Ten Cheap and Free Things to Do and See in Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is a beautiful city to explore either for a long weekend break or just a holiday away from home. An exciting city to visit for anyone, but it is especially beautiful for romantic couples.

There are many free and cheap things to do and see in Paris. Here are ten things to do in Paris.

1. If you like fashion shows, then there is a free show on every week on Fridays at 3pm at the Galaries Lafayette. Reservations to attend this fashion show do have to be made. Go to the Galaries Lafayette website for more details.

2. The Louvre is free to attend if you are 18 and under, disabled, helpers with disabled, teachers of art, art history and the applied arts (proof is required). Price is normally 6 euro per person to enter for anyone else. A fascinating art centre to attend in Paris. Enjoy exploring the many works of art pieces in this beautiful gallery. For more information visit the Louvre website.

3. The Pompidou Centre features modern and contemporary art in Europe. Similar to the Louvre it welcomes free entrance for 18 and under, disabled, helpers with disabled, teachers of art, art history and the applied arts (proof is required). Tickets are priced at 12 euros per person for anyone else. For more information go to the Pompidou Centre's website.

4. It is free to enter the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery where the great and the good are buried. Famous people, such as, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Bizet, Balzac, Isadora Duncan and Pissarro are all here in this atmospheric cemetery. For more information go to the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery's website.

5. For another free day out, visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Entrance and services are free of charge. You only have to pay to visit the tower and the treasury. This is an exceptional place to visit. For more information go to Notre-Dame Cathedral website.

6. The Curie Museum is also free to explore. The Museum, which housed Marie Curie's laboratory
until her death in 1934 is at 26 rue d'Ulm, in the Currie Pavilion. It is open on week-day afternoons. English guided tours are given on Fridays at 4pm. For more information go to the Curie Museum website.

7. The Eiffel Tower is a famous land mark to visit in Paris. It is open every day between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. This is the most popular place to visit in Paris. Entrance prices vary on how you want to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower. For example, to experience the Eiffel Tower by elevator it is 8.10 euros per adult, youths 12-24 is 6.40 euros and for children 4-11 it is 4 euros. For more details go to the Eiffel Tower tourist website. Different kinds of tours are available, so see the website.

8. Visit the Paris Plage. This is the city's summer beach that runs for two miles in July and August along the Seine and around the lower quais of Isle St Louis. It also runs along the northern quai of the Scene between the Tuileries Gardens and Pont Neuf. Go to Paris Plage pictures to sea the views. Take a day out to Paris Plage for a relax and soak up the sun.

9. Visit the Fete de Ganesh on 30th August, which is the annual colourful, noisy parade. The parade leaves the Temple de Dri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam in rue Philippe de Girard, near the Gare du Nord, at 11 a.m. and goes down the rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis and along rue Ordener then up bldv Barbes and back to the temple. This is a great day out and fun to watch or you can even join in with the fun of the parade.

10. Visit the lovely park called Parc des Buttes, Chaumont. The park was created by Haussmann and is on a hill in the 19th arrondissement, at rue Botzaris. The park has great views over Paris and is very popular to visit. Go to the Parc des Buttes picture website to see the magnificent views of the park.

So, if you are going to visit Paris, then take advantage of these ten ideas.