France on my own

Old Mar 29th, 2017, 09:44 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
France on my own

Hi there, my travel plans to Europe have changed as my travel partner is not able to join me so now I am going to travel on my own but cut my trip down to one country (France) for 4 weeks.

Just wondering who else has done this (I am 53) leaving my hubby at home as he cant travel and I have longed to do this most of my life, my interests are the lavender, quaint french towns and markets etc - I want to perhaps stay in a village like St Remy to experience the ambiance. I plan to stay in Paris for a week as well then head down to the South, I will not drive being Australian not confident in driving on the other side.

What would be the easiest route, transport/cities to find all that I am looking for on my first trip to France given that I will have a suitcase and will need to take trains or buses, I believe Nice is worth stopping for a while as well, must is a visit to Arles or a longer stay, I am open to suggestions. Also where is the best place to stay in Paris and what to avoid being on my own - I plan to visit in Mid May - Mid June - possibly join a tour as well.

Thankyou for any help Fodorites!
Dreams64 is offline  
Old Mar 29th, 2017, 11:35 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm sure you'll get great advice about where to stay and visit. Just want to say that all my solo guests, mainly women your age (and mine soon) had a blast in France. Hope you'll have the same weather we're having now, just perfect! Bon voyage and welcome to France
cocofromdijon is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2017, 02:24 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are one lucky lady. Most posters here don't have the luxury of a month in France. In this early stage of your planning, your best friend would be a guidebook. Only you know what you're interested in, what you have your heart set on seeing and what your budget is. Is your time frame for 2017 or 2018? Part of the fun of a trip like this is the planning. Enjoy your experience.
Envierges is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2017, 04:01 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Essential tools:
www.seat61.com
www.skyscanner.com
http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_5000/accueil/ (information on Paris public transport including interactive route planner plus tourist suggestions -- start practising before you leave.)

There are any number of official websites for Paris and the regions of France run by various governments.
As well, guides such as Time Out can help with restos and events https://www.timeout.com/paris/en

www.matrix.itasoftware.com can help you look for a multi-destination air ticket, flying for instance into Paris and home from Marseille, but you must use the multi-city search function.

This website, and others like it, can help with your research. Go to the Destinations menu at the top of the page.

At times you may feel overwhelmed by all the information. Do-it-yourself planning takes time and energy. But the suggestion that your vacation starts when you begin the plans is a really good attitude to maintain for enjoying what will be your own very personal vacation.
Southam is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2017, 05:11 PM
  #5  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I’m a woman who is fully committed to solo travel, as are many Fodorites. Here’s a collection of trip reports that might give you some inspiration:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

I would STRONGLY encourage you to invest in a few good guidebooks, perhaps the Michelin Green Guide (even if you are not driving) and the Rough Guide; you might also want to consult a few others at your local library.

Good guidebooks will give you information about your transportation options, but you can also consult rome2rio.com – just be sure that you check anything you find there, as it doesn’t reflect seasonal variation and isn’t always up-to-date. Public transportation in France is easy and convenient.

No need to join a tour unless that is your preference.

My only caution to you: Beware, you might find solo travel as addictive as I’ve found it! ;-) IME, it is a truly wonderful self-indulgence.
kja is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2017, 09:01 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps the OP meant a tour like a day tour to a nearby place, which is a good idea. Or even a walking tour of a city while staying there, like in Paris. I often do things like that when I travel, especially for places that would be a challenge logistically to get to on your own in a certain time frame. The guides are usually excellent, it's usually and easy and efficient way to do things, and you can meet interesting other people on them. I think it's a very good idea.

I'm surprised this is the second post recently going on about St Remy and it being a village and how quaint it is. It's not my idea of a village, it seems a lot larger than the population suggests, actually, I suppose because it is so very popular with tourists and more wealthy ones (I think it first got really popular with the well-off when Princess Caroline of Monaco moved there with her family after her father died).

