For my birthday, my husband gifted me a solo trip to France. Early November 2023, seven days all to myself, with Paris as my home base. It was the perfect mix of freedom, comfort, and just enough adventure.

Getting There

hotel atmosphere — From the hotel balcony

I flew nonstop from Raleigh–Durham to Charles de Gaulle Airport, which made the journey super convenient. Once I landed, I used Welcome Pickups for my airport transfer—just a smooth ride into the city.

I stayed at Hotel Atmosphères in the Latin Quarter—with a private balcony, a cozy spot, easy to walk everywhere, and exactly the vibe I wanted.

Easing Into the City

Since I didn’t want to overthink the first day, I started with the Paris Big Bus Tour (hop-on hop-off) from a stop near the River Seine, close to Notre Dame. Perfect way to settle in without a plan.

One evening, I did a Seine River cruise- honestly, Paris at night is like its own personality.

Self-Guided Day with VoiceMap

One of my favorite days was exploring the Latin Quarter on my own using the VoiceMap audio tour I bought from the Join Us in France travel site. It was the perfect mix of solo wandering and guided storytelling—cafés, cobblestone streets, and little pockets of history you’d miss otherwise.

Walking Tours

I also booked two private walking experiences instead of doing big group tours:

Iconic Landmarks Tour
Spent a day seeing all the classic Paris sights at a relaxed pace.
Private Paris Walking Tour
Marais - Jewish District Tour
Another day was spent exploring the Marais and its Jewish history—charming streets, hidden stories, and a totally different vibe.
Jewish District Walking Tour

The Only Place I Went Inside

I’m not a museum person, so I skipped them all. The only place I actually went into was Sainte-Chapelle. The line was short, and I bought the ticket through the app at the entrance. The stained glass was stunning and totally worth that one entry.

Day Trips Out of Paris

I didn’t stay in Paris the whole time—two day trips made the week even better:

Château de Chenonceau, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mont Saint-Michel
Long day but absolutely worth it. The abbey, the walk up, the cider tasting—it felt like stepping into another era.
Mont Saint-Michel Day Trip
Loire Valley Castles & Wine
Three castles, vineyards, and the French countryside in full fall color—such a gorgeous escape from the city.
Loire Valley Castles & Wine Tour

Food, Coffee, and Wandering

Since I wasn’t tied to a strict schedule, I had time to stop for croissants, coffee, and late lunches in cozy spots. And, of course, dinner was an adventure every night—trying new ethnic restaurants near the hotel became a highlight of the trip.

Final Thoughts

This trip was exactly my style—no pressure to hit every museum or follow a checklist. I wandered, I explored, I skipped what didn’t excite me, and I made the week completely my own.

It was such a good way to celebrate a milestone—solo, unhurried, and totally on my terms.

Solo Birthday Trip to France — Paris as My Base