Paris Solo

[Vespasia]

I had some Air France points to burn so I just booked a flight to Paris on Thanksgiving! I've never really traveled alone before and it's something I really want to try. I'm definitely an introvert so it should be interesting!

Any suggestions for Paris, solo travel, or any combination of the two? Budget-friendly options are especially appreciated. I will be staying in the 9th arrondissement.

This is a much shorter timeline than I am used to for trip planning. So far I have booked my hotel and bought a Rick Steves book.

I've checked some older threads but there seems to be a lot related to traveling with kids. Articles online focus on safety but as someone who lives in a city, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on things and am not particularly concerned.

[erbear]

Have you been to Paris before? Do you speak any French?

I would have no qualms about going by myself and am happy to offer suggestions depending on your answers to the above

[mich1]

Paris was my first overseas trip I did alone. It was remarkably easy, I did exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. I was also on a budget, so I wound up eating a LOT of sandwiches from boulangeries.

I did try to avoid being out by myself after dark. If I was out, it was someplace close to my hotel.

My suggestion is to make a list of what you want to do, then look up which day the place is closed. Paris attractions tend to be closed on different days, so you need to have some sort of loose schedule in mind. A corollary to this is you might want to get tickets to jump the line. Even off season, IMO lines are long.

[Vespasia]

Oct 9, 2022 18:53:56 GMT -5 erbear said:

Have you been to Paris before? Do you speak any French?

I would have no qualms about going by myself and am happy to offer suggestions depending on your answers to the above

Oh, good questions! First trip to Paris or France proper. I have some very rudimentary French. Definitely better with it written but I can do pleasantries. I have traveled to other French speaking areas.

ETA: I will have 4 full days there plus the afternoon/evening I arrive. I feel like this is also important info to share.

[erbear]

Oct 9, 2022 19:14:53 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Oct 9, 2022 18:53:56 GMT -5 erbear said:

Have you been to Paris before? Do you speak any French?

I would have no qualms about going by myself and am happy to offer suggestions depending on your answers to the above

Oh, good questions! First trip to Paris or France proper. I have some very rudimentary French. Definitely better with it written but I can do pleasantries. I have traveled to other French speaking areas.

I’d hit up the musts (louvre, musée d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, bateau moches) one a day, then just plant myself in a neighborhood otherwise at a cafe for food and wine.

[dragon's breath]

First tip: always greet "the person" when you walk into any establishment (the cashier, the desk person, etc). This is big in France and something I felt really helped me out when I visited.

Other than that, even though I had my son with me when I went, we'd separate at museums as well as some other times (first day he slept and I explored on my own). So you could definitely do the trip solo without any issues. I agree about checking to see what days things are open, and then just go and have fun! I never felt unsafe by myself.

[wanderingback]

I don’t have any specific tips for Paris as it’s been several years since I’ve been but before the pandemic it was my tradition to go on a solo international trip every year and I LOVED it. You’ll have the best time being able to do whatever you want whenever you want, especially in a city like Paris that is easy to get around and so much to do. For a city like Paris I personally like to not plan a million things and be able to take time to just wander around and play things by ear as I find interesting things. Have a great time!

[majesty318]

I went to Paris alone in 2017. I honestly did not do much besides wander as it was crazy crowded and there is very little I am willing to wait in line for LOL. I recommend the Holocaust Museum and the Catacombs (book the Catacombs ahead of time). Food tour - I went with Secret Food Tours at the time but now a company I love and have used in other countries, Devour Tours, is there so I would use them. Falafel @ L'As du Falafel. I had an amazing pistachio almond croissant at Au Petit Versailles du Marais.

[mrsukyankee]

Paris was my first solo trip (along with London) and it's such a good one. Definitely do a food tour (majesty318 made a good suggestion). Take time to just sit and sip some wine outside (even if it is cold) or grab a coffee. Wander the streets. I loved D'Orsay Museum, hop on & off bus to see all the sites.

[Michelle]

I wish I saw this before, but you got great tips. First time i was in Paris I was alone and loved it.

Care to dish about your trip?

[Vespasia]

Michelle it was great! I missed having someone to share it with but the ability to do whatever I wanted outweighed that downside.

My favorites were Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Sacre Coeur, Sainte Chapelle, and the food. I spent several hours at the Louvre and didn't see a single painting, I focused on the antiquities. I'd really been looking forward to the Catacombs but found them a bit underwhelming. 

I was really glad I went in the of season because I still found the city to be pretty congested with people. It probably didn't help that I hit the Louvre and Orsay on the weekend but it's just how it worked out. I have little patience for tourists even when I am one myself. 

I didn't have a single bad meal but these were my favorites:
Le Bon Georges: www.lebongeorges.paris/en/bistro-parisien-english/
Fish: www.fishlaboissonnerie.com/
Bouillon Pigalle: bouillonlesite.com/bouillon-pigalle Solid food dirt cheap
Food tour: parisbymouth.com/taste-of-the-marais/

[Michelle]

Feb 27, 2023 15:28:15 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Michelle it was great! I missed having someone to share it with but the ability to do whatever I wanted outweighed that downside.

My favorites were Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Sacre Coeur, Sainte Chapelle, and the food. I spent several hours at the Louvre and didn't see a single painting, I focused on the antiquities. I'd really been looking forward to the Catacombs but found them a bit underwhelming. 

I was really glad I went in the of season because I still found the city to be pretty congested with people. It probably didn't help that I hit the Louvre and Orsay on the weekend but it's just how it worked out. I have little patience for tourists even when I am one myself. 

I didn't have a single bad meal but these were my favorites:
Le Bon Georges: www.lebongeorges.paris/en/bistro-parisien-english/
Fish: www.fishlaboissonnerie.com/
Bouillon Pigalle: bouillonlesite.com/bouillon-pigalle Solid food dirt cheap
Food tour: parisbymouth.com/taste-of-the-marais/

So glad you had a great time! Thanks for the restaurant recommendations!