I'm leaving for Paris in two weeks. I'll be spending some time with my brother and about a week on my own. I'm staying in St-Germain, and I'd like to be able to go out at night. Can anyone recommend some pubs, bars, jazz bars or cafes where a single woman would feel comfortable? I look forward to your suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Claire. No personal recommendations but this website, listing jazz clubs in Paris, may be of some assistance. <BR> <BR>http://www.jazz-clubs-worldwide.com/docs/france.htm <BR> <BR>St-Germain is a very interesting and lively neighborhood (my favorite in Paris) and I'd think, as a single woman, you'd feel comfortable in most places. Hope you have a wonderful time. <BR>

Claire, <BR> <BR>I've been to Paris solo for a number of times, and I must say that you're perfectly located to go out on your own even without having to use the metro ( which I wouldn't consider particularly safe at night), or having to take taxies or busses. <BR> <BR>There are plenty of restaurants in St. Germain, from bistrots like the Flore and Au Deux Magots among them ( although they are expensive and don't provide a gourmet experience but are great for people watch),to the Procope, at Rue de la Divine Comedie. However, I usually had my meals at Rue St. Andre des Arts, where there are plenty of restaurants that I choose based sololy on the attendance, menu and prices, or in the Odeon area, or in Rue Mouffetard, which is a little, but just a little, far from St. Germain, in the 5eme. <BR> <BR>As night or jazz clubs, I went, and can reccommned you, to Le Bilboquet (my least favorite), to the jazz club in Hotel La Villa, and to La Caveau de la Huchette and felt pretty comfortable in all of them. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Surlok

I'd love feedback on this, too. Also, will women be at ease dining solo at a brasserie or bistro? many thanks.

Jill, <BR> <BR>Of course they will. The only places I'd avoid so are the more formal restaurants or settings. Brasseries and bistrots are perfectly fine to dine solo, as as any places, bars or night clubs that have a casual, informal atmosphere. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>S

Hello Claire, <BR> <BR>I go to Paris whenever i can....you would be safe there. in the 11th arrts. <BR>ther is a bar, Cafe Mercerie 98,rue Oberkampf(metro #3/ St Maur) I know the owner Max, she speaks english and if you go tell her frank said hello. If you want to eat, across the street is Cafe Charbon. The whole area is full of resturants and is near the Marais,the garment district (please forgive any spelling). St Germain is nice.......you may find these other places more interesting. The Marais has tons of little bistros and resturants also.There are some english language weekly's named: F.U.S.A.C, and look for the TIMEOUT <BR>magazine......they are free. Your brother may know about these. i'm a photographer so the best advice I can give you is, have a great time and don't pack your film in your "checked" baggage. <BR>ciao <BR>frank <BR>www.fotographz.com <BR>

Claire, i forgot to mention i photographed for Lionel Hampton on and off for about five years........If you are looking for current Jazz events Try <BR>finding a TIMEOUT. <BR>ciao <BR>frank

Claire, Jill and Frank, <BR> <BR>From a solo female traveler perspective, I still think that St. Germain has more to offer than the Marais, what doesn't mean that you shouldn't go there. <BR>However, the right place to stay and spending most of your time, mostly the evenings, is still St. Germain. Stick with it and you won't regret. <BR> <BR>http://www.timeout.com/paris/intagenda.html <BR> <BR>regards, <BR> <BR>S

I've been to Paris alone several times and find it to be an easy city to dine alone in. Personally, I haven't encountered any overt rudeness and I find the waiters to be particulalry professional. Waiting tables is a job that is seen differently there than in other places, it is a profession rather than a sideline and I believe this is one of the reasons solo diners are not treated differently from souples or gorups. You'll see many Parisians dining alone too.

I agree with Surlok that as a single female, you are likely to have a better experience in a more casual restaurant. This does not mean a cheap crummy place, but nice cafes or bistros. I have been treatly rudely in Paris several times and I think it is sexism; in more expensive traditional places they still treat couples, and single men, better than single women. I have been ignored and given bad tables(which I usually refuse unless I'm really hungry, I have even walked out when they would only seat me near kitchen, etc), and bad service in French restaurants, it really does happen (and I speak fairly good French). I find less-touristy, neighborhoody places more comfortable and pleasant than the snootier ones in St-Germain, those are the ones that have been rude to me (and while they can be ruder in general in those places, I took notice of how they were treating me compared to couples, and it was blatant).