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Tour Leader Resource  ·  Paris, France

Your Paris
Free Time Guide

Eight curated sections for navigating the French capital with confidence — from the bouquinistes to Montmartre and beyond.

01
Left Bank & Beyond

Bookshops & Les Bouquinistes

Métro: Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame (Line 4) · Cluny – La Sorbonne (Line 10) · Pont Neuf (Line 7)

Paris is a city of books above all else. The Left Bank's literary quarter — Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter — has nurtured writers from Hemingway to Simone de Beauvoir. The following stops form a natural loop that can be walked in an afternoon.

Shakespeare and Company
📍 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris · Opposite Notre-Dame
  • The most celebrated English-language bookshop in the world — a literary landmark since George Whitman founded it in 1951, inspired by Sylvia Beach's original 1919 store
  • Wooden shelves overflow with new and secondhand books across three floors; cosy reading nooks and resident cats add to the atmosphere
  • Regular author events, readings and the famous "Tumbleweeds" programme — writers who sleep in the shop in exchange for working there
  • Every book purchased is stamped with the iconic "Kilometre Zero" Shakespeare and Company seal — a treasured souvenir
  • The attached café (separate entrance) serves excellent coffee with direct views of Notre-Dame across the river
Voyumar Tip: Arrive early — queues form by mid-morning in peak season. Allow 45–60 minutes. The reading nooks upstairs are perfect for students who want to sit and read. The stamp alone makes a purchase here feel ceremonial.
San Francisco Book Company
📍 17 Rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 Paris · Saint-Germain-des-Prés
  • A relaxed, genuinely secondhand English-language bookshop — less crowded and more affordable than Shakespeare and Company
  • Two floors of well-organised pre-loved fiction, travel writing, history, art and academic titles
  • Excellent for students hunting a specific title or simply browsing without the tourist density
  • The surrounding Rue Monsieur le Prince is one of the most charming streets in the Latin Quarter
Voyumar Tip: This is the local alternative to Shakespeare and Company — beloved by expats and students for exactly that reason. Prices are considerably lower. Allow 20–30 minutes.
Librairie Jousseaume — Galerie Vivienne
📍 45–47 Galerie Vivienne, 75002 Paris · 2nd arrondissement
  • A hidden gem tucked inside the magnificent Galerie Vivienne — Paris's most beautiful covered passage
  • Specialises in antique and rare books, old postcards, prints and Parisian ephemera
  • The setting alone — a 19th-century glass-roofed arcade with mosaic floors — is worth the visit independently of the bookshop
  • The combination of the passage and the bookshop makes for one of the most atmospheric stops in all of Paris
Voyumar Tip: Pair this with a walk through the full Galerie Vivienne (Section 06 below). The passage is one of Paris's great rainy-day secrets.
Les Bouquinistes — The Riverbank Booksellers
📍 Along the Quais du Seine — from Pont Marie to Quai Voltaire, both banks
  • The bouquinistes are a UNESCO World Heritage sight in their own right — roughly 900 dark-green metal boxes lining approximately 3 km of Seine riverbank
  • Over 200 independent booksellers trading in secondhand books, vintage postcards, posters, prints and old magazines
  • Dating back to the 16th century — the longest open-air bookshop in the world
  • Stock varies enormously: some stalls are tourist-facing (postcards, Paris prints), others are genuine bibliophile treasure troves
  • The walk along the quais — with Notre-Dame, the Île de la Cité and the bridges visible throughout — is one of the finest free experiences in Paris
Voyumar Tip: Most boxes open from around 10:00. Best visited on a weekday morning when traders are engaged and patient. Weekends near Notre-Dame can be busy. Allow the group 30–45 minutes to browse freely — instruct them to look beyond the tourist stalls for the genuine book dealers.
02
Marché Culture

Food Markets & Market Streets

Métro: Bastille (Lines 1, 5, 8) · Filles du Calvaire (Line 8) · Ledru-Rollin (Line 8)

Parisian markets are far more than shopping destinations — they are a central part of local social life. The following four represent the best the city has to offer across different characters and neighbourhoods.