IN any case, not necessarily the best place to stay without a car as it has no train station FYI. This is an issue if you want to stay in a smaller place, though, transportation. Because transportation is much easier in any place with a train station, and so would be some day tours as they operate out of such towns/cities (like Avignon or Aix, plenty options there, but even Arles has a train station and is smaller than they are).


I think just look at the train line for suggested general trajectory-- Paris down to Avignon, Arles and then over to Nice. If you want to stay in St Remy, not sure how you would do that. Yes, there is a bus that goes there (from Avignon, for one) which you could do if you just plan to stay there and not do anything for a while.
Christina is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2017, 02:16 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree St-Rémy is not a village, not quaint, over-hyped, and not reachable by train. IMO, it's been totally ruined by tourism in the last decade.

OP, get some guidebooks, including the Michelin Green Guide, and figure out what YOU want to do. Study www.seat61.com for train information. Study maps of France. You have infinite options, but we can't guess what would work for you.
StCirq is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2017, 03:07 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
<given that I will have a suitcase and will need to take trains or buses>

Pack light, since it sounds like you hope to be moving around a lot. If you can do the month with one 22" rolling suitcase, will make everything easier.

A month solo in France sounds divine!!

(i've only been once to paris so i'm no help with planning this.)
suze is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2017, 03:51 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One thing I can recommend for your Paris stay is the Paris Greeters. The organization consists of volunteers who love the city and their neighborhoods and take small groups of visitors on a stroll through their "hood". You meet nice other visitors and an enthusiastic local guide. You will see parts of Paris that few outsiders ever get to glimpse.

Here is a link to their site: http://www.greeters.paris/?lang=en The non-profit group pays its expenses from donations, and the actual greeters will NOT accept any money. We have taken several strolls with them and have had a wonderful experience each time.
nukesafe is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2017, 09:04 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dreams64, I'm an Aussie lady of similar age who has travelled solo in France a few times and I have written a couple of 'Schnauzer live', on going reports. The first one was not actually a solo trip but the others have been.

I have travelled both by train and plane but have also rented a car as I like to get off the beaten track... I've managed very well with the 'to the right, to the right, to the right, right right' mantra in my head going around round abouts etc.

Have a look at my reports. I'm actually heading off this year again but for two months, I'm also spending time in the UK.

I stayed in Nice for a week and found it very convenient to use public transport up and down the coast. In Paris I always stay in Montmatre as I like the vibe and feel it is more 'the real Paris', whatever that means! Not so many tourists... You know what they are like! I rent through Perfectly Paris for apartments. Oh course I'll get slammed for suggesting such a thing as renting an apartment but that's what I like. I spent a whole month in Paris and couldn't have stood a hotel or an Aparthotel for that time. I digress....

Look for somewhere with good transport links, very important. St Remy didn't particularly cut it for me... If you want to see Gordes, Rousillon etc it is best to have a car, too hard without. IMO. I'm staying in Nimes this year just for three nights, I can take the bus to Uzes from there which is good, then a direct train back to Paris from Nimes.

Also consider Lyon and or Dijon... Lyon again easy from Paris and it has a mini Paris feel, great food and a good vibe as well.

You could also whizz over to Strassbourg for 2/3 nights, it's a beautiful town and only an easy train journey from Paris.

So much in planning but you'd better get onto it if you're going this year.

Definitely pack as light as you can, I take a four wheel rolling 22" case, actually might be smaller since we don't work in inches I'm not 100% sure, but lots and lots of steps at train stations you will be doing a lot of carrying, so do yourself a big favour and travel really light. No one will know you wore the same outfit in Paris on Thursday as you did in Lyon on Wednesday! Just take one tote style bag and a smaller handbag. Where possible put your smaller handbag into the tote for schlepping up and down train stations.

Are you in Sydney? I am.....

