Travel is never a matter of money but of courage, and we couldn’t agree more. Embarking on any journey is an act of both vulnerability and strength; the decision to travel alone, however, is a fundamentally personal initiation into the unknown, a potential point of no return that spiritually demands self-reliance. I found that the decision to visit the City of Light solo was a form of self-discovery as much as it was an opportunity for exploration. If you find yourself at a similar crux, contemplating your own European escapade, what follows is an intimate vade mecum, a gentle travel guide of sorts, that will assure you that the oft-romanticized idea of wandering the world alone is not only filled with wondrous salons and afternoons in the Jardin du Luxembourg, but also with many existential crises and few close calls.
That said, just as an incidental word of encouragement, I firmly believe that Paris is the ideal city for beginning your solo traveler’s journey. If you have never lived entirely on your own with an acquaintance to aid you in Dublin, say, or haven’t the confidence to speak to a stranger in a moving picture hall, then you are not unhurried enough. The perfect Paris experience lies in the details—so this guide is arranged as such. We will be focusing on enjoying slow days in Paris, on self-care, style, and writing, reading, and daydreaming as aids in this matter. We will peruse different historical salons and explore the world of those who have sought the same solace and adventure in the City of Light—and how they’re making it more friendly, more accessible, and more beautiful for you. Finally, we will touch on the at once wholly consuming and freeing experience of Parisian dining, two chapels you need to visit now, and a closer look at solo female travel—and make it feasible.
The Allure of Solo Travel
I’ve grown very fond of traveling alone. I love the untroubled freedom of staring at a map, not really knowing how to get from point A to point Z. The best part about solo travel is being able to move at your own pace, wherever that pace may take you. You’re free from the constraints of travel mates and distant itineraries. If something speaks to you, you venture down that path – a freedom impossible in a group setting. Solo travelers have the option to be with their thoughts but also give themselves the option to be present with the strangers of this land. You are a bargaining chip on the luggage board of this world, waiting to fall into place. And while waiting, you retain the freedom of spontaneity. If the man next to you on the train offers you his ticket to the next city, you can take it without negotiation or compromise. I value the freedom of solo travel, both in space and in spirit. The solo traveler’s independence allows them not only to meet strangers without reservation but also to become one with them. Instead of partner or group dynamics, solo travelers are asked to forge intimacy rather than compatibility with the strangers that cross their path. And the ability to do so calls forth the wanderlust in us all.
I have been able to navigate cities built on hardly translatable maps and the venerated platforms of backup from airports. Because you take this journey by yourself, you are not allowed to rely on another to make certain you board the right train to the unknown. And there is a certain expression of self-reliance that rises when, out of timidity, you ask a Parisian gendarme in bumpy French, “Do you know where the metro is?” This integrity comes from the unshakeable knowledge that the one resource you will constantly have is yourself, and that is a weapon not commonly drawn. My traveling companions are the Europeans and expatriates I become a houseguest to, the passerby I question on the metro, the hostel owners’ greeting, and the museum guards’ departing smile. Their glances, their words, their directions, and the stories. Their unique way of looking around the room or avoiding an unpleasant subject: these are the companions that make the road easy to tread. All this, I believe, is the quintessence of the solo journey and it refuses to remain stationary in my mind.
Planning Your Solo Trip to Paris
There are several steps to planning a solo trip to Paris. First and foremost, consider your budget. This will help you decide on a timeframe for your trip and dictate the level of spending you allow yourself. Additionally, there are copious resources available for finding single hotel rooms or hostel accommodations. Research is key to getting the best deal and finding the most helpful guides and resources. When hearing firsthand from other travelers or reading personal recaps and stories, try to choose the most recent accounts. The more recent a review, the better for gauging current safety advice and tips.
There are plenty of great apps and websites to help you with your travel and accommodations, making your excursion all the more fun and carefree. Guides are all pleasant to use and provide helpful lists of things to do and see while visiting. Mini sightseeing tours are great for the cost-conscious, as there is one tour for each day you might spend in Paris with free downloads available. Women traveling solo in any city should use caution when considering stopping to ask for directions, taking assistance, or agreeing to go off the beaten path. The city is generally safe, but it is vital that you keep your guard up. Trust your instincts, and if you feel uncomfortable, move yourself to a crowd of people. Get familiar with maps and routes to your destinations, but be open to getting off course and stopping at places you didn’t expect to. Include a map of the city in your pocket or bag, along with any guides or printouts you might need. Keep your accommodations’ address and phone number in one pocket and extra money in another. In this manner, should you lose your backpack or become disoriented, you still have what you need with you. Embracing this spirit will allow you to feel comfortable, more spontaneous, and open to your solo journey while still very much able to rely on your plans and guides to get the most out of your trip.
