So, you’re planning a solo trip to Paris? That is GREAT news. As our founder, Jay, can attest - exploring Paris solo is one of the best ways to see the city. Of course we love our friends and family, but on your own you can turn down any random cute street you see, have an ice cream for breakfast, and take forever in the boutiques. You’re more likely to meet people and make new friends. There aren’t a ton of modifications you’d need to make when traveling to Paris solo versus with a group, but we’ll lay out some things to think about and our top tips in this post.
And whether or not you’re traveling alone to Paris, you’ll want to check out our extensive list of Tips to Paris. It was so helpful, we wrote a Part Two.
A Few Things to Know When Planning a Solo Trip to Paris
Do I have to Speak French?
If you speak English or French, you are going to have little to no difficulty communicating in Paris. It’s not like the rest of France where French is fairly imperative. Paris is an international city, so you’ll hear English everywhere. That said, please do make an effort to learn a few phrases, as it’s respectful and polite to make an effort, and important to never assume someone speaks English.
Is Paris Safe For Solo Travel?
Paris is a very safe city. Our team includes several women who have lived in Paris for over a decade and can attest to the general safety of the city. That said, the energy of Paris is very different between those who live here and those who are visiting. As a traveler, you’ll want to stay aware of your belongings, and if you’re a woman traveling alone, we encourage you to return home before the metro closes, stay somewhere central (more on this below) and well, essentially exercise the same precautions you might when in a big city in your home country. Paris isn’t particularly dangerous - but it is still a city.
On the metro, keep your phone in your bag or front/hidden pocket - same with major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower or Sacre-Coeur. Stay aware and away from any scams (again, these will be found in places like the Louvre, where many visitors gather). Don’t carry a ton of cash, and when biking wear a helmet.
For more extensive articles on preparing to Paris, being safe in Paris, and more, be sure to grab our Guide.
Our Advice on How To Plan A Solo Trip To Paris
Paris in My Pocket exists to help you have the best possible time in Paris. That said, we are one perspective. Stick with us if you want a safe, local, fun, and tasty experience in the city of lights. We aren’t luxury; we aren’t trends; we aren’t fashion-forward. But we do love good coffee, long walks, and top notch cuisine. Keeping that in mind, here is how we could plan a solo trip to Paris.
Step 1: Choose The Right Arrondissement
For the solo traveler, we want to emphasize that central is best. Central will be busier, but secure. It means fewer dark and empty streets, and easy access to lots of metros. For a full breakdown of Jay’s recommendations for first time travelers, check out this vlog. Bear in mind that for the solo traveler, we wouldn’t recommend neigborhoods near the Eiffel tower. See more below.
Step 2: Plan Around Walkable Clusters
AKA build your day around a certain neighborhood. This will allow you to walk from one place to another as well as get to know a specific area of the city really well. We have several itineraries available in our Guide+ as well as on our Instagram.
Step 3: Book Major Attractions in Advance
Like, a week or two in advance. If you’re traveling during the spring, summer, or autumn, chances are Paris will be busy. You’ll want to grab as many monument and museum tickets as early as you can. We love booking through Get Your Guide for tickets, as they have great customer service (often better than the museums themselves!). Otherwise, for tours and hands on experiences, we recommend booking direct.
This holds true for restaurants, too. If you can book in advance, do. Nothing is worse than trying to find a place that will take you while hungry and solo!
Step 4: Transportation Strategy
Study local transportation and get ready to go! Check out our video on using the metro in Paris - it’s from two years ago, and we’ll release updated information soon, but the basics will still hold true.
On that note, let’s move on to:
Where To Stay In Paris As A Solo Female Traveler
Here are three neighborhoods we’d recommend as a good choice for the solo female identifying traveler, or solo traveler in general. Check out each neighborhood on Google Maps to get a feel for what area of town it’s in.
The Marais
It’s bustling, central, and very easy to get to and from both by foot and by train. You’ll have much of what you need at your fingertips, meaning you can stay close to home if you’d like and still have a fantastic experience.
