Flying Solo in Paris? It Isn't as Scary As it May Seem...
Plus, summer in the capital, a new-generation Paris wine bar, and more...
While Paris is so often associated in the popular imagination with romantic getaways, it’s also a fantastic place to wander and explore on your own. Despite its curious reputation as a place essentially designed for couples (one fuelled primarily by Hollywood), the city has an unusually high number of single residents, and in that respect tends to cater surprisingly well to visitors traveling alone.
In other words, it’s not at all unusual to see Parisians occupying tables unaccompanied at cafes and restaurants, or strolling through museums or parks, lost in contemplative thought. Keep reading for our full suggestions on how to enjoy a solo trip to Paris, with tips and ideas on what to see and do, dining out, staying safe and other areas of interest for those of you planning a trip alone.
(Oh, and by the way, I entirely understand the common trepidation around eating out alone when traveling abroad— and this is a topic I address at length in the full piece.)
Next up, summer in the capital means festivals (many of them free), large crowds that it can be complicated to navigate, and, of course, higher rates on flights and hotels. There's a delicate art to taking advantage of seasonal perks while dodging its annoying aspects.
Looking for a good place for a glass of wine and a cheese or charcuterie plate? I (somewhat recently) spent an evening with a friend at La Cave de Belleville, a neighborhood wine bar in the hilly heights of the eponymous district in northeastern Paris.
Opened in 2015, La Cave manages a traditional, rustic feel melded with modernity, thanks to wood and stone walls, an intimate dining space that comprises just a few tables, long, marbled counter seating, and floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with wines from France to Italy, California to New Zealand.
Follow up with more wine-related features, from an inside look at the Musée du Vin (Paris Wine Museum), nestled in quiet Passy, and our list of some of the best spots for wine-tasting in Bordeaux (for those of you who may be unaware, we do sometimes cover other regions and cities in France, even though the capital is our primary focus at Paris Unlocked.)
Well, that's a wrap, for now. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in Paris Unlocked. I wish you all safe travels this season, and I'll be in touch with another issue later in the summer. In the meantime, you can find plenty of info to help you plan your trip or find inspiration over at the website.
You can always use the search engine at the site to find info, advice and inspiration on gaggles of Paris and France-related topics, so don't hesitate to look there.