first time solo travel
 

I live in New Zealand and am travelling to Paris on the return from a study tour in Italy. I am spending 3 days in Paris on my own. Ive never been abroad before so this is really daunting. Can anyone offer advice on what to do where to stay. I LOVE shopping so was thinking a day trip to the outlet village. But where to shop the other two days. Will only be looking in orr at top designer stores. Although Im not going until early
April I know the only way Im going to get through the next few months is to be organized. Im so excited but oh so nervous.
Thanks Jill

The first thing I can think is that by the time you get to paris, you'll have had that time in Italy and it won't be nearly so daunting as it may seem now. Have no fear, many have done the solo thing to Paris and it's not going to be a problem.

Stay somewhere central like Latin Quarter or the Marais where prices will leacve you more for shopping and the Metro can easily get you most places that you don't want to just walk. If you just want to shop, that'll be easy - almost anywhere will amaze.

I guess there may be an outlet village to Paris but the concept is kinda strange.

Paris has a couple of large department stores which makes Farmers or similar look like corner shops. Both north of the river, two minutes in a good guide book will tell you all you need to know and honestly if you are coming all this way you need to read a quick book.

In the central areas you will also find lovely little shops holding all the sort of little things you might want. In fact I'd go so far to say that Central Paris is a bit like miles of Devonport with the occasional market selling the goods of at least two continents in the street.

A small word of warning, as a shopper, both Italy and France take the concept of the Brand very seriously. So if you buy a load of fake branded goods in one country you may find them taken off you by the police. Unlikely to happen at the airport but occasionally occur if you drive over the border.

I second the Latin quarter or just up from the Sorbonne, prices are reasonable the local restaurants work well with the local traffic and smaller shops abound. Notre Dame and Orsey to the North (use the metro) so well placed for a short visit

The outlet village is right near Disneyland Paris, which is a ways outside the city. The concept is a little strange for France, I agree, as they regulate prices to much, but it does exist and has been there some years at this point.

I detest shopping so would never spend a minute of my time when traveling abroad going to outlet villages, ugh.

Hi J,

With the Euro at $1.50, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find any bargains at an oultet mall catering to tourists.

I suggest that you spend the day enjoying Paris.

((I)

<<But where to shop the other two days. Will only be looking in orr at top designer stores>>

Which top designer shops are you interested in? I think most are on the Right Bank around the Crillon Hotel, but some are on the Left Bank in or around the St Germain area.

A couple of suggestions...first check Trip advisor for low cost hotels with good reviews...(if cost is a consideration). We personally love a hotel in the 15th (left bank not too far fromt he Eiffel tower) called Hotel de l'Avre which is modest in price and in a totally non-tourist area. We then often spend a half-day walking from there to the place St Michel...Paris is a real walking city so don't be afraid. But I know the city pretty well. For a first timer you may prefer to just try and hit all the major sights and not spend time wandering around

Second, do some homework. Get a good guide and plan what you want to do and in some efficient order. You will probably want to hit the major sights...and if you are possibly interested in music or anything requiring tickets, go check what's going on. Paris is an amazingly busy place in terms of the arts, with lots of free things (Sunday Pm organ recitals at Notre Dame for example). I think the website Figaroscope is still a good way to check. By the way no matter where you want to go, there is always a metro within a short distance!

Have fun!

I was solo in Paris in May and loved it. Fear not, Paris is a great city to expolore on your own. I stayed at a great little hotel in the Latin Quarter(Hotel de la Sorbonne)and cannot wait to go back.