ticalinda1969

I am very excited about this trip and I would like to get some ideas of people who have been in Paris alone, mainly women! What to do, where to go as for night life and mingle with the people? I live in CT close to NYC and go there often all by myself as well as to Boston MA. But the fact that I don't speak french and I don't know their culture well, its a little concern of mine. Please if you are a single woman over 35 or so and have been in Paris alone, I would like to get your input. I will be going from April 12 to the 21st and I will be staying at a hotel in the Latin Quarter. I like to go out at night but I don't know what is the custom/etiquette there for a woman sitting alone at a bar or at a restaurant at night... is there anywhere in the area I will be staying I can meet other singles?
Thank you very much for your help

adrienne

There's no problem eating in a restaurant or sitting in a cafe with a glass of wine in the evening. There is no custom/etiquette - you sit down if it's a cafe and the waiter will come to the table. In restaurants you're normally seated by one of the staff. You'll get the bill when you're ready to leave. It's much the same as at home.

It's nice to know a few phrases/words such as please, thank you, hello but not necessary to speak French as people in Paris who deal with tourists will speak English.

The only things I've done at night are dinner, concert, boat ride. Usually I'm tucked up by 10:00 after a full sightseeing day. I haven't connected with many people to hang with during my travels. Sometimes I strike up conversations with other singles at a cafe and once I met another woman on a walking tour and we had dinner together. I think it's easier for young people to connect.

In terms of knowing French customs - please pick up a guide book and read the introduction. This will tell you just about everything you'll need to know.

ticalinda1969

Thank you very much Adrienne, I checked out French language classes on CD from the library to listen on the car for the next month or so. Maybe I'll learn something. You might be right about a full day of sightseeing, I might be in bed by ten too.....
Thanks again, I really appreciate it
V

StCirq

I read somewhere about "meetups" in other countries, so googled and found this: http://www.meetup.com/brunchclub-135/#calendar

Looks like they have a weekly meetup with cocktails and hors d'ouevres. I know NOTHING about this and have never done anything like this...just thought I'd pass it on.

I have traveled all over the world by myself, including to Paris many, many times, and have no hesitation about going to a café or bistro or bar or restaurant alone. There's no real etiquette involved, other than knowing how to greet people and order what you want, and I've always been treated very well. I've actually met quite a few people this way (but I've spoken French for most of my life, and that's a definite plus). I'm sure if you googled a bit you might find some places in Paris where English speakers tend to hang out in the evening, if you feel you need that kind of interaction. But if you don't, you'll be just fine. Most folks in businesses you're likely to frequent speak at least some English. Have a ball!

ticalinda1969

Yay! that's a great idea! Thank you for taking the time to help me... I do want to have a ball...
Best Regards,
V

annhig

ticlinda,

I've not been to Paris on my own, but I think that if I were planning to do so for more than a few days, early in the visit I'd go on one of the Fat Tyre bike rides or a guided walk, in the hope that i might meet some like-minded people. I'd also join in something like St. Cirq mentions [good as it's specifically for singles] and/or see of there were any fodorites interested in a GTG.

and I'd get going on those CDs!

Bonne chance!

ticalinda1969

he he thanks annhig I am staying there and only there for 8 days, so I want to at least get some flavor of the night life and socialize a bit...your sugegstions are great
Thanks again...
V

nytraveler

Have been in Paris several times alone - before or after meetings - but have not been looking to meet someone.

Sitting in a cafe or dining - in any type of restaurant - is fine for a woman alone - no problems at all.

In the evening dinner is usually the big activity - since I like nice food. Have gone to the ballet once and a concert once. Also to a film festival a couple of times (these are very popular in Paris).

I have found I met a lot of people in the hotel - lobby or bar - sometimes a couple, or two women and once or twice a man (but I'm very cautious about the latter). I will go for a drink with the latter - but not more. Have had dinner with a some of the others. But I always stay in large full-service hotels - so there are a number of other adult travelers in the lounge, lobby, bar etc.

Not sure if you have a hotel yet but I think that's a much better venue than one of the cute tiny hotels Paris specializes in.

ticalinda1969

Thanks nytraveler, I am staying at the Latin Quarters Area (5a) and even though I am not there specifically to meet anyone in particular, I would like to be able to meet other singles and basically have a good night life...
I really appreciate your input
V

thisiswater

While this site seems like it might cater to a slightly younger woman, I'm about your age and I love it!: http://girlsguidetoparis.com/

ticalinda1969

Thank you very much thisiswater, I will def check it out
V

annhig

nice, thiswater.

