Bonjour my lovelies, c’est moi – back from another writing lull because I’ve done something exciting and of course I want to bore you all with the juicy details of it. Nearly a fortnight ago now, I went on my first ever solo trip abroad to the French capital. I was literally Emily in Paris, the Instagram captions just write themselves eh?!

I chose Paris A because it’s one of the few direct city break destinations from Newcastle that doesn’t cost over £200 for a return flight. B because I’ve been before and have a vague familiarity of it (for my first trip I didn’t want to be too overwhelmed), but it still felt new, exciting and largely unexplored. And finally C, because I really wanted to go back, practice my French, inhale half a wheel of cheese and swan around like Francoise Hardy for two and a bit days. Which was close enough to what happened. Although I did buy a packet of Camels for the je ne sais quoi, and only ended up smoking one (albeit with red wine in hand), terribly embarrassing.

I had one hell of a time, and received a lot of lovely comments from friends and girls on Instagram about embarking on a solo trip, saying it inspired them, and asking for tips. So, I thought I’d compile a list of a few things that helped me, or would’ve helped me in hindsight, before going away on my lonesome.

Destination Duration

That header sounds like a synth-flooded 80s banger, and I intend on writing it at some point. “Destination Duration. Three days. We started at the metro station…” *cuts to me in a New Romantic get-up; frilly blouse, oversized blazer, and enough blusher on to suffocate a man*

I was in Paris for just under 3 days (arriving in Charles De Gaulle about 1.30pm on the Saturday, and my return flight being about 9pm on the Monday). Which for my first trip felt manageable to plan and get my head around being alone for – coming from someone for whom conversation is their oxygen.

As ever, on the last day I felt like I could’ve conquered about 7 days more (although I’m sure my bank balance would disagree), but I suppose for a first trip it was perfect. I managed to break it up with a lush balance of wandering, touristy stuff, mooching around vintage shops, with resting up in my room crammed in between.

I think that for any capital city, you will have no problem whatsoever filling 3 days, and if you’re feeling adventurous (or a bit rich) I’d say do 4-5.

Use Apple Map Guides

I’m not a big planner. I love a list, but I put no pressure on myself to adhere to them, I just like the art of making them.

On holidays I’ve taken with other people (so everyone except this one), I generally have 2 or so things each day I’d definitely want to do, then I surround that with a bit of exploring. Also, I’m a bit pretentious and quite enjoy the act of just pretending I’m a local while nursing a coffee in a café window seat, listening to ‘La Femme‘ – before I fuck it all up by butchering my French and nearly ordering 4 burrata baguettes instead of 1, luckily the bakery worker double-checked or I might’ve had to go home in a Muumuu.

For this trip, I did make a very rough plan of each day (e.g. Head to Le Marais to explore, go to the Pompidou, wander back towards the Seine, 6th Arrondisement, Crazy Horse at 8pm). I HUGELY benefitted from using Apple Map guides for the first time, which meant when I was exploring an area I could see if any recommendations were in walking distance (I added these all pre-trip). It really helped tick things off in such a big city, and not feel like I was trekking miles to do each one in a random order.

Here is my Paris Guide.

Plan your evenings in advance

My biggest tip as a female solo traveller is to plan out your evenings (if it’s a short trip at least). I didn’t want to just lock myself in my room like Rapunzel and retire for the eve as soon as the sunlight drifted away. I also didn’t want to wander aimlessly and end up in some dark back alley late at night, so I chose ‘activities’.

I love a solo gig, and was recommended to get the DICE app on which I bought a ticket for the band Friedberg at La Boule Noire in Pigalle. I hadn’t heard of this band before, but they were fucking brilliant (anyone with that many cowbells on stage are worth a listen). I arrived in time for the support (the incredible Roma Luca) slot, played on my phone and people watched in the interval, then left as soon as Friedberg finished their set, and got the metro straight back to my hotel. Perfect.

I’d also looked at evening options like the Opera or the theatre, but they were either sold out, or insanely expensive. So this little 15 euro gig was perfect.

The second evening, I’d already booked a ticket for Crazy Horse cabaret after hearing amazing reviews. I got the ‘partial view’ seat as it was about 30 euro cheaper, and it was still an amazing view, I was just seated at the far left so I suppose some of the performances wouldn’t have been as powerful than if you were sat in the dead centre. Nonetheless, it was still amazing.

Drinks cost an eye-watering amount (you could only get wine/champagne/prosecco by the bottle) so I opted for the more reasonable *gulps* 20 euro cocktail. Of which I sucked every last ice cube to make it last. I think I was the only person there alone, but I didn’t feel awkward at all, I felt very looked after by the staff and it was an incredible experience. I’d highly recommend – the dancers are sensational and it felt like a real special occasion and once in a lifetime evening.

The location of your accomodation is everything

You can roam the far corners of the city by day safely, but I wanted to know that I had a safe place to sleep at night and that I could get home safely from the above evening activities. For that reason, I chose to stay in an area that I’d stayed close to before. I opted for Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement) which is central, busy and well-connected. It isn’t the cheapest, but choosing it meant I never felt the need to get an Uber, so I saved money on travel.

I also chose to stay on the same street as a few bistro’s and bars that were open till the early hours, which always gives me the reassurance that if I felt unsafe waking home at night, there’s somewhere safe I could dip into.

Room-wise I ain’t fussy as long as it’s clean. For me a city break room is just somewhere to rest and sleep so basic is fine avec moi.

Leave your luggage somewhere safe while you explore

This is a general travel trip that I’m sure most people already know, but if you can leave your luggage, do. Even if it’s just a big rucksack, I feel much more free to explore and rake up thousands of steps around the city when I only have a small handbag.

Most hotels will let you leave your luggage there for free after you check out to collect later. Or if the hotel location isn’t convenient, there are storage lockers all over most-major cities that are cheap and easy to use. Also, it makes you look less like a tourist, and resultantly less of a target for pickpockets etc.

Don’t tell people you’re a woman travelling alone

Obviously this doesn’t really apply if you’re in a hostel dorm looking to pal up with fellow travellers (who can see quite clearly you’re there alone). But if you’re staying alone in hotel, or apartment, it’s probably a lot safer not to announce to strangers that you’re alone.

If anyone asks a lot of questions and it’s a bit suspicious, just say you’re meeting a mate/partner/parent later and are staying together. Just in case. You can never be too careful.

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I’ll be doing another post with my Paris recommendations and some post-travel reflections, but I’m gonna round this one up here.

But basically, if you’re a girl considering solo travel (or a man for that matter), fucking do it. Life is too short. As long as you’ve got your head screwed on and don’t take any silly risks, you should be fine.

I can’t wait for my next trip already.

Em x