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Where would be the best place to stay in Paris and possibly Provence as a single traveler and what are some things not to be missed? I appreciate your suggestions.

Jill: you have a great opportunity. In Paris, if you like museums and art (as much as I do), might I suggest the following (both well known and less so). Louvre Musée d'Orsay Musée de Cluny (Quartier Latin) Musée Carnavalet (Place des Vôsges in the Marais) Musée Jacquemart-André (in the 8th on Boulevard Haussmann). A beautiful mansion and art collection that is open EVERDAY OF THE YEAR!!! It is not that familiar to tourists. They have some fantastic paintings and French antiques. Their website is: http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/index.htm This area of Paris is one of the best, with beautiful apartment buildings, Parc Monceau and there are tree lined boulevards and cafés everywhere. You could walk to the Champs-Élysées or to Avenue Montaigne or simply down rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré from there. A little-visited part of Paris is the neighborhood around the church of Notre-Dame-des-Batignolles in the 17th (Métro Rome - between Villiers and Place de Clichy. It's in a typical middle class neighborhood with shops and cafés and it's very low key. Virtually unknown to tourists but typically Parisian. Another nice walk is Avenue de la Bourdonnais et Avenue Duquesne in the 7th by École Militaire. This is one of the most high-end residential areas in Paris along with the 8th and the 16th. The bus routes (Number 80 or 92) go by some beautiful houses. In fact, just get on any bus and take it somewhere. Try to have a coffee around Saint-Sulpice in the 6th. There's a very popular, inexpensive one just on the corner of rue Sulpice across from the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche store. You can't miss it. Or Au Vieux Colombier on the corner of rue Saint-Sulpice and rue de Rennes. You may wish to stroll in the Place des Vôsges in the Marais (4th) and then cross over rue de Rivoli in the direction of Île Saint-Louis because the neighborhood is so old and typical Parisian. Go to the roof of La Samaritaine dept. store on rue de Rivoli closer to the Louvre. You might also like to visit Places des Victoires (it's circular) in the 3rd by rue des Petits-Champs. Nice boutiques, neighborhood cafés and then you can stroll through the arcades or gardens of the Palais Royal - always very nice. I could go on and on. Hope this helps.

Eye Spy- Thanks for the info. Any suggestions on where to stay for a solo Paris traveler? And excursions or a couple of nites in provence?

Jill: Friends have come to visit me and have stayed at the Hôtel Saint-Thomas d'Aquin. It's in a lovely area that is very close to the Musée d'Orsay. Most Americans prefer Saint-Germain-des-Prés and this hotel is clean, comfortable and the streets in the neighborhood are quiet at night. You can have breakfast served in your room or in the common lounge. It has only gone up a little in price from a few years ago. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you need any other tips and I'll try to help you. http://www.01-stay-in-paris-hotels.com/saint-thomas-daquin.htm#

Thank you very much! I will stay in touch via Fodors.

Eye Spy, I've looked at the link you provided for the Hotel Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, and it looks as if it's very close to the Hotel de l'Universite, where I stayed the last time I was in Paris. I liked the neighborhood, and wouldn't mind staying there for less money the next time I'm in Paris, so I was very interested in the Saint-Thomas d'Aquin. Would you be able to say how it compares to the Hotel de l'Universite? I see that it's a two-star hotel, and the de l'Universite is a three-star, so I imagine it might not have some of the amenities the de l'Universite has (like an elevator and air conditioning, the absence of either of which doesn't bother me all that much), but other than that it looks pretty comparable. Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

Bree: glad you found the link helpful. You know, I can't remember if there s an elevator in the St. Thomas d'Aquin. I really don't. The more I think about it though, the more I believe there wasn't (but you can always email the hotel at the link provided. If you want a French translation, I'll be happy to oblige). The hotel was not that large, but they have done some remodeling and touch ups and it looks great. And as you know the quartier is very, very central! I do not know the L'Universite but if it's a 3-star it may have a little bit more room and amenities than the rooms of the St. Thomas. However, if that is really not a big issue for you, the difference in price you could get may be worth it. My friends had a room with a small bathroom so they were completely independent and they liked to be able to have breakfast in their room at no extra charge. The hotel is very clean. The streets are quiet at night as you know in that area.

Jill I went to Avignon in Provence solo 2 years ago as a 28 year old woman and thought it was great. Very safe - no problems dining alone or walking alone on the streets. I added it to a business trip in Lyon. I believe it is easy to get to from Paris on TGV line. Just found a hotel when I got there - it was an okay 3 star near the center of town. Took a bus to Pont du Gard (should have taken a taxi) but it was a beautiful. Chose Avignon strictly for the easy train access - if you can get there quickly from Paris I would definitely do it. Much different experience.

Eye Spy: thanks for the info and the offer to do a French translation. Since I (unfortunately) don't have a trip to Paris coming up in the near future, I think I'll hold off on pursuing the elevator issue until I actually have travel plans. Jill: I can't improve on Eye Spy's list of museums, but I want to mention that, if you go to the Musee Jacquemart-Andre, be sure to get the audio guide. It's free, it's available in English, and I found that it added a lot to my enjoyment of the museum (and I usually don't like to use audio guides in museums).

Jill - Many of us have been to Paris on our own; try a text search here for "solo and Paris" to find many threads on the subject. I have usually stayed in the 5th or 6th. There are many good restaurants in this area, and lots of people walking around until late, which makes me feel more comfortable at night. Also easy to take the RER to/from CDG to a metro stop within walking distance to my hotel. People can give you more specific advice re hotels if you let us know how much you want to spend and what level of ammenities you require. Again, tons of info already on this board - suggest you hunt around and reply with questions.

Right next to the Parc Monceau is the Musée Nissim-Camondo. I preferred it to Jacquemard André, and it is less crowded. I would also add the Musée Picasso in the Marais.

Would you break it up with maybe 4 days in Paris and the rest in Provence (6)? I really would love to get to Provence- I have not been there but was in Paris 10 years ago.