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Free Time in Paris
Paris:
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Free time in Paris? Take a look at the suggested activities below to add even more to your tour experience. Please note that these recommendations are separate from your included EF tour activities. Opening times, availability and fees for these free time activities may vary depending on the time of year and are subject to change. Please check listed websites for details.
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Museums:
1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur; Metro line 12 to Solferino. Open daily 9:30am-6pm, until 9:45pm on Thursday, closed Monday.
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This beautiful converted railway station houses art work from the late 19th century and is home to the world’s most respected impressionists including Monet, Cézanne, and Renoir. There is also a lovely café with splendid views of the river. Entrance fee applies; 18 and under free.
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Place Georges-Pompidou; Metro line 11 to Rambuteau. Open daily 11am-9pm, closed Tuesday.
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An adventurous, multi-colored building, this contemporary art museum also offers wonderful views and an eclectic permanent collection. The funky exhibition space attracts 5.5 million people every year and also features a cinema. Entrance fee applies.
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Jardin des Tuileries; Metro lines 1, 8 & 12 to Concorde. Open daily 9am-6pm, closed Tuesday.
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The museum houses the cycle of water-lilies paintings by Claude Monet, known as the Nymphéas, exhibited under direct diffused light as was originally intended by the artist. Elsewhere are 144 paintings from the Walter-Guillaume Impressionist collection, featuring Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Derain, Picasso, Modigliani, Utrillo, and Marie Laurencin. Entrance fee applies.
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129 Rue de Grenelle; Metro line 8 to La Tour-Mauborg or Invalides. Open daily 10am-6pm, times may vary depending on season, closed first Monday of each month.
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Founded as an army hospital, which it remains to this day, this site is also home to the Army Museum and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte is found under the golden chapel dome which is visible all across Paris. The grounds of the building are decorated with cannon and bullet-shaped hedges. Entrance fee applies; 17 and under free.
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Only in Paris:
Place Charles de Gaulle; Metro lines 1, 2 & 6 to Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Open daily 10am-11pm, until 10:30pm during winter.
This dominant monument to Napoleon’s victorious troops sits at the heart of the star-shaped intersection at the top of the Champs Elysees. The view, reached by over 300 steps, is spectacular but if you can’t make it to the top you can see the flame on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at ground level. Entrance fee applies; 17 and under free.
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33 avenue du Maine; Metro lines 4, 6, 12 & 13 to Montparnasse-Bienvenüe.
Open daily 9:30am-11:30pm during summer, winter times vary.
The only skyscraper inside the city. In just 38 seconds, Europe’s fastest elevator will take you to a height of over 600 feet where a beautiful view of Paris stretches out before you from an open platform. You will also find information on the major city landmarks. Entrance fee applies.
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Place de la Concorde, 113 Rue de Rivoli; Metro lines 1 to Tuileries, or line 1, 8 & 12 to Concorde. Open daily 7am-9pm during summer, winter times vary.
Ranging from the Place Concorde to the courtyard of the Louvre this very French style garden (where symmetry reigns) is a fabulous place to relax and people watch. You will also find the superb Orangeries museum here as well as the Ferris wheel in summer.
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6e Arrondissement; Metro line 4 & 10 to Odéon.
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The Luxembourg gardens are a favorite for Parisian children due to the puppet shows, playgrounds and vintage carousel. The palace built for Catherine de Medici is here along with the French observatory. Elsewhere in the gardens be sure to locate the first model of the Statue of Liberty created by its designer Bartholdi, one of over a hundred statues in the gardens.
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Fun Activities:
16 Rue du Repos; Metro line 2 & 3 to Pere Lachaise. Open daily 8am-6pm, at 8:30am on Saturday, at 9am on Sunday.
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Visit Europe's most famous cemetery in this quiet suburban neighborhood. Jim Morrison was buried here after he died in Paris and his grave has become a must-see for fans from across the world. Elsewhere you can find the tombs of Oscar Wilde, Chopin and the famous French singer Edith Piaf as well as stirring memorials to those deported from Paris to the concentration camps of the Second World War. Admission is Free.
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1 avenue de Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy; Metro Denfert Rochereau. Open daily 10am-8pm, Closed Monday.
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The ossuary covers a surface of 11,000 square meters. Between 1785 and 1814, six million bones from Parisian cemeteries were transferred to Montrouge and assembled in the former Montrouge quarries. The labyrinth of corridors covers a length of one mile. Entrance fee applies; 18 and under free.
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Foods to Try:
75 Avenue de Champs Elysees; Metro line 1 to Georges V. Open daily 7:30am-11:30pm.
This fairytale, Parisian tea salon dating back to 1864 sells the most mouth-watering macaroons, sweets, pastries and desserts in France. Dainty, perfectly decorated macaroons are imaginatively produced in flavors ranging from rose petal to chestnut to black current violet.
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Chausson aux Pommes
After you have had your fill of chocolate and regular croissants, try this. It is a pastry folded in half with a filling similar to apple sauce.
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Confit de Canard
If you are feeling a little adventurous, but aren’t up to eating escargots, duck confit might be the way to go. It’s a popular dish, among the French, of tender flavorful duck.
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Croque Monsieur / Madame
A French version of a grilled cheese sandwich with cheese on the outside and ham on the inside. Make it a “Madame” and they will add a sunny side up egg on top of the sandwich.
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Steak Frites
Not a complicated or exotic dish, it’s just steak and fries.
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Galettes
A super thin pancake served with fillings and folded up. It is very similar to a crepe, but a galette is more savory than sweet.
Shopping:
Boulevard Haussmann; Metro line 3, 7 & 8 to Opera. Open daily 9:30am-8pm, until 9pm Thursday, closed Sunday.
The most exquisite department store in Paris with a fantastic 7th-floor viewing deck and a beautiful stained-glass dome. The Lafayette food court is an eye-widening delight and wonderful place to purchase French gourmet delights without breaking the bank.
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Aveune de la Porte de Clingancourt 18e; Metro line 4 to Porte de Clingancourt. Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 10am-6pm.
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Paris’ largest market dating back to the 19th century. You can find everything from antiques to vintage clothes to random knickknacks.
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Metro line 1 to Saint-Paul
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This area is perfect for shoppers with an eye for unique and finely-crafted pieces. The stores hold a range of items from antiques or fine-arts to boutiques featuring up-and-coming designers.
Churches:
Boulevard du Palais 4; Metro line 4 to Cite. Open daily 9:30am-6pm, winter times vary.
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King Louis IX had this Gothic chapel built in 1242 to house his newest purchase, the Crown of Thorns, the relic supposedly worn by Christ during his crucifixion. The exquisite stained glass windows cover an area of over 6500 square feet. The result is a feeling of being surrounded by jewels as you witness an impressive light show on a sunny day. Entrance fee applies; 18 and under free.
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6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II; Metro line 4 to Cité or Saint-Michel. Not yet reopened; visible from the outside only.
Located on the Cite island, this church, a classic of Gothic style, was the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s famous book. Apart from the magnificent cathedral there is also the underground crypt as well as the moving memorial to those deported from Paris during World War II. Admission is Free.
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35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre; Metro line 4 to Château Rouge. Open daily 6am-10:30pm.
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Built in honor of those who died in the war against Prussia (1870), this church overlooks all of Paris with its enchanting façade. The famous artist’s square is nearby, street performers are all around and the small neighborhood of Abbesses is always a charming stop to make. Enjoyable at any time of day, after dark this is the ideal spot to see the Eiffel Tower illuminated. Admission is Free.
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