Oberkampf
For those looking for a more local vibe without super creepy empty streets at night, Oberkampf has great nightlife and is always busy. You’ll find some of the best things to eat and drink in the 11th arrondissement, and public transportation will get you anywhere you need to go quickly and efficiently.
Saint-Germain
Similar to the Marais, this area is very central and quite busy most of the time. Easy access to the river (exercise caution around the river and the canal at night, of course). Again, you can spend a day here and see much of the authentic side of Paris. Also, it’s great for those who like morning runs in the Jardin de Luxembourg.
Avoid staying near train stations. They are almost never secure and safe at night.
Our Top Picks for What To Do On A Solo Trip To Paris
When planning any trip, you’ll wonder what to do. Traveling solo can make this so much easier, because you only have to worry about yourself. In a city overflowing with things to do, we’ve put together 12 recommendations for you (in addition to food recommendations below). For this list, we’ve thought about cost, vibe, and safety. With these tips, you’ll be able to plan the best possible trip to Paris.
What to Do For Free in Paris
Carnavalet Museum
This is perhaps our favorite museum in Paris - and it’s free! The Carnavalet museum is the museum of the history of Paris, and it truly covers everything. You’ll be amazed at the first room which is filled with old, gorgeous, wrought iron signs. Our biggest tip is not to skip the top floor, as that’s where all the information about the French Revolution of 1789 is, and thus is an exciting and familiar floor. It’s easy to spend a couple afternooons in this museum, and it’s free, so if you have multiple rainy days, don’t shy away from returning!
Notre-Dame
Notre-Dame finally opened her doors back to the public in the winter of 2024, and the cathedral is absolutely worth a visit. Visiting churches is something we always recommend doing solo, as it’s a different experience for everyone; religious, spiritual, or otherwise. Don’t be alarmed at the line outside; it moves super quickly and you’ll be inside in no time.
Walk the Latin Quarter
Paris is known for its beautiful cobbled streets, tucked away cafés, churches, and hidden corners. One of the best places in the city to wander solo is the Latin quarter: central but not too busy, and still overflowing with the charm of the old artists’ days. If you’re looking for a full, planned itinerary, we have one available with our Guide+. You’ll get our favorite places to eat and drink, best ways to walk, and a little history along the way.
Best Indoor Experiences for Rainy Day in Paris
Atelier des Lumières
The Atelier des Lumières is basically a meditative experience, and perfect for the solo traveler. Even when we go with friends, we’ll find ourselves separated from them to wander alone. This building is dedicated to making art come alive - projected on the wall and set to music, you can experience art like you never have before. Sometimes they even have special exhibits on dinosaurs, the cosmos, and more. Definitely worth seeing what’s on the agenda!
Coffee Experience at Substance
Looking to hone your coffee knowlege and learn more about the process? We’d only recommend this for the true coffee connoisseur - the tasting at Substance is an exceptional way to spend part of your day in the City of Light. They run a few 2-hour sessions a day, with limited seats available at each. Booking opens about a week out, and you can check the calendar and reserve here. Substance is located in the 2nd arrondissement, which means it’s perfectly central for any way you want to head when you’re fully caffeinated after.
Cooking Class with La Cuisine
And now, let’s get our hands sticky! If you’ve ever wondered how to make a French Patisserie, this is the place you want to book. We’ve even sent our own friends and family to the Macaron classes here. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Paris, and it’s located in the Marais - perfect to sandwich in between some wandering or shopping!
Best Outdoor Activites and Tours in Paris
Badass Tours
Badass Tours is new to the Paris tourism scene as a company, opened by, in our humble opinion, one of the best tour guides in Paris - Mark Daly. Badass Tours is the cool cousin to segway tours and bike tours (though we love all of them). On an electric scooter, Mark or one of his fantastic guides will take you around the city. You’ll get slammed with history and chances are will meet some other pretty cool people while on tour. Learn more and book your tour here.
Food Tour
When in doubt, eat. Part of why you’re in Paris is probably for the food, so why not take a food tour? Our top company we recommend for food tours is Devour - they’ve been touring in Paris for years and have curated a stellar Ultimate Food tour, where you’ll visit the Enfants Rouge, nibble macarons and chocolate and be a total gourmand, as the French say. Check them out here.
