Paris. The city of love, lights and solo travel

I love to travel by my damn self. Deciding what to do and when to do it is liberating. Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoy making new memories with friends and family. There is just something powerful about being completely selfish about how you want to spend your time on your vacation…especially a fancy vacation in a beautiful city, like Paris.

The city of lights and love and fashion and beauty…I just love Paris. It is gorgeous and magical and everything is beautiful. Travelling solo to and around the city is also super easy.

Who?

Black woman – 30yrs old, solo traveler

How to get there?

Cheap fares to Europe are totally a thing.

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[if !supportLists]· [endif]try SecretFlying. It shows a variety of error fares and airfare deals for destinations around the world. It is straight forward and is not overwhelmingly detailed (pleasantly).

I scored a roundtrip deal to Paris (from Boston) on American Airlines for $380 USD (coach). Yes, boo. I did. There are even better deals out there; you just need a little patience and a little luck.

Tip: If possible, be flexible on departure locations. If living in Providence, you could easily fly from Boston. If you have the time, you could take a bus/drive/fly to New York/New Jersey and depart from there. I find that the closer to the east coast, the better your ticket price for European trips.

If you are traveling on AA coach, consider a seat upgrade. Coach has a good amount of legroom but, as a girl with hips, not enough butt room. The food is good for coach – 6-hour + international flights provide breakfast, dinner, and a snack. You will not be hungry!

In flight movies for my flight were not in individual seats. There were little screens in the middle of the lane for all to watch together. I like the window seat. It was difficult to see the movie from window seat. They view outside the window was a good distraction between naps, though.

I flew into Charles de Gaulle airport. When you land at this airport, be prepared for a busy scene. This airport is just mad busy. When I landed, a few other planes landed at the same time. When I arrived at customs, the airport staff diverted or stopped many of us to make the lines flow and avoid bottlenecks. I was not happy but what could you do?

Once you clear immigration and get your bags, if you have any questions – do not hesitate to go to the Information Desk. They spoke English and were incredibly helpful. I arranged a shuttle service for pick up but had difficulty contacting them. The Information Desk guy walked me through some stuff (ex: pick up area, ignore the cab drivers, etc.) and then dialed the number of the shuttle for me on the info desk phone. He checked in after I made my call, as well. Super helpful.

There are a lot of cab drivers lurking around the arrivals area. Most of them were very polite but still came off like vultures waiting for the next opportunity. I recommend reserving a shuttle or car service to your hotel. Use sites like Expedia for options. It is convenient and there is a paper trail of the company. When traveling abroad (especially alone) – be super safe. Getting Taken is real.

Where to stay?

When traveling alone, I take my choice in hotel accommodations seriously. There are several big, trusted brands in Paris with global presence and reputations to uphold. Take your pick. However, there are also wonderful boutique options to consider. One of my favorites is Hotel de Varenne. It is a few minutes walk from the Musee Rodin and Invalides. It offers the usual perks of wifi, room service, king size beds, etc. The elevator, however, is euro-sized. I fit snuggly with my 2 suitcases.

A pleasant surprise of staying in a boutique hotel away from a main boulevard was finding a pharmacy, cafés/bars, and/or convenience store on almost every nearby block. Do pay attention to opening and closing times for these places. While I was in an area with major nearby attractions, many of the stores and restaurants closed or shut down the kitchens at 9pm.

Tip: Check out the local pharmacy for thoughtful gifts. Seriously. French soaps and lotions, beauty products. Most of them are at very affordable prices AND you can take bar soap in your carry on. Great gift, local brands, low price. Everyone wins.

How to get around?

The Metro aka Subway is much like any US subway. Including the graffiti and displayed routes. The metro does require the same patience and skill as navigating any other big city. Be unafraid. Ask your hotel concierge for advice and quick routes to attractions. Get a little route map, if available. I find that the Metro Info Desk folks don’t speak much English. Take a breath – use your map.

The RATP website saved my ass a couple of times. RATP is like google maps and will help you get anywhere in the city. Just enter where you are and where you want to go. As you know, there is an app for practically everything. Download the RATP app and wiz around Paris like a true Parisian. Expect to get turned around and a bit lost, you ain't from there. It's fine. Use your map and pay attention.

Tip: if you don’t want to extend your cell service, there is free wifi all around the city. Download the route map while using the free wifi and reference it as you travel around.

Some older trains have a lock on the door that the passengers must unlock for themselves to enter and exit (mostly exit). Turn knob up in a circular, clockwise motion. Add a little force, if needed. If headed to Roland Garros, peep the very cute tennis ball seats!

Tip: the same tickets used for the Metro are the same tickets you use for the bus. Be unafraid to use the bus and ride with the locals. Google route options. Use your RATP app. You will be just fine.