Marché des Enfants Rouges
📍 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris · Le Marais · Open Tue–Sun from 08:30
  • Paris's oldest covered food market, dating to 1615 — named after the red-uniformed orphans who lived here in the 16th century
  • A compact, atmospheric covered hall in the heart of Le Marais, with global street food stalls trading alongside classic French produce counters
  • Moroccan tagines, Japanese bento, Lebanese wraps, Italian charcuterie, fresh oysters and French crêpes — all under one roof
  • A favourite of Parisian locals; entirely covered making it an ideal option in wet weather
  • The surrounding streets of the Haut Marais — lined with independent designers, vintage shops and galleries — extend the visit naturally
Voyumar Tip: Arrive by 11:00 for the best selection and to secure a table. The market fills quickly at lunchtime. Chez Alain Miam Miam's legendary sandwiches are worth the short queue. Allow 60–90 minutes including eating.
Marché d'Aligre
📍 Place d'Aligre, 75012 Paris · Bastille / Nation · Open Tue–Sun from 08:00
  • One of the most vibrant and genuinely local markets in Paris — popular with residents of the 12th arrondissement rather than tourists
  • Two sections: the open-air outdoor stalls (Marché d'Aligre) and the covered indoor hall (Marché Beauvau), both operating simultaneously
  • Excellent for fresh produce, cheese, olives, spices, seafood and North African specialities at very reasonable prices
  • A flea market runs alongside at weekends with vintage clothing, bric-à-brac and antiques
  • The surrounding Place d'Aligre has several good café terraces — ideal for a coffee before or after browsing
Voyumar Tip: This is where Parisians actually shop. Noticeably more affordable than tourist-facing markets. Sunday morning is the busiest and most atmospheric. Allow 45–60 minutes.
Rue Mouffetard — Market Street
📍 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris · Latin Quarter · Open Tue–Sun mornings
  • One of the oldest market streets in Paris — a steep, narrow, cobbled lane lined with food shops, specialist delis, fromageries and street food stalls
  • The lower section (below Rue de l'Épée de Bois) is the most authentic and market-focused; the upper section is lined with bars and restaurants
  • Excellent for sampling: olives, cheese, jambon, fresh bread, crêpes and pastries from independent traders
  • The street musicians that regularly perform here turn the market into an impromptu stage
  • Adjacent to the Jardin des Plantes and within walking distance of the Panthéon — easy to combine with other Latin Quarter stops
Voyumar Tip: Best visited on a Saturday or Sunday morning when all stalls are open. Go early for the full atmosphere — by noon it is crowded. A perfect first stop before walking up to the Panthéon.
Marché Bastille
📍 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris · Open Thu & Sun mornings
  • One of the largest open-air markets in Paris — over 100 stalls stretching along the Boulevard Richard Lenoir from Place de la Bastille to Richard Lenoir Métro
  • Extensive range of fresh produce, artisan cheeses, charcuterie, flowers, honey, organic wine and street food
  • On Saturdays, local artists and craftspeople set up alongside the food stalls
  • A genuinely lively, community atmosphere — excellent for people-watching as much as shopping
Voyumar Tip: Thursday morning is considerably less crowded than Sunday. The Sunday market is the fuller experience but requires earlier arrival. Allow 45–60 minutes. The nearby Place de la Bastille and the Promenade Plantée elevated garden walk (free, 4.5 km) extend the morning beautifully.
03
La Rive

The Seine — River Walk & Île de la Cité

Métro: Pont Neuf (Line 7) · Châtelet (Lines 1, 7, 11, 14) · Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame (Line 4)

A walk along the Seine is the single best free activity in Paris — a mile of iconic bridges, golden riverbanks, bookstalls, and a skyline that feels almost impossibly cinematic. This walk is equally good morning, afternoon or evening.

  1. 1

    Pont Neuf — Starting Point

    • Despite its name ("New Bridge"), Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris, completed in 1607
    • Begin here for a panoramic view of both banks, the Île de la Cité and the Seine stretching east and west
    • The small Square du Vert-Galant park on the tip of the island below is one of the most tranquil spots in central Paris — excellent for a group picnic
  2. 2

    Île de la Cité — Notre-Dame

    • Walk east along the island to Notre-Dame de Paris, now largely restored following the 2019 fire — the exterior and square are open and magnificent
    • Walk the full perimeter to view the flying buttresses — engineering as remarkable as the architecture itself
    • The Sainte-Chapelle (nearby, on the island) is a Gothic masterpiece of stained glass — entry approx. €13–€15, worth it for the right group
    • The flower market (Marché aux Fleurs) on Place Louis Lépine is free to wander and one of the oldest in Paris
  3. 3

    Left Bank Walk — Quai des Grands Augustins

    • Cross to the Left Bank and walk west along the quai — passing the bouquinistes, the Institut de France and the Pont des Arts
    • The Pont des Arts (pedestrian footbridge) offers one of the finest views of the Seine looking both east and west simultaneously
    • On warm evenings, students and locals gather here with wine and guitar — one of the most authentically Parisian scenes in the city
  4. 4

