One Day in Paris: A Solo Adventure in the City of Lights
"Paris is always a good idea," they say, and for years, that sentiment danced around the edges of my travel daydreams. Funny enough, my first foray into solo adventure wasn't a jaunt to the City of Lights, but a multi-day hike much closer to home. There were moments on that trail, just me and the rustling leaves, when I'd chuckle and think, "What if I had just booked that ticket to Paris?" It was a bit tongue-in-cheek, fueled by the universal allure that Paris holds but knowing that I was exactly where I needed to be.
While Paris wasn't my first, or even my second, solo escapade, it eventually claimed the coveted third spot on my tally. The universe, it seems, had a quirky sense of timing. Sandwiched between a lovely trip through the UK and northern France with my husband and an exciting women's expedition in Morocco, lay a glorious five-day gap. And where did those five days land me? You guessed it – Paris.
Beyond the flippant "Paris is always a good idea," I hadn't consciously prioritized a return visit since coming as a teen on a school trip. Paris simply never made it’s way into my travel plans. But logistics, as they often do, had other ideas. With my husband flying out of Charles de Gaulle and my girlfriend flying in just five days later, the universe gifted me a solo Parisian interlude.
My home base for this solo chapter was a charming little apartment in Versailles, a mere twenty-minute train ride from the heart of Paris. Paris can be pricey, so I had arranged a Home Exchange just down the street from the majestic Palace of Versailles. It felt like the perfect balance: the tranquility of being outside the city's frenetic energy, coupled with the easy access for a dedicated day (or two) of Parisian exploration, alongside discovering the delights of Versailles itself.
On the train heading into Paris! Check out the ceiling!
So, the question beckoned: How would I spend a precious solo day in Paris? The beauty of solo travel for women is the freedom to answer that question entirely on your own terms. There's no right or wrong way, only the path that resonates with your interests and the intention you set for your experience. My intention? To build my solo travel muscle by navigating the city with confidence and discovering new places by avoiding the neighbourhoods I'd just explored with my husband. I also knew that I wanted to balance social and solo time. My itinerary would be loose and would start with a group walking tour of Montmartre, the arty, bohemian neighbourhood in the 18th arrondissement.
Stepping onto the train that morning, a wave of quiet washed over me. Surrounded by commuters, the absence of conversation felt almost…deafening at first. Yet, the journey itself unfolded with surprising ease – a smooth, swift ride and a seamless train change delivered me to my walking tour rendezvous with time to spare, a small victory for the beginner solo traveler. Being early had me second guessing myself - am I in the right place? And yes, of course, I was.
The walking tour, led by a young Parisian woman unveiled the captivating, and often delightfully scandalous, history of the Montmartre neighbourhood. Imagine: this very corner of Paris once pulsed with the energy of a former shanty town complete with starving artists - the ghosts of Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, and Toulouse Lautrec linger in the cobblestone streets. I love the little bits of gossip and legend, and fully aware that these are curated stories (and likely embellished) as part of the tour experience.
Montmartre
Le Bateau Lavoir was a residence and meet up place for many 20th century artists including Pablo Picasso.
Nicknamed by a poet as the building was dark, dirty and had unheated rooms like the washing boats on the Seine.
Our guide led us on a winding ascent to the crown of the hill, where the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica commands the highest spot in Paris, offering a breathtaking panorama of the sprawling city below. As the official tour concluded at the summit, I felt a pull to linger, to truly absorb the atmosphere. I realized I'd been so caught up in listening that I hadn't even taken a single photo. The tour pace had felt a touch swift, so I also had the need to slow down!
I wasn't the only one savouring the solo experience. I'd noticed two other women on the tour who were also navigating Paris independently. As we stood on the steps of Sacré-Cœur, collectively marveling at the throng of people and the sweeping views, one of them turned to me. "Would you like to wander back down with me?" she asked. She was from the Netherlands and had accompanied her husband to Paris on a business trip. She spent the days exploring different neighbourhoods and art galleries while he worked. Neither of us felt compelled to join the queue to enter the basilica, so I shared my plan to retrace the tour's path, wanting to revisit each intriguing spot at my own pace. We quickly fell into step, collaborating to navigate our way from one historic landmark to the next, sharing observations, laughing at our partially-remembered versions of each story, and enjoying the quiet camaraderie of a fellow solo adventurer.
