It was built in the 13th century and is renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. The architecture is quite intricate and ethereal beauty make it a must-visit for both art and history enthusiasts.
2. The Archives Nationale: A historic building that is quite grand serves as the official repository for France’s national archives. Situated in the Marais district, the building is a stunning example of French architectural heritage. Interestingly it was originally constructed (14th century) as a private mansion, and was acquired by the French state 300 hundred years later to house the archives of the Kingdom of France. It is known as well for the temporary exhibitions that it houses and in this visit I was thrilled to see an exhibit of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette just prior to la Révolution.
3. Hôtel de la Marine: Located in the Place de la Concorde, the Hôtel de la Marine once served as the headquarters of the French Navy. Built in the 18th century, it is an grand example of Neoclassical architecture and has significant historical importance. It has recently reopened to the public after extensive renovations and offers visitors a glimpse into its opulent interiors and grand halls.
4. Palace of Fontainebleau: Southeast of Paris, the Palace of Fontainebleau is a sprawling royal residence with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It served as a meeting place and had gracious quarters for French monarchs. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of French royal heritage.
5. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: Situated southeast of Paris in Maincy, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a masterpiece of 17th-century French Baroque architecture and landscaping. This magnificent estate became a model for the Palace of Versailles and offers visitors a glimpse into the splendor of French aristocratic life during the reign of Louis XIV.
6. Versailles (including Le Petit Trianon and Le Grand Trianon): The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous and opulent palaces in the world! It was originally built as a hunting lodge and was transformed into a grand palace by Louis XIV in the 17th century. The palace boasts the extravagance of French monarchy and the centerpiece is the vast Hall of Mirrors. The property encompasses around 2,000 acres and includes two notable structures: Le Petit Trianon, a smaller palace commissioned by Louis XV, and Le Grand Trianon, a palace built by Louis XIV as a retreat from court life. You’ll also find a small working farm with animals amongst the woods and gardens.

Each of these landmarks is worthy of a visit on your next trip to Paris! You’ll get a glimpse into France’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, each with its unique historical significance and captivating beauty.

For more on traveling to Paris, check out the posts below!

Paris Travel Tips- Out Of The Ordinary Non Touristy

How To Travel Like A Local

Paris Day Trip – Loire Valley Castles

Living Like A Parisian