Good things to do in Paris that do not cost a fortune
Updated 12 November 2026
Most budget guides to Paris tell you to walk along the Seine and look at Notre-Dame. That is fine for a weekend. When you live here, you need plans you can repeat, invite people to, and that do not empty your account by the end of the month.
Here is what people in the Melting Plot community actually do when they want a good evening or a good Saturday without spending much.
Start with what is free
Paris has more free culture than most people use. The permanent collections of the city museums, like the Petit Palais, the Musée Carnavalet or the Musée d'Art Moderne, are free for everyone. National museums are free for residents of the European Union under 26. Parks, markets and the canal Saint-Martin on a sunny evening cost nothing.
The catch is that free plans are hard to share. It is easier to invite a new friend to something with a time and a place than to a vague walk.
Evenings with a plan
These cost a little, and they give the evening a shape.
- English stand-up at Coucou Comedy, in a 12th century cellar in the Latin Quarter. No French needed, and laughing together breaks the ice faster than any drink.
- A Melting Plot afterwork. A capped guest list, hosts who introduce people, and most guests come alone. The easiest way to meet people in Paris without a networking vibe.
- Dinner at Le Comptoir des Feuillantines near the Luxembourg, a classic bistro where members get 15% off with any main course.
Weekend ideas
Saturdays are when loneliness in a new city hits hardest. Book something before Friday.
- A small group walk with Hera Walking Tours through the women's history of Montmartre, ending among the independent shops of the neighbourhood.
- A three hour clay class at Atelier Matière & Création by the canal Saint-Martin. Beginners leave with a piece they made themselves, and members get 10% off the discovery pack.
- Lunch at Moxi near the Madeleine, for a roujiamo and a change from croissants.
Something bigger, now and then
Once in a while, a real treat. First flight offers hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours and first flying lessons across France, and members get 20 euros off from 100 euros spent. It also makes a good gift for someone back home.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do in Paris for free?
The permanent collections of the city museums such as the Petit Palais and the Musée Carnavalet are free, national museums are free for EU residents under 26, and parks, markets and the canal Saint-Martin cost nothing.
What is a cheap night out in Paris in English?
English stand-up at Coucou Comedy in the Latin Quarter, or a Melting Plot afterwork where most guests are internationals and most come alone.
Where can I take a beginner art class in Paris?
Atelier Matière & Création near the canal Saint-Martin runs three hour sculpture classes in small groups for complete beginners.
All these places are on our Member Perks page. A free Melting Plot account unlocks the discounts, and our afterworks are a good place to find someone to go with.
See all member perks