Being a tourist in Paris can add up the euros when you take transport and admission prices into account. But there are plenty of ways to see the sights and enjoy your day in Paris without spending a penny.

Perhaps start your day by paying a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité, a gothic masterpiece in the very centre of the city with breathtaking atmosphere that won’t cost you a cent. Take a stroll along the quiet streets of the adjacent Île St Louis and head toward the magnificent Place des Vosges on the Right Bank. The buildings in this square have the most magnificent façades in the city, and, for a sneak peak inside, take a look in the Victor Hugo museum. Entrance is free, and even if you’re not a fan of Quasimodo’s creator the museum offers a wonderful view inside one of the square’s beautiful buildings.

Although many first-timers can’t resist taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll save euros by admiring the steel structure from below. The Eiffel Tower is not the only Paris landmark you can admire from the outside. Take a look at the Arc de Triomphe, the Concorde, the glass pyramid in the Louvre’s magnificent courtyard, and the fascinating façade of the Centre Pompidou for free.

If you just can’t resist those museums that require entrance fees, schedule your trip for the first Sunday of the month. Get up as early as possible and wear some comfortable shoes, because you will get free entrance to the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou. Other museums offer reduced admission fees on Sundays.

If you are looking for a haven from the hustle and bustle of the city or if you are at all interested in history or architecture, there are churches and cathedrals throughout the city, most of which have no admission fees (with the notable exception of the magnificent Ste Chapelle with its glorious stained glass). And if all else fails, a stroll around the tiny streets of the Left Bank will keep you entertained with the mix of remarkably modern art galleries and antique shops specializing in everything from the Roman to the Renaissance.

Paris has for centuries been home to students and bohemians with little money to their name. In the 1920s Americans flooded the city to take advantage of the cheap accommodation and food. Things have changed, and now the city is haven for the rich and the chic; boutiques line the boulevards and attract only those with unlimited American Express accounts. But Paris still retains its bohemian charm, and you’ll find you don’t need a huge bank account to get to the heart of this beautiful city. There is nothing like a romantic stroll along the banks of the Seine at sunset to remind you that the best things in life, and indeed in Paris, are free.

Post submitted by Samet Bilir who writes about technology trends, digital camera reviews, and photography, such as SLR cameras 2012. To read more articles from him visit his website at chi-photography.