Away to live: Paris needn't break the bank

Some familiar Paris landmarks are seen across the Seine.

Even in a city as pricey as Paris, it's not hard to find lots of things to do that cost only the energy needed to get there. On our recent last-minute trip to France's capital (and most everyone's favorite city), we found plenty of free sites that we could walk to from our hotel in the Marais quartier. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with taking the metro, but the weather was fabulous during our stay and we both love to walk. By the end of the day, though, we are exhausted and can't muster the energy to explore Paris after dark. That's fine ... we're both early-to-bed-early-to-rise kind of people.

Place Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris.

After our long trek from Gare Montparnasse to our hotel, we just drop our bags, catch our breath, and head to Place Vosges, the city's oldest planned square. If you were hanging out here before 1900, you would have called this beautiful square Place Royale. It's free to visit, but don't bring your dog. On this beautiful afternoon, there are lots of visitors lounging on the lawn and relaxing on benches. The plaza is surrounded by stately red brick buildings, one of which houses Maison Victor Hugo.

A portrait of Victor Hugo by Alphonse Monchablon
is displayed at Maison Victor Hugo in Paris.

The writer lived here for 16 years between 1832 and 1848. Hugo's apartment is located on the second floor (that's the third floor if you're American) and includes a half-dozen rooms filled with pieces that document his extraordinary life, both in Paris and when he was in exile in Guernsey. In addition to writing, Hugo is said to have had quite the flair for interior design. The museum is one of 14 museums owned by the City of Paris and thus is free of charge to visit, although there can be a charge for temporary exhibits.

The bed where Hugo died is displayed at Maison Victor Hugo in Paris.

Visitors to the Carnavalet Museum in Paris enter via this newly
designed introductory room.

The wonderful Carnavalet Museum is located just around the corner. I love this museum, filled to the brim with Paris history. Here, we explore Paris from prehistoric times, through the Middle Ages, the French Revolution, Napoleon's reign, and into the 21st century. There's so much to see at this free museum that it's no wonder I visit the Carnavalet nearly every time I'm in town.

The facade of the Lescot Pharmacy was the first storefront to be
acquired by the Carnavalet Museum in Paris.

Paris's Carnavalet Museum takes visitors from
prehistoric times to today.

Josephine and Napoleon are one of France's most prominent power couples.

A dignified Marie Antoinette is escorted from the Consiergerie to the
guillotine in this 1885 painting displayed at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris.

Pére-Lachaise cemetery in Paris contains an estimated 1 million graves.

About a half-hour walk from our hotel is the famed and massive (110 acres) cemetery Père-Lachaise. We're running out of steam during our visit, and the map on my phone is too small to read, but we stroll through the tree-lined avenues of the cemetery grounds, admiring the various tombs and gravestones. So many famous people are buried here including Frederic Chopin, Edith Piaf, Balzac, Colette, Proust, Jean de la Fontaine, Maria Callas, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison. Père-Lachaise is not only an open-air museum, but it's also the largest park in Paris. It's free to visit, of course, but I'd recommend getting a printed map if you want to see the graves of anyone in particular.

Crypts like this one stand along tree-lined avenues at
Pére-Lachaise cemetery in Paris,

The symbol of the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Paris Cauldron
makes a return visit to Tuileries Gardens in the summer.

Our August 2025 visit coincides with the first return of the iconic Paris Olympic cauldron balloon, now officially called the Paris Cauldron. (Those Olympics folks are pretty strict with branding). After its debut at last summer's Olympic Games, the balloon was technically improved so it could withstand months on display, rather than the original 30 days. Located in the Tuileries Gardens near the Louvre, the balloon re-launched on June 21, the day Fête de la Musique is celebrated here. Each evening (weather permitting) it rises into the air providing a stunning reminder of the city's spirit of the Games. After its three-month stay, the cauldron will be put away again. But there are plans for at least the next two years to bring the Paris Cauldron back between June 21 and Sept. 14.

The Paris Cauldron is anchored on the site where
French inventor Jacques Charles took his first
gas balloon flight in 1783.

You never know what you'll see while walking through Paris. From "Joanie on a Pony" to a volleyball match with Paris firefighters, there's so much to take in.

This gilded bronze statue of Joan of Arc, affectionately known as
'Joanie on a Pony' is located at Place des Pyramids in Paris.

We're fortunate to catch a pompiérs volleyball tournament
at Hôtel de Ville in Paris.

Keep your eyes open for tromp d'œil murals while
strolling in Paris.

Each summer Paris creates a beach along the Seine.

But, even the most intrepid of us need a break, so it's perfect that the Paris Plages are open during our visit here. Located along the Seine, there are comfortable sling-back chairs to lounge upon and umbrellas for shade. After a particularly long morning of walking, we pick up some sandwiches and drinks, find ourselves a couple of nice beach chairs and, for a few hours, watch the world, and about a thousand joggers, go by. Les doux moments de Paris.