Tips for Single Gal Travellers the Paris Edition: The City of Love or City of Self Love?

Ah, Paris, the city of Love, known for its artistic culture, sumptuous restaurants and bakeries, bustling markets, historical museums, and gorgeous architecture. It's the city you can not help but fall in love with and many, many have. I myself have had a lavish love affair with Paris, long before I ever set foot on its cobbled streets. It was one of the many aspirations I held for the future. I placed it on countless vision boards, wrote about it in many journal entries, pinned pictures of it on my illustration inspiration boards, wrote stories about it, put it on my list of long term goals on every life planning worksheets. One day I would visit Paris.

In March of 2014, I got my chance.

I had just recently moved back to my home town to be closer to family. I had started a new job, as an artist and illustrator creating children's books, and needed to use up some vacation days before the end of the fiscal year. I had recently sold the house I owned with my ex-husband and was very newly divorced. For the first time in many, many years I had come into some money and some time off, that I alone could decide what to do with. It was a liberating feeling.

I was talking it over with one my very good friends, when she made a bold suggestion while we were walking around the track at the local gym, "You should go to Paris!!!"

It sounded crazy to me, "What by myself?".

"Yes. By yourself. Why not? Paris is amazing and I will give you a list of all the places you should go and visit. I've been there. By myself. It was amazing. You can 100% do this".

Could I? I could. I really could.

I went to visit my cousin who is a travel agent and booked a plane ticket, hotel, a number of tours, and went for the whole nine trip to Paris. A week later I was on a plane to Paris, by myself, with my list, a suitcase full of Paris travel fashion pieces I had researched via pinterest and an anxious excited feeling in my gut. I was doing it! I was really doing it! I was going to Paris.

When I first arrived in Paris, I was jet lagged yet buzzing.

I arrived at my hotel wiped from the long plane ride. I was not impossibly fresh looking at all, ala Carrie from sex and the city. I arrived via shuttle, at my hotel in the 5th district (Paris' core is divided into districts). An intentional choice, as in the 5th district I was able to walk to most of the tourist areas and famed sites I wanted to see. I was greeted by a gentleman with the thickest Parisian accent I had ever heard. Being from Canada, I was used to the French Canadian accent but the Parisian accent took me a few days to get used to. I struggled to converse at first, in my jet lagged state, but muddle through to get the keys to my home away from home for the next ten days.

Once I got settled, I freshened up and prepared to head out into the streets. My passport, wallet and money were tucked into a nude travel pouch under my clothes. I had a shoulder bag full of nothing of value but my journal and a pen. I wore boots comfortable enough to walk in, a black trench coat, white button down shirt and a polka dot scarf, I had bought at the H&M in Winnipeg before I left. I was ready to hit the streets.

The streets were bustling, people were every where. I was bustling over with nervous joy and anticipation of all that I could see and experience. As I walked every shop, cafe, corner and building in the area was a sight to behold. I took in every minute of it. I took a million pictures on my iPhone.

Over my ten days in Paris, on my own, I learned so much about myself and my preferences. There were moments I was lonely, some when I was sad I had no one to share the special sights with. Other times, I felt a liberation and confidence I had never felt before. Some moments were filled with absolute joy and bliss. It was a learning experience about myself like no other.

I focused mostly, on giving myself what I needed in each moment. I ate when I was hungry and I ate what I wanted and from where - cafe, street vendor, grocery store. I indulged in crepes with Nutella and banana, cheese-y fondue, escargot, Niçoise salad, duck liverwurst and fig jelly on baguette, duck confit. I drank amazing french wine, coffee and espresso. I had a pain au chocolate every morning and tried french pastries of all kinds. I bought so many macarons.

When I was lonely, I met with some new people I had been connected with online via friends and social platforms. These people were amazing and adventurous and I was so grateful to have spent time with them and have them show me their favourite parts of Paris.

I spent hours in museums, in awe of the works of the greats. I got close enough to study the fine brush strokes of famous art pieces I had only studied in school or looked at in books.

I went up the Eiffel tower, saw the whole of Paris and its busy streets. I read books in the lush spring gardens of Jardin Du Luxemburg and Étoilles. I shopped high fashion in Paris shops. I bought myself some nice investment pieces.

I walked almost everywhere I could, up and down the river Sienne, so much so that I wore out the soles of my boots. I also went for a jog through Paris neighbourhoods.

I figured out the Paris Metro. I went out dancing and enjoyed some St. Patty's day fun in Mont Marte. I toured Mont Marte and watched artists trying to emulate the styles of Monet and Renoir. I saw a show at the famed Moulin Rouge. I got a massage and black soap rub down at a Hammam Spa and went topless and enjoyed the lavish steam while sipping mint tea. I journaled my thoughts and feelings the whole way through. It was an amazing amount of time spent mostly with just me and myself, indulging in all Paris had to offer. It was renewing and restorative and transformative.

I know not every one can take a trip of this nature. But, if you ever find yourself at a new beginning point in your life and your not sure where to go or what to do with yourself. I can not recommend enough a trip of this nature. Travel to somewhere you have always wanted to go and reconnect with yourself. For me, Paris was the first time I was well and truly on my own, free to make any decision I wanted. I was relying on my own wits, knowledge and street sense. It was a huge confidence boost after a trying divorce and it was the first part of my very own eat, pray, love journey. I was lucky enough to have that journey inward in Paris, the city of Love, which for me will always be the city of self love.

Here are some of my favourite spots, sites, recommended places to visit and things to do if you are ever able to venture to Paris in the near future:

Visit the Paris Grand Opera House.

