The first time my feet hit the ground in Paris I knew it was a homecoming of sorts. Having long been obsessed with France and French culture, visiting the capital had been a dream I held true for many years before arriving and I’ve since learned it is a dream I will never let go of. And if you’re thinking of traveling solo in Paris, I’ve got all the inside tips for you!

When I first visited Paris on my own, I booked a cheap studio apartment in on Rue Etienne Marcel and would set off each day to explore the city on foot. Now (many years later) I have learned there are better neighbourhoods to explore Paris solo, better practices for doing so beyond relying on converse sneakers and plenty of great things to do in this city solo.

Start at Shakespeare & Co

Traveling solo I have learned there are many occasions that call for a good book. Whether you’re waiting for the sun to go down, waiting in line, or waiting to finish a glass of wine, you can almost always be sure to find pleasure in having a book to keep you company.

Whenever in Paris I make Shakespeare & Co bookstore my first pit stop for that very reason. The entire store is full of English books, so it is a great place to nab a new read if French is not your forte. Below are some of my favorite reads on Paris, perfect if you want to immerse yourself in the city at greater length!

Books set in Paris:

Grab a Coffee in Saint Germain

After scoring a new book or two, venture further inland away from the Seine and discover Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the 6th arrondissement of Paris. There are tonnes of great coffee shops here – many of them famous for people watching such as Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots.

This is a beautiful neighborhood to wander around as it is one of the poshest parts of town, making for a very pleasurable walk amongst the beautiful street facades, boutique stores, and patisseries.

Stop by Notre Dame Cathedral

Venturing back toward the Seine river, make your way over to Île de la Cité to visit Notre Dame Cathedral. This medieval Catholic cathedral has become a major symbol of Paris thanks to its central location and unique gargoyle statues on the Northern towers. Although construction began in 1163, it took around 180 years to complete.

Take a Stroll Through Le Marais

One of the best neighborhoods to wander around solo is the Jewish Quarter, formally known as Le Marais. This neighborhood is full of great cheap eats, coffee shops, public parks, museums, and boutique shopping. On Sundays, I truly don’t believe there is anywhere better to be in all of Paris.

Discover the Hidden Passages of Paris

Galerie Vivienne

Read more: The Secret Passages of Paris

Solo in Paris: Wander the Tuileries Gardens

Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde is one of the most beautiful public gardens in all of Paris: the Tuileries Gardens. Created by Catherine de’ Medici, these gardens only became public after the French Revolution and are thus of great significance to France and its’ history with liberty.

Bring one of your Paris books and pull up a chair, this is a great place to unwind after a long day strolling the city streets and catch a sunset as the warm oranges and pinks light up the sky.

Enjoy a Chocolat Chaud at Angelina

Angelina has been one of my favorite pitstops in Paris for a very long, almost embarrassing amount of time. They are most famous for their rich chocolat chaud, a potent concoction of almost pure chocolate (the addition of heavy cream only makes it even thicker, richer and more decadent!!!)

This is also one of my favorite places to people-watch in Paris and enjoy the grand interior of the salon. There are now a number of locations throughout Paris but the flagship on Rue de Rivoli cannot be missed: it is a Parisian experience in itself!

Paris Pastry Class

Some days you feel like more than wandering around the city streets and eating your way from patisserie to patisserie (though these days are still often my favourite way to explore Paris). If you’re looking for a new activity to keep yourself busy for half a day or a full day, there are some great pastry classes on offer throughout the city and where better to learn the art of French pastries than in the French capital!? This is where I have trained to make macarons, small cakes, croissants and eclairs.

Read more: Paris for Pastry Lovers: Classes, Shops and more!

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

Finally, a saviour in my solo explorations has been to venture around the streets of the Latin Quarter at night and enjoy a light dinner on-the-go. Dining solo in Paris can be one of the loneliest experiences, as you are often surrounded by couples and given a look of disapproval when requesting a “table for one”. My go-to saviours are to either visit the Latin Quarter for some cheap street eats or to perch myself at an outdoor table with a book in hand and watch the world pass me by.

Planning a trip to Paris? Check out our guide:

The WOW Guide to Paris

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Solo travel must haves

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Over to you! What are some of your favourite memories from travelling solo in Paris?