{"id":240,"date":"2026-06-05T14:31:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.echangersamaison.com\/blog\/?p=240"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:34:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:34:05","slug":"10-free-things-to-do-in-paris-on-a-home-exchange-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.echangersamaison.com\/blog\/10-free-things-to-do-in-paris-on-a-home-exchange-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Free Things to Do in Paris on a Home Exchange Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

A home exchange<\/strong> is the smartest way to see Paris on a budget \u2014 because the best things in the city really are free, and so is your accommodation. Instead of paying for a hotel, a home swap<\/strong> lets you live like a local in a real Parisian apartment while the other family enjoys your home in return. Put the money you save toward croissants and train tickets, and spend your days soaking up the city for nothing at all. Here are ten fun and free things to do in Paris on your next home for swap<\/strong><\/a> adventure.<\/p>\n

1. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle after dark<\/h2>\n

No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower light up. Every hour, on the hour, after sunset, the whole structure glitters with thousands of golden lights for five magical minutes. You can catch the show from almost anywhere in the city, but the steps of the Trocad\u00e9ro gardens give you a front-row view. When you stay in a centrally located home swap apartment, it is easy to wander out after dinner and catch the sparkle on a whim.<\/p>\n

2. Soak up the sun at Paris Plages<\/h2>\n

For a few weeks each summer, the banks of the Seine turn into pop-up beaches. Paris Plages brings in real sand, deck chairs, parasols and even volleyball courts, all free to enjoy. It is one of the most relaxed ways to spend an afternoon, and a perfect spot to recharge between sightseeing. A home exchange in Paris<\/a> near the river puts these temporary beaches right on your doorstep.<\/p>\n

3. Picnic on the Champ de Mars<\/h2>\n

Climbing the Eiffel Tower costs money and means queueing, but lounging on the lawns of the Champ de Mars below it is completely free. Pick up a fresh baguette, some cheese and a bit of fruit from a local market \u2014 easy to do when your home swap comes with a real kitchen \u2014 and settle in for a picnic with the most famous monument in the world as your backdrop.<\/p>\n

4. Unwind in the Jardin des Tuileries<\/h2>\n

Created in the sixteenth century by Catherine de Medici, the Tuileries Garden stretches between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Parisians come here to read by the fountains, watch toy sailboats drift across the ponds and simply slow down. Pull up one of the iconic green metal chairs and enjoy the people-watching without spending a centime.<\/p>\n

5. Visit the museums on free admission days<\/h2>\n

On the first Sunday of every month, many of the city\u2019s great museums \u2014 including the Louvre and the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Orsay \u2014 open their doors for free. The lines can be longer, but seeing world-class art and history at no cost is unbeatable. Travellers under 26 living in the EU also get into many permanent collections for free year-round, another reason a home exchange holiday goes further.<\/p>\n

6. Stroll the Promenade Plant\u00e9e<\/h2>\n

Long before New York built its High Line, Paris created the Promenade Plant\u00e9e: a leafy elevated walkway built along a disused railway viaduct. Wander among the flowers and trees high above the streets of the 12th arrondissement, peeking into balconies and courtyards as you go. It is one of the city\u2019s most peaceful free walks and rarely crowded.<\/p>\n

7. Take in the view from Sacr\u00e9-C\u0153ur<\/h2>\n

Perched at the top of Montmartre, the white domes of the Sacr\u00e9-C\u0153ur basilica look out over the whole of Paris. Entry is free, and the steps outside offer one of the best panoramas in the city \u2014 especially at sunset, when a street musician is often playing nearby. Afterwards, lose yourself in the cobbled lanes and artists\u2019 squares of Montmartre.<\/p>\n

8. Walk the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/h2>\n

For a classic Parisian promenade, nothing beats the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es. Window-shop past the grand boutiques, admire the Grand Palais and end at the Arc de Triomphe. Walking the full length costs nothing and takes you past some of the city\u2019s most recognisable landmarks. On the first Sunday of certain months the avenue goes car-free, making it even more pleasant on foot.<\/p>\n

9. Join a free walking tour<\/h2>\n

Several companies run tip-based walking tours that cover centuries of Parisian history, from medieval times through the Revolution to the Belle \u00c9poque. A knowledgeable local guide brings the streets to life, and you decide what the experience was worth at the end. It is a brilliant way to get your bearings on your first day in a new home swap neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

10. Get lost in Le Marais<\/h2>\n

One of the oldest and most charming districts in Paris, Le Marais is made for aimless wandering. Its narrow medieval streets are lined with historic mansions, independent shops, hidden courtyards and some of the best falafel in the city. You could easily spend a whole day here without paying for a single attraction \u2014 just bring comfortable shoes and curiosity.<\/p>\n

See Paris for less with a home exchange<\/h2>\n

Paris rewards travellers who slow down and explore on foot, and almost all of its greatest pleasures are free. The single biggest expense on any city break is usually accommodation \u2014 which is exactly why a home exchange<\/strong> makes so much sense. With a home swap<\/strong>, you trade homes with another member, skip the hotel bill entirely and enjoy a spacious, authentic place to call your own. List your home for swap<\/strong><\/a> today and start planning a Paris trip where the only thing you spend is time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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