smalltowntraveller

I'm a little nervous about my trip. I am spending two weeks in Paris one of which I will be alone. I planned this trip many, many months ago. My sister in law can only stay 1 week ,then I'll be solo. I would really appreciate any tips from those of you gals that have done this. Thank you!

KTtravel

I haven't done it alone but I think you will be fine. Have you been to Paris before? There is so much to do and enjoy there that I'm sure you can keep yourself happily entertained. I'm glad you'll be with your SIL while you get your bearings.

We did some walking tours on our last trip that were very enjoyable. We did several of the walks listed on this site: http://paris-walks.com and enjoyed them all. We also loved our food walking tour offered by Food by Mouth: http://parisbymouth.com/?s=tour. There are other walking tour companies as well.

We met several single travelers on our walks who were enjoying group activities part of their day (our walks) and solo sightseeing the rest of the time.

artsnletters

Just curious, what in particular are you nervous about? I'll be spending two weeks in Paris alone in late April, and I can't think of anything to worry over. It's much, much safer than large American cities, and after a week with a companion, surely you'll know your way around some and feel more at home there.

The nicest thing about traveling alone is that you can be completely selfish. You do just want you want, when you want to do it, and for not a moment longer than you wish to. No waiting for anyone else in the bathroom! Have it your way! I love that about traveling by myself.

kja

Consider it a great self-indulgence! Paris is, IME, very easy to visit solo and OH, to be able to do exactly what you want, when you want, is so wonderful! Enjoy!

justineparis

I have done it and you are a LUCKY DUCK,, I have done visits alone, with a friend , with my hubby, and with my kids.. and some of my absolute favorite visits were the solo ones..

Come and go as I please.. stay for hours in a museum.. or walk out after 20 minutes.. no one to clear that with but myself.. I feel safer in Paris alone then I have with people in other big cities in North America!!

Watch your purse.. (pick pockets) but other then that.. seriously .. stop being scared.. its a wonderful city.

I basically keep myself busy all day long.. but sometimes that busy is a 2 hour stop at at café to read , have an over priced café crème ( similar to a latte) and pick at a goat cheese salad.. in evenings I have gone to museums.. ( both Orsay and Louvre have evenings open late.. and they are a tad quieter then ) taken a boat cruise.. and done a bike tour ( super fun.. trust me.. and I am older and not fit.. lol .. Fat Tire Bike Tours.. look them up) .. then a nice dinner.. and then I plan next day.

One tip that helped me when I was not as familiar with metro is at night I sometimes preplanned my route to site I wanted to see the next day.. and I would jot it down on a slip of paper.. so I wasn't doing the glazed eyes staring at maps in metro station thing.. ie take line 4 direction such and such, get off station blah blah.. transfer to line 1 .. direction blah blah.. get off at station blah blah..


I bring a book or ebook.. I like reading ,, but if you don't no worries.. I read at lunch..and dinner sometimes.. but I hear other people use that time to write in journals.. or write postcards..

Where are you staying .. a centrally located hotel makes it nice if on your own.. especially for a first visit .

WillTravel

What I like to do when traveling alone (well, not just then) is go to as many artistic, theatrical, and musical productions as I can, mixing up small venues with the occasional bombshell performance. Get the Pariscope magazine from the news kiosk, and take a look at what's happening when you are there.

Just enjoy the chance to do what you want, when you want it, without having to cater to anyone else's desires .

Nikki

I have taken several solo trips to Paris and if you click on my name and scroll down to trip reports, you can read about them.

Like WillTravel, I go to many performances in the evenings. If you do not speak French, most theater is out, but there is a wealth of music and dance. Otherwise, I spend evenings in a restaurant or cafe.

I love the flexibility to do whatever I want and not have anybody to please but myself. I can spend hours taking photos without worrying about slowing down my travel partner, and shop in flea markets and jewelry stores and craft fairs without boring my husband.

I have also met fellow members of this message board for get-togethers at restaurants, which has always been lots of fun.

pariswat

Being alone in Paris is just great.
It is one of those cities where you feel at ease and can stop wherever you are and look at the scenery.
Then you visit a musuem at your own leisure pace, then get a coffee somewhere.
Just get a book to have lunch and dinner.

