Paris - hidden treasures

While you enjoy a coffee and croissant at one of the local Parisian cafés, you don't have to sit and count your last few Euros before visiting another landmark.  There are plenty of ways to stretch your travel wallet and still soak up all that the wonderful city has to offer.

Welcome to Paris... the city of Love, Fashion, Art!

Eiffel Tower	Light show The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset to 1am (2am during summer) and its lighthouse sends out light beams too. There's a short light show every hour on the hour during which the lights sparkle for ~5 minutes (all 20,000+ of them). This show is free to view, and a great way to end a busy day! Afternoon picnic Although an elevator journey up the tower costs a pretty penny, it's absolutely free to enjoy a view of the structure itself and even more special while picnicking in one of the many green public spaces around the tower. Stairs vs lift If you're willing to take stairs to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, you'll pay less for admission fees and join a shorter queue.
Louvre	Free entry Along with a number of the city's galleries and museums, on the 1st Sunday of every month entry is FREE to the Louvre. It might be worth your while to plan your trip around this time, or even justify a slightly higher flight price? Avoid queues If you have to pay, you can avoid long queues by purchasing tickets in advance online. They are valid for entry on any day (no date stamp) and allow admission via special entrances.
Notre Dame	Free entry This cathedral is a free treasure for tourists! The only reason to part with any cash would be to climb to the towers or visit the museum. Other than accessing these sections, it's absolutely free to walk inside and around the cathedral. I've been told that the cathedral also hosts several free concerts...
Seine River	You can stroll along Paris’ famous river, or peruse the infamous bookseller carts that line up along the riverside on the Left Bank.
Perfume Museum	Free guided tour Not only is the Fragonard Perfume Museum free to visit, the guided tour is free as well. It's only a short walk from the metro stop, Opera.
Montmartre	Sacré-Coeur Basilica The steps in front of the basilica could easily be argued as housing the best views of the city. The church is situated atop Montmartre hill. Best of all, access to the hilltop and basilica is free.
Arc de Triomphe / Champs Elysees	Even if just for a short stroll down the Champs Elysees and to take a few pictures of the Arc de Triomphe , this is definitely a worthwhile stop. Despite the overpriced shops and food, it's a must-see boulevard. At night, the Champs Elysees comes alive with bar crawls galore.
Versailles Garden	Free access While a visit to the palace will cost you, access to the wonderful, extensive gardens is free of charge (except on some Tuesdays, when the 'musical fountains' are on show).
Hôtel de Ville	Free exhibits Don't be fooled by the name - it's not a place where you can book a room! It's beautiful to look at the City Hall from the outside, and there are public areas inside with art exhibits that change regularly... and these can be visited for free.
Latin Quarter	Cheap eats Filled with fabulous cafés and shops, this vibrant neighbourhood is worth the visit.

And last, but not least, don't forget about Sandemans Free Walking Tour. Visit my blog "Did you say FREE???" for more information.

Including sites already covered, the list below highlights some of Paris' main attractions:

1. Eiffel Tower

2. Louvre Museum

3. Arc de Triomphe

4. Notre Dame Cathedral

5. Montmarte & Sacré-Coeur Basilica

6. Champs-Elysées

7. Versailles Palace

8. Jardin du Luxembourg

9. Sunset River Cruise on the Seine

10. Place de la Concorde

There so many beautiful parks and gardens to visit, and way too many to mention! These are great spots to enjoy a light lunch or evening stroll, and simply watch the world go by...

If you have any experiences to share, please feel free to comment and help unlock more free city treasures... HAPPY TRAVELS!