If you’re looking for even more experiences, we do recommend bike tours, motorcycle tours, and more. We have friends all over the city that will guide you like a local while having a laugh. Find them all here.
Vedettes du Pont Neuf
If you’re looking for a simple Seine cruise, ditch Bateaux Mouches, and hit up the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. They’re essentially the same thing, except Vedettes du Pont Neuf doesn’t quite corral you in like sardines the way they do with Bateaux Mouches. Our top tip? Book the tour that starts around sunset, and you’ll hit the Eiffel tower for its first sparkle of the evening! You can also bring yourself a little half bottle of champagne and cheers to yourself for an epic solo adventure to Paris.
Best Views of Paris
Arc get Triomphe
One of the best views of the city is the underrated view from the Arc de Triomphe. Tickets are about €16 for a full panoramic view. You’ll want to head under the arc via one of the two tunnels (please do not try to cross the traffic circle above ground!). Once on the “island” you can take photos and see the tomb of the unnamed soldier before ascending the 284 steps to the top (with a pause part of the way up for a small museum and giftshop). We recommend getting your tickets ahead of time, as the lines can be long.
Outlook of Montmartre
A classic view of Paris is from the top of the hill of Montmartre. This one isn’t overrated, even though it’s wildly famous and popular - and for good reason. Spread out below you, you’ll see Paris from practically point A to point Z, famous landmarks sprinkled about. It’s really fun to see if you can find Notre-Dame (not as easy as it sounds!) and the colorful Pompidou center (closed until 2030). Do be aware of your surroundings up here, as it can be very crowded, and there can be pickpockets. But otherwise, it’s a must visit.
If you’re looking to spend the full day in Montmartre, but are feeling overwhelmed with the winding streets and tourist traps, then you’re in luck - as part of our Guide+, we’ve curated three full day walking itineraries of various neighborhoods of Paris. And one of those is an itinerary to Montmartre from coffee to lunch to evening drinks, with walks and drinks sprinkled in between. Grab yours here.
Towers of Notre-Dame
The Towers of Notre-Dame win the most-central-view-possible in Paris. While not as tall as the other outlooks, Notre-Dame’s tours are the most classic you can find. For €16 you can ascend the winding steps up one of the towers to claim your seat next to a Gargoyle, and snap a photo down the Seine. These towers have been closed for years as Notre-Dame underwent restorative work following the fire of 2019. We’re thrilled they’re open to the public again, and highly recommend it.
As a reminder from above, if you don’t plan on climbing the towers, entrance to Notre-Dame is completely free. Don’t let anyone sell you a ticket to anything other than the towers!
Our Top Places for Where To Eat Solo In Paris
Eating solo is practically a national pastime here! So many Parisians do it; it’s not at all unusual to see someone dining alone, and you’ll very rarely be judged by anyone. That said, we understand it can feel weird, especially coming from a culture that might not be as used to it. We can feel the pull to our phones or books, rather than just existing. Here are a few places we’ve frequented solo, and can reassure you that you’ll have a wonderful experience.
For breakfast or coffee
Strada
Strada is a well-loved coffee shop of our founder, Jay. He’s been going here for years, and it still holds up. Not many specialty coffee shops in Paris also do a full breakfast, but Strada does. Whether you want a croissant, muesli, or full scrambled eggs with bacon, they’ll have you covered. Their coffee is top notch, and their café is luminous and airy. They even have a space to work if you have any business to knock out during your trip.
Le Peloton Café
This is a fantastic place to hang out as a solo traveler because it’s run by an American and a New Zealander, and their families. That means it’s a huge anglophone hub, ready to pull you in and chat for a while, especially if you’re craving something that feels familiar and safe. Le Peloton doesn’t have full breakfast offerings, but they make a mean coffee and they have fantastic gourmet stuffed croissants… or rather, Croissandwiches!
If you’re looking for more incredible coffee in Paris, we’ve written a blog about it.
