Paris solo
 

My first solo trip to Paris. Second visit but first one a long time ago. Will be there for four complete days. All suggestions appreciated.

Fodorites could write you a book of suggestions! What are your interests? Budget?

Monica ((F))

Yes, I've seen some around but I was hoping to find some more unusual ones. I'm very creative, appreciate art and generally I'm looking for some of the more unusual ones. I do want to get to the Jewish quarter which I had not visited previously. And yes, I'm trying to limit my spending.

Oh, and certainly open to trying some great food.

I know you're wanting answers rather than questions, but....

When are you going?

as a single traveller, try Paris Walks. I also have taken the lunch time course at Ateliers des Chefs (you have to understand French). It is fun and you have a great meal too.

I'm actually here solo now and just spent today in the Jewish quarter (open Sunday - woo hoo!). My favorites there are straight from the Fodors forum, so you've probably heard them:

Musee Carnavalet - excellent collection and free admission... I went today for a little over an hour and realized I need like 2 more hours

Musee Cognacq-Jay - also a fantastic collection and free, though you don't need as much time there

Falafel on Rue de Rosiers - I went to the stand with the whopping line and it was just as fantastic as advertised (and cheap!)

I've also gone on a few Paris Walks tours, which are about 2 hours long for 10 euros. The guides I've had have been great, and I met a group of people that I spent a week with here.

Let's see... if you like chocolate, I highly recommend Paris Walks' chocolate tour, or at least visit Cote de France (four locations). My friend from Brussels who is a chocolate aficianado said their ganache was the best she's ever tasted. It also happens to be near a Japanese neighborhood that has excellent sushi, if you like it.

I've basically just enjoyed going to cafes and parks with a book most. From the Red Wheelbarrow bookstore (an English bookstore) on Rue St. Paul off of Rue de Rivoli, I picked up the letters of Madame de Sevigne (fantastic look at Paris in the 17th century... she also lived at the Musee Carnavalet, which has a few portraits of her) and "A Moveable Feast," which was featured heavily in Paris Walks' Hemingway tour.

It's such a great town for solo travellers!

I'll second the falafel in the Jewish quarter and the Musee Carnavalet (free).

Also, if you want to do a lot of museum hoping, I'd suggest getting a Museum Pass (http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php) It is good for a bunch of Paris sites, plus you don't have to wait in line, just flash the card. You can buy it for 2, 4, or 6 days. It's well worth it.

Plus, get a carnet of 10 metro tickets at any metro booth or kiosk.

If you are into rollerblading (http://www.rollers-coquillages.org/) check out the site. This is a slower paced roll. The fast pace roll is on Friday nights (10-1am) http://www.pari-roller.com/

My method for Paris was to find one special thing I wanted to do as a focus for each day, furthest from my hotel. Take transportation there, see it, then slowly walk my way back, all the way across the city. My best map turned out to be a free entire city map from the hotel lobby.

Traveling solo, I'm not big on fancy restaurants. But rather like to picnic or eat as casual places (just keep your eyes open nearby your hotel during the daytime). If you enjoy wine, buy a glass and corkscrew, and a bottle from a shop to keep at the hotel room.

Paris can be confusing. Grab a business card from your hotel and keep taxi fare on you, in case you get lost or tired... easy to get back "home".

Merci beaucoup for all of your responses. I especially liked the last one. Looking forward to going. Wish it were tomorrow!

The maps that the transit company gives away in Métro stations are excellent as well.

For transport strategies, you might want to check out tinyurl.com/2jv83f

I'm am inimated by the metro, though of course everyone says no need to feel that. That's why I pick an extremely central hotel and hope to do most things on foot. It's a solo safety thing for me...

I start at my hotel and wander in increasing circles around it, getting to know the immediate neighborhood. Just my method.

I have been travelling to Paris alone twice a year for as far back as I can remember. I feel much safer there than in most US cities. I also recommend Paris Walks - great for meeting people and also a bargain. If you like music, there are many free concerts (buy Pariscope or Officiel des Spectacles at a newstand for schedules.) I also enjoy the puppet show at the Luxembourg gardens. I have also met people while at dinner - other diners as well as people working there who have become dear friends. I speak French which is a plus but not essential. Pick up a bus map and take a tour of the city for a price of a ticket! Have fun!

Definitely use the buses!

I was shy about the metro at first, too, but now I'm a metro maniac... love it! It's so easy once you figure out the connections. Plus I bought a Carte Orange (weekly pass), so that's made the whole ticket thing a breeze.

My favorite Paris moment: realizing that the uniformed gentlemen in the underground hadn't been wishing me a good night... they'd been asking to see my ticket. One of them finally spoke English and I retroactively felt like the biggest moron. :-)

Merci beaucoup. Looking forward to using all of your great advice.

Anyone seen the memorial for Princess Diana? If so, worthing seeing?

One place we saw only from the outside lsat time, but I would be sure to see next trip is inside of the St Chappelle chapel with all the amazing glass work.