Solo in Paris: The Reality of Traveling Alone as a Woman

Comments · 472

• SA

  @samcollage7682 · 2 weeks ago

  I had a friend who traveled solo to many countries and she said when she had a question about anything, she went to the green cross pharmacias and the people there usually spoke English.  That is probably good advice.

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• S-

  @s-broof · 2 weeks ago

  As a Parisian, I’d say that if you’re walking down the street in the evening or at night, stay aware of your surroundings. If you notice a lone man following you in a suspicious way, head into the nearest shop, bar, or grocery store—they’ll help you. Parisians are well aware of safety issues and are there to help.❤I hope it is the same role in all country now, sadly

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• JE

  @jennysu1153 · 2 weeks ago

  I wish this video was available when I was in college.  A middle-aged man forced me to kiss him while I was taking in the view one evening on Pont Neuf.  I pushed him away and left at something just short of a flat out panicked sprint, but he followed me for several blocks.  I realized going back to my apartment alone was not a good idea, so I went into a bar and sat down with a random woman sitting by herself.  She was super kind and pretended to know me, so the guy gave up after hanging outside the bar for several minutes.  Never underestimate another woman's willingness to help!  We've all been there and I think we would all help another woman get out of a tough situation.  Thank you for all the safety information!  Your videos are fantastic.

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• SY

  @sylviefournier1833 · 2 weeks ago

  In Lyon, some shops or bars, etc....have a poster on the window saying" here, you can ask for Angela" .  This means, if you are in trouble, get in the place, and ask the manager or the waiter for Angela. That is a secret code, they will put you in  security and call the police for you if you need. I m so happy we have this here.

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• AN

  @angela-pf2ym · 2 weeks ago

  Hello Mrs Frenchie. I am an old lady and travelled alone for the last 10years before I retired. Paris was my favourite places. I did a lot of visits during those years.  I did meticulously research to concerns of being a single travelling female. I prefer apartment hotels and stay in my favourite Citadines on Avenue Rachel at the bottom of Montmartre, it’s right next door to the cemetery! Arriving overnight from Canada it’s always too early for check in so I store my luggage and pop off to A grocery and pick up a picnic and sit myself down in the cemetery it’s just like a park with very quiet neighbours! The hotel texts me when room ready. Another thing I do is order my Metro tickets on line and they are waiting for me at the hotel. I also prebook museums and other touristy adventures that way too. I always wear a cross body purse and have RFID protection for documents. If I do something in the evening  ,I book a car hire service for anything after dark. If I’m going to an unfamiliar event or area I research it to death before I go ,I l find the street view app very useful. It’s impossible to not look like a tourist but I find if you walk with confidence and appear to know where you are going it helps to stay safe. Oh and I always use a car service to and from the airport.❤

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• TR

  @tracykucera3616 · 2 weeks ago

  I'm so glad that you created this video because during one of my first visits to Paris in 1989, I found myself being targeted by a group of older teenage boys while waiting on the Metro platform. I was about 26 years old at the time, but looked younger. There were many seats available, but they chose to come and sit next to me and began making comments about my figure etc..in English. Just when I was getting ready to move, an older couple came up and the husband began to yell at them and chased them away. Both the husband and wife gave me some safety  tips and afterwards, I never had another issue.

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• LI

  @LisaMoo54 · 2 weeks ago

  Great video! I fell in Montpellier while looking up at the Christmas decorations last winter. I didn't see a step down and fell and hit my left eye and cheek on the step. A couple of sweet young ladies stopped to help me up (while I was thinking to myself, I bet they thought "we better help this little old lady" - I'm a spry 72). Luckily, on the way back to my Air BnB, I passed a pharmacy so I went inside and asked them for what I needed (in French!). Then, before I got back to the apartment, I also passed an optometrist who was still open at 7PM. My fall had broken the hinge on my glasses and in hesitant French, I asked if he could fix it. No, he couldn't, but what he did do was find another pair of similar frames and transferred my old lenses into the new frames. About 20 minutes and 30 euros later, I was out the door and on the way "home" almost whole! It was amazing.

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• JA

  @janerobinson5944 · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  I have traveled to Paris for over 20 years.  The first few years I traveled with my partner.  For the past 10 years I have traveled alone.  I actually like to travel alone. I have never had a safety issue.  My hotel is in an area that I know very well.  I do stay close to my hotel in the evening as I am getting older and can’t walk as far as I used to be able to.  There are many wonderful cafes close to my hotel so it all works great for me.  I do not use the metro but I do use Taxi services when I need to get around Paris. I always stay in hotel Jeanne d’Arc in Le Marais.  A Wonderful neighborhood area with place Saint Catherine for neighborhood cafes.  Close to shopping and museums.

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• EX

  @explorewithsteggie1913 · 2 weeks ago

  I traveled to Paris by myself and stayed at Le Sèvre in St. Germain. I made dinner reservations at Le Dôme and was treated like a queen. I walked to and from my hotel to the restaurant late at night. One of my favorite experiences.

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• MS

  @MsBackstager · 2 weeks ago

  While on a Paris trip with other members of a NJ community college, I was waiting for my group at the lobby/bar when a French man apparently tried to CHAT me up until I answered him in English. That was the end of my pickup!!! :)

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• FR

  @frigiliana · 2 weeks ago

  We've just returned from Paris , used the Metro quite a lot I was very impressed by how courteous the commuters were , we are  both getting on in years and without exception my wife was given a seat as soon as we were on the train .

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• NA

  @nattygirldred · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  My First time in Paris last year was a solo trip. I followed you video step-by-step on how to exit the airport and get to the cabs. It was exactly like you showed in the video. I stayed at an older smaller hotel in the 12th  at Place Pigalle called the Villa Royal Hotel, and I had no idea after a certain hour they would lock the lobby door. Luckily I didn't panic and there was a bell to push and they came right out, but it would have been nice to know ahead of time. Also because it was smaller, staff had to wake up to check me out when it was time to go. Again luckily, I was leaving 3 hours before my flight. Not only did it take a moment, they also had to call a taxi driver that they knew to come that early and provide him with coins to get through the gate to drop me off at CDG airport. So yes, I agree arranging the ride to and from the airport ahead of time and coordinate to check out the night before (especially for a small hotel) will ease a lot of issues. Your videos are so well done I felt very confident.

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