    Pont Alexandre III & the Grand Palais

    • Continue west to the most ornate bridge in Paris — gilded lamps, bronze cherubs and Art Nouveau flourishes (1900)
    • The view from Pont Alexandre III of the Invalides dome to the south and the Grand Palais to the north is among the most theatrical in the city
    • The Grand Palais and Petit Palais are across the river — the Petit Palais has a permanently free collection of paintings and sculpture
    Voyumar Tip: The full walk from Pont Neuf to Pont Alexandre III takes approximately 40–50 minutes at a relaxed pace. For sunset, walk in reverse — east to west — for the light behind Notre-Dame and the glow on the water.
04
18th Arrondissement

Montmartre — The Artists' Quarter

Métro: Abbesses (Line 12) · Pigalle (Lines 2 & 12) · Anvers (Line 2, then funicular to Sacré-Cœur)

Montmartre is the most atmospheric neighbourhood in Paris — a village-like hilltop quarter above the city where Van Gogh, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir lived and worked. The walk up rewards with extraordinary views and a genuinely distinct pace of life.

Suggested Montmartre Walk — 2 to 3 Hours
📍 Begin at Métro Abbesses (Line 12) — the deepest station in Paris, with a beautiful Art Nouveau entrance
  • Rue des Abbesses: The main street of lower Montmartre — lined with cafés, bakeries and independent shops. Buy a croissant and coffee here before climbing
  • Le Mur des Je t'aime: The "I Love You" wall — a small square off Place des Abbesses where "I love you" is written in 250 languages on deep blue tiles. A reliable group moment
  • Place du Tertre: The famous artist's square, where painters and portrait artists set up their easels daily. Busy but atmospheric — students can have their portrait sketched on the spot (€15–€25)
  • Sacré-Cœur Basilica: The white-domed basilica crowning the hill (1914) — free entry; note that shoulders must be covered inside. The steps offer a panoramic view across all of Paris that justifies the climb alone
  • Vignes de Montmartre: Paris's last working vineyard — visible from the street on Rue des Saules. A small, charming detail that surprises most visitors
  • Moulin de la Galette: The surviving windmill-turned-restaurant on Rue Lepic — painted by Renoir in 1876. Walking past it is free and puts you directly in a masterpiece's setting
  • Le Bateau-Lavoir, Place Émile Goudeau: The former studio building where Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire and Braque worked — exterior only, with a small plaque
  • Rue Lepic: Walk down this winding lane past Van Gogh's former home (No. 54, plaque on the wall) to reach Pigalle or Blanche Métro
Voyumar Tip: Take the funicular from Anvers Métro (included in a standard Navigo or t+ ticket) if any group members find the climb difficult. Arrive by 09:30 before the crowds reach Place du Tertre. Montmartre is equally beautiful in the evening when the day-trippers leave — consider a late afternoon visit combined with dinner on Rue Lepic.
⚠ Note on Place du Tertre: The square is charming but heavily tourist-facing. Agree portrait prices before sitting. Unofficial vendors near Sacré-Cœur using string or bracelets can be persistent — brief the group to decline politely and keep moving.
05
Art & Culture

Museums — Free & Affordable Options

Métro: Solférino (Line 12) for d'Orsay · Palais Royal (Lines 1 & 7) for Louvre · Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 & 11) for Carnavalet

Paris has more world-class museums than any other city in Europe. Many offer free or significantly discounted entry — and several permanent collections are entirely free every day. The following are the most useful for Voyumar groups across different interests and budgets.

🎓 Student & Under-26 EU Note: EU citizens and residents under 26 can enter the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou and most national museums entirely free with valid ID. All Paris municipal museums (Petit Palais, Carnavalet, Musée d'Art Moderne) are free every day for everyone. First Sunday of every month: Louvre, d'Orsay, Pompidou and Musée Rodin are free for all visitors.
Voyumar Tip: For the Louvre and d'Orsay, always book timed-entry tickets online in advance — walk-in queues can exceed 90 minutes. For groups taking advantage of free first-Sunday entry, book the timed slot even when free — it is still required.
06
Les Passages Couverts

The Covered Passages

Métro: Bourse (Line 3) · Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 & 7) · Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 & 9)

Before department stores existed, Parisians shopped in covered glass-roofed arcades — elegant, heated, protected from the famously unpredictable Parisian weather. Of the 150 originally built, 21 survive and are open to the public. They are among the most beautiful and least-visited spaces in the city, all free to enter and all within walking distance of each other in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements.

