Solo trip to Paris?

Question

I am planning a solo holiday for myself and would like to go to Paris. I'm interested in doing all of the 'tourist trap' activities like visit the Louvre and the cemetary at Montmarte, use the Metro, walk about...

Any other things to do other than the typical tourist things? Parks to visit? Places to go shopping? Historical points of interest?

How much money could I survive on in one day? (food, public transport, etc...) Any good hostels to be recommended? Bars and cafes for people travelling alone in thier late 20's?

I am pretty profficiant in French, very independant, and good with directions.

I would prefer to have answers from Parisians if possible :)

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Ive recently been to Paris and I searched for hostals near the east gate, so once you arrived from the airport take the bus that goes to gare de l' est and you will find good pricing.

As far as I remember you can try to survive with 50 euros per day, depends on how lucky you get with accomodation and where do you go grocery shopping; restaurants and shops around the corner in central Paris can be really expensive and McDonalds can be the cheapest thing you can find (but do you really want to be eating that?). Try finding food outside the city center but do not miss a good patisserie!! (or real chocolate!).

For the metro try to buy those tickets that give you 10 travels, its better barging, and make sure to follow the correct signs are you will get charge double for one trip.

For bars and cafes best for my taste are in Montmarte or near Notre Dame.. but really anywhere you can find a cozy cafe.

I really liked the Palace of Luxembourg, so I think you should go and check it out, also you could go to Versailles its about 40 mins away and the palace /gardens are incredible, plus you can see all Marie Antoninettes special places. (Wednesdays I believe the entrance its free but best to make sure.. and thursdays evenings sometimes do performances everybody goes dressed up like the old days.. but as well make sure before you go cause they might stop doing it).

When it comes to shopping depends on what you want to buy, but if its fashion/ clothes and all that you can try Rue de Rivoli, lots of stores there and near by there's a big mall. You shouldnt miss (although its expensive) Galeries Lafayette, there are some really nice stuff.

Anyway I hope you have a really nice trip, I went by myself to Paris too and I LOVED it, take a lot of pics, enjoy the enchanted city and read many books about Paris because there are tons to see in that city...

PS you cant miss the Orsay Museum, its an amazing collection if you like the impresionism (Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir...) the collection its a must see, plus their collection in Art Deco and Art Nouveau are just amazing. First sundays of the month museums are free, but sometimes they have promotions like tuesdays/ mondays an hour or two hours before closing free entrance. Always best to check at their websites.

Good luck and have a nice trip!

Answer 2

I'll let other people list tourist sights. Any good guidebook can tell you what the "must see" places are. So here are some slightly offbeat suggestions.

1) Have dinner with an icon of the Hippie era.

Jim Haynes is one of the founders of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and founder of the London Traverse Theatre Company. He started Suck, the sexual freedom newspaper, in Amsterdam in 1969 and taught Media Studies and Sexual Politics at the University of Paris 8.

He throws a dinner party every Sunday night. The crowd will include college professors, artists, the occasional rock star of famous actor. Give him a phone call or send him an email and you'll be invited. Details are on his website at: http://www.jim-haynes.com/index.htm

2) Go Rollerskating

Every Friday night except when there is rain, the City of Paris and the Paris Rollerskating Association organize a skate thru the streets of Paris from about 10 PM till 1 AM.  Just go to the Place D'Italie and join the crowd.

3) Become a member of the least exclusive club in the world

The Café Metropole Club meets every Thursday after noon. membership is very exclusive...you have to show up. details can be found here: http://www.metropoleparis.com/aclub.html the people who show up are a collection of expatriates and tourists. A good place to meet some nice people and get some good advice about current events.

My favorite little hotel is the St. Andre des Arts. Funky and basic but clean and pleasant. A single will run you 69 euros a night with en suite facilities. Taxes and breakfast are included. http://www.123france.co.uk/en/0/hotel-sa...

As for a good bar, I suggest my favorite hangout, Aux Trois Maillet at 56 rue Galand in the 5th arrondissement. There's a nightclub in the sous terre but the ground floor bar has a piano and there are a rotating team of people who play and sing. In the early evening (7:30 - 11:00 PM) the musicians tend to the classical and you can hear some fine young opera singers. As the evening progresses the music gets more into the pop vein and when the musicians change at 11 PM things head towards jazz and rock. Its really a great place with very friendly people and a some real "characters." The manager is Tony Wu who came to Paris about 40 years ago from Shanghai and never left. The former bouncer (now asst. manager) is Eric (who we call Lurch behind his back since he resembles the Munsters character.). Trust me on this. Go there, you'll love the place.