How To Travel Solo in Paris

Say bonjour to the best place in France for solo travel

Paris is widely regarded as one of the most romantic tourist destinations in the world. However, Paris is also a magical city of lights perfect for the solo traveler looking to have transformative experiences of culture, events, music, art, history, beauty, and crepes.Seeing Paris by yourself is a wanderlust dream come true, so don’t let the thought of traveling to Paris alone dissuade you from planning that trip across the Atlantic. We’ve made it our mission to scour every inch of this beautiful city to bring you these essential Paris traveling tips… now you can take your own Tour de France.

Find the perfect place to stay

Before starting your solo Parisian adventure, you’ll need a place to call home. Experiencing Paree as a solo traveler is the ultimate cultural immersion and an aesthetic indulgence for both budget-travelers and luxury seekers alike. Here’s a few recommendations for the best neighborhoods in Paris.

• Marais is a neighborhood for art-lovers, with a bustling nightlife and culturally rich art scene.

• Ile Saint-Louis on the river offers a charming retreat from the rest of the city if you prefer a quieter spot away from the hustle and bustle.

• Montmartre’s cobblestone streets and beautiful Sacré Coeur Cathedral lends an air of old-world enchantment for travelers hoping to immerse themselves in the Paris of the past.

Visit all the monuments and museums you can

While sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre are obvious to-dos, there’s an endless array of additional exciting activities to consider.

• The Musée du Quai Branly is a museum dedicated to non-European art and culture and is surrounded by a beautiful garden along the Seine riverbank.

• 59 Rivoli is a former bank that’s been transformed into an artist collective where guests can chat with artists as they exhibit their work.

• The underground catacombs is an entire tunnel network featuring an impressive maze of galleries, history, and wonder, best completed through a guided tour.

Enjoy the local cuisine

One of the best perks of solo travel in Paris is getting seated before groups in many of the city’s social cafés and eateries. And those with a sweet tooth will be in heaven in the city’s unforgettable boulangeries and patisseries.

• La Frégate is an excellent spot to break for a taste of old Paris with some wine and oysters in between museum visits.

• Le Select in Montparnasse, or Café de Flore in Saint-Germain, are traditional Parisian cafés where you can enjoy top-notch coffee and croissants.

• Joining a chef-guided cuisine tour or sampling all around the Montmartre food market will have you in taste-bud bliss.

Experience the famous nightlife of the French 

Whether you’re after a glass of crystal under chandeliers or French kisses at the Moulin Rouge, the nightlife in Paris is not to be underestimated. Stimulating company and night-long entertainment are guaranteed, while the rest is up to you! No matter who you are, you can find your niche in Paris. And at the end of the night, you can always rely on the stunning glow of the city’s architecture under the starry streetlamps to illuminate your walk home.

• The Pont Neuf Bridge or the Pont des Arts are excellent choices for an evening stroll.

• The trendy Le Showcase or Prescription Cocktail Club on the Rue Mazarine are just two of the numerous nightclubs to pop into if you need some excitement in your evening.

• Attend a Parisian cabaret show at The Moulin Rouge or get tickets to a classical concert at the Parisian Opera house, The Palais Garnier.

Check out the flea market

When you plan a trip to Paris just for the weekend, be sure to visit Porte de Clingancourt for one of the largest flea markets in the world. Open every Saturday through Monday, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen stretches over 7 hectares (roughly 17 acres) and includes 2500 vendors offering bargains on every item from home furnishings and clothing to antiques and trinkets. Save yourself some guesswork and book a guided tour with a local shopper to get the inside track on which stalls to visit for specific items and money-saving deals.

Go shopping

No trip to Paris is complete without a trip to the highstreets. After all, you’ll need a souvenir from your time spent in the French capital, at the very least. Luckily, there’s no shortage of shopping in Paris. Followers of the high-fashion scene will especially enjoy all that the city’s many markets and boutiques offer.

• The Golden Triangle, located in the 8th arrondissement, provides the latest in chic clothing and home decor. You’ll also find plenty of vintage clothing shops showcasing fashion styles worn by Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, or maybe even Mona Lisa.
• The Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées is a massive retail space that seamlessly mixes the best of modern fashion, food, and home furnishings, within the historic city architecture.

Join a guided walking tour

If you want to experience the best of Paris from a local’s perspective, book a spot on a walking tour. They’re an excellent way for first-time travelers to make the most of a visit to the city. You can find walking tours that take you to all of the significant landmarks, along with an eclectic mix of themed tours.

• Take a guided walk through the historic Bohemian Montmartre.

• Go off the beaten path with a tour of the vibrant street art scene.
• Treat yourself to a tour of Paris’s premier chocolatiers, and you’ll definitely make new friends along the way too.

Take a cooking class

Use your trip to Paris as an excuse to try your hand at cooking French cuisine. You can sign up for a course that will teach you how to make the perfect macaron or provide instruction on the intricacies of food and wine pairings.

• If you’re unsure where to look, the École de Cuisine Alain Ducasse is a good place to start. It offers classes in English and features cooking, pastry, and wine tasting courses.

Get out of the city

While there’s more than enough to experience in the city, a quick day trip outside the center has its own rewards.

• The Palace of Versailles is only a short drive from the city.

• You can easily spend a day touring the local French chateaux or enjoying a leisurely stroll through a quiet small French town.
• Foodies may enjoy a visit to the city of Meaux, where locals craft unique varieties of brie and mustard.

More tips for things to do alone in Paris

Rent a bike and explore the cobblestone streets of the 3rd arrondissement, enjoy a sip of wine outside a Parisian cafe, and take a night tour of the Seine by boat. Above all, enjoy Paris at your own pace.

Are you ready to start your solo travels through Paris? You can find more inspo from our top travel tips for first-time Parisian visitors. And whether you’re nouveau to Paris or a seasoned visitor, you can always find a room at the best rate out there with our list of hotel deals in Paris. Voila!

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