A €10.70 ten-ticket carnet will give you the freedom of central Paris - its metro, buses and RER trains. An individual ticket costs €1.40.

Entry to many museums and monuments is free of charge with a one-day museum pass, costing €18. Entry to most museums is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.

Here are 10 ways to spend an active afternoon in Paris:

1. Climb to the second level of the Eiffel Tower then take the lift to the top. Nearest metro is Bir Hakeim. For more information try www.paris.org.
   
   
2. Visit the Arc de Triomphe. Adults €8. Nearest metro is Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile. For details see www.monum.fr.
   
   
3. Explore by boat along the Seine. You can hop-on and hop-off the navettes or take a river cruise. Operators include: www.batobus.com, www.bateauxparisiens.com and www.vedettesdupontneuf.com.
   
   
4. Stroll around the galleries and exhibitions of the colourful Pompidou Centre. Adults €10. Nearest metro is Rambuteau. For details see www.centrepompidou.fr.
   
   
5. Walk around the gardens and shopping malls of La Défense, Paris' pedestrianised business district. Marvel at the large archway and other modern architecture. Nearest metro is La Défense - Grande Arche. A tourist information centre is just above the station. For details see www.ladefense.fr (in French).
   
   
6. Tour the Stade de France, the city's main stadium. Adults €10. Open daily from 10.00 to 17.00. Nearest metro is Sainte-Denis Porte de Paris. For details see www.stadefrance.com (in French).
   
   
7. Visit the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (Air and Space Museum), which is located north of the city at the Aéroport de Paris - Le Bourget. Adults €7. Under 18s free of charge. Open 10.00 to 18.00. It is closed on Monday. For details see www.mae.org (in French).
   
   
8. Take to the skies yourself on a balloon or helicopter trip. Adults from €149. For details see www.airshow.fr.
   
   
9. Take the kids to the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (City of Science and Industry). Admission prices vary. It is closed on Monday. Nearest metro is Porte de la Villette. For details see www.cite-sciences.fr.
   
   
10. Spend your last few euros at the Marché aux Puces (Flea Market), which claims to be the world's leading antiques market. Open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Nearest metro is Porte de Clignancourt. For details see www.parispuces.com.