I'm going to Paris over Thanksgiving on a very limited budget.... I can afford the basics: Just lookingfor cheap fun stuff. I am 30 and like pretty much anything.<BR><BR>Thanks

Such as??<BR>Notre Dame, other churches, and Ste. Chapelle are free. The Louvre has an admission charge, unless you can schedule a visit on the open day.<BR>I forget when that it; someone else will need to tell us.<BR>Walking around Place de la Concorde is free, but late November is not my choice of times for people watching at an outdoor cafe.<BR>

I didn't think Ste Chapelle was free, because I remember purchasing my 3 day museum pass there. I know you are a limited budget, but you might want to consider the museum pass. I believe the following is free: Sacre Couer, the holocaust memorial behind Notre Dame, and the view from the top of the Samarataine Department store. I'm sure there are more things, I just can't think of them right now. Have a great trip!

When we were there 1 1/2 yrs ago, there is one day that the D'Orsay is free. Can't remember the day and don't know if this is still the case. I'm sure you could search for their website and it would have that info.

The view from the roof at Samaritine is free, window shopping on Rue Mouffetarde is free, going thru the cemetaries is free, strolling the Champs d'Elysis is free. My spelling is obviously free- who would pay to spell this way? As always, my apologies!!

Ste Chappelle isn't free, it's 36F (50F combined with Conciergerie). There are very few museums or monuments in Paris that are Free, but if you're going all the way to Paris, I'd suggest going anyway as I wouldn't miss a major Parisian museum for a few dollars. Some are free one day a month or so (1st Sun usually), but that probably won't be during your visit and they are packed then, anyway. I would recommend the museum card to save money as you'll have unlimited access to all museums/monuments on it (most of them) for an entire day and if you aren't staying a long time, that would probably work. Or, go on the day they are open late (until 9-10 pm, Louvre and d'Orsay) as fare is reduced after 3 pm (at the Louvre) and they are less crowded then, also. Other than that, walks and views, shopping etc mentioned by others will certainly fill your time. There are usually some free or very cheap classical concerts in Paris, if you are interested in that, at numerous venues (mainly churches, but some other halls). YOu can find things to do with prices if you pick up a weekly entertainment guide at a newsstand when you get there (eg, Pariscope). Free is "entree libre" in these guides, otherwise notations like "Pl: 140 et 190F" means "places" (seats) 140 and 190F. Museums, etc, will have entries like: "entree: 36F; TR 29F; -de 18 ans gratuit" which means 36F entry price, reduced fee 29F (for students, seniors, some other groups), less than 18 yrs free"<BR>

ways to save money:<BR>Paris museum pass (it also saves waiting in admission lines at the Louvre and Orsay museums), will save you the most if you plan on visiting a lot of museums<BR><BR>The first Sunday of every month offers free admission to the Louvre and many other cultural sites, but it seems you won't be there then. <BR>Free maps of the Louvre in all languages are available at the information counter after you get inside<BR><BR>If you don't go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, for an excellent alternative aerial view of Paris with no waiting in line, go instead to the Montparnasse Tower in the 14th. It's an ugly building with a great view that costs less. For other good views, try the above-mentioned Samaritaine Department store, the top of Notre Dame, the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and the Sacre Coeur basilica in Montmartre.<BR><BR>Just behind the Pantheon is an exquisite little church, St. Etienne-du-Mont. It has stained glass windows that in my opinion rival Ste. Chapelle for color, though not for detail. There is an original filigree stone rood screen with two spiral staircases. There is also a small chapel dedicated to Ste Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. You can tell I love this little church.<BR><BR>Also worth a visit in the Latin Quarter are the churches of St. Julien-le-Pauvre and St Severin. St. Julien is the oldest complete church in Paris (St. Germain has a part that is older). It is a modest, sweet little church, now used for worship by Greek Catholics. It is set in a little garden, from which you have a great view of Notre Dame across the river. You can also have a rest on a bench.<BR><BR>On another day, from the right bank take a metro ride and then walk to Ile St Louis which is quite small, beautiful, and full of private mansions. You can get a good view of the rear of Notre Dame as well. At number 31 rue St.-Louis-en-Ile, the "main street" of the Ile, is Berthillon which some say has the best ice cream in Paris, and possibly in the world<BR><BR>Or, head toward the Marais area. Please visit Place des Vosges, the oldest and most beautiful square in Paris, in the heart of the Marais. There isn't anything to do there, other than sit and admire the beauty and tranquillity, watch children play in the sandbox, or stroll around the arcaded buildings and visit the shops or restaurants.<BR> <BR>I have a long file on Paris; if you'd like to see it,e mail me

Opps. Ste. Chapelle is NOT free. My error. Ste. Chapelle was free for us the day we went because it was National Open Day!! We also got to wander through the Halls of Justice and see some of the court rooms. <BR>(I say "got to", we were forced to; it was the only way out.) I will say this much: if you get hauled into a high court in France, you at least get to stand in a beautiful room.<BR>

Free stuff:<BR>Notre Dame and all the churches. For churches not usually found in travel guides:<BR>http://catholique-paris.cef.fr/paroisses/paroisses.htm <BR><BR>The cemeteries: Pere Lachaise, Monparnasse, Montmartre & St Vincent, Passy, Dog and Cat Cemetery<BR><BR>Architecture: www.parisbalades.com<BR>By arrondissement (1-4 are the only ones in English), walks with an eye on architecture and important historical spots. Also http://www.pariswater.com/<BR><BR>Street markets: There are regular food markets (like Aligre and rue Moufetard) as well as occasionals, like at Bastille<BR><BR>Flea markets: Regular ones at Vanves, St Ouen, Montreuil; the odd ones that pop up almost every weekend, either on streets or in plazas. Keep your eyes open for "brocantes" posters and banners.<BR><BR>Museums: Hotel de Ville usually has some sort of exhibit, and it's free; ditto the various gardens and bois. Again, eyes open for posters; Coin Museum (technically not free, but it's like $2)<BR><BR>Outdoors: Luxembourg, Tuileries, Monceau, etc. etc. - parks that are works of art themselves; Bois de Boulogne, Bois des Vincennes - beautiful gardens and sometimes free stuff; Promenades des Plantes; Rodin Museum and Balzac Museum grounds; Jardin des Plantes; Parc de la Villette<BR><BR>Shopping as art: Antiquaires de Louvre, across the street from the Louvre; St Paul Village; Samaritaine (see the glass dome); Viaduc des Artistes; galleries in the 6eme.<BR><BR>Entertainment: street performers near the Pantheon, in front of the Beaubourg, in Place de Tertre; free music and choir concerts in many of the churches (look for posters outside the churches, and flyers near the entryway); some cafes have piano players or such for the price of a glass of wine - or just hang out on the sidewalk nearby (Palais Royal is a good spot, also Place des Vosges); students of the various colleges and universities put on free concerts (check out the student union hall for flyers).<BR><BR>Open house at artists' studios: check at Hotel de Ville for a list; again, keep eyes peeled for posters advertising them. <BR><BR>Pretty cheap: Gobelins Factory; rent a bicycle and tour the Canal St Martin; exhibition hall at les Halles sometimes has art exhibits for a few dollars; get a route map of city buses and find one that goes by the good stuff - for the price of a bus ticket ($1.50) you get a tour of the city. <BR><BR>

Pick up a copy of Paris Scope (sp) at just about any news stand, there will be lots of concerts etc... many will be free and many more will be pretty inexpensive.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!!!