For Lunch or Dinner
Petit Bao
The Bao family has Chinese restaurants all over Paris. We were going to recommend them for their fantastic energy and wonderful team members, but then we discovered they actually have something called a SOLO MEAL. That’s right, they’re now catering to solo travelers. This means you can rock up to Petit Bao and spend 15 euros on a tasty bowl of something amazing. Now, you’ll probably end up spending a bit more because their menu is fire, but hey, the option for a simple solo meal is on the table - and you know you’ll be welcome.
Café Charlot
Café Charlot feels like home. You’ll catch French locals and tourists alike there, indulging in classic Parisan bistrot meals. Grab a table for one, and take your time tasting all the favorites France has to offer.
For Drinks
Abricot Bar
A haven for solo travelers, Abricot Bar has a welcoming team that will make you feel at home when you visit. Pull up a stool at the bar and get to chatting, or sit in the alcove with a book. As a woman founded bar, this is a very safe place to hang out in the evenings in Paris. They’re also completely plant based, so if you’re vegan be sure to try their nachos and other nibbles.
Le 18 Oberkampf
Le 18 Oberkampf is a place we’ve been going for years - we’ve even hosted parties and birthdays there. On Wednesdays, it’s a great, chill place to go for jazz, and the rest of the time, you’ll be in a cozy, small bar, with fun staff (hi Craig!) that will give you a good laugh if you need it. This is also a great place to get a simple cheese and charcuterie board for your meal. Parisian girl dinner, anyone?
How Much Does A Solo Trip To Paris Cost?
We’re going to go ahead and assume that if you’re asking this question, it’s because you like to plan ahead, budget, and that you’re possibly seeking an answer that won’t break the bank.
You might have heard that Paris is crazy expensive. And this as a blanket statement isn’t true. It all depends on where you come from - not how wealthy you personally are, but rather, your frame of reference. If you’re coming from New York City, Los Angeles, London, and other major cities, you’ll likely find Paris to be equal if not more affordable. If you’re coming from smaller towns, the prices will be unpleasant, but not unmanagaeble.
Let’s lay out a sample day, trying to stick to a lighter budget, but wanting to experience the best and not just get to-go foods. If you grab a coffee and a muesli at Strada, you’re spending about €12. You could get a nice french main+glass of wine at Brasserie Dubillot for about €25. A solo meal at Petit Bao for dinner (give or take drink or dessert) will set you about €20. Add a glass of wine on a terrasse somewhere for €5, a few metro tickets for €8, and a day filled with free activities, you’re at about €65 for the day. If you have a budget of €60-€100 per day in Paris, hotel aside, you’ll be able to make great things happen.
Remember, the price you see is the price you get in France! All taxes are baked in, so if your coffee is listed on the menu for €5, that’s what you’ll pay.
(ADD THIS IN TIP BOX) And when it comes to traveling and conversion rates, our best advice for you is to grab a Wise card. Wise always has the most up to date conversion rates and fair fee. You can get a physical card (which you can freeze via the app on your phone - great in case of pickpockets!) and a digital card, where you can convert currency directly in the app before spending our withdrawing cash as needed.
And when it comes to traveling and conversion rates, our best advice for you is to grab a Wise card. Wise always has the most up to date conversion rates and fair fee. You can get a physical card (which you can freeze via the app on your phone - great in case of pickpockets!) and a digital card, where you can convert currency directly in the app before spending our withdrawing cash as needed.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Paris For The Solo Traveler
This is a question we often receive about Paris in general, whether for people traveling in groups or solo. When traveling solo, we recommend spring summer (barring August), and early autumn. This is high travel season for Paris, so places will be open, people will be energized, there will be lots to do, and you’ll have to actively search to find yourself in uncomfortable, empty streets.
If you’re looking for even more information while traveling to Paris, be sure to grab our guide. While you might not be traveling with friends this time, our guide will make you feel like you’re planning the trip with a buddy. We’ll give you our unfiltered opinion on the best things to eat, drink, and see during your time here. You’ll have the best possible time in Paris, or money back guaranteed.
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