Over 44 million people visit France’s lovestruck capital, Paris, every year and while it’s known to many as the ‘city of love,’ there’s much more to this European gem than simply proposal spots and honeymoon destinations.
While romantic strolls along the Seine sound tempting, Paris’s allure truly comes from its historic neighbourhoods, renaissance-inspired art scene, and culinary delights. In fact, there are plenty of hidden spots to discover if you’re looking to visit Paris as a solo traveller, especially if you’re willing to venture beyond classic tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide on solo-travelling Paris for an experience that leaves you falling head over heels for this charming European hot spot.
Learn some basic French
Before you jet off to the city, it’s important to get to grips with some basic French phrases, especially if you’re travelling alone. While most people in Paris speak English, too, it’s crucial to know important phrases such as ‘Can you direct me to Gare du Nord train station? (Ou est la gare du Nord?)’ ’ or ‘Do you speak English?’ (parlez-vous anglaise?)’
Remember that without fellow travellers to help you out, you are responsible for your own safety and must direct yourself around the city. Knowing some French beforehand could come to your aid in a sticky situation and make for a more seamless travel experience.
Explore the classic neighbourhoods
One of the best ways to tour Paris is to take a walking tour around some of the city’s classic neighbourhoods.
If you’re a solo traveller looking to get a taste of a true Parisian lifestyle, take a stroll down Montmartre’s cobblestoned Rue Caulaincourt or enjoy a guided tour of Paris’ oldest district, The Latin Quarter for historic architecture and classic French culture.
For those visiting Paris for the bustling art scene, why not also check out Saint Germain? This eclectic district is filled with the best artsy cafes frequented by some of the best jazz musicians, famous writers, and artsy students.
Take a trip to one of the city’s many art museums
Paris is well known for its collection of historic art. As the home to the world-famous Mona Lisa and some of the greatest impressionist and post-impressionist paintings from renowned artists, including Van Gogh and Monet, there’s plenty to discover if you’re an art buff in the city. Some of the key locations to visit are Musée du Louvre for Mona Lisa and worldly artifacts dating back 10,000 years, as well as Musée d’Orsay for works of art by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
Sample the city’s authentic cuisine
You simply can’t visit Paris without experiencing some of its finest dining hot spots, and you’ll be pleased to discover that dining alone in Paris is an easy affair. With plenty of cafés and restaurants offering the classic outdoor people-watching table spots, you’ll find that most city-dwellers eat alone between work and play.
To start the day off right, take a stroll to Breizh Café for the best sweet and savoury crepes in the city. If you’re still feeling peckish, why not taste some of the Instagrammable macarons from Ladurée for the perfect sweet treat? As you hit the evening, trial some of the most authentic restaurants in town such as Chez L’Ami Louis and Bistrot Paul Bert if you truly want to eat like a local.
Speed up your sightseeing with a boat trip along the Seine
If you’re only stepping into the city of Paris for a day or two, there are plenty of ways to ensure that you don’t miss any of the city’s classic sightseeing spots. Boat cruises may seem like they should appear in a romantic itinerary, but taking a boat-based river tour along the Seine is actually the perfect way to see some of Paris’ most famous tourist attractions in a charming way.
The Batobus boat glides along the Seine, passing through the remains of Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Grand Palais, and Petit Palais, as well as some of the best examples of Renaissance-style architecture. Better still, Batobus boat views of the Eiffel Tower are truly unmatched, especially if you want to snap a picture away from all of the tourist hot spots.
Take a day trip to Montmartre
Montmartre is a traditional Parisian village situated in the heart of the city. Home to artistic greats such as Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, this cobblestone pocket is truly unmissable if you’re looking for the best scenic spot as a solo traveller.
While Montmartre is at the top of a hill, the climb is certainly worth the effort. At the top, you’ll find the historic Basilica of Sacré Cœur, a famous Parisian church built in 1914. Better still, from the steps of Sacré Cœur, you’ll see some of the best views Paris has to offer
Finish off your trip with downtime in Jardin du Luxembourg
After a long day exploring the city, why not take in the sunset from Jardin Du Luxembourg? As Paris’ second largest park, it packs some of the best scenic views, garden displays and out-of-the-city tranquillity needed after walking through crowded streets. Take a baguette and a solo bottle of something nice just before sunset, and you’ll have a perfect picnic to round up another successful trip in Europe.
