Solo Travel in Paris: 13 Things To Do by Yourself (2024)
Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 08:28 pm
A (solo) trip to Paris is always a good idea
Whether this is your first time traveling alone or your 100th, Paris is still one of the best cities to get comfortable with being uncomfortably alone. Not just for couples and newlyweds, Paris has something for everyone, but especially the solo traveler.
Paris has everything including affordable accommodation, easy transportation, casual eats to fine dining, and more museums than you can ever possibly count. Below, I’ve rounded up a list of 13 things to do if you ever find yourself alone in the beautiful city of light.
1. Admire the beauty of the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadero – This one might seem fairly obvious but viewing the Eiffel Tower from this specific location gives you a much higher vantage point than if you were standing on ground level. Afterwards, make sure to stop by Cafe du Trocadero for a pain au chocolat, some fantastic people-watching, and continuous views of the tower.
2. Cycle your way through the city by electric bike – Vélib’ Metropole is the easiest way to rent a set of wheels and cruise around Paris! There are over 1,400 docking stations and 20,000 bikes available for rent in greater Paris. A single 45min ride only costs 3€ 🚲
3. Explore the “secret” covered passages – Filled with little shops, restaurants, and a ton of French history, exploring the many passages of Paris is a great way to uncover a different side to the city. The passages were originally built to offer wealthy residents another way to get around, without having to succumb to bad weather or the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets. Now they’ve become a great place for solo travelers, especially on a rainy day.
4. Devour award winning croissants and baguettes – Tout Autour du Pain is located in the trendy Le Marais and has won multiple awards for the best croissant and baguette in all of Paris. Make sure to pop in on a weekday (they’re closed on weekends) for a pain au chocolat and baguette, before heading out to explore one of the busiest neighborhoods in Paris!
For more on bakeries and dessert shops in Paris, check out my post about The Best Pain au Chocolat in Paris: My Ultimate Top 5 Picks.
5. Learn about the liberation of Paris under German rule during WWII – Located directly across from The Catacombs, the Liberation of Paris Museum contains details about the occupation of Paris during WWII, the French Resistance, and how the city was ultimately liberated in 1944. The museum is free to visitors and the exhibits are in both English and French. On average, visitors can expect to spend ~2 hours here.
6. Stroll around Luxembourg Gardens – Having traveled to many different cities previously, Paris definitely wins the award for being home to an abundance of beautiful gardens in the middle of a lively metropolitan area. I’m always amazed at the number of Parisians you’ll find on a nearby park bench, enjoying the sunshine with their nose buried deep in a good book. Free to the public, Luxembourg Gardens is the ideal place to take things slow in an otherwise busy environment.
7. Eat lunch with a furry friend – A total instagram cliché but adorable nonetheless, Le Voltigeur is a relaxed and casual café situated in the 3rd arrondissement. You can make your own hot chocolate (highly recommend) and even get seated with some bear-y cute new friends!
8. Shop ’til you drop at Galeries Lafayette – For those who love to shop, you’ll easily be able to spend an entire day here without getting bored. With an international food hall on the ground floor, over six floors of boutique and luxury brands, and a separate building for Men – Galeries Lafayette is a wonderful place to indulge in some retail therapy.
If shopping isn’t really your thing, head straight to the top of the building for free access to an incredible rooftop with panoramic views overlooking the entire city. La Terrasse is located on the 7th floor and is open to the general public.
9. Support local vendors on Rue Montorgueil – One of the most underrated streets in Paris, Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrian-only street located in the 2nd arrondissement. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this street is only a quarter of a mile long, because it is filled with some of the greatest bakeries, cheese and wine shops, restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and more.
During my visit, I visited this street THREE different times.
The first time, I needed to experience a pain au chocolat from Stohrer, the oldest patisserie in Paris. The next trip, I found myself sitting outside, enjoying a glass of pinot gris with a dozen fresh oysters from Au Rocher de Cancale. My final visit, I walked away from La Fermette with purchases of cheese and salted butter equivalent to my own body weight.
10. Pay respects to Jim Morrison – Nothing to remind you that you’re traveling alone like walking through a cemetery…except the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting grounds for some of the most famous figures including Oscar Widle, Jim Morrison, and Edith Piaf. Add this to the list if you’re a fan of classic rock and/or the arts.
11. Take in the view from the highest hill in Paris – While there aren’t many hills in Paris (thank goodness), the ones that do exist are definitely worth the elevated journey. Montmartre is one of the prettiest parts of Paris with unmatched views of the city. It puts the Galeries Lafayette rooftop to shame.
The best vantage point will be from Square Louis Michele with panoramic views of Paris. For a less crowded but equally beautiful experience, head to Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet (behind Sacré-Cœur) for a quaint and private(ish) garden views.
12. Check out the location where Inception was filmed (Pont de Bir Hakeim) – You know that cool mirrors scene when Ariadne is actively creating changes to dreams in Cobb’s mind? Yeah, that was filmed here. Even if you’re not a fan of Inception, Pont de Bir Hakeim is still a great bridge to walk, drive, or cycle. The bridge gives unobstructed views of The Eiffel Tower while connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements.
13. Take a day trip to the fairytale village of Colmar – Only two hours by train from the city center, I highly recommend a quick visit to Alsace if you have the time. Colmar especially will turn even the skeptics into believers of fairytales with the unique architecture and half-timbered houses from before the 1500’s. It’s a small town rich with food, wine, and a riveting history having changed hands between France and Germany many times before finally returning to France in 1945.
What’s your favorite part about solo travel? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE?