☂ Rainy Day Gold: The passages are an ideal wet-weather option — the entire cluster can be walked in 60–90 minutes, entirely undercover, through some of the most extraordinary 19th-century interiors in Paris. Most are open Mon–Sat from 07:00–21:00; some are closed on Sundays.
Galerie Vivienne
📍 4 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris · Open daily 08:30–20:30
  • The most beautiful covered passage in Paris — a soaring glass roof, exquisite mosaic floors and Neoclassical painted arches
  • Home to Librairie Jousseaume (antique books), a wine merchant, a tea salon and several independent boutiques
  • The passage was built in 1823 and has been a protected historic monument since 1974
  • Warm, quiet and otherworldly — a complete contrast to the busy boulevards outside
Galerie Véro-Dodat
📍 2 Rue du Bouloi, 75001 Paris · Near the Louvre · Open Mon–Sat 07:00–22:00
  • Built in 1826 by two ambitious charcutiers — one of the most elegant and perfectly preserved passages in Paris
  • Mahogany shop fronts, painted ceilings, trompe-l'œil marble columns and ornate carved details throughout
  • Home to antique dealers, a Christian Louboutin boutique and a small restaurant
  • Located between the Palais Royal and Les Halles — easy to pair with either
Passage des Panoramas
📍 11 Boulevard Montmartre, 75002 Paris · Open Mon–Sat 07:00–21:00
  • Paris's oldest covered passage, dating to 1799 — named after the panorama paintings once displayed at the entrance
  • More working-class and characterful than Vivienne — a true bazaar of stamp dealers, vintage postcard sellers, comic shops and small restaurants
  • Connected to Passage Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau (cross Boulevard Montmartre) — you can walk three passages consecutively without going outside
  • The Musée Grévin (Paris's wax museum, entrance on Boulevard Montmartre) is adjacent if the group wants a ticketed add-on
Voyumar Tip: The three-passage walk — Panoramas → Jouffroy → Verdeau — is one of the most rewarding free 60-minute experiences in Paris. Print a simple map before leaving the hotel. All three are connected and the transition between them feels like time travel.
07
La Table Parisienne

Cafés, Crêpes & Eating Well in Paris

Métro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4) · Odéon (Lines 4 & 10) · Montparnasse – Bienvenüe (Lines 4, 6, 12, 13)

Eating in Paris on a student budget is entirely possible — you simply need to know where to look. The following principles and specific stops will keep the group well-fed and authentically Parisian without breaking the tour budget.

THE GOLDEN RULES OF EATING WELL IN PARIS

SPECIFIC STOPS — AFFORDABLE AND AUTHENTIC

Café de Flore

Saint-Germain · 172 Blvd Saint-Germain

The most famous literary café in the world — Sartre and de Beauvoir wrote here daily. Coffee at the bar is €4; the terrace is pricier but the atmosphere is priceless. Go for the history, not the meal.

Rue Mouffetard Crêpe Stalls

Latin Quarter · 5th arrondissement

Street crêpe vendors at the bottom of Rue Mouffetard sell sweet crêpes for €3–€5 — perfect for groups eating on the go. The whole street doubles as a very pleasant walking lunch.

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Le Marais · See Section 02

The best sit-down lunch option for groups wanting variety — each person can choose their own stall (Moroccan, Japanese, French, Italian) and eat together at shared tables under the covered roof.

Ladurée

75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Not a budget stop — but a single macaron (€2.50) or a small box is the definitive Parisian souvenir. The original patisserie-salon on the Champs-Élysées is worth a brief visit even for window shopping.

Cuisine de Bar — Poilâne

Saint-Germain · 38 Rue Debelleyme

The restaurant arm of Paris's most celebrated bread bakery. Open-faced tartines on legendary sourdough for €10–€15. One of the best lunches in Paris at any price point.

Picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg

6th arrondissement · Free to enter

One of Paris's most beautiful public gardens — perfect for a self-assembled picnic lunch. Chairs and benches throughout; fountain in the centre. A genuinely lovely group moment mid-afternoon.

Voyumar Tip: Always brief the group on the difference between a brasserie (all-day service, broader menu) and a bistro (set hours, shorter menu, usually better quality). For groups with varying budgets, the formule midi at a neighbourhood bistro away from tourist zones is the single best value in Paris.
08
Plan B

Rainy Day Paris — Indoor Alternatives

Métro: Across the city — see individual stops below
☂ Paris Weather Note: Paris is notoriously changeable — rain is possible year-round and is most frequent October through March. The following options give tour leaders a full indoor day that is genuinely excellent, not a compromise.

These are the best entirely indoor or covered options — all within easy reach by Métro and suitable for student groups.

Full Rainy Day Sequence — Suggested Plan
  • 09:30 — Passages walk: Galerie Véro-Dodat → Galerie Vivienne (30 min walk, entirely covered)
  • 10:30 — Métro to Le Marais: Musée Carnavalet (free, 60–75 min)
  • 12:00 — Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges (covered, 60–90 min)
  • 14:00 — Métro to Île de la Cité: Sainte-Chapelle (45 min)
  • 15:00 — Walk to Left Bank: Shakespeare and Company browse + café (45 min)
  • 16:00 — Petit Palais (free, optional 60 min) or return to hotel
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