Reaching the metro station, we exchanged warm goodbyes. A small part of me, the still-slightly-nervous first-day-on-my-own-in-Paris traveller wrestled with my unspoken desire to exercise my self-sufficiency. If this hadn't been my very first day entirely on my own, I might have readily suggested lunch and further exploration together. But a stronger feeling, a happy affirmation that I could both connect with someone and confidently embrace my own company, propelled me onward. I knew exactly where I wanted to go next, a place in Paris that had long held a fascination for me… Père-Lachaise Cemetery! Yes, a cemetery. My solo Parisian adventure was about to take a decidedly different turn.
Nibbling on a packed lunch (I selectively choose my comfort zone challenges), I made my way by metro and foot to the 20th arrondissement. Wandering through the imposing gates and hushed avenues of Père-Lachaise that afternoon, surrounded by the silent stories etched in stone, was a quiet, reflective experience. The grandeur of some tombs, the quiet intimacy of others, the unexpected beauty of the sculptures – it was a world away from the bustling streets I'd navigated earlier. There was a unique power in choosing this unconventional destination, driven purely by curiosity and a long-held fascination with history and remembrance. No one else's agenda, no need for compromise – just me and the stories whispering from the past.
I lingered as long as I wanted. At first I followed an audio guide to get an orientation to the most famous graves. Then I simply meandered, drawn from sculpture to sculpture, until the afternoon was spent. I had a recent escapade of being locked in a cemetery the previous week, and I certainly didn’t want to push my luck, so left well before closing time. Plus my little voice of safety wanted to be back in Versailles before dark. I had a wonderful meal waiting for me that I had purchased in the incredible Notre-Dame Market the morning before, and I’m cautious enough to not be on my own at night in a city that I don’t know well.
Looking back on that first solo day in Paris—from the quiet of the train ride to the shared moments with a fellow traveler and the introspective wander through a cemetery—several things still resonate deeply. First, the validation that solo travel, even in a vibrant and unfamiliar city, can be profoundly enriching. There’s a unique way you connect with a place when you experience it entirely on your own terms, noticing details and following whims that might otherwise be overlooked.
Second, that day became a quiet testament to personal empowerment. Navigating a new city, even with small moments of uncertainty, builds an inner confidence that hums just beneath the surface. Choosing my own itinerary—from the walking tour to the unexpected connection and the deliberate detour to Père Lachaise—reinforced the truth that my interests and desires are valid drivers for adventure. There’s real strength in trusting your intuition and shaping a day that feels entirely your own.
And finally—perhaps most importantly—my solo day in Paris underscored the beauty of travel led by personal curiosity. It wasn’t about ticking off the “must-see” landmarks (though the outside of Sacré-Cœur was certainly awe-inspiring); it was about following what sparked something in me. And in that freedom to explore on my own terms, I found a deeper connection both to the city and to myself.
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So, if the idea of venturing out on your own whispers to you—whether it’s to a bustling metropolis, a quiet corner of your backyard, or even iconic Paris—I encourage you to listen. Embrace the initial quiet, trust your instincts, and let your interests guide you. You might just uncover a strength and a connection you never knew existed, proving that the most enriching journeys are often the ones we take alone, led by the compass of our own hearts.
Paris, it turned out, was a good idea—especially when it was my idea, unfolding at my pace, and leading me toward my own version of joie de vivre.
There is a lot to do in Paris and over the course of 10 days I barely scratched the surface.
Here are a few things I thoroughly enjoyed doing:
The two tours I took (Get Your Guide links)
Rick Steve’s audio tours (free)
Wander through and linger in Jardin du Luxembourg
Visit the sombre but fascinating Musee de la Liberation de Paris (Museum of the French Resistance in Paris)
Enjoy a luxurious chocolat chaud viennois (hot chocolate) at Madame Pampa
Crepes and cider at La Creperie de Josselin “Montparnasse (14th arron.) is home to one of the best crepe scenes in Paris. There is a street lined with creperies in Montparnasse, and La Crêperie de Josselin stands out as the best.”
I hope this article helps you to plan your next adventure! Looking for more guidance?
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