Observation: Everyone seems to wear black, grey, and neutrals, skinny jeans, fitted clothes. Now, I'm a big girl that likes big pops of color and a good wide leg pant. I stand out three times more than the average tourist. If your OOTD causes a few double takes or fixed glances, take it in stride. Own your awesome. You look hot, boo!

Best way to see the city’s attractions hassle free? Hop On-Hop Off tour bus – just do it. For some tours, you can buy your ticket right on the bus at any bus stop. I find that drivers know little English but they do try to help. If staying in a tourist area, one of the stops is very likely near your hotel. Convenient again. Most buses provide multiple routes that go to different parts of the city. Hop on and off at the intersecting routes and explore. Check out your options for your preferred price point. There are plenty.

Tip: There is a hop on hop off boat tour, too! There are bike tours and all of the typical stuff you find in majors cities. Some tours do combinations options (e.g. bus + boat tour).

Tip: If you are traveling with little ones, we can still protect the budget. Many little ones can go on tours for free or have access/entry to famous landmarks for free. Good for your kiddos and good for your pocket.

Note: Do pay attention to the service stop times. They will kick you off the bus at the final stop at the end of the day. Drivers will help you but you'll have to figure out next steps for yourself.

What to do?

Whether traveling alone or with pals, Paris has something for everyone.

Paris is brimming with museums. Some grandiose and some intimate. Museums are open late on certain days. If you still have jet lag, sleep in and check out a museum on your "get use to this time" day.

An obvious candidate is The Louvre. It is gorgeous. You have kiosks where you buy tickets inside. There is a café in the lobby. Around the corner from the exit within the building, there is a food court. The Louvre is so filled with treasures that it makes it hard to take in any of it during the first couple hours. Yep, I said first couple hours. Pace yourself and take so many pictures. You can be there all week. Don’t forget to check the gift shop!

Tip: Pay attention to which exit makes sense for you. I, admittedly, got lost. The signs are in French and I was rusty.

Tip: The city of Paris has an attractions pass you can purchase for about 40 euros. It gives you free or discounted access to certain museums, tours and attractions. If you are staying for a week and plan to visit several attractions, it may be worth it. Check it out and decide if it makes sense for you!

Notre Dame – like e’rythang else in Paris – is beautiful but it’s also free to enter. Go walk it for yourself. No guide needed (unless you really want one). There is always a bit of a line but totally worth it. Have a Victor Hugo moment.

Want to do a little shopping? Stroll down the Champs Elysees where you will find several stores (from Gap to Louis Vuitton) and many restaurants.

Looking to shop where the locals do? If you feel adventurous, visit one of the nearby malls or open markets. There are services that will take you to the mall and also provide a “personal shopper” experience. Try Expedia or Trip Advisor for options.

Montmartre is also filled with Parisian shops. It is a busy area. The congestion of traffic was a bit much for me. Still, plenty of fabulous gowns and gorgeous wedding dresses abound. Montmartre boulevard is also amazing and more established. It’s very nice.

The wonderfully infamous Moulin Rouge might be on your list of places to check out. There are 2 shows per night – 9pm and 11pm. You can have dinner + the show or a show + half a bottle of champagne. If travelling solo, you will likely share a table. There are VIP options, for those with the coins. Around the Moulin Rouge is like a legit sex haven. Sex shops and strip clubs everywhere. Like, everywhere. Kids are welcome to the show, so, IDK, man. No judgement.

The Eiffel Tower is a definite must visit. The 360 views are beautiful. You can take the stairs or elevators to the top. Elevator costs a few euros more. There are two elevator rides to get to the summit. Two! Take that into consideration for those thinking about taking the stairs. There are long lines for both elevators; of course, some days/times are less hectic than others. This is one of those places where I would invest in a "skip the line" pass. The views are really breathtaking and worth the journey. Inside the Eiffel Tower are snack shops, gift shops, and a few sitting areas. Charge the phone and prepare for some amazing pictures.

Tip: If you aren’t into heights or are on a tighter budget, go to the Eiffel Tower and hang out on the ground. The photo-opps are also pretty gorgeous. The grounds are lovely. Green mall on one side, views of the river on the other. Flowers and lush flora surrounds you.

Note: There are some semi-aggressive street trinket vendors at the Eiffel and a few other attractions. Mostly male. However, they all respected the 1st or 2nd "non, merci." Walk and speak with confidence.

Overall: Paris is a great city for a solo traveler. Beauty is everywhere – in the art, the architecture, nature. There is so much to see and no one could be bored.

I found that there were several black and brown people in Paris. I didn’t feel “alone” as people of color traveling sometimes feel. I found local Parisians of color in the Montmartre area. Most were kind – even while trying to sell their items.

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