[MTVN]

Currently enjoying an airport beer before catching a flight to Paris for a solo weekend away. I have a strong Duolingo streak, I've been loading up on Hemingway and I'm ready for a weekend of mooching around the streets of Paris, people watching from cafes and bars and soaking up the atmosphere and sights.

Haven't done a solo trip away for a while so very excited to do everything at my own pace. Have you done much solo travelling before? Anyone got any tips for Paris in particular?

[Niamh.]

I would have hated to solo travel when I was younger but I'd definitely do it now, I really learned to enjoy my own company and not feel like everyone was looking at me thinking I was weird for being somewhere on my own (also I don't really care now anyway)

Not been to Paris though so no advise there. It's somewhere on my list for a weekend away though so do us a review please

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I would have hated to solo travel when I was younger but I'd definitely do it now, I really learned to enjoy my own company and not feel like everyone was looking at me thinking I was weird for being somewhere on my own (also I don't really care now anyway)

Not been to Paris though so no advise there. It's somewhere on my list for a weekend away though so do us a review please

Yeah same, especially when with a good book and just the knowledge that you have literally nowhere that you have to be

Will do on the review although I will probably spend all weekend on a terrace somewhere drinking wine and having oysters

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Yeah same, especially when with a good book and just the knowledge that you have literally nowhere that you have to be

Will do on the review although I will probably spend all weekend on a terrace somewhere drinking wine and having oysters

That all sounds like absolute bliss tbh

[Ammi]

…I could spend days just mooching through the book stalls by the river…there are some wonderful finds there…I recall buying a petit David Bowie book for Shaun one time but it was written in French is the only thing……I would say yes to a Louvre visit but it is a crowded walk around..and no to an Eiffel Tower experience but then I’m not a height person…top tip if you have a sweet tooth would be to visit as many chocolate shops as you can and taste their free chocolate temptations ….but whether you have a sweet tooth or not, the French eclairs are just….heaven …

…there are lots of parks and churches and old cemeteries etc to visit if that’s your vibe and a coffee shop on every corner to people watch…enjoy……

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…I could spend days just mooching through the book stalls by the river…there are some wonderful finds there…I recall buying a petit David Bowie book for Shaun one time but it was written in French is the only thing……I would say yes to a Louvre visit but it is a crowded walk around..and no to an Eiffel Tower experience but then I’m not a height person…top tip if you have a sweet tooth would be to visit as many chocolate shops as you can and taste their free chocolate temptations ….but whether you have a sweet tooth or not, the French eclairs are just….heaven …

…there are lots of parks and churches and old cemeteries etc to visit if that’s your vibe and a coffee shop on every corner to people watch…enjoy……

Ohhh I love a cemetery(insert age joke here ) and isn't Jim Morrison's grave in Paris? That would be top of my to do list

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…I could spend days just mooching through the book stalls by the river…there are some wonderful finds there…I recall buying a petit David Bowie book for Shaun one time but it was written in French is the only thing……I would say yes to a Louvre visit but it is a crowded walk around..and no to an Eiffel Tower experience but then I’m not a height person…top tip if you have a sweet tooth would be to visit as many chocolate shops as you can and taste their free chocolate temptations ….but whether you have a sweet tooth or not, the French eclairs are just….heaven …

…there are lots of parks and churches and old cemeteries etc to visit if that’s your vibe and a coffee shop on every corner to people watch…enjoy……

Thanks Ammi, great tips! I'll try check out the Shakespeare and Company bookshop which is named after the famous one from the 20s and browse some other stalls. I'm going to the Louvre this evening actually as it's free after 6pm on the first Friday of the month

Yeah not too fussed about the Eiffel tower so will sack that off. An eclair or two will definitely be enjoyed at some point

[rusticgal]

Sounds wonderful....I am happy in my own company and could sit and people watch all day. As much as I love being with my husband, he is not one to sit around and likes to be busy.

So I am very jealous...and yes it is something I could easily do.

Have a wonderful time..

[Kate!]

Sounds fantastic. I might do something on these lines next year, not abroad though.

[Benjamin]

Most of my adventures have been solo. So much fun.

[MTVN]

Je suis en Paris maintenant et je bois un biere pres de la Seine avant je visiter la Louvre

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Je suis en Paris maintenant et je bois un biere pres de la Seine avant je visiter la Louvre

Eh bien, profitez-en et ne buvez pas trop de bieres...

[MTVN]

Well Paris is pretty stunning I did the Louvre yesterday and was there for nearly two hours but still feel I barely scratched the surface of it. The crowds around the Mona Lisa are mad considering how much great artwork there is in literally every other room there but I'm guilty too as I went to see it.

It's been a beautiful day in Paris and I got out early to run a 10k up and down the Seine which was pretty magical with hardly any people about. Then went to the Sacre Coeur with incredible views over the city and got inside just as they were starting a morning mass so I stayed for that. Montmartre in general is pretty lovely but I got a bit lost ending up in a dodgy bit of town.

Took a lime bike back to the centre and had a bottle of wine next to the Seine while following the afternoon football games. I'm now awaiting my steak with a glass of red before going to watch some live music

None of you asked for this but I am telling you because Paris is amazing and you should go. Tomorrow I'm going to do a bit of southern Paris in the Latin quarter and Luxembourg gardens before a nice lunch at the cafe that Hemingway used to frequent - La Closerie des Lilas

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Well Paris is pretty stunning I did the Louvre yesterday and was there for nearly two hours but still feel I barely scratched the surface of it. The crowds around the Mona Lisa are mad considering how much great artwork there is in literally every other room there but I'm guilty too as I went to see it.

It's been a beautiful day in Paris and I got out early to run a 10k up and down the Seine which was pretty magical with hardly any people about. Then went to the Sacre Coeur with incredible views over the city and got inside just as they were starting a morning mass so I stayed for that. Montmartre in general is pretty lovely but I got a bit lost ending up in a dodgy bit of town.

Took a lime bike back to the centre and had a bottle of wine next to the Seine while following the afternoon football games. I'm now awaiting my steak with a glass of red before going to watch some live music

None of you asked for this but I am telling you because Paris is amazing and you should go. Tomorrow I'm going to do a bit of southern Paris in the Latin quarter and Luxembourg gardens before a nice lunch at the cafe that Hemingway used to frequent - La Closerie des Lilas

Glad you’re having a nice trip! I’m super jealous.

[Ammi]

…Paris is always a good idea…it really is a fabulous vibe……

…yeah, there is a huge contrast between something like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam…(…which has quite an intimate feel with the paintings and how close we can get to them…)…and the Louvre, where they feel so ‘distanced and formal’ …but it still holds that magic to go and see them and feel their age and their importance …there is so much to see in the Louvre, not just with the paintings and the artwork but the general opulence of old Louis and those back in the day times…

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by rusticgal

Eh bien, profitez-en et ne buvez pas trop de bieres...

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

[Cherie]

I remember using Quelle heure et il in Disneyland Paris one time ...I was so proud I could recall this phrase from school

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

…and are the locals speaking English with you…?…

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Cherie

There is a lovely little cosy cafe with red soft seating on the street just as you come out of the Eiffel Tower, been there on two different visits, really lovely beef bourguignon, hope its still there

Sounds very charming, I'd like to confirm it's existence but I have not seen it yet!

Originally Posted by Ammi

…Paris is always a good idea…it really is a fabulous vibe……

…yeah, there is a huge contrast between something like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam…(…which has quite an intimate feel with the paintings and how close we can get to them…)…and the Louvre, where they feel so ‘distanced and formal’ …but it still holds that magic to go and see them and feel their age and their importance …there is so much to see in the Louvre, not just with the paintings and the artwork but the general opulence of old Louis and those back in the day times…

Oh yeah the Napoleon III apartments are incredible for the luxury and opulence of the whole rooms, truly of their time

Originally Posted by Ammi

…and are the locals speaking English with you…?…

Generally yes! Impressed as ever by the ability of other nationalities to speak English and actually I've found everyone incredibly polite and friendly

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

Google translate is brilliant…


….although I did understand what you said but I needed help to reply…

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Je suis en Paris maintenant et je bois un biere pres de la Seine avant je visiter la Louvre

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Je suis en Paris maintenant et je bois un biere pres de la Seine avant je visiter la Louvre

[Jessica.]

I fly alone nearly every year. I'm going to Ireland in a few weeks. Love it.

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Jessica.

I fly alone nearly every year. I'm going to Ireland in a few weeks. Love it.

Oh, you could visit Niamh Jess xx