Hi everyone. I%26#39;ve been wanting to go to Paris forever, and now I finally have the means to do so. Unfortunately, the only friends I would consider taking such a trip with either do not have the $$ or have been to Paris before and do not like it enough to go through the expense of going again. I want to go badly enough that I would not mind going by myself. However, has anyone had the experience of going to Paris alone before? If so, is it safe enough, or are there people who prey on people walking alone? I speak French quite well so assimilation wouldn%26#39;t be too much of a problem. Would there be plenty to do for someone going alone? Any advice would be appreciated. Merci en avance.
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I%26#39;m planning to spend some time in Paris alone later in the year - and I%26#39;m pretty optimistic it will be OK.
In the past I%26#39;ve been to Paris a few times (admittedly, usually in company) and it%26#39;s always been a great place to spend time... museums, bars, architecture. There are cinemas in the centre that show movies in English if you%26#39;ve got nothing to do of an evening, but I am looking forward to just sitting in a cafe reading.
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Scott,
I try to make it to Paris 3-4 times a year and I love traveling alone. A few weeks before I go I put a post up on TA and usually a group of people get together. From that point I find a few people to hang around with for dinner and maybe a day or two of touring.
You%26#39;ll have a great time and you%26#39;ll be surprised how much ground you can cover when you are by yourself.
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There are lots of people walking alone, both locals and tourists, you%26#39;ll be fine.
If you%26#39;re stuck, take a hop on hop off bus (the green one is the best, it%26#39;s called L%26#39;Open Tour or something like that). It%26#39;s a great way to see lots of Paris in a short period of time.
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I would much rather go alone to Paris or anywhere else for that matter than to not get to go to the places I want to.....not get to eat where I want to because travel partner does not want to spend the money...etc. etc. I went with my husband a few years ago...while we had a great time....there was a day when I just wanted to take my time and stroll thru the Louvre...he was done in 20 minutes. I am going to Paris alone in November on my way to another country and I am so excited to think that if I want to spend all day at the Louvre or whereever I can.....so go for it!!! Like any city...just use common sense...be aware of your surroundings....walk with a purpose like you own the place or live there. I also make sure I stay in areas that have lots of people around...both day or night. I don%26#39;t know if there is the gypsy problem that they had a few years ago...but we always checked our backs and if alone I would be aware of every direction around me....I saw a man get pickpocketed going up an escalator....everyone shouted and they got the kids( and the kids can be very cute and little....watch out!)......you don%26#39;t have to look like a nervous wreck but I always keep my eyes focused up and not at the ground. Simple but it helps.
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I%26#39;ve visited Paris alone for a few days last year while my family was in eastern France. I just took the train to Paris alone as I figured since I%26#39;m that close why not? It was wonderful as it%26#39;s a safe city to wander around alone provided you are aware of your surroundings. KG summarizes my feelings exactly. Enjoy your solo visit and since you speak fluent French (I don%26#39;t) it will be most helpful although not a requirement.
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My first (so far only!) trip to Paris was on my own and I had a blast! And I speak only the barest of French, just enough to tell people that I don%26#39;t speak it lol.
I had no issues as a solo traveler. The only person who %26quot;preyed%26quot; on my was some woman outside Notre Dame who came up waving a map at me and asking %26quot;Do you speak English?%26quot; Since she was obviously NOT a native English speaker, I just shook my head and walked on.
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Have you travelled alone befier? If you have and you enjoyed it, you will love Paris alone. Only what you want to see and when will matter. If you need a crowd while in Paris, go see the Friday night skaters at Montparnesse. I would much rather travel alone than with someone I was not on sync with. Last time I went with my best friend, next time it will have to be alone; she, like some of your friends, has been several times and will not go back. And DH? I%26#39;ll be lucky to get him to Alaska, no ocean crossing for him! Ooo... you won%26#39;t have to share your macaroons!
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Five trips I have taken with my husband, but last year he could not take off with me so I went for 5 days alone. He always has to have an elevator, TV etc...me not, So I had a grand time booking the hotel I wanted, walking as fast and as much as I wanted, being able to just wander down an alley or new street, explore the metro and just pop out at a station simply just to experience a new location, eat when I wanted to, or not. And one of the best times I had was eating dinner by myself in various restaruants. It almost seemed like the waiter/bartender etc %26quot;adopted%26quot; me and made sure I had enough wine/food/etc. This never happened when I was with Joe. And the best part is that no one said to me %26quot;Would you hold this for a minute...%26quot; Hey GO FOR IT, you%26#39;ll have a grand time too. And my French is new and rough. What I could have done if I spoke fluent French!!!
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I had great encounters with fellow solo travelers staying at youth hostels in Italy after college. I was never alone or lonely since we always ended up traveling together. I don%26#39;t have any expererience w/ Paris youth hostels since I have relatives and friends to stay with there, but the idea is the same. I love traveling alone much to the resentment from my partner. I think, on your own, your senses become sharper and more intense. Go on, Paris is waiting!
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Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate it very much. I was in NY a couple years ago over New Years. I was staying with a friend, but they lived there so they had to work all day and I was alone the majority of the time and I LOVED it, so it would be a good thing. I just have a couple more questions:
1. I am thinking of going in January. Looking at weather stat websites, the average temp in the daytime in Paris in January is 40 F. At the risk of asking a dumb question, for those who%26#39;ve been there at that time, is it too cold to walk around all day or is it nice in January? I heard that there are always tourist crowds in Paris, but are there a lot of people out and about at that time of year even though it is the off season?
2. Also, I%26#39;ll be flying from LAX. I have my passport already so thats all taken care of, but do you know of the processes you go through when flying to France? Do you go through customs and get your passport stamped once you get there, or at the airport beforeyou leave? Thanks again!
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