first trip to Paris, and first time travel alone, any info would be helpful,
 

Hi:
I'm going to Paris alone next month, both first time, can anyone give me some recommendations? such as the place to eat alone, or place to avoid(safty), Thanks!

Also I need some info about shopping, anyone know any good French infant cloth brand or store which are not sold here in the States? Thank you all soooo much!

Hi, "Beatchick" posted a fabulous report when she traveled alone to Paris, I'll find it and top it for you.

I have been in Paris a couple of times alone and eating is no problem. I am the most comfortable, when by myself, at an outdoor table so that I can watch the world go by, as opposed to a table by myself inside the restaurant. Paris is not lacking in outside accomodation, the food is always great, and they all have huge heaters so it will be warm enough even in winter. It also seems a little more friendly outside, and I usually end up talking to someone at a nearby table, which doesn't happen for me inside. Have a great trip.

Hello,

I went to paris alone and for the first time when my daughter was four. I found very sweet clothes for her at Monoprix, which seems to be a French version of Kmart. The styles were different than what we were seeing in the US and I still remember the fabric on one particular dress...the softest flower-printed red corduroy. Just lovely. It cost me about $17 back then. There are lots of high-end brands in the department stores too, but I wasn't keen on spending a fortune on something she'd grow out of momentarily. Another place I enjoyed was the Cacharel overstock store on the rue d'Alesia on the SW side of town. More expensive than Monoprix but a fraction of department store prices and glorious fabrics/quality. You can find out more from the Born to Shop books by Suzi Gershman. Her books are great fun for those of us who believe that deep cultural learning can take place while shopping!

I went Solo last November. During that time, an area I really did NOT enjoy was the few blocks around St. Severin Church (in the 5th?). To loud or too young for me. I don't enjoy partying all night anymore. My "apartment" was there and I moved out and over to a beautiful little hotal in the 1st. The single was small but not so small I couldn't put my bags down and dress properly. The Relais Hotel du Louvre was a block away from the Seine, I could see the Louvre out the door, a church; a great restaurant, a chocolatier and a cafe/tabac! I felt quite at home. I'll go alone again (hopefully soon) and I'm going to stay in the 7th for no other reason than to get a sense of that area. I hope you'll love your experience.

Of course, it depends on what you like, but my 80-year-old mother & I loved the Hotel Parc St. Severin, right next door to the church, the exact area SuzieC didn't like! I really enjoy the hustle & bustle of the area, lots of people around at night, no worry about safety. And we didn't have problems with noise at night, as he hotel is on rue de Parcheminerie, off of rue de la Harpe where most of the noise is. Also very close to both metro and bus. Hope this helps.

Hi
I have a long file on Paris, if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Paris is a great place to go solo, to go any which way. I've never had a problem eating alone, and as mentioned, sometimes I find myself striking up conversations with fellow diners.
Waiters treat me well, sometimes they seem to take me under their wings.
If you want a little activity, bring your notebook/travel journal and a pen with you, or plan out your next day's activities. Don't feel that you have to eat in second rate places. I don't mean that you have to dine expensively, but you should dine well in Paris, always.

I think the area around St Michel is really a matter of taste and whether you like to be around a lot of tourists and noise, rather than a safety issue. I probably would have had the same urge as Suzie (to get out quickly) because I really dislike that area a lot. It does have a higher rate of pickpocketing because it is heaven for them in terms of easy pickings around. I don't really think someone going to Paris alone for the first time is likely to easily end up in any places to avoid that could be warned against. They would not be in the central tourist area. Just don't be careless or naive or deal with strangers or street people (some people let strangers help them with money and ATMs and tickets in the metro or train stations, which is not a good idea ever) and be particularly protected against pickpockets. Pickpockets are heavier in tourist areas and in the metro or RER on lines with a lot of tourists (line 1 by the Louvre, etc).

I think you can eat alone easily in most places, and think others have given good advice. Just drop in places that feel comfortable for you, open-air cafes are easy options, I think, as noted.

As for children's clothing, Petit Bateau is a wellknown French children's brand and they should have shops around Paris. They are sold in the states, I think (everything pretty much is nowadays, if you are willing to pay for it). There is one store at 116 Champs Elysees and 8, rue de Severs. Bonpoint, Tartine et Chocolat are some other specialty stores.

Here's a good list of children's stores (on right)
http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/shopping/shopping.htm

That URL also has a nice selection of other stores, especially chocolatiers.

I think the ideas of the general dept stores and rue Alesia are great. I also think MOnoprix is good for picking up stuff cheaply and would judge it kind of like Kmart/Target etc but I actually think their stuff is a little better than Target's.

Riona: I went solo to Paris last Sept. See my trip report - Trip Report - 3-Weeks-Solo to France. I absolutely loved Paris. It was so easy to be a solo woman there. Never had any problems with dining alone, no safety issues, loved my little hotel - Hotel St. Jacques and the area. Have a wonderful time!!