V - did you see that they do their own tours?

ticalinda1969

Yes annhig, I am still browsing through the site...it is awesome...

elaine

I recently returned from a Paris visit, and I've been there a bunch of times on my own, more often than not, actually. I just stayed in the Latin Quarter; which hotel did you choose?
I would recommend a guided walking tour for an overview. There are many tour agencies; Context Travel is one, but they tend to offer a lot of historical detail, which I like. Michael Osman also provides private tours and I found my time with him very well spent. http://about.me/parisfind

Syll

Hi TicaLinda, one of my last visit to Paris was three years ago for 3-4 days (after being in Lyon for work). It happened to be the Easter weekend. I stayed in Saint Germain des Pres. It was a bit different being on my own but I kept myself very busy. I found a number of guided walking tours (Montmartre, Les Marais, "Main sights...") and planned one for each day. I figured that this would be my chance to do these walks as my husband is not too fond of them. On the Montmartre tour I ended up meeting a Judge, his wife and friend and we went for supper together after the walking tour; it was great. One other evening I walked in Saint Germain's area where it is a bit more touristy. And on one other evening I did a Seine River cruise. One thing that I had looked into doing at the time but didn't was taking a French cooking evening French... That could be a neat experience too. It all depends on what you would like to do.

kja

I've been to Paris twice on my own - love it! I find it a wonderful self-indulgence to do exactly what I want, when I want, and Paris is a very easy city in which to do that. It will help if you learn a few pleasantries in French, but otherwise, you don't need to worry about the language.

Enjoy!

AmyB81

I went to Paris on a school trip and while I wasn't on my own I do have some things that are on my list for the next time I'm there.

Arc de Triomphe - My roommate and I visited here on a fluke when we were heading back towards the hotel on our free evening. Seeing the city from the top is well worth the fee and the climb up the stairs (we got a work out since we had just bought some large hardbacks at Yves St Laurent). You are about rooftop. Even more special is timing it towards dusk as they have a ceremony for the "Unnamed Soldier Memorial". I don't know if it happens everyday but we came down and saw an influx of police and soldiers. The ceremony was very moving although simple and short.

Notre Dame Gardens - I was there in Feb last time and next time I want to schedule enough time to go meander about the Gardens.

Versailles Gardens - This is a big maybe as I prefer free or inexpensive so would pick Notre Dame over Versailles.

I just read that the Petit Palais is a mini Louvre and even better is free. I haven't researched it to confirm but I'd rather go to a small museum than deal with the crowds at the Louvre.

As said above most places we went had menus in French with English subtitles and the staff spoke reasonable English. The one place we went that was the exception to the rule we still got buy as I had a rudimentary background in French and could identify most of the meats. Our waiter there barely spoke hello but was good humored and we just took a stab in the dark and treated it as an adventure.

One recommendation I would make is to find out the terms for any food allergies and have them written down for easy reference. Good luck in your planning.

Guenmai

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-to-paris.cfm

Happy Travels!

nytraveler

Meeting other singles on vacation is VERY much hit or miss - since most of the singles aren't. I once had a drink with a guy who told me all about his wife - after I made it clear that I was committed and not up for anything more - and 2 nights later overheard him telling another woman he was single (I guess he was for the trip).

That's why I usually have dinner or evening activities only with couples or small groups.

tdk320n

I am a 82 year old female who has traveled extensively on busines trips to Europe and Asia,some solo and some with business associates.

Before my husband passed away 8 years ago we always took lovely trips to Europe. Since his passing I have continued the tradition but now going solo.On a few trips some family members have joined me for 1 week.
I am now finalizing all plans for my annual trip to Europe.
I will be travelling for 7 weeks.
I will be in Paris for 3 weeks, I will go to the Opera, ballet, concerts, museums alone .
I also love the walks that PARIS WALKS offers, which incidentlly is a good way to mingle with other people.
I eat most meals out even though I normally rent an apartment in Paris. I will be celebrating my 83rd birthday while in Paris and plan on having a lovely dinner to celebrate.

I go to nice restaurants, ride the metro and take buses.
I never feel unsafe.
I live in NYC and am used to the hustle of city life.
I am giving you all this background to give you encouragement for your trip. I do not speak French but know the basic polite phrases, can read enough to decipher most menus.
Just take the same precautions that you take in any city in the USA

Have a great trip , Sorry that I will not be there when you are it would have been nice to meet up for a cofee or a glass of wine