With a rich history that spans many centuries and with plenty of modern sources of entertainment, Paris is a vibrant city, perfect for solo exploration. Of course, you’ll want to visit some of the most famous Parisian sights, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum and eat some of the delicious local cuisine.
Paris also has great shopping you’ll want to partake in, as well. But Paris isn’t just for couples. If you are a solo traveler, there is plenty for you in this vibrant city, too. If you are thinking about visiting Paris, be sure to check out this guide, which has information on some of the best things to do, places to stay, and general travel tips for anyone looking to enjoy a solo trip to Paris, France.
1. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine River (from USD 129.0)
There is little better way to see Paris than to take a dinner cruise along the banks of the Seine River, allowing you to see many of the city’s most famous sights while enjoying some delicious gourmet local cuisine. You can choose the length of the cruise you take, either a 1.5 or 2.5-hour excursion, which will take you past famed sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
While on board, you’ll be served a three-course meal with a glass of wine (or champagne if you take the 8:30 pm cruise). Live music is also part of the 8:30 cruise.
Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Sightseeing and Dinner Cruise
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
2. Stay in the historic Hôtel Alfred Sommier (from USD 641)
The Hôtel Alfred Sommier has been in the Sommier family since 1860 and is a great place to spend your solo getaway if you want to get a feel for Paris’ history. Rooms at this hotel feature high ceilings and large windows, while maintaining undertones of the hotel’s original styling. A continental breakfast is included in the price of your room and you have the option of eating your lunch and dinner meals on-site, as well. Some nearby attractions include the Opéra Garnier, Galeries Lafayette Department Store and the Louvre Museum.
Hôtel Alfred Sommier
Address: 20 Rue de l'Arcade
Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-hour front desk Fitness centre
3. Book your stay at the five-star Hotel Bowmann (from USD 665)
The Hotel Bowmann comes highly rated as a solo traveler’s lodging choice. As a guest, you will have access to free bikes and the terrace bar, as well as free Wi-Fi and convenient on-site parking. To make the most of your stay, be sure to request a room with a balcony, so you can enjoy city view’s you are sure to remember for years to come. Hotel Bowmann is ideally located to both the Mathurins Theatre and the Comedie Caumartin Theatre, and is less than 10 miles (16.1 km) to Paris Orly Airport.
Hotel Bowmann
Address: 99 Boulevard Haussmann
Restaurant Room service Bar 24-hour front desk Terrace Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry
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4. Relax at the Hôtel Dress Code & Spa during your trip to Paris (from USD 615)
The Hôtel Dress Code & Spa is not only centrally located, but also has many amenities for guests to enjoy during their stay. Many of the attractions you’ll want to see while in Paris are only minutes away, including the Comedie Caumartin Theater, the Opéra Garnier, Tuileries Garden and the Louvre Museum. Some of the on-site amenities you’ll want to check out include the hotel’s indoor pool and steam room. Massages can also be requested, so be sure to inquire with the front desk regarding availability.
Hôtel Dress Code
Address: 5 Rue de Caumartin
Pets allowed Room service Bar 24-hour front desk Non-smoking rooms Dry cleaning Facilities for disabled guests Family rooms
5. Acquaint yourself with the dinner culture of Paris
Parisians tend to focus their meal-time energies on lunch, leaving dinner later in the evening as close to an afterthought. Because of this, many of the best restaurants you may want to visit won’t begin serving dinner until 7:00 pm or later. Don’t wait too long, though, or be sure to book a reservation, because the best restaurants will fill up quickly and some will close their kitchens around 10:30 pm.
6. Plan your visit accordingly - Your desired destinations may not be open certain times of the year
Many businesses in Paris may be closed if you choose to visit during the late summer months, especially in August. While many of the popular tourist attractions such as the Louvre Museum will remain open, smaller businesses may close for the beach holiday season. To ensure the places you want to visit or tour through are open when you plan to visit, do the research necessary to make sure you don’t miss out!
7. Enjoy the central location of Hotel Luxembourg Parc (from USD 664)
As a guest at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc, you’ll never be too far from some of Paris’ top attractions. You’ll find the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum and the Orsay Museum all within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of your accommodation. Inside the hotel, you’ll have access to the on-site bar and free Wi-Fi throughout the property to keep you connected with friends and family.
Hotel Luxembourg Parc
Address: 42 Rue de Vaugirard
Parking Bar 24-hour front desk Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms Dry cleaning Breakfast in the room Ironing service
8. Take an audio-guided tour of the Loire Valley Castles (from USD 149.0)
If you’d like to spend a full day taking a step into France’s past, this tour is sure to delight you. Take a luxury, air-conditioned motor coach on a round-trip drive through the hills of the Loire Valley, which is a UNESCO listed region of France and home to many Renaissance-era castles and gardens. On this 12-hour day tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the three castles of Cheverny, Chenonceau and Chambord, with the aid of your audio guide. The tours of the castles are self-guided, allowing you to spend your time at each stop, however you like.
Loire Valley Castles Day Trip with Audio Guided Option from Paris
Duration: 13 hours 15 minutes
9. Take a tour in the famous Paris Catacombs (from USD 99.0)
This is certainly one tour you don’t want to miss while in Paris: venture beneath the city’s streets and famous monuments into the miles-long labyrinth of tunnels, where more than six million bodies are currently entombed. During the 1.5-hour tour, you will learn the history of why so many bodies from 18th-century Paris rest under the city, after being moved from previously existing cemeteries. Be sure to stick with your guide during the tour, these underground tunnels can be hard to navigate if you aren’t familiar with them!
Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket and Guided Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
10. Take a stroll through Paris' Latin Quarter (from USD 16.0)
Unpack your walking shoes and embark on this two-hour walking tour that takes you through what is considered to be the bohemian heart of Paris - the Latin Quarter. Here, you’ll see some of the oldest and most romanticized parts of the city, where many have found artistic inspiration over the years, including Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.
Some of the sights you’ll encounter during the tour include the Luxembourg Gardens, the Pantheon, Sorbonne University and the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. By the end of this tour, you are sure to feel the history of Paris flowing within you.
Bohemian Paris: Latin Quarter Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy Paris on a solo excursion
Paris is an undeniably modern and fascinating city, a place you could spend weeks exploring on your own. With no shortage of things to see and places to go, your solo excursion to Paris is sure to be a success, no matter what entertainment you seek out!
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