Savouring a solo trip to Paris

One of the world’s most adored destinations, Paris is always a good idea. And when it comes to solo travelling, it doesn’t get better than the City of Light – a place that welcomes the individual with open arms, embracing solo diners with a book in hand or lone flâneurs hopping from one gallery to the next. To help plan your solo trip to Paris, here’s a guide to some of my favourite spots in the city.

Where to stay

Hôtel Panache

Located in the buzzy 9th arrondissement, Hôtel Panache sits in a prime location for exploring the city. A design-led boutique hotel with its retro decor and bold use of pattern, you’ll instantly feel at home. There are only fourty bedrooms, each with their own quirks owing to the unique shape of the 19th-century building, as well as Art Deco touches and Diptyque toiletries. Opt for a balcony room overlooking the quintessential rooftops of Paris. It’s the perfect stylish but affordable spot for your solo trip to Paris.

Rooms from £115 per night

1 Rue Geoffroy-Marie, 75009

Château Voltaire

Check in to Chåteau Voltaire and fall head over heels for its understated elegance. Situated in the 1st arrondissement, this is a hotel with creativity at its core brought to life by the founder of Zadig&Voltaire, Thierry Gillier and artistic director, Franck Durand. Admire the impressive collection of artworks, beautiful furnishings and carefully considered final touches. And, of course, don’t check out sans a couple of hours of pampering at the hotel’s compact and beautifully designed spa, complete with a sauna and hammam.

Rooms from £518 per night

55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

If your budget allows, there’s nowhere more iconic to stay than the Plaza Athénée. Situated along Avenue Montaigne – one of the city’s most prestigious streets – it neighbours the flagship stores of Dior, Gucci and Givenchy to name a few, and overlooks the Eiffel Tower in all her glory. Its façade, with those signature scarlet awnings, tells a tale of Parisian glamour from the outset. Once inside, you’ll be whisked away to a world of luxury like no other.

Rooms from £1,700 per night

25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008

Where to eat

Le Clown Bar

An institution in Paris’ 11th arrondissement, Le Clown Bar will delight with its striking setting as soon as you step through its door. Once settled in, the excellent wine list and a concise menu of inventive dishes will delight even further. Bring a book, take a seat at the bar and while away the hours – the restaurant’s wonderfully relaxed ambience is perfect for solo diners.

114 Rue Amelot, 75011

Le Servan

The brainchild of sisters, Tatiana – formerly of L’Arpège and L’Astrance – and Katia Levha, Le Servan has become one of the city’s most cherished restaurants amongst Paris’ foodie community. The restaurant’s setting is modern and pared back, allowing the dishes to do the talking. Speaking of which, expect a menu shaped by international influences and bold interpretations of French classics. Needless to say, you’ll need to book in advance.

32 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011

Clamato

Clamato, Septime’s more relaxed sister restaurant, is a stylish little spot to enjoy small plates just a few doors along the same street. On its concise menu, seafood takes centre stage – think Galician sea urchins, bonito tataki with Buddha’s hand and tamarind, or sea bass with Béarnaise sauce. Unlike Septime, Clamato doesn’t take reservations so walk in and enjoy the perk of being an easy-to-seat solo diner. It was the first restaurant I visited when living in Paris and remains one of my go-to places whenever I’m back in the city.

80 Rue de Charonne, 75011

Where to drink

Le Mary Celeste

A favoured watering hole amongst Paris’ cool crowd for several years now, Le Mary Celeste’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Sip on one of the bar’s speciality cocktails (I had a delicious margarita with kumquat on my recent trip) or play it more Parisian with a glass of natural wine. There’s also a lovely little food menu on which oysters are always a feature, alongside dishes like moules en escabèche or steak tartare with stracciatella. It’s a great place for an apéro after a busy day of exploring.

1 Rue Commines, 75003

Folderol

A bar à vins that serves homemade ice cream alongside your glass of low intervention wine? Dreams do come true. The ice cream offering at Folderol changes with the seasons, but past flavours include the likes of carrot cake, oolong tea and olive oil. As you can imagine, it’s a popular spot, so aim for a mid-afternoon visit for your best chance of securing a seat quickly.

10 Rue du Grand Prieuré, 75011

Bar Hemingway

An ode to the writer that frequented the bar during wartime Paris, Bar Hemingway is one of the city’s most legendary. Located in The Ritz, naturally, it’s the perfect excuse to dress to the nines and revel in an evening of extravagance. With just twenty-five seats, the bar is an intimate space that transports you to the Paris of a bygone era. Pictures of and letters by Hemingway adorn the walls amongst other memorabilia, while sumptuous dark furnishings and leather seats further accentuate the old-world feel. When it comes to ordering, you can’t go wrong. Signature cocktails include Bar Hemingway’s very own creation, ‘Serendipity’ or a classic dry martini.

15 Place Vendôme, 75001

Where to shop

Libraire Galignani

Founded in 1801, Galignani is said to be the oldest English bookshop on the continent. A beautiful store along Rue de Rivoli filled to the brim with reading material, it’s a bibliophile’s heaven. Naturally, there’s an excellent selection of English-language books to browse, but the fine arts section is not to be missed either. Somewhere I always make time to visit whenever I’m in the city, be sure to add this to your solo trip to Paris itinerary.

224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001

Le Bon Marché & La Grande Épicerie

Over on the Left Bank, Le Bon Marché is one of the city’s most iconic shopping destinations. Home to brands from Bottega Veneta to Officine Universelle Buly, dedicate a good chunk of time to exploring its length and breadth. Make sure to venture over to the adjoining Grande Épicerie too, the impressive gourmet food hall where you can stock up on everything from the finest of foie gras to exotic fruit and vegetables.

24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007

Merci

As cool as they come, this concept store is one of the city’s originals. Housed within a 19th-century building formerly used for creating fabrics and wallpapers, Merci has kept hold of its creative roots. Walk past the bright red Mini sitting in its courtyard and into a trove of clothing, homeware, stationery and more. There’s a café on site too for the caffeine fix you’re sure to need after the unplanned shopping spree.

11 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003

What to do

Meander through the Marais

One of the most charming neighbourhoods in Paris, dedicate an afternoon to exploring Le Marais during your solo trip to Paris. Wander along its cobblestone streets, lined with boutiques, galleries and wine bars. Head to one of the oldest squares in the city, Place des Vosges. If weather permits, rest your legs in the square itself soaking up the sunshine, or take a seat en terrasse at one of its surrounding cafés. The Marais also boasts some of Paris’ best smaller museums: my favourites include Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Musée Picasso and Musée Carnavalet.

Embrace the peace & quiet of Parc Monceau

Often overlooked by visitors to the city, Parc Monceau and its surrounding area is well worth the detour from your usual tourist trail. Modelled on the classic English garden, it’s an oasis loved by locals and in-the-know travellers alike. Surrounding the park are majestic mansions, one of which is the Musée Nissim de Camondo – a beautiful house museum full of decorative art collected by its namesake owner, Moïse de Camondo. The Asian art museum, Musée Cernuschi is also nearby and for a bite to eat, head to Bistrot d’Yves to enjoy traditional French cuisine at its best.

Take a trip to the Tuileries

Stretching from the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries is a beautiful park to wander around and ideally situated for a day of exploring. If culture is calling, you’re surrounded by museums: aside from the obvious, there’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Musée de l’Orangerie and Hôtel de la Marine. For some retail therapy, head to Rue St Honoré by way of Galignani. Or if you’re in need of a sweet treat, look no further than Cédric Grolet. Yes, the prices are steep and the queue can be long, but the creations are works of art.

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