A solo day trip to Paris

[IceCreamWoes]

I'm a single parent, work full time, but had a moment of madness and booked a eurostar ticket to Paris next Saturday for myself. I'm so excited!

I'll have about 9 hours there what should I do? More interested in museums, parks, food, wine, libraries and architecture than I am shopping. Don't mind spending a bit of money but ideally as cheap as poss.

Any ideas where to eat as a solo woman? Good people watching spots please!

Thanks so much. God, what do I wear??

I'd wear anything you're comfortable in, but with your most comfortable walking shoes! I wouldn't be too ambitious though - Paris is a big city so I'd just concentrate on a few things and go with the flow for the rest.

When you get off the train, I'd head to the RER B and get off at Chatelet Les Halles. If it's a nice day, there is excellent people watching while having a coffee at any of the cafes on the square in front of the Pompidou. Then I'd head to the Chagall exhibition at the Pompidou (which you may need to book, I think it closes that weekend so a good chance to catch it before it closes), and then walk through the Marais for lunch at Breizh Cafe, Capitaine or Bistro de Tournelles, maybe following a self-guided walking tour on my phone along the way for history/architecture stuff. After lunch I'd go to the Musee Carnavalet as a) it's free, so you don't have to pay for another museum, and b) it's all about the history of Paris and also the French Revolution but also has loads of wonderful design, interiors and furniture history too.

Then I'd walk down in a big loop, past the stationary shops around Saint Paul, through the Jewish quarter on the rue des Rosiers, across the river and bimble around the bookstores and galleries in the Latin Quarter, and finish up with a glass of wine at La Palette on the corner of the Rue du Seine and Rue Jaques Callot (also excellent people watching). If you are up for dinner, there is a teeny tiny restaurant called Pres de Seine a few doors up.

Then walk to Saint Michel Notre Dame station, and take the RER B back to the Gare du Nord.

PS if in doubt wear all black with big comfy trainers or combat boots and a raincoat. I find I get quite grubby in Paris. Don't try for wafty french girl style if you're going to be out and about all day!

@IceCreamWoes how wonderful!

I would suggest starting from your arrival at Gare du Nord and looking at easily accessible sites via the metro.

just for e.g, taking line 4 (towards Bagneux - Lucie Aubrac)

get off at Strasbourg Saint-Denis (4 mins)

then at Strasbourg Saint-Denis take line 8 (towards Balard) to Concorde (7 mins)

6 min walk to Musée de l'Orangerie, Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France

www.musee-orangerie.fr/en

eta; there are a lot of interesting sites and lovely eating places, within budget, around that area

Absolutely amazing effort, thanks for taking the time. I think I have my own now, thanks everyone.

prep for the JO is making a few things look "under construction" just now.

for a day trip, i d take RER B to notre dame saint Michel, and head to pont neuf for a little 1h boat trip on the seine to see the sights (book in advance online, and there s no queue).

Back at quay, i d walk over to the Louvre via Notre Dame, check out place du carousel, and would head to the marais and to place des vosges.

then, would head back to barbes-rochechouart or porte de clichy to walk to sacre coeur and stop by place du tertre

then back to gare du nord

I'd go to the Picasso museum, then wander out to the local shops for a lunch with wine and then a spot of shopping. Then walk down to the Seine for a lovely people watching afternoon.

The Picasso museum is a wonderful place.

Oh and before you go back to the station, go to one of the massive pharmacies and buy enough to fill a strong tote bag.

DD and I went last year and spent two hours in a pharmacy one day!

How fabulous, do report back!

ooh OP I did this last year - but spent one night so had 36 hours in total.

My priorities in that timeframe were Musee D'Orsay and mooching in the Marais (people watching as much as actual shopping) Quite a few restaurants around there you can sit outside at in little squares)

As PP said start w metro to Chatelet des Halles, then you can head out towards the river and walk along towards the Eiffel Tower. Then you'd have time to head towards L'Opera and pop into Galleries LaFayette (stunning building and rooftop terrace for a coffee or drink)

Comfy trainers should be your priority

I came on to say similar. The boat trip saves your feet but you get a good view of the place.

What are you buying at French pharmacies that you can't get in the UK?

Amazing! Walk along the seine and watch lots of Emily in Paris before you go!

OP, I really want to know how you found a good price ticket to do that! I looked at it but it was going to cost about £400 ☹️.

I work for a UK train company and we get heavily discounted national UK and European train travel, it's one of the (only?) perks! It's costing £69 return with my discount. Without, it was £300 return.

I was wondering whether I should have got a cheap air bnb for the night and more of it, but maybe next time.

I really appreciate all the effort in responses. I never do anything like this, I'm like as kid waiting for Christmas!

What an incredible reply! ♥️

OP, this is such a brilliant idea. I hope you have a wonderful time.

What sort of things can you buy? What is good?

Go out of the Gare du Nord (head down, avoid eye contact). Turn left and then left again, which should put you on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, walking uphill. Walk on the right hand side of the road and take the second right, into Rue Cail. You are now in the Pakistani/Indian/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan area of Paris, quite a bit different to equivalent areas in the UK. There are some amazing eateries there, particularly if you are veggie/vegan which can otherwise be a challenge in Paris.

Well we bought a lot of massive bottles of cleanser - think a litre bottle, for about €6, I was able to buy Erborian cream off the shelf instead of on amazon, I tried lots of different moisturiser testers and cc creams etc.

The big ones are so fantastic.

My arms were dead after carrying it all in the queue for the train home though!

@IceCreamWoes I spent the last 3 years living in Paris, I would suggest Doing the Petite Ceinture, its the railway track around Paris, its amazing, but go to the one in the 15th Arrondisment, here is a map https://petiteceinture.org/acceder-a-la-petite-ceinture/ and here is some general info. https://discoveringgaia.com/petite-ceinture-an-old-railway-line-to-walk-in-paris-france/

I also suggest going to Jardin Luxemburg, smack middle of Paris, beautiful park. aswell as Rue Des Canettes, just to see the Paris Bar streets if you're looking for a quick drink.

I've got tons of spots if you want more pointers!

Enjoy the trip!