Hello Travelers!

Regardless of how your currency is exchanging it is always better to do something for free, that is, if it is worth your time.  Paris has a number of free things to do that are actually worthwhile and what you would pay for anyways. There are many free museums and exhibits in Paris as well as great panoramics that cost only the legwork to get there, but I am going to concentrate on three activities that would cost money in another city or at another time.  Click through for three ways to save about 25€00 so that you can guiltlessly upgrade your dinner menu or have an extra 5 happy hour pints.

Sandeman’s NewEurope Tours:

The free tour meets at Place Saint Michel just outside the metro. Look for the fountain.

As a general rule I am not a fan of the free tour model found in other cities such as Rome, but this tour outfit is not hustling people on the streets to give them a 10 minute spiel and then asking for tips.  Furthermore as a caveat I need to mention that because these types of tours are very dependent on the personality and skill of the tour-guide that your experience may be the luck of the draw.  However, with this said I had a very pleasant experience with 4 different tour-guides with NewEuropeTours.  The free tours that they offer lasts for about 3.5 hours and provide a solid overview of Paris in terms of the history and helping you get your bearings.  A comparable tour in another city would easily cost 15€00 and you would run the same risk getting a dud guide.  These guides work for tips, as they will let you know, so make sure you show up with some smaller denominations so you don’t look silly asking for change with a €50 because that day everyone seems to have come from the ATM.  

Money saved: 15€00 – tip

What’s gained?  A solid overview of Paris and 3.5 hours of entertainment.

Risk:  None, its free.  But tour-guides will vary.

Notre Dame Tour:

Detail from center door Notre Dame de Paris: The Last Judgement

Notre Dame de Paris can be an overwhelming because of its size and history.  Like most other major churches Notre Dame took a couple hundred years to build, it is high and long, imposing, built in a specific architectural style and was contributed to by a bunch of different architects that most people don’t know or care about.  At least this is the basic information on the 5€00 audio guide.  However, Notre Dame has a cadre of young tour-guides that give tours of the cathedral throughout the day.  These tours take about 45 minutes and they will point out a number of details that make these tours both interesting and worth your time, especially in describing the facade which is both intricate and rich with stories and symbolism. To find these tour-guides look for the signs when you enter the church, but if you don’t see anything then inquire at the information desk just inside the entrance.

Note:  These tours go at specific times so if you are interested in doing one you might want to take a look in the church to see when the next one is going and wait.  However, if you are outside and see a tour being led by a stick with a flag on the end denoting the language being spoken (i.e. English flag denotes English language) then just jump aboard there.  Most tours go back into the church and they get to cut the line.

Money saved: 5€00

What’s gained?  The details and stories of Notre Dame de Paris with a tour-guide that you can ask questions to and that does a good job of explaining the busy and very interesting facade and interior.

Risk:  Again, its free and even more so than the tour above you can just ditch the tour and feel no guilt.

Free Louvre Days:

The Mona Lisa was crowded but not too much.

Museums in Paris are free the first Sunday of the month, a few public holidays and the Louvre is free Friday evenings from 6-10 for those 25 years-old and under.  Some tour books will tell you to keep away from the Louvre on free Sunday but I am such a fan of saving the 9€00 and of the vast and well thought Louvre that I think that the free day is worthwhile.  First and foremost, compared to the rest of the major museums in Europe the Louvre is a treat to visit.  This museum has a useful website, great maps, large exhibition halls and rooms, many places to sit and relax, plenty of information in the form of cards and signs pointing to the more famous artworks, restrooms in decent supply and cafes and restaurants to get refreshments and recharge yourself.  Compared to the Uffizi or Vatican Museums the Louvre is a walk in the park.  

Don’t be afraid of the free Sunday, but if you are not there for that day don’t forget about the reduced rate for Wednesday and Friday nights and that if you are 25 and under you get in free on Friday nights.  Also remember that the Louvre is closed on Tuesday.

Money saved: 9€00

What’s gained?  The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory and the list goes on.

Risk:  The Louvre can get crowded but as I mentioned there is plenty of space and places to recharge yourself.

So, there you go.  Three recommendations for Paris that will give you a solid city overview, knowledge about one of the world’s great cathedrals and access to one of the most spectacular art displays, all while saving yourself 25€00!

Happy Travels,

Chris

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