Good luck, you'll have a ball!
schnauzer is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2017, 02:38 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lucky you - a whole month! Traveling in France solo is really wonderful. I started getting that "bug" when I was in my 60's, but I could never manage to stay more than 16 days at a time. My first trip (well, not really first, as I had been as a teenager) I stayed in Paris only, doing a few day trips by train. Then I decided (nervously!) to rent a car and see other parts of France. The first driving trip to the Loire Valley was so successful that I subsequently did the same thing to Burgundy, Provence, Alsace, Normandy, Brittany, Dordogne.

I would always fly to Paris, then train to wherever I was picking up the car. I found the French people to be extremely nice and helpful - especially outside of Paris.
My last few trips have been to Paris only (with day trips) as I'm past the age of driving there solo! But definitely not the age to still love solo trips to Europe. I'm going in May to Paris and Belgium.

You will have a wonderful time, and feel "empowered" managing on your own. But do get some guidebooks to study beforehand. I know a lot of people on here put down Rick Steves, but truthfully, his books offer some very valuable "practical" information. Of course the Michelin books are great describing sites, etc. But Steves gives you lots of good traveling hints. I love some of the books describing various "walks" in different cities and towns.

And I totally agree with the "travel light" comments - especially for train travel. There are no porters, red caps, etc. in those train stations - and lots of stairs! Have a wonderful trip.
Sue4 is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2017, 02:49 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you might enjoy reading Ina Caro's book, "The Road from the Past, Travelling through History in France". She beautifully decribes so many places In France.
She was travellling with her husband, but she inspired me to do the same thing - even without a husband along.
Sue4 is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2017, 04:30 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dreams64 you have received some great advice above - we are also Aussies but travel as a couple (sometimes with hanger on adult kids too )
France is our favourite country and you will have a ball I'm sure.
cocofromdijon (posted above) is not allowed to advertise (on Fodors) but she has a sensational apartment in Dijon which is a very friendly pedestrian city that we loved. You could not hope to meet a more generous and knowledgeable hostess. I think Coco and her place would suit you very well if you can fit Dijon into your plans?

Our other favourite places are Provence and Dordogne, not that easy to traverse without a car but not impossible.

If you are a confident driver in Australia, give it a go... If you plan to pick up in smaller places, make sure you have GPS and an auto you will surprise yourself and have so much more flexibility! Perhaps consider the car lease scheme that is available to French visitors which for a month would be quite cost effective.
ozgirl
ozgirl is offline  
Old Apr 4th, 2017, 08:10 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I second the Cocofromdijon recommendation! She does not really need to tout her apartment as it is almost always booked, so look her up early if you really want to enjoy Dijon in the hands of a most knowledgeably and gracious lady.
nukesafe is offline  
Old Apr 18th, 2017, 03:48 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ttt
tdk320n is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2017, 05:15 AM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thankyou for all of your wonderful responses, lots to note down and follow your advice. The universe has intervened and sent me in a different direction for now as an unexpected diversion has arisen to travel to Canada with my husband so France has to wait a while but I will be doing this trip in a few years time. Love the accommodation recommendations and yes I love apartments too. Good to know about St Remy and the fact it does not have a train station, so will probably look at Aix, Avignon and Nice for a base and do day trips to surrounds. Arles is definately on the list so glad I can get there by train too. I will look up the train systems when I am planning this again, you have all been very informative, and we are going to try to drive in Canada, so hopefully by the time I now get to France, the other side of the road wont seem to daunting! I will look up that book title, @Sue4 and @ ogirl and @shnauzer its good to hear other aussie strong women have done this before me and done it easily - I am in Victoria btw. Anyhow, thanks again, will come back to this post when I am ready to take this trip again. Cheers, Dreams64
Dreams64 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
steffbushey
Europe
11
Aug 8th, 2016 11:57 AM
saidaspen
Europe
7
Apr 22nd, 2013 04:41 PM
winchestered
Europe
4
Apr 6th, 2011 07:24 PM
bizarrebeings
Europe
6
Apr 21st, 2009 06:54 AM
bobbye7
Europe
16
May 23rd, 2008 12:53 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -