Planning a first trip to Paris, is it bad to go solo?

I think Paris is a great city for solo travel. It is a great city for walking/wandering, popping into random shops, bookstores, bakeries, cafes, etc while admiring the architecture and street life. It's lousy w/museums, so you can meander from one museum to another and enjoy the sights along the way.

If you're worried about dining alone, don't be. You can find cafes w/terraces so you can people watch while eating, which is a fun thing to do.

Have you picked a hotel/neighborhood for your stay? I liked the Odeon area on my last trip (around this time last year), though the Marais is always lively.

RE: American war memorials in Paris proper--there is an American cemetery in Suresnes (across the river from the Bois du Bologne). I've never been there, so no advice on whether it's easy to find, worth a visit, etc. The bulk of the US WWII stuff is closer to the coast in Normandy.

Had a blast in Paris as a solo 23 year old. Easy to make friends at a bar and don't be afraid to say yes.

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Had a blast in Paris as a solo 23 year old

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Let's watch the verbs here, his friends are scared of the violence.

ETA: I was in London in 2017 when the attack happened. Well actually I was in the country side when it happened but I was in London the following day. I wasn't bothered at all. There's millions and millions of people living in Paris, the chances of something happening to you is incredibly small.

Given that, I wouldn't go around wearing an American Flag shirt. But its really nothing at all to worry about at all.

I did a few days in Paris solo, and had a blast. I did 3 weeks in Europe solo, and enjoyed it. In Paris, I did stay at a friend's flat, but rarely saw her while I was there.

You'll get lonely some, but there are plenty of other solo travelers there, and the Parisians are very hospitable despite their reputation of not being so.

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I would love a daytrip to belgium, specifically Wallonia

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Now this is something I could recommend. I absolutely love Belgium and spent almost 30 days exploring their countryside

Your time frame is a week, forget a day trip to Belgium. Be in Paris, don't run off to some place else.

Buy a multiday Paris museum pass...it will allow you to skip the ticket line most places. As for the Louvre...especially solo, it's a good idea to enjoy it in "bites" as opposed to staying in the place for 5 hrs straight. The entrance/security lines can be completely ridiculous, so plan to go early or at odd times. If you have the pass, you can pop in and out over a couple of days. It's open late at least one night a week.

I can recommend the Hotel St Paul Rive Gauche: small, family owned, within walking distance of the Jardin de Luxembourg RER station that will take you to & from the airport quite easily (even early AM). Not fancy, but pleasant, clean, and comfy. Minimal lobby, but coffee and breakfast are available at the hotel. LINK

Hell no. I went solo last year and really enjoyed it.

I personally enjoyed just walking all over the city and enjoying the architecture and food spots.

Les Invalides: LINK
It's a big complex on the Rive Gauche (left bank) & it houses the Museum of the Army. If you're into suits of armor, military history, etc, it's a pretty cool place. IIRC, all/most of the descriptive & explanatory text is in French. So either start working on your DuoLingo French lessons or get a good pocket dictionary or translation app if you want to know exactly what you're viewing. IIRC, there is a simple museum cafe at the rear of the complex near Napoleon's tomb offering a daily hot lunch special and sandwiches, etc.

It's also within easy walking distance of the Musee Rodin, which has an indoor museum and a very nice outdoor sculpture garden full of roses. If the weather is nice, you can buy a ticket to just the garden portion and stroll/view/enjoy being outside.

Another Paris tip: while the metro is easy, quick, and goes all over town, don't be afraid to take the bus. The buses alllow you to see the scenery/streetscape, and you'l get a sense of distance and layout that you do not acquire when whizzing along underground in the metro.

I look into it. Also, would anyone recommend a good place to book a flight from MSY or BTR? I checked Skyscanner and have found decent prices in Jan 2019 and Feb 2019.