“Be alone. Eat alone, take yourself on dates, sleep alone. In the midst of this, you will learn about yourself. You will grow.” — Rupi Kaur
Paris rewards the quiet observer. It offers itself to the woman who walks slowly, who reads in cafés, who stops to admire a stranger’s coat or the way sunlight drapes across limestone at 4PM.
This is not a city to conquer. It is a city to be in conversation with. And for the solo traveler, especially the woman who listens to her senses and follows her curiosity, Paris becomes a mirror — revealing your softness, your edges, your hunger, your grace.
When to Go
The most poetic times to be in Paris are:
- Late April through June: The city is in bloom. The parks burst with life, cafés stretch their chairs into the sun, and Parisians are at their most charming.
- Mid-September through early November: The light becomes cinematic, the crowds thin, and Paris feels once again like it belongs to those who live and linger.
Winter has its own quiet magic — short days, long shadows, and cafés as cozy sanctuaries — but if it's your first solo trip, opt for spring or fall.
Where to Stay (For the Stylish, Soulful, and Solo)
Paris has no shortage of accommodations, but only a few feel like a well-kept secret just for you. These hotels combine beauty, safety, centrality, and the kind of charm that makes coming home a joy.
Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
Hidden behind a courtyard just off the bustling Boulevard Poissonnière, this hotel is a serene, design-forward oasis. Think velvet headboards, copper accents, and candlelit hallways. Rooftop bar for apéros, and walking distance to the Marais and Palais Royal.
Hôtel Henriette
In the quietly enchanting 13th arrondissement, near the Latin Quarter. Romantic and feminine with vintage touches and leafy courtyard views. Affordable, safe, and full of soul.
Maison Mère
A boutique hotel in the 9th with modern flair, perfect for creatives. Artistic interiors, solo-friendly dining spaces, and located in a residential neighborhood full of bakeries and flower shops.
Relais Christine
A splurge worth making. Tucked away on a quiet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Plush, private, and historic — with the elegance of old Paris and the warmth of a home.
How to Flâneur Here
To flâneur in Paris is to participate in the art of being. You are not sightseeing; you are receiving the city.
Start in Le Marais, where centuries-old buildings now house concept stores, art galleries, and hidden courtyards. Walk without Google Maps. Let the scent of warm galettes or vintage paper lure you down a side street.
Drift through the Jardin du Luxembourg, especially on a weekday morning. Sit with your journal. Watch the light move across statues. Observe the Parisian pace — composed, never hurried.
Meander along the Canal Saint-Martin in late afternoon. Watch locals reading, sketching, kissing. Cross footbridges. Maybe stop for a glass of wine at Chez Prune.
Let the Seine guide you home at night. Lights shimmering, bridges glowing — it’s poetry in motion.
For the Art & Culture Lover
Paris is an endless museum. But your solo time allows for depth over breadth. Let yourself be moved.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Monet’s water lilies are more like soul-mirrors than paintings. Sit with them in silence. Upstairs, find Modigliani, Matisse, and more in quiet rooms that let you feel the art.
Musée Rodin
A sanctuary of sculpture and gardens. Walk among marble bodies under rose-covered trellises. There’s space here — for both breath and thought.
Atelier des Lumières
An immersive digital art experience in an old iron foundry. It’s bold, emotional, and unlike anything else.
Shakespeare and Company
Yes, it’s famous. Yes, it’s worth it. Buy a book. Tuck a note between the pages. Sit in the upstairs reading nook and eavesdrop on the ghosts of writers past.
Galerie Perrotin or Palais de Tokyo
For contemporary art lovers seeking something fresh and provocative.
A Taste of the City
Dining solo in Paris is not just acceptable — it’s sophisticated.
Le Mary Celeste
Chic, intimate, and welcoming to solo diners. Perfect oysters and natural wine. Sit at the bar and let conversation find you — or not.
Café de Flore
Yes, it’s iconic. And yes, it’s magical to sit with your journal under its green awning, espresso in hand, watching the street theatre of Saint-Germain.
Buvette Paris
Tiny and charming. Order tartines and a glass of red. Feels like a dream in the 9th.
Clamato
Seafood small plates, beautifully curated. Great for a solo dinner that feels both relaxed and special.
L’avant Comptoir de la Terre
Stand at the zinc bar, order charcuterie, speak a little French or just smile. It’s social, earthy, and delicious.
Magical Moments to Invite In
- Catch the sunrise from Pont Alexandre III, when the city is still stretching awake.
- Write a letter to your future self at Jardin des Tuileries, then mail it from a yellow box.
- Take the stairs up to Montmartre, not for the view, but to feel your breath, your pulse, your strength.
- Buy yourself a bouquet at Marché Maubert and carry it like a poem in your arms.
- Visit the Musée de la Vie Romantique, then write a love letter — to no one in particular.
Travel Journal Prompt
“Paris teaches me to savor the in-between. What moments today felt like silk between my fingers — brief, soft, unforgettable?”
Write this after your second or third day, when the city has started to whisper to you.
Her Golden Hours Tip
Your solo days in Paris are not just chapters in a trip — they’re chapters in your becoming. Let the Her Golden Hours Travel Journal hold your musings, sketches, pressed petals, and poetry.
Our Paris Travel Journal Companion is available in the shop — designed to bring mindfulness, elegance, and ritual into every moment you spend in this city of light and longing.