Proceeding Through Paris Solo

Since travelling to Paris on my own, I see the city as a place of opportunity to find one’s self. For example, each day I was in Paris, I created goals, food plans, and multiple activities to keep myself busy. Yet, buried in all of those plans, time on my own still lingered. Over the couse of my trip, I learned to be comfortable experiencing new things solo. This is not meant to be a sad blog, but inspiring as this trip taught me new aspects of how to be in different spaces, what to do, and the heartwarming interactions that can happen along the way. Below is aset of my experiences stacked into a singular, idealized day.

The beginning of a day, even solo travelling, is always a treat as it is a fresh start. Once I found a favorite boulangerie in Paris, I made it my mission to ace saying, “Un café au lait et un pain au chocolat s’il vous plait”. Did I mess up my pronunciation many times and end up with the wrong espresso drink… yes. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my café au lait once I said it right (and received said drink).

With a pain au chocolat in hand and the café au lait gone, I would take the metro to my main activity of the day. For art and art history lovers, the Louvre is a wonderful place to stay for hours, get lost in the art, and relax. The Musée de L’Orangerie is another favorite spot of mine, and more serene. In less frequented rooms of the Louvre, I would look for a space on the floor (or a chair) so that I may sit, draw, and truly see a piece. I cannot emphasize enough how integral this was, and still is, to my education, artistic approach, and remembering places. When in doubt, take the time to sketch a few pieces, and really look at them.

As time would pass, I would eventually need a lunch break. One thing I loved about Paris was how friendly people were when I ate alone. People have struck up conversations and cracked jokes with me, remarked on my art and shared their own, or invited me to share meals together. These interactions made Paris less lonely, and full of joy.

With the museum (or another institution) visit completed, many times I would then take a stroll through the streets of the city. For this trip, I created a small music playlist of upbeat songs, cinematic tracks, and French tunes to walk to. By listening to these songs - with only one earbud in - I gained a sense of confidence and adventure as I walked along the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower, or down the Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe.

Depending on the day, the evening could end with delightful French cuisine, perhaps some comfort food, or a trip to the grocery store for a selection of cheeses, a warm appetizer, and a small bottle of wine to bring back to the hotel. To note, there is no shortage of amazing French restaurants in Paris to dine at. However, after a long day out on my own, some nights I preferred to have food that reminded me of home, or go back to my room and watch a movie to relax. I learned that it is vital to find the balance of how much time you can spend travelling on your own, and the need for comfort in order to feel rejuvenated for another day of solo travel.

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On that note, bon voyage if you visit Paris soon, and au revoir until next blog.