Is Paris Safe for Solo Travelers?

The opportunity to take a solo trip is one that I encourage everyone to do at least once. Not only are you discovering a new place or destination, you are also discovering things about yourself. The relationship with you is the most important one you’ll ever have, and traveling solo is fast track to getting to know just who you are. If Paris is the destination of your choice, you are in for a treat. You get the whole itinerary to do whatever you want, from learning the public transport system to lazily strolling past the beautifully restored Notre Dame cathedral on the Île de la Cité to staying an extra hour to people watch at your new favorite café.

Yes, this is going to take some planning on your part. You’ll want to know the gist of your neighborhood you’re staying and obtain some travel insurance. Learning a little French will do you well, too. A solo trip to Paris is not only a good idea, it’s a great idea. I’m going to show you my version of it now.

Getting Lost in the Marais

As a seasoned solo traveler and also someone who goes to Paris alone regularly, I can confidently answer the question “Is Paris safe for solo travelers?” Traveling solo is one of the great joys in life many people will not experience due to fear. If you can get past your fears, Paris is always a good idea, and it’s wonderful to go alone. I’ve found that traveling alone gives me the opportunity to meet people I may (and mostly likely) never would have met had I been with a partner, a friend, or otherwise. I also learn something new about myself with each trip I take, which is hugely empowering and comforting.

I’ve learned to really lean into my chosen alone time, even if sometimes it’s a little uncomfortable. When I do travel solo, I take into consideration a number of things, safety being at the top of my list. The feeling of safety is subjective, so this is my opinion only in this blog. In the years I have been going to Paris, I have always found it to feel very safe, and I am going to share some insight for future solo travelers in Paris. Specifically for solo female travelers. Follow these points, and you should have an extraordinary time in the most magical city on earth as well.

Is Paris safe for solo travelers? In a word: YES. Paris welcomes around 30 million visitors per year, and local tourism boards estimate around 17% of those to be solo travelers. I’m included in that percentage, and I’ll speak on my own experience. I’ve traveled to Paris several times alone. Each time has looked a bit different. A few times I have arrived earlier than the person joining me so that I could get some alone time, acclimate to the city, and enjoy some of the things I love to do on my own before my travel partner arrived.

I’ve also done a complete solo trip to Paris, which is a totally different experience. The more I go, the more “local” I feel and the more locals I get to know. Landing at Charles de Gaulle airport has become one of my favorite things on earth. Paris and its people have a way of enveloping you like a hug one moment and person at a time. Whether it’s fellow Americans who are expats living in Paris or born and bred Parisians, I have continued to feel nothing but welcome by people I meet and become friends with there.

Speaking a bit of French helps tremendously, too. They love to see you try, so I highly encourage a few words here and there to show the effort. A “bonjour” and “bonsoir” goes a long way in Paris. Solo travelers, you’re truly in for a treat because Paris rolls out the red carpet if you do your part.

Cheers to Solo Travel to Paris!

When I go to Paris, I love seeing the number of police that are always out and about. My observation is that they travel in numbers of three (minimum) and they are almost all incredibly good looking. I’m not shy about slowing down to check them out…ahem…make sure they are doing their job to keep the city safe for solo female travelers like myself.

Paris at night is incredibly charming, and we all want to know we are safe and secure walking the streets alone. You definitely want to experience Paris at night while walking around. The Eiffel Tower is not the only thing that’s lit up and twinkling - the city is not called “The City of Light” for no reason. Walking along the Seine River, even in the later hours of the night, is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.

TIP:

There’s a little tip to my feeling of safety and that’s walking with confidence.Don’t stare down at your phone for too long, even if you’re checking for directions. If you need to for an extended amount of time, pull over to a more populated area and check your location. Another thing: I avoid the metro stations at night. There are some characters during the day, and at night it only increases. Make sure to walk, take a cab, or take an Uber, particularly when you solo travel in Paris.

With Gilles, My Favorite Bouquiniste

Paris is romantic. Don’t think that you have to be partnered with someone to fully enjoy that romanticism, though. It’s an infectious feeling and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, even being on your own. You’re never truly alone in Paris - there are people everywhere, and if you’re willing to initiate a conversation, you might come away with a lifelong friend. I digress, though. Let’s talk about this solo trip and what you can alone in Paris.

Be a Flâneur/Flâneuse

This is one of my very favorite things to do in Paris. It’s basically walking with no real purpose of where to go. I recommend in my blog How to Enjoy Paris at a Slower Pace because there is no better place to do this than Paris. Take some time, go nowhere special, and see where you end up. It could be in a vintage shop in the Marais; it could be at the Arc de Triomphe. You never know. Keep your options and your mind open.

