Welcome to the 3-day Short Guide of a Solo Trip to Paris
Second time in Paris
This is my second time visiting the city, and I’m starting to get familiar with the streets and how the city functions outside the tourist bubble. Yes, I did go to some different tourist places this time, but I mostly wandered around the small streets, Parisian passages, and cute cafes.
I observed the city’s dynamics while walking around, and in this blog post, I will tell you about the very cool things I noticed and what I enjoyed the most during this second visit. This time as a Solo Traveler.
This is my Paris travel guide for you.
Paris is a city designed for you to keep coming back.
A little bit of the city’s history before we dive into the tips to make your trip easier, also to make you understand why it’s worth it. The history of the city dates back to about 259 BC as a small Celtic village of the Parisii tribe along the Seine River. Later on, conquered by the Romans, who named it Lutetia, before becoming Paris in the 4th century.
The city is considered too dense to be visited only once, due to its history, architecture, and active urban living. You can always find new spots, new gardens, and new cafes to explore as the city touristic attraction like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Opera Garnier. The museums are a mandatory activity, so you can learn more about the city and how its development took place throughout the years, as you can choose the free ones (if you are on a budget like me, or just didn’t book anything prior to the trip) or the paid ones, like the Louvre, to spend a few hours.
Paris is a big, lively city and a food mecca. Like any big city, it’s built a lot with the hands of immigrants, and the food reflects that side. You can find Chinese, Korean, Lebanese, Mexican, and Italian in one small back street. Of course, the Parisian food keeps the tradition with the local cuisine and the boulangeries with their unforgettable pastries. They also have fast food, which I refused to get this time. Last time I was there, I got some McDonald’s because I was starving and didn’t want to look for food, as I was at a mall. I got a hall pass that time.
Arrival
The first meal when I arrived in Paris was a gyro from a Lebanese shop, close to my accommodation, which was deliciously unreal. It was family-owned and very popular at lunchtime. I guess the server was the owner’’s mom, and she was so sweet. I don’t speak French, she didn’t speak English, but through food we were able to communicate just fine. I wish I had Josh there with me to share the meal with me, because it was a large portion, but this time I traveled solo, as he had to stay home to work on his business.
He was very jealous when I told him about the food. Another favorite thing for me to do is visit supermarkets. I love to imagine myself living in the place I’m visiting, even for a short time, and Paris is the first one on my list for it. I don’t want to move anywhere else for now, but being a short-term local would be ideal.
Day 01 – The Arrival
I arrived in Paris from Chicago at Charles de Gaulle, and the airport is massive. So many ups and downs until you hit Costumes, you might never know if you are in the right direction. I saw other people from the same flight getting lost, too. So I followed whoever was also lost. That’s how I operate. I spent about 40 minutes waiting in line, so if you have a connecting flight, make sure you have enough time to get on the next plane.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is about one hour away from Paris by car. As it was my first time solo in the city, I booked a transfer provided by my accommodation. The driver was communicating with me on WhatsApp, so he knew my whereabouts in the airport. I don’t recommend getting the train, because after any flight, you can get very tired and disrupted, and for first-timers, the train can be very confusing and overwhelming. Especially if you have luggage. We will talk about that later.
The accommodation:
After almost an hour in the car, basically touring Paris backyard, I arrived at my vacation rental, where my driver told me that I could store my luggage, as my vacation rental would only be available at 2 pm. So from 10 am to 2 pm, I had to store my bags and wander around. Exhausted. The place to store the suitcases is called City Locker, and it’s about 15 euros, and you can keep your bags there until 10 pm; they have a lot of them in the city. You can book it on their website prior to the trip, and they will provide you with a code for your locker.
Around 2 pm, after eating and walking around, they told me my apartment was ready. Now, the hardest part – It was located on the 3rd floor, and in Paris, it’s very rare to have an elevator at your accommodation. I had to go up with my bags like a UFC champion. Mind you that I’m short and don’t weigh much.
The apartment was booked through Expedia, in the Le Marais area, under the same name as the building. It was a cute studio, with a bed, TV, small kitchen, and a small bathroom. Big enough for 2 people max. It was quiet, and they provided you with a code to get in. There were no keys.
Perfect location, in the middle of small streets and shops, with a boulangerie right in front of it. My favorite part was the entrance with a big blue door and small blue light dots that light up in the evening as you walk, like a magical place
Next time, I will choose a small boutique hotel, though, just because of the possibilities of an early check-in and luggage storage. That makes a lot of difference in the travel experience.
