To stay in Paris on my own for three days?!

[RainbowHash]

Posting here for traffic. For reasons not relevant to this post I will find myself in Paris for three nights in August on my own. I haven't been away on my own before (recently separated) and not sure what to make of the idea. I'm looking forward to keeping myself busy during the day, but I'm worried the evenings are going to feel weird. Any tips from other lone travellers? I guess a good book will be my friend. And are there any areas of Paris that you would recommend for me to stay in, or any to particularly avoid? Thanks in advance!

Paris is beautiful, I don't know about areas to stay but you won't have a problem. You can always enjoy a slap up lunch and then just grab a sandwich and eat it in the hotel if you don't want to be out in the evening.
Would highly recommend the Louvre, Saint Sulpice, Luxembourg Gardens for a stroll. Eat steak, drink wine.
Also was amazed last time how it is much friendlier than it used to be.

Oh gosh - you've made me feel suddenly very very envious.
We had a family holiday to Paris a few years ago, and whilst it was good - it would be bliss to mouch around without other people's demands.
As to what to do - it depends on your budget/interests. Do allow for lots of stop offs in cafes for drinks.
I liked the "high rise" park, would have liked to have spent time by the canals, the old Jewish quarter is interesting (and shows how Paris was before Napoleon, and I liked Pizza from Muslim Pizza places near Montmartre. And if you run out of books you do need to head to Shakespeare and Co.

Get a museum pass and fill your days, loads of cheap little bistros on the back streets, just take a book - I've seen many travellers doing this. The parks are lovely for a picnic too, go to the market for food.

I'll join you! Sounds fab. Theres plenty to see and do and loads of tourists so you won't feel alone. Enjoy it!

I've been to Paris alone. I obviously pretended to be Parisian I generally stay in/around Montmartre. Treat yourself to a skip the line tour of Marseilles and treat yourself to a walk round the Louvre at night.

Maybe take a kindle rather than a physical book. Looks a bit less lonely in a restaurant (although that wouldn't worry me) but I have no idea why.

Also the area round the Sorbonne is lovely. It's ALL lovely! Have a great time!

I did a very similar thing recently and am also newly separated. I went to Lille which, in hindsight, was a bit too small and I ran out of things to do after the first day! You won't have that problem in Paris, but yes I did find it lonely and especially in the evenings. But I was also still in a pretty dark place so it wasn't the best timing for me perhaps. Forced me to face my own thoughts and company, which in the long run was a positive thing but it was tough in the moment.

My tips would be too plan your sightseeing, Maybe join some group things like guided walks, eat your main meal during the day and then there's not so much pressure in the evening. You could see a show or something in the evening? I speak French but didn't get to practise much as nobody really spoke to me! Enjoy

For the last 20 years I've been going to Paris by myself for long weekends. It's my peaceful and recharge time.
I basically drink coffee on terraces, spend hours wandering around the Louvre, walking by the river, maybe go up the Eiffel tower because the view is amazing.
I always stay at the same hotel in Levallois-Perret, there's a bakery on the corner and I go there every morning for breakfast.

You'll have a great time, just relax and do what you want at your own pace.

I stayed in Barcelona for 4 nights alone and had an amazing time. I did all my sightseeing in the day and stayed in or near the hotel in the evening I had been through a break up too so felt a little bit sad but I'm so glad I did it. If I waited to be accompanied I might never have gone.

Am beyond jealous. If you’re worried about being lonely, I will happily join you - it’s REALLY no bother 😁

(Take stretchy trousers btw, after three days of croissants, amazing bread and creme brûlée’s I always find I need them)

Enjoy yourself.

If you are not used to dolo travel then I recommend taking a bus tour your first morning, it will give you ideas for where to go on your other days and you might meet up with someone you can meet for coffee a different day.

But don't expect that to happen, the Louvre is a must, Montmartre I would also say is a must.

On your first day have a look at restaurants near your hotel, if you see one you like the look of then go in for coffee and see what it is like. Then eat here all three nights, the staff will look after you. Sit by the window and watch the world go by.

I don't do that now (same restaurant) but I'm quite a seasoned solo traveller.

If you are there over the weekend then be prepared for things to be closed on Sunday.

Maybe keep a journal of your days, what you saw, funny things that happened.

Ooh, wow, wonderful replies! I will digest everything. Am excited now! Thank you so much for all the encouragement and tips!

We go to Paris every year and stay in the Marais (4th arondissment), lovely area, nice bars, restaurants and shops. Very historical area, nice parks. We won't stay anywhere else, minutes away from Notre Dame.

I travel along regularly, and have been to Paris a few times. It's one of my favourite places.

In a new place, I do the tourist hop on/off bus first just to get my bearings. I walk everywhere, stop for a long coffee/lunch, people watch etc.

I sometimes book a recommended restaurant in advance on open table or the like so that I'm not wondering about trying to find a place. If they see the reservation is for one they would maybe not place me smack bang in the middle sticking out like a sore thumb, or you can add a comment/request to that effect if that sort of thing bothers you.

Other places if I have felt the need to pop out for a drink at night local to where I'm staying I have taken my iPad.

I am so jealous!

For evenings if you can find a small local-ish type bar there’s nothing stopping you taking a magazine and watching the world go by preferably outside if it’s warm. Or how about theatre or cinema? Many films with original soundtrack and subs if your French isn’t up to it,

Sounds heaven. We are off to Paris for a weekend in August but as a family holiday. I often travel on my own and really enjoy it.
I love taking myself to lunch/dinner on my own too. There is something so indulgent about it. Paris at night is possibly my favourite time for a quite stroll. It's not called the city of lights for nothing.
Take a good book and really relax.
I plan to take my running shoes when we go in 2 weeks so I can get up early and run around Paris before my BF and DD wake for some blissful alone time.

The Louvre is free i the evening on the first Saturday of the month.
I can't wait to be wondering around it at 9pm.

Did this myself, best holiday I've ever done. Museums, art quarters, walking tour, bus tour, boat ride, during the days and then evening meal (take a book so you can read) I loved eating alone, soon realised loads of people do it. Hot chocolate or a pure orange in a cafe near the Eiffel tower after evening meal watching the people pass and then bed. Loved it!

I'd book to watch a play or concert or show at a nice place in the evening, if there are tickets available.
It's a nice way to visit interesting places and something to do in the evening.

gosh, I would love this even if it's just sitting outside a bar of cafe reading a book and people watching.

I love my OH but he's going away with his son for a few days during summer & i'm selfishly looking forward to it

I went to Lille which, in hindsight, was a bit too small and I ran out of things to do after the first day!

There's plenty to do in Lille for a long weekend at the very least! Two excellent art galleries, for a start.

It's perfectly normal, why would you feel weird

If you need something to do in the evenings, cinema in Paris is much cheaper than in the UK and English films tend (in my experience) to be shown in English with French subtitles (although obviously check this if you do decide to go!)

Omg enjoy!!!!

Take a book everywhere 1but ime people are surprisingly chatty to lone travellers

A lovely thing to do if you're on your own is open air cinema : lavillette.com/programmation/cinema-en-plein-air_e556

The english films will be subtitled rather than dubbed in French so even if your french isn't great it's accessible. WAnder to a market or supermarket beforehand and bring a picnic!!

I would give so much to go to Paris on my own again like I did in my 20s. It's the perfect city for that...cafes, museums, parks, meet up groups if you get lonely. Just amazing. And if you want to practise your French it's better to go on your own anyway. Have fun OP, I'm feeling very jealous right now.

If going to the cinema look for English/American films shown as "VO" or "VOST". They'll be in English with French subtitles.