It's grand, it's lavish, it's where the Phantom of the Opera tales began. Take a tour or wonder the halls and balconies. If you enjoy opera, arrange to see a show and dress to the nines.

Stroll the Parks (Jardin Étoilles and Jardin du Luxemburg).

Spring in Paris is a magical time, to wander and explore the beautiful gardens of Paris. Most have benches and chairs. Grab a seat, people watch, read or write.

Visit the Louvre

The Louvre is a massive beauty of a museum. If you go I highly recommend you pick your favourite artists or write out a list of exhibits or pieces you want to see and stick to viewing those alone. Otherwise, you will get overwhelmed and it will be impossible to see all you want to see.

I always wanted to see the greek statue exhibit, The Kiss, and Venus De Milo. The I wanted to see some of Davinci's work. The Mona Lisa is high on the list but she is a very sought after woman. The room to see her is massive and full of so many people it is difficult to get up close. Just outside the room to the Mona Lisa, though, is some of Davinci's other famous works, such as John the Baptist and Madonna and Child. No one is paying attention to them. You can look at them closely and for as long as you like. They both hold the same melancholy undertones and mystery. Check them out.

Visit Musee D' Orangerie and Musse D' Orsay.

Both these museums are great for viewing and studying the works of the impressionists.

Mussee D'Orangerie is a very small museum with a select few pieces. Most notably Claud Monet's Water Lilies in two circular rooms where you can be immersed in his vision and the calm peacefulness of the exhibit. There are no camera's allowed in the room. So it is best to sit and just be present in the water lilies. In the lower floor you can find lesser known pieces of Monet, Renoir, Picasso and more.

Musse D' Orsay. Musse D' Orsay is full of the greatest works by the impressionist painters and many, many amazing pieces by Van Gogh. It was by far my favourite museum to visit in Paris. Highly recommend this one.

Take a Tour on the River Sienne, then up the Eiffel Tower.

Very Touristy but also a ton of fun, as you bobble around the river, tour guides point out some of the more famous buildings and architectural sight. One such sight was the tower where Marie Antionette was held before her beheading.

The Eiffel tower is a must. It's the icon of Paris. On your trip take the time to truly appreciate the iron maiden.

Head on over to and up the Arch De Triumph and walk down the Champs Élysée.

The Arch de Triumph is much like the Eiffel tower and beautiful icon architectural marvel to behold and the Des Champs Élysées is filled with high end fashion shops, such as Louis Vitton, the Hotel George V and more.

Walk and Shop the Streets of Paris.

Some great neighbourhoods to peruse and wonder through are St. Germain des Prés and the Latin Quarter. They are both bustling with shops, cafes, markets and beautiful streets.

Visit the Palace of Versailles.

The Halls of Mirrors, the King's grand apartment and the gardens of Versailles are all must see Paris experiences. Be warned it is an extremely sought after attraction, but definitely worth fight the crowds to see first hand the opulence of the Rococo Style.

Sit in a Cafe and People Watch.

Take time to indulge in good wine, good food and observe the Parisian streets.

Tour Montmarte.

Before you go to Paris, watch Amelié to really get a sense of Montmarte area and all it has to offer. Montmarte is known for its artistic history. It's a bohemian's dream, where countless famed artists have lived, loved, partied and painted. I recommend taking a walking tour and getting the full histories from an expert. It is like a trip back in time.

Sit on the steps of the Basilica La Sacre Ceour.

Another very busy hot spot in Paris, the Basilica La Sacre Ceour, is grand and gorgeous. Head up the many many winding steps and see the view from the top. The head back down and enjoy a sit on the steps in front of the Basilica. Enjoy the energy and vibe surrounding you.

Go to Moulin Rouge for a Show.

I loved the movie Moulin Rouge and always wanted to see the Red windmill. While the shows at the Moulin Rouge are nothing like in the movie. They are a good time and definitely worth checking out for a fun night on the town.

Get behind the scenes and tour a Paris Patisserie and eat amazing French pastries.

One of the many things I did while in Paris was tour a bakery. I absolutely loved this one. We helped make baguettes, learned the process of making them and got to take some home afterwards. We also learned a ton about french pastries and pastry making and of course got to sample all the goodies. To this day I still know that the baguette gets its sweetness from being steamed in water infused with apple peels. Learning something new is always a fun time.

Visit the renown book store, Shakespeare and Co. and wonder the book markets on the streets.

This is a great little bookstore hidden away in Paris. The books are in English so you can purchase some lovely books or attend one of their many events such as a poetry reading. There is also a great antique book section. I happened to open one of the antique books and it contained a hand written note from a former patron that said "You're beautiful." It's a magical little place.

Hit up the Paris Street Markets on Sundays.

Paris street markets are full of lush flowers, honeys, cheeses, breads, baking and amazing street food to test and try out. Bring your tote bags and full up on some unique Parisian treats.

Visit the Cathedrals of Paris.

While Notre Dam is in need of serious repair, Paris is full of beauty, churches and cathedrals, such as Sainte-Chapelle, Kingdom of Light. A beautiful church worth a visit.

Visit the Pantheon.

Wander the Pantheon and admire the architecture, as well as the graves of great minds such as Voltaire.

While I was not able to see and do everything that Paris has to offer in terms of sights, architectural marvels and experiences, I could go on and on about all there is to see and do in Paris. Whether it was recommended to me and I was unable to do it or it just was not my thing, like the catacombs. I did have an amazing time in Paris and hope to visit again in the future.

Here's to the City of Love.

Bon Soirée, Lovelies.

Please share your favourite Paris sites and spots?