Paris Solo Travel Guide
Paris is a colorful city bursting with culture, famous for its renowned museums, architectural landmarks, and superb gastronomy.
In this dazzling city, solo travelers will keep busy with an abundance of activities to experience and sights to explore. Visit world-class museums, such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Taste the notable French cuisine or indulge in a gourmet pastry.
Take a stroll down wide boulevards with shops and boutiques, wander along the riverbanks by the Seine River, or lounge at opulent gardens in the heart of the city.
Traveling by yourself through this wondrous city is great opportunity to truly take-in the magnificent surroundings and explore the vibrant streets, sights, and sounds.
If you’re planning to travel alone to this vibrant city, read below for our solo travel guide to Paris.
What to See
A solo trip to Paris might include a visit to the most famous monuments, a stroll around the lively streets, a tasting of the cuisine, or an outing to the grand museums. There’s plenty of activities to try when holidaying alone.
Eiffel Tower
A distinctive token in the city, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most-visited attractions worldwide. This soaring monument is just over 1,000-feet tall. Visitors can admire the tower from directly below, at a distance, or head up to the observation deck to get a fascinating view of the city.
Stop by the Eiffel Tower at night to see the tower’s lights glisten and sparkle every hour on the hour. Whether you’re enjoying a quick solo getaway to Paris, or relishing in a lengthy vacation by yourself, the Eiffel Tower is not to be missed!
Luxembourg Gardens
This 60-acre park is a fantastic retreat from the busy city streets. Stroll around the remarkable grounds, past fountains, sculptures, ponds, and flowerbeds. The park is surrounded by ample green space and chairs, perfect for grabbing a seat and relaxing. A spectacular spot for solo travelers to stop by, bring a baguette and cheeses for a picnic, read a book, people-watch, or take a stroll through the paths.
Montmartre
Perched on a hill, this charming district is known for its artistic history and the captivating Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Wander through the cobbled streets, cozy cafes, and artists’ paintings on display. Hop on the funicular or climb up the steps to the top of the hill to take in the views of the city. Offering a quirky vibe, Montmartre is an interesting area to check out.
Louvre Museum
This historic landmark is the largest museum in the world, and home to famous masterpieces including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa painting. There are over 35,000 works of art on display, spanning over 10,000 years of history. As a former palace, the building itself is a standout. Admire the magnificent painted ceilings, ornate furnishings, and opulent atmosphere. Single travelers that wish to uncover the rich history of the palace, or gain insight into the works of art can book a guided tour.
Pont Alexandre III
Completed in 1900, this deck arch bridge crosses the Seine River, connecting the Champs-Élysées district to the district with the Eiffel Tower. Considered to be the most grandiose bridge in Paris, admire the ornate details including the embellished lamp posts and gold-plated statues. The bridge is located in close proximity to some of Paris’ other attractions such as the Invalides, Grand Palais, and Petit Palais. It’s a great stop for solo travelers that are strolling along the river banks or while walking from one attraction to another.
Palais Garnier
Explore the magnificent venue, complete with painted ceilings, extravagant gold detailing, crystal chandeliers, and a marble grand staircase. While there are opera and ballet performances you can attend, a tour through the facilities also showcases the beautiful interior.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Whether you are looking to shop or browse, this historic luxury department store has a plethora of eye-catching items. You’ll find gourmet food at the market, interesting gift items, upscale fashion, and spectacular architecture. While the stunning interior is worth admiring, you can also make your way up to the rooftop terrace for a fabulous view of the city.
Musée d’Orsay
Situated on the riverbank of the Seine River, the museum building is uniquely shaped as a former railway station. The Musée d’Orsay is recognized worldwide for its extensive collection of Impressionist art. You’ll uncover famous pieces such as Van Gogh’s A Starry Night painting and various acclaimed pieces from Monet.
Seine River
The Seine River flows through the heart of the city, separating the Left Bank and the Right Bank. Enjoy a beautiful walk along the riverbanks, taking in the charming surroundings and idyllic atmosphere. Along the walk, pass by alluring bridges and interesting architecture that line the river. Alternatively, hop on a boat for a sightseeing tour down the river.
