Solo Travel: Your Guide To Exploring Paris Alone

When traveling solo, safety matters. If you've ever been globetrotting without a travel buddy, you know it is important to be mindful of your surroundings and to keep someone back home appraised of your whereabouts and itinerary. Moreover, you should try to blend in when possible while exploring Paris. Like other European destinations, there are more than a few scams you should watch out for — in addition to pickpocketing — as scammers have become more crafty, especially near major attractions.

For instance, when near the Louvre, you might encounter people panhandling who purposefully cause tourists to knock over their cups to guilt people into giving them money. Other scam artists use clipboards and fake petitions to get tourists to sign something that says you agreed to provide them with cash. These same clipboard scammers are even bold enough to bother tourists while dining outdoors and will use their clipboard to effectively steal your cell phone when you are not paying attention (per Wander Her Way).

Yet another common con job to look out for involves anyone selling friendship bracelets. At points of interest such as Sacré Couer, people will come up to tourists and put a bracelet on their wrist, often so tight that the target cannot remove it, and then they will demand payment. These are just a few reasons why blending in as much as possible is crucial when exploring Paris solo.

Not only can solo travelers opt to explore some of the districts in Paris on foot or bike on their own, but you can also decide to explore many of the amazing arrondissements via a guided tour. By booking a walking or biking tour, you can get a taste of how Parisians navigate their own beautiful city. Plus, you can get a better sense of Paris once you have walked or biked around the city for several hours — some guided tours are even free.

In addition to touring the various districts in the city, solo travelers can enjoy all kinds of walking tours. From art, history, and major attractions to wine, cheese, patisserie, and chocolates, the possibilities are almost endless. Likewise, there are night biking tours, Versailles day bike tours, e-bike tours, bike tours with cruises, and more. So if you want a local or expert guide to show you the way, you definitely have some options here. Interested solo wanderers can also choose from private, small group and standard group tours, regardless of whether they opt to walk or bike.

There is no shortage of art to appreciate in the City of Lights and Love. In fact, solo wanderers have their pick of smaller museums to visit, which are often less crowded. Art houses such as Musée Rodin, Petit Palais, L'Orangerie, Musée Gustave Moreau, and the Maison de Victor Hugo are just a few small gems that are worth exploring on your afternoon of art. Solo explorers can also marvel with the masses at all the fine art housed in the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.

Of course, the cultured fun does not stop there — Paris is also brimming with must-see architecture, fashion, culinary art, and performance art. Solo travelers can combine at least two of these elements — architecture and performance art — by seeing a film or two at Le Louxor, which just so happens to be one of the oldest theaters in Paris. Located in the district of Montmartre, Le Louxour is a glorious Egyptian-themed and Art Deco design cinema that shows contemporary international art films and is an all-around visual delight.

France is home to countless world-renowned champagne and wine houses — many only a short train ride from Paris. Here, interested solo explorers can book guided tours to the famous Champagne region if they so choose. Alternatively, Paris visitors can stay put and enjoy the wealth of wine-tasting spots and tours in the heart of the city. Private tastings, wine walks (like the Promenade de Sens), plus wine and cheese pairing events are available.

Solo explorers can also partake in special guided wine tours in the Caves du Lourve, Dilettantes (a champagne cellar in the 6th arrondissement), and De Vinis Illustribus (a 17th-century wine cellar in the Latin Quarter). For more activity-based wine tasting, wine enthusiasts can head to Ô Chateau for tasting classes or champagne cruises along the Seine and wine workshops at La Route des Gourmets. Likewise, if you prefer an expert-handpicked selection of wine to sample, Les Piquers is yet another wonderful option. After your flight of wines, it is highly recommended that you take a tour of macarons and French gastronomy, also available at La Route de Gourmets, just for fun.

A fun after-dinner activity in Paris that solo travelers should consider is an evening at the theatre. Of course, the Palais Garnier is not just any old theatre — it is a historical play and opera house that puts on its own performance with its overall design, décor, grand library, underground lake, 19th-century architecture, and more. Here, solo wanderers can book self-guided, virtual, and guided tours. However, it is worth noting that in-person tours are only available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and this excludes days with afternoon performances and closures.

But, for travelers that want to do more than just take in this gorgeous theater, there are more than a few shows, plays, ballets, and live performances at the Palais Garnier. In fact, all year round, ongoing music concerts, world-famous operas, artistic creations, and special events are hosted here. So interested solo explorers should check to see what's playing and buy tickets online in advance.

The Basilica of Sacré Coeur is also located in the phenomenal 18th arrondissement or Montmartre. This grand church is an example of 19th-century Paris architecture and is worth a look-see when exploring Paris. Built in 1873, this place of worship and monument has a vast history and offers visitors unobstructed vistas of Montmartre. In fact, the views are so stellar here that Parisians and tourists frequently sit on the steps of Sacré Couer to enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

At first, solo travelers might be taken aback by the crowds that gather outside this church almost every night. But watching the sunset from the steps of Sacré Couer is a wonderful pastime that should not be missed. So if you plan on enjoying an evening in Montmartre, try to get there before the sun sets to catch this iconic sight. And while you are making your way to the steps of Sacré Couer, grab a bubbly refreshment or some wine so you have an after-dinner drink to pair with all the stunning scenery. This is also a great place to socialize and make friends during your solo adventure if you so choose.

Finally, solo explorers who prefer to play things by ear or who are not looking to overbook themselves with activities and adventures can opt for the tried and true method of simply seeing where the day takes them. By letting your inner flâneur (stroller or city wanderer) shine, there is no telling what kind of adventures are in store. Here, solo travelers can experience this magnificent city in a whole new way.

Not only will this make your time in Paris that much more rewarding, but it will also give you a chance to break free from the thrall of overly touristy spots. With hidden passages, quaint villages, scenic canals, treasure troves, bookstores, and so much more, there is absolutely no harm in seeing where the day takes you. Remember, at the end of the day, Paris was made for wanderers.