Btw : 'gal' is US slang for girl I suppose - so I might not be fully reliable, I'm a guy.

manouche

Lots of people are nervous about the idea of eating alone. But tons of people do this in Paris so there's nothing to worry about at all. Nobody will treat you any differently than anybody else and many times people at other tables will start a conversation with you in whatever language you speak.

justineparis

ha ha... manouche.. when I eat alone in Paris I do not feel strange.. I feel exotic and mysterious.. its all how a person looks at it.. but I understand your point.. north American women in particular seem ot have insecurities eating out alone..

Blueeyedcod

Paris on your own...I am so envious.
I've done it and felt like I was planted in a movie set. The luxury of doing what I wanted. No need to speak to anyone (except waiters or ticket sellers), pleasing myself, speaking my rudimentary French. I spent all day and into the evening wandering the streets around the Luxembourg Gardens/Boulevard St.Germaine and Pantheon, just walking, looking, going into shops and stopping for coffee. This area is gorgeous at night (think Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris which was filmed around here).
Check a guide book, choose a neighbourhood and just walk. Don't feel afraid of being alone. Take a book (not an iPad or phone) if you're a bit nervous of drinking or dining alone. Enjoy this city - probably the most beautiful on earth.

emily71

You will be just one of many solo female travelers in Paris. Enjoy it.

One suggestion would be to take one or more walks with ParisWalks, a walking tour company that gives various tours of the different neighborhood. We went on a few while in Paris and were pleased. There are usually a few solo travelers in the group.


www.pariswalks.com

smalltowntraveller

Wow! Thank you all for the encouraging tips. I have booked with fat tire and plan on several Paris walks tours. I have been inspired to take a couple of day trips as well. I have never been to Paris. I guess just abroad alone was making me a bit nervous, I am beginning to get very excited about the thought of getting to experience Paris on my own. I will be there early April hope the weather is good so I can do some wandering...

mamcalice

While I have never been to Paris alone, I have often traveled with DH while he was on a business trip. This has meant that I had much of the day to myself and really liked it. The advice above is good. Paris Walks is a lot of fun and eating alone, while initially a bit scary, is very easy once you do it. Have lunches in outdoor cafes - if it is cold, they have heaters. Just watching the passing scene is a great way to spend time.

As for day trips, try Chartres. It is a wonderful option. The cathedral is spectacular and the town is charming with lots of nice places for lunch. If you go, try to catch the Malcolm Miller tour which is usually about noon and starts in the cathedral. Don't know if Giverny will be open yet while you are there but if it is, go. The gardens are lovely in the spring.

You will already be familiar with Paris by the time your SIL leaves so everything will work out. Enjoy!

RainyDay09

My first trip to Paris was alone as an early 30s female. I stayed in Monmartre and felt reasonably safe and entertained. I walked a lot and enjoyed the freedom of doing what I wanted, without having to coordinate with someone else. In fact, it was more enjoyable than my later trips with my family. Those trips had really special moments, but overall, there was a lot more worry about coordinating and pleasing everyone.

RainyDay09

I think you have the advantage of having a companion when you first get there. By your second week, you will feel much more comfortable. Enjoy the shopping and the cafes. So nice to do it alone in Paris. Tres chic!

RainyDay09

Très chic !

smalltowntraveller

Is it here that I can post to meet for dinner or a tour with another solo traveler? Maybe a group of people?

Southam

If your hotel room has a decent WiFi signal, carrying some sort of device to connect to the Internet is helpful (computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.) Surfing the web at the end of the evening is relaxing and an alternative to whatever channels may be on your room TV. You can stay connected to friends, just like at home, follow world events and do research about Paris, including mapping out your Metro route in advance (a good suggestion.) I think a solo traveler is wise to make restaurant reservations to ensure a seat during busy times and the Internet can help with that; your hotel staff should too.

Nikki

"Is it here that I can post to meet for dinner or a tour with another solo traveler? Maybe a group of people?"


Yes, you can post a thread here saying you will be in Paris on a certain date and see if anyone is interested in a get-together at that time.