Nlingenfel

I go alone. I am 72, and last Feb, I went to Paris. It is very nice to be alone. You will really enjoy it. I just do anything I want and never have a schedule. But, I have seen the sights on other trips. It's a lovely city. Enjoy.

elizzie4000

ParisWat - just finding my way back here!

I did think that MVG were your initials! No matter. I would love to meet you someday! I'm currently full time caretaker for my 91 yr old Mother so have no travel plans anywhere now. Am grateful that I have been able to travel a lot in the past. Don't know what my future travel life holds for me, sadly.

But, I'm ever hopeful!!

manouche

smalltowntraveler - you'll probably cry - at least once. But these will be tears of relief and probably joy, maybe a little frustration with the French...

Just do everything you would normally do - go have coffee, read a magazine, go for lunch, etc. You can add the extras after that, just as you would at home. It's important to keep your daily rhythm going, and maybe set one goal for the day, that way you won't freak out. You'll have a great time.

smalltowntraveller

Manouche- I am here...first day...already crying. I am with my sister in law that did not prepare well at all. Won't even try to speak french and is afraid if everything! I am trying to enjoy the culture, but am missing moments everywhere wasting time explaining everything to her...please! Someone tell me where charming, romantic Paris is? Spent first day...lost, confused, pushed around, exhausted...crying!

ileen

Please be brave, don't cry.

Go enjoy the lovely boutiques, a walk by the river or even a visit to the gorgeous churches in the area.

In case you are near a park, find a bench and look at the beautiful kids playing.

A tasty macaroon in the mouth will take away the tears anytime. So, go get yourself some yummy bites.

Have fun, you are lucky!

RainyDay09

Oh no. Just relax. You are probably just tired. Don't have huge expectations of your sister in law. You do have the second week by yourself, right? Not every moment will be charming. It will be charming and romantic when you remember it once it is in the past. Enjoy the food, take it easy. jet lag is a b*tch.

manouche

I think the only solution would be to ditch your sister-in-law, and go off on your own.
Park her someplace safe - like a Starbucks - give her a magazine to look at, tell her you'll be back in one hour, and keep your word. Repeat this as often as necessary, maybe up the ante and park her in a cafe next time, but make sure to order for her. It's likely she'll never "get" Paris, but you will.
The only French anyone really needs is "Bonjour" and "Merci" - if she can't manage that much, she needs to stay in the hotel.

Nikki

Charming, romantic Paris can be found in lots of neighborhoods. Where are you staying? Where are you planning to go and what are you hoping to see?

annhig

Hi, STT - hopefully today will be a better day. but if not, do not despair. start with the easy touristy stuff.

what about the HOHO bus? get a cab to the Galleries Lafayettes and shop for clothes, stroll around the Boulevards and the Tuilleries. Even just go for a ride on the metro to get your Paris "feet".

here are some ideas for itineraries and guided walks if that makes your SIL feel happier.

http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/great-paris-walks

Things will get better!

opaldog

I remember our first trip to Paris so many years ago. I too felt completely out of my element that first day. Much of it came from jetlag and my own fears of being in a foreign place and not understanding the language or customs. Our second day was the complete opposite and I fell in love with Paris. The advice people are giving is good. Get out, park your sister-in-law somewhere and just walk, go into stores, stop and have a coffee at a café or better yet a glass of wine. Make something your focus, say for instance a photographic theme. My last trip I took lots of shots of the great street grafitti, as that's my thing. Having a purpose can take your mind off your fears. Good luck and don't forget to look around you and really soak it all in.

TDudette

Don't despair! Jet lag can be a bear. Have the courage of your convictions with your SIL. Just go separately if you don't agree on venues.

pariswat

Hello Elizzie

To all, sorry, seems there is no private message to communicate here..

I'll find a way to contact you on TA...
Mvg means 'met vriendelijke groeten' - best regards in flemish - got into the habbit of signing most of my posts that way... It does confuse a lot of foreigners, even Belgians, since I'm frenchspeaking...

frenchaucoeur

Maybe some guided walking tours or the hop-on-hop-off bus? Batobus (the boat on the Seine)? If you like food, try a Paris by Mouth walking tour--not cheap, but then you'll probably wind up skipping dinner, so it helps balance things out.

http://www.paris-walks.com/

Shopping at the GL won't help you fall in love with Paris. But an hour spent sitting in the Luxembourg Gardens might do it--and no French required.

Good luck. Hope things get better.

kerouac

I will persist in recommending that people go to some of the 'outer' areas to discover parts of Paris that are not completely under tourist control -- for example the Buttes Chaumont, the Canal Saint Martin, Père Lachaise or the Cité Universitaire.

kelsey22

I haven't scrolled up to read all the comments but I felt I had to write - my solo travel to Paris was one of my best trips. In fact, I would say Paris should be everyone's first solo adventure. There are so so many things to do, you will never be bored or feel alone.

powhatangal

Hi smalltowntraveller! Hope your day today was better. At least the sun is out and it will be sunny all week and getting warmer each day! I am in Paris now, too!
How about a cruise on the Seine on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. You can sit there, relax and enjoy seeing the monuments.
Or have tea at ladurée!

willowjane

I hope you had a better day! It really is such a lovely place! Let us know how you are doing!

menachem

smalltowntraveller, Paris is practically designed for the flaneur. All cafes are there to make your wanderings enjoyable, there's a great tolerance for the solitary wanderer. Your one week now you could consider to be research. Take the odd moment off, as has been suggested above, even if it's a vacation of an hour. Your time will come and then you can explore. Maybe research destinations in the city now. As kerouac suggests, there are parts of Paris to discover where tourists go less. Those are your gateway to romantic Paris.

a few secret destinations

http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/1...-secret-paris/

kelsey22

Ok just read about your bad day...tomorrow is a new one - start fresh -

kathyrowe

smalltowntraveller, meantime said it perfectly. it is designed for the flaneur, in fact i flaneured last spring for 6 weeks and will be back this spring for 10. I knew nothing about the city, I wandered and got lost, i spoke no french and it was just magical. it's a quiet city, it's a very poiite city, don't be afraid of the metro, try to stay away from the most touristy spots, be kind and curious and just enjoy the beauty and the long days and everything the city makes you feel. it is magical.