Tours and sightseeing
I’m used to getting lost in the cities when I’m visiting, but that’s me. I had planned some tours which I couldn’t accomplish because I ended up hurting myself with the suitcase on the stairs, but this is what I had planned, and I will have an excuse to come back as soon as I can. So this is what I did on my 3 days solo in Paris
- Day 02 (full day)
Started the morning with a long walk, to find a cafe, and saw some passages, and ended up in a small street, which allowed me to take some photos. In the afternoon, I took the train to visit the Galerie Lafayette, went all the way to the rooftop for the view of the Eiffel Tower, which lights up at night, and you can make some awesome content if you are up to.
Galerie Lafayette Haussmann
is a astonishing mall, full of high-end brands under a glass Coupole, it’s a massive entertainment area. The mall has all the fashion designers the world has fall for.
Around the Galerie area, you can see the Palais Vendôme, stores like H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo. All surrounded by the beautiful Parisian architecture.
- Day 03 (full day) Rainy Museum Day
Staying at the Le Marais neighborhood and walking around the small streets makes you feel like you are in a movie or a TV show. From my vacation rental, I walked about 15 minutes to the Musée Carnavalet, a museum about the story of how Paris came to be. I spent about 2 hours there, learning about the story of King Louis XVI and how the political figures got sent to the guillotine.
It’s a free museum, so it’s a great place to spend some time, if you forget to book the Louvre, as I did.
Paris has plenty of free entertainment if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Yes, Paris is an expensive city if you do all the fancy dinners, all the tourist tours, and shopping sprees. If you walk, choose the right places to eat, you can definitely enjoy without breaking the bank.
Les Halles is a mall area and full of restaurants and entertainment. Also, a big subway station, where you can easily get lost. The restaurants in the evening are always full of people, enjoying their time.
An honorable mention to a few other options I had planned and couldn’t do it, so I have an excuse to come back:
Montmartre;
I planned a walking tour, but in the afternoon, I couldn’t go because I pulled a neck muscle, and I couldn’t enjoy the trip as much as I wanted to.
Jardim de Luxemburg:
It was supposed to be a quiet afternoon, after walking to Notre Dame, in the Latin Quarter. I was in so much pain, I couldn’t keep my walk.
A boat tour on the Seine River
If my plans had worked, I would have done it on the first evening, instead of being extremely jet-lagged and tired, so I just bought a meal at the local Carrefour and had dinner at the vacation rental.
Arc the Triumph
I had it all saved on my TikTok, the best time to go, the price, and even how to cross the street.
Couldn’t find time. I got lost trying to find it.
I took this photo with my dad’s old camera. He passed away last November and this trip was to honor him, as he used to say he was really good in French at school. His last name( and mine) was also The, tea in french.
What were the struggles I found as a Female solo Traveler –
The heavy luggage to be dragged around, be careful with your packing and minimize it. Paris is a very old city and it’s what makes it so charming and picturesque, but that comes with a price. Small spaces, no elevators, and the possibility of your accommodation being on the 3rd floor is big. I would rather be on a higher floor than actually have to share my space with Remi and his brothers (if you have ever seen Ratatouille, I hope you get the reference)
Always be attentive to your surroundings. Paris is a big city, and pickpockets are everywhere. I would recommend wearing a sling bag or a crossbody bag. Especially if you are wandering around by yourself. What I did was I always had a marked point, like a store, for example. So I always knew where to go back to. And phone chargers. You will be using your phone for photos, maps, bus, and bike passes. Be prepared.
Are you ready to go?
Comfortable shoes – Allbirds are my choice, I have 4 different pairs
Carry-on suitcase (short trips and solo travelers) Pack light
Compression bags – You can fit a lot if you are an overpacker like me.
Phone chargers – I have 2 Anker power banks.
Sling bag or Crossbody bag – Pick pocketing is a real issue, and you don’t want to be their next victim
An ESim card – You will need communication and never rely on the public wifi.
WhatsApp App – everyone uses it; you might need to communicate with the hotel, and they reply fast (I popped the breaker with my hair straightener), and they came to fix it almost immediately.
Those are some of the insights I had during the trip and what could be useful for you, as a first time visitor or a Solo Traveler. Whatever situation you are encountering during the trip is always better be safe than sorry.
Next Stop, London!
See you in a few weeks
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