What To Eat
Paris is recognized for its gastronomy and eclectic culinary scene. You’ll find gourmet dishes at Michelin star restaurants, mouthwatering desserts at a patisserie, or local flavors at a brasserie. Stop by a boulangerie for a fresh baguette, or a cafe for a tasty crêpe. While on vacation alone, you’ll have your pick from upscale restaurants, cozy cafes, and those in-between.
French Pastries + Baked Goods
Paris is brimming with bakeries, often referred to as boulangeries. You’ll find traditional French pastries, including croissants, French loaves, apple galettes, brioche, and more. Top highly-rated spots include Boulangerie Utopie, Pain Pain, and Du Pain et des Idées.
Crêpes + Galettes
Crêpes are thin pancakes often topped with condiments such as fresh fruits, cream, and chocolate. By contrast, galettes are savory pancakes often made with buckwheat flour. They are great as a small meal or a filling snack. There are plenty of crêpe shops offering a wide range of tasty flavors. Try Breizh Cafe, a top choice with multiple locations located throughout the city.
Croque Monsieur
This popular dish is a simple hot sandwich with ham and Gruyère cheese, often topped with béchamel sauce. You’ll be able to try one at many French cafes and restaurants around the city, such as Le Petit Cler and Brasserie Les Deux Palais.
French Cuisine
There’s no shortage of eateries offering traditional French cuisine. Typically, you’ll be able to choose from classic dishes such as French Onion Soup, Escargot, Croque Monsieur and Duck Confit. Solo women looking for a casual, well-rounded spot for French cuisine can try La Jacobine or Chez Gladines Saint-Germain.
Where to Stay
The city of Paris is divided into 20 districts called arrondissements. Single-digit arrondissements are more centrally-located, providing convenient access to the top attractions and amenities. Women planning to travel alone can choose from a variety of fantastic neighborhoods on both the left side and the right side of the Seine River.
6th Arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)
Situated on the left bank of the city, this vibrant district is lined with a multitude of cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s also home to the popular Luxembourg Gardens, the majestic royal gardens known for its tree-lined promenades. Solo travelers will have plenty of excitement to uncover when staying in this energetic district.
7th Arrondissement
In the heart of Paris, the 7th Arrondissement is home to a collection of landmarks and museums including the iconic Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and the Musée d’Orsay. This neighborhood is a fantastic location for solo women to conveniently explore many of the top attractions on foot. A myriad of cafes and restaurants are also available in this area.
3rd/4th Arrondissement (Le Marais)
Le Marais is a great district for solo travelers looking for an energetic vibe and trendy boutiques. It’s a diverse and lively neighborhood. The narrow streets of this district are great to walk around, and the area is filled with plenty of bars, eateries, and shops.
5th Arrondissement (Latin Quarter)
This lively district is one of the oldest arrondissements in the city. It is home to the Latin Quarter and the impressive Panthéon building. It is also home to the captivating Musée de Cluny, a gothic museum focused on the Middle Ages in Paris. The area is great for solo travelers that are looking for a more budget-friendly option. You’ll also find cozy cafes, quirky book shops, and restaurants.
How to Get Around Paris
Paris has an excellent public train system for getting around the city. The Paris Metro is an efficient and affordable way for single travelers to navigate the city. The extensive metro system features 300 stations and 16 metro lines.
Within Paris’ transportation system, you can choose from various types of travel passes and ticket options depending on your needs. Travel passes include options offering unlimited travel on the city’s public transportation networks for your choice of 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. When traveling by yourself, this convenient option may help you get the most out of your visit, and to swiftly explore the entire city.
Once you reach the city center, there are many opportunities to explore the streets and attractions. There are several bridges along the Seine River, connecting the left and right sides of the city. Many of the centrally-located arrondissements (1 – 7) are also quite walkable, providing the opportunity to uncover top attractions, browse shops, see the city atmosphere and explore the charming streets on foot.
For single travelers looking to get from the Paris Airport (Charles de Gaulle) to the city center, there is a direct RER train, which is the regional train transport system.