Museum Hop

If you’re a museum fan, I would recommend getting the Paris Museum Pass so you can bop in and out of all the museums that you want. There are over 50 museums and monuments on the list, and you don’t have to wait in line. Trust me, from someone who has done both, I highly recommend getting the pass. 

Shop Till You Drop

Shopping is something I absolutely love doing when I am in Paris. I’ve discovered some really cool shops over the years I’ve gone, and I continue to go back when I am in Paris. One of my very favorites is Messy Nessy’s Cabinet of Curiosities, where she has the most eclectic assortment of things. Pick up her book Don't Be a Tourist in Paris here. You must go see it for yourself. Another favorite is Fleux. I’ve bought some unique products, including a rain cap that I am obsess with from a company out of Denmark. In the Marais, the vintage shopping is like no other. Pick up something pretty for yourself from one that speaks to you.

Take a Day Trip from Paris

There are a few day trips by train from Paris I think are worth doing. One is Versailles, where yes, the castle is amazing and opulent. The gardens, however, if you go at a good time of the year to see them, are spectacular. If you love champagne, then hop on the train to Reims. A name that is extremely hard for English speakers to say properly, we just called it “Reems” phonetically. You’ll sip on some great bubbly, and make sure to go to the smaller champagne houses for a more unique experience. Veuve Clicquot is nice and all, but oh so popular. 

Say Bonjour to the Bouquinistes

One of my favorite things to do is to check out the bouquinistes along the Seine River. Not sure what I am saying? They are the book sellers in the green “huts” lined up along the top part of the bank of the river. It’s not like anything you’ll see anywhere else, and they love to tell you about their collections of old books. Once when I was there, the man that I bought from threw in an extra book, and invited me and my friend to visit his wife at his house in Brittany. Paris is so magically delicious!

Eat Some Berthillon Ice Cream

While you can find this name all over Paris. Go to the île Saint-Louis for the original. Seeing people walking and eating ice cream is something I have come to absolutely love about my walks in Paris. Combine grabbing a cone to go and being a flâneuse, my friend. There is not a much better way to enjoy a beautiful day on your solo trip to Paris than a delicious ice cream and a walk along the river.

Luxembourg Gardens Showing Off

Neighborhood Matters

My favorite arrondissements to stay are mostly on the right bank in the lower numbers. Le Marais is an excellent option, and recently I stayed very close to Rue Montorgueil and it was perfect. Being central to most things so you can walk or hop on the metro is the key to enjoyed your solo travel Paris trip. Paris is not that big, but where you stay definitely matters. Don’t skimp on this one.

Learn the Metro

I have an iPhone and in the Apple Wallet you can add the easiest option. I can buy one ticket at a time, and hop on the metro that is closest to me. Utilizing Google Maps for the exact stops makes my rides feel safe and known for me. And remember, you need to know the last stop to know which direction you want to go. Your stop will likely be one of many along the way, so spend some time reading it and understanding it.

Anti-Theft Bag or Purse

Pacsafe is a brand of bag many seasoned travelers like myself have purchased. They are well worth the price for peace of mind. And frankly, they aren’t that expensive. I use mine on most of my trips, as pickpocketing can be an issue in Europe in general. Better than the violent crime in other places, but losing your wallet or passport can result in a nightmare. Here is the bag I have, but you can get a number of other styles from that company, even a backpack.

Confidence is Key

Let’s not conflate confidence with arrogance. As an American, we have that added bonus of perception that we carry. However, I have found that the majority of my interactions are extremely positive when I have the confidence to move about Paris. Walking with purpose and confidence is appreciated, as many Parisians do the same. And when you’re dining out alone, don’t feel weird. No one really cares and you’ll miss the best people watching if you’re glued to your phone.

When in Doubt, Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask people. Parisians often look like they are in a rush and not interested. Sometimes this is true. Not always, though. A kind shop owner or someone at a restaurant you meet could be the perfect solution to a question you may have. I’ve found that people are more than willing to engage if I simply start out with a kind greeting (in French, mes amis). No one is going to yell at you for asking which way the Louvre is.

Sign from Musée Carnavalet

Absolutely. From someone who has gone and will continue to go to Paris on my own, with other women, and maybe even hosting a trip at some point, Paris is a perfect solo destination. Wandering around a city that is like a museum in an of itself is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Each time I go, I settle in a little more, see and experience new things, and go back to my favorite haunts. Educate yourself on Paris, on the culture, keep this blog, and go with an attitude that you don’t have to fit in, but you don’t have to stick out like a sore thumb.

Paris is, to me, my soul city, and one that I hope everyone has the chance to experience. It might entrance you the same way it has with me, and I can’t wait to hear about how it did. Enjoy your solo trip to Paris. À bientôt, in Paris!

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