Solo break to Paris in December

[solotravelling]

Okay I'm single and sick of waiting around for people to come on holiday with me so I'm going on my own! I've dreamt of going to Paris for years so I want to go at the end of December (in between Xmas & New Year) as I'm off work with zero plans.

I'm embarrassed to say that I'm 30 and only flew once as an adult and that was a domestic flight to Ireland in Jan.

So I have some questions, some may overlap!:

1. I am flying Birmingham to Paris CDG. Is Paris CDG easy to navigate? Absolutely petrified I'll get off the plane, have no idea where to get my luggage or no idea where to go to get a taxi.

2. Getting from Paris CDG to city centre. I'll be staying somewhere central so I can walk everywhere. Do I book a transfer in advance or just queue for a taxi? Will the taxi drivers speak any English? I did GCSE French but not feeling confident.

3. Eating. Do many people eat alone in Paris? TBH I don't like going out in the evening much so would ideally like to pick something up for dinner and take it back to my hotel. Breakfast and lunch I'd like to go out.

4. What are good things to see/do in Paris as a tourist and/or solo traveller? I'm an early bird so want to make the most of my days.

5. Will there be any Christmas markets?

6. I'm planning on just going for 2 nights, so 3 days. Will that be enough? Or should I tag on an extra day and go for 3 nights, 4 days?

7. Will most places speak English? I'll brush up on my French before I go but like I say, not confident so petrified I'll be like a lost puppy in the city.

Thanks in advance.

Oh I’m so jealous! That sounds like a lovely thing to do around Xmas. It’s years since I’ve been to Paris so I can’t offer much advice. However, it looks like you can get public transport straight from CDG into the city: www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/rer/b
That would be my choice, rather than a taxi. I love using metros, trams etc abroad. You can feel a bit more in control if you don’t feel confident in the language - no pressure to speak to anyone, plus no risk of getting ripped off.
I would also go for the 3 nights if you can. 2 nights is really only 1 day, so the travelling will take up more if your holiday.

Sounds fabulous. Do you need a hotel recommendation? I can certainly help.
i take my youngish daughter quite a bit and we don’t go out at night and take food back after a busy day. Yes lots of eating alone not a big deal at all. Walk lots and use the bus not the metro is my advice!

That sounds bliss! I am hoping to take my teenage daughter early next year and have all the same concerns as you, so will be keen to read the replies here.

This sounds great. Take a train from CDG. I went to Gare du Nord and changed to metro/subway.

Id go to the Louvre and musee d'orsay, walk the streets of paris to see the sights, rodin museum and sculpture garden, eat out for prix fixe lunches with a book, make sure i go to other districts, take a boat trip on the seine. Go out for a pastry and a coffee for breakfast, maybe take in a classical concert (check Bachtrack), there's that park in the centre that is lovely. I went to see contemporary art ag the pompidou centre but not as fab as the louvre (where you definitely need a full day,)

Personally I'd stay as long as you can. Even if you are just chilling out with a book sat in a cafe.

Warning Paris is pricey. Take lots of cash!

I have considered doing paris solo. It's a great city alone or in company.

I found that if I tried to speak French then they would speak English at me but if I didn't try to speak French then they'd pretend not to understand.

I'd stay in a little apartment so you have your fridge etc and can get gorgeous food from a market or deli for the evening. Paris is the perfect city for a solo trip. My OH goes there for work and I love spending time on my own wandering around galleries or sitting in cafés people watching. You will love it!

Eurostar currently has a flash sale: £29 each way between London and Paris. Don't know how that compares to air fares or if there are tickets left. Offer ends tomorrow. Of course you'd have to get to London, but you'd avoid much of the faff of airports, e.g. you keep your baggage with you at all times and it would take you right into central Paris at Gare du Nord.

I looked at this today but unfortunately there isn't a £29 offer for the days that I am looking at.

Any hotel recommendations would be fab. There are so many to choose from, I don't know where to begin. From what I've read online, it's better to stay close to the Louvre museum as it's fairly central, albeit still a bit of a trek from the Eiffel Tower.

Hi OP

I can't remember the name of our hotel but it was in the Marais.You can walk everywhere from there so very easy!

Hope you have a wonderful time!

I haven’t been for years either but my tip is to go up the Tour de Montparnasse to get a view of the skyline which includes the Eiffel Tower since you’re not up it lol.
Also, in Montmartre, there’s a Dali museum which was memorably weird.
I'm very envious. I only ever went to Paris with xh and would love to go back (alone). Have the best time 😊