Check out my other travel guides on Europe here.
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Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 08:28 pm
A (solo) trip to Paris is always a good idea
Whether this is your first time traveling alone or your 100th, Paris is still one of the best cities to get comfortable with being uncomfortably alone. Not just for couples and newlyweds, Paris has something for everyone, but especially the solo traveler.
Paris has everything including affordable accommodation, easy transportation, casual eats to fine dining, and more museums than you can ever possibly count. Below, I’ve rounded up a list of 13 things to do if you ever find yourself alone in the beautiful city of light.
1. Admire the beauty of the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadero – This one might seem fairly obvious but viewing the Eiffel Tower from this specific location gives you a much higher vantage point than if you were standing on ground level. Afterwards, make sure to stop by Cafe du Trocadero for a pain au chocolat, some fantastic people-watching, and continuous views of the tower.
2. Cycle your way through the city by electric bike – Vélib’ Metropole is the easiest way to rent a set of wheels and cruise around Paris! There are over 1,400 docking stations and 20,000 bikes available for rent in greater Paris. A single 45min ride only costs 3€ 🚲
3. Explore the “secret” covered passages – Filled with little shops, restaurants, and a ton of French history, exploring the many passages of Paris is a great way to uncover a different side to the city. The passages were originally built to offer wealthy residents another way to get around, without having to succumb to bad weather or the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets. Now they’ve become a great place for solo travelers, especially on a rainy day.
4. Devour award winning croissants and baguettes – Tout Autour du Pain is located in the trendy Le Marais and has won multiple awards for the best croissant and baguette in all of Paris. Make sure to pop in on a weekday (they’re closed on weekends) for a pain au chocolat and baguette, before heading out to explore one of the busiest neighborhoods in Paris!
For more on bakeries and dessert shops in Paris, check out my post about The Best Pain au Chocolat in Paris: My Ultimate Top 5 Picks.
5. Learn about the liberation of Paris under German rule during WWII – Located directly across from The Catacombs, the Liberation of Paris Museum contains details about the occupation of Paris during WWII, the French Resistance, and how the city was ultimately liberated in 1944. The museum is free to visitors and the exhibits are in both English and French. On average, visitors can expect to spend ~2 hours here.
6. Stroll around Luxembourg Gardens – Having traveled to many different cities previously, Paris definitely wins the award for being home to an abundance of beautiful gardens in the middle of a lively metropolitan area. I’m always amazed at the number of Parisians you’ll find on a nearby park bench, enjoying the sunshine with their nose buried deep in a good book. Free to the public, Luxembourg Gardens is the ideal place to take things slow in an otherwise busy environment.
7. Eat lunch with a furry friend – A total instagram cliché but adorable nonetheless, Le Voltigeur is a relaxed and casual café situated in the 3rd arrondissement. You can make your own hot chocolate (highly recommend) and even get seated with some bear-y cute new friends!
8. Shop ’til you drop at Galeries Lafayette – For those who love to shop, you’ll easily be able to spend an entire day here without getting bored. With an international food hall on the ground floor, over six floors of boutique and luxury brands, and a separate building for Men – Galeries Lafayette is a wonderful place to indulge in some retail therapy.
If shopping isn’t really your thing, head straight to the top of the building for free access to an incredible rooftop with panoramic views overlooking the entire city. La Terrasse is located on the 7th floor and is open to the general public.
9. Support local vendors on Rue Montorgueil – One of the most underrated streets in Paris, Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrian-only street located in the 2nd arrondissement. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this street is only a quarter of a mile long, because it is filled with some of the greatest bakeries, cheese and wine shops, restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and more.
During my visit, I visited this street THREE different times.
The first time, I needed to experience a pain au chocolat from Stohrer, the oldest patisserie in Paris. The next trip, I found myself sitting outside, enjoying a glass of pinot gris with a dozen fresh oysters from Au Rocher de Cancale. My final visit, I walked away from La Fermette with purchases of cheese and salted butter equivalent to my own body weight.
10. Pay respects to Jim Morrison – Nothing to remind you that you’re traveling alone like walking through a cemetery…except the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting grounds for some of the most famous figures including Oscar Widle, Jim Morrison, and Edith Piaf. Add this to the list if you’re a fan of classic rock and/or the arts.
11. Take in the view from the highest hill in Paris – While there aren’t many hills in Paris (thank goodness), the ones that do exist are definitely worth the elevated journey. Montmartre is one of the prettiest parts of Paris with unmatched views of the city. It puts the Galeries Lafayette rooftop to shame.
The best vantage point will be from Square Louis Michele with panoramic views of Paris. For a less crowded but equally beautiful experience, head to Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet (behind Sacré-Cœur) for a quaint and private(ish) garden views.
12. Check out the location where Inception was filmed (Pont de Bir Hakeim) – You know that cool mirrors scene when Ariadne is actively creating changes to dreams in Cobb’s mind? Yeah, that was filmed here. Even if you’re not a fan of Inception, Pont de Bir Hakeim is still a great bridge to walk, drive, or cycle. The bridge gives unobstructed views of The Eiffel Tower while connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements.
13. Take a day trip to the fairytale village of Colmar – Only two hours by train from the city center, I highly recommend a quick visit to Alsace if you have the time. Colmar especially will turn even the skeptics into believers of fairytales with the unique architecture and half-timbered houses from before the 1500’s. It’s a small town rich with food, wine, and a riveting history having changed hands between France and Germany many times before finally returning to France in 1945.
What’s your favorite part about solo travel? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE?
Check out my other travel guides on Europe here.
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