Navigating Paris as a Solo Traveler
Traveling as a solo rider can seem intimidating, but in Paris, the navigation is doing almost everything to ensure your travel is as safe and smooth as can be. Having a plan for your journey can clarify what modes of transportation you want to take or prefer. Paris offers a few different transportation options. There is a metro, bus, and trams, all at your service. If you don’t have much ground to cover and are not too sure how to navigate the metro quite yet, it’s a good idea to utilize your own two feet. It can help you get the lay of the land, and if you have a few extra days to do so, we recommend it. Even at peak hours, metros are no exception; hardly any personal interaction is made with anyone during your quick and efficient journey. If you already know where you are going, make your way to the station closest to your location and follow the signs to the appropriate line and direction for your destination. Both the metro and bus stops will have maps available, and those skilled in map reading (which is highly recommended for solo travelers in any city) will enjoy the ability to recognize how close and far they are from different stops at a glance. Before hopping on the metro or bus, make sure to take a look to your right and left before entering and exiting. This is Paris after all; cyclists are plentiful, and it’s your job as a solo adventurer to get from point A to B in one piece! Keep those eyes peeled. Always know where your pockets and belongings are!
Immersing Yourself in Parisian Culture
Fourthly, fully engaging in the Parisian arts scene and culture is of unparalleled importance. They say it is human nature to be drawn to art and aesthetics, so why not immerse yourself completely in this Parisian enigma? Museums and galleries exist to be enjoyed alone. When one lingers in front of a work of art, it is a stimulating and provocative activity that leads naturally to introspection and, of course, self-discovery. Share knowing smiles with the security guards as you jealously guard that rare bench in the Renaissance gallery! Luckily, it is not difficult to experience Paris at your own whim. Parisians are surprisingly easy to interact with, and some speak fantastic English, especially in the arts and creative sectors. Going to events and shows that interest you will give you the opportunity to meet like-minded Parisians and people from all walks of life.
If you didn’t have time to reflect in any museum, gallery, or in line at the Eiffel Tower, then there are some suitable cafés where you can enjoy the cheapest or most expensive hot chocolate, coffee, and croissants in town. Get adventurous, and don’t settle for your usual order! But don’t forget that modern Paris is very much in love with fusion styles and contemporary cuisine, as well as wine bars and a fabulous new range of exotic cocktails. One of my favorite parts of modern Paris is the amazing exotic and fusion dining and trendy wine bars and cocktail bars! After you arrive in Paris and you are happily settled into your hotel, take a stroll through the streets of the City of Lights. Paris is not a city that you go on adventures in – Paris is the adventure in itself! With great things to see at every turn, the opportunities for transformation and self-discovery are endless. Even eccentric octogenarians slouching in out-of-date coffee shops or upmarket patisseries are there to be marveled at!
Reflections and Personal Growth
Solo travel is ultimately a journey of personal growth. My pilgrimage to Paris left me with many incredibly meaningful insights about myself and the world around me. Following in the footsteps of many other travelers, I hope that while reading this, you’ve been asking yourself hard questions, putting yourself in my shoes, and learning more about yourself by seeing the world through a different set of eyes. More often than not, the lessons we draw from our travel experiences are ones that we can easily apply to our everyday lives. That day, sitting in that leather chair looking out at Champ de Mars, my heart broke open and I knew the only way to heal it would be to accept it. That coincidentally ended up being my lesson of Paris: getting back there.
These were my experiences and lessons, and now I hope you take some time to contemplate your journey before moving on with me. There are great things waiting to happen from your reflections, let me assure you. Complete this sentence: Before going to Paris, I was. Yes, I was. You’re different now. You’ve experienced how travel can provoke personal change and growth. By traveling alone through any town, city, or country in the world, you have broadened the borders of your life, and with it, the awareness of who you are. Within the time and space continuum, the magical experience of travel has served its purpose. You know how to pack your suitcases, the essential supplies of your life force, fortified with travel wisdom and adventure health. Maybe, like me, you’ve traveled through time and the inside-out of your very self to understand your power and purpose. Where do you go from here? The cautious answer is starting to ask, how will Paris carry me back? For truly, it always does.
When you are alone, when there is only the company of me, myself, and I, there is nowhere you can travel except within. I have now been to the moon and back, to the center of the earth, to the past and into the boundless possibilities of my future, yet my two feet and one singular soul remain in the present moment. What a fantastic voyage! I hope that your visit here has been as overwhelming as it has been magical, and that this voyage, shared between you, a lowly celebrity and extraordinary lover, has been nothing short of marvelous. Starting in Dobbs Ferry, sailing solo over an ocean, across the sea, and marrying the Eiffel Tower. Give me a moment to catch my breath and ponder. To drink a half bottle of wine, to see Paris again through the eyes of my imagination, and to show you how to travel forever, forever, and beyond.