..just wanted to re-iterate location..when traveling alone, i often choose to stay in the 6near the 7th or 7th near the 6th..chic residential area so many women on the street in the evening walking home from work..i never feel as though i stick out and never have resorted to a cab for a short walk because of safety issues.

Thank you guys soooo much !
I'm going to check out Monoprix and the overetock store,as well as the department stores, and thank you Christina, the site you gave me is so helpful.
now armed with so many info I think I'll love this trip(was kinda worried before^.^)!

Have no worries about Paris as a single person. the whole city is very easy to navigate. I have this strategy for eating in Paris when I am there alone, eat a fancier meal at lunch and have something more casual for dinner. I saw a lot of Frenchwomen eating alone at lunch and felt less conspicuous in the daylight. This is also a money saving tip since lunch prices are less than dinner. I ate in a lot of neighborhood places on those visits.

Like Elaine, I seem to find myself talking with other diners around me and they turn out to be quite interesting conversations.

And like Elaine, I bring my journal or a book. It's almost like a defense. If I start feeling shy or uncomfortable I just delve into the journal to read, write, paste things into it, balance my travel budget. That's when I find the waiters will start to talk to me, make me feel more comfortable. I did feel a little uncomfortable at the first when I had tea at the Ritz but towards the end of the meal I felt comfortable enough to walk around the lovely garden & peek into the Espadon restaurant next door that was connected thru the garden.

People have asked me how is it that I get such a good response from the waiters & others & I think that must be the secret is the carrying of the journal, being seen writing in it. I've wondered if maybe they think I'm a writer, possibly a travel writer who is doing research??? In any case, writers seem to be highly respected there and if you're seen writing??? Who knows?

But Riona, I find I have the best vacations in Paris when I travel alone. I hope you find the same to be true! :D

I am so glad Riona that you're taking the "plunge". As others say its "user friendly". Paris, I believe, loves women. For a couple of generations there (wars...), there have been a great many solo women. I got that feeling that we are respected.
And I wanted to say, I didn't have any safety issues, I travel around Paris like I travel around my little home city. Don't miss the St. Severin area; its lively! At 4 a.m. the singing right beneath my window (doubled paned or not...got on my last nerve!) Anyway, the church is extraordinarily lovely. But now that I'm a woman of a certain age, (teehee - mature or ripe, whichever), I enjoy my sleep coz I really enjoy getting up early; take a stroll, watch the shops start up, have a cafe; watch the streets and steps being cleaned by their owners, the "Bon Jour's", even to me!

SuzieC, I think you've captured the feeling soooooo well.

I so agree about the early morning strolls and also about the journal. I was writing in my journal in a restaurant in Sorrento once and the owner came up and gave me a beautiful vase with the restaurant's name on it and ask in very broken English if I would say nice things about his restaurant in my book. I never go to dinner alone without my journal now.

You don't mention how long you will be staying but if you are there for more than 4 days find a cafe near your hotel and go each morning for cafe'. Even if it is offered at your hotel. You will get to be a kind of local after that time. the waiter will never be the kind of familiar with you that an american waiter would be but will give you a glance and a bonjour when you come in. I

Plan restaurants in advance, ariive early to beat the rush, or make an early reservation. Get the book Bistros of Paris by Barbara Hamberger.

I eat alone in Paris a lot, and I feel a lot better about doing it than I ever would in the DC area, where I live. I bring a journal with me - I am always writing a travel journal - and write in it during those slow moments when the waiter isn't there and no one else is around. It works very well. I never feel singled out or ostracized by French waiters - in fact, quite the opposite - I think they like single middle-aged ladies - at least they are always very solicitous of me.

You'll be fine!

Having travelled solo in Paris I agree that dining alone is certainly not an issue. I ate in many finer resturaunts and bistros. I met many interesting people along the way. Just have your hotel make reservations for the finer dining spots, and bring your journal.

One of the places I loved (and I'm not certain of your Hotel location)...was a wine bar in the 6th. In the late afternoon after shopping, I would stop here for a glass of wine and a late lunch. The ambiance is bistro-ish and local, nothing fancy. The food was wonderful. It is small and often filled with locals stopping in for expresso/lunch. It is Bisto Des Augustins @ 39 quai des Grandes-Augustins. I believe Patricia Wells mentions it in her "Food Lover's Guide to Paris".

Another suggestion is Paris Walks. They offer approx two hour english speaking walks of different parts of the city. I loved partaking of this...I especially loved the village of Montmartre tour. It's easy...for about 10 euros you just show up, pay, and do the tour, which is entertaining and informative. I would often meet up with many other english speaking individuals during different aspects of their journies...a real treat. They have a web site: ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking OR just plug Paris walks into Google.

Be as cautious as you would in the states... but never be fearful of travelling solo. Enjoy...