One Week Paris Guide for Solo Female Travellers
Day 1
Your Parisian adventure should start with the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour which takes roughly an hour and passes attractions such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Conciergerie, National Assembly, Palais Garnier and the Eiffel Tower. The Hop On Hop Off bus tour is highly recommended as it is a quick and easy way to see the main attractions of the city.
Once you have finished the tour, walk the streets of Paris, get your bearings and experience first hand local life by enjoying ice cream and fresh bread while window shopping.
Day 2
An early start this morning. Catch the metro to the Eiffel Tower where you only need to wait in line for a few minutes – the Paris Pass really helps to skip those hour long queues!
Afterwards catch the metro to the Musée d'Orsay – a spectacular museum featuring French art dating from 1848 to 1914. The building was once an old railway station built in the 1890s and displays a spectacular giant clock hanging from the ceiling in the main hall – check out the photo below. The museum is mostly known for having the largest collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist art in the world. Some of the artwork featured are by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
After a sit down lunch at the museum then walk to Notre Dame where you can stand beneath giant stained glass windows, and sit in the pews to reflect on the grandeur and holiness of this gothic cathedral.
Later in the day, hop on another metro train, this time taking you to the Arc de Triomphe, where you can take the elevator to the observation platform to see more city views. If you’re feeling pretty tired from all that walking, enjoy a hot meal along the Champs-Élysées.
On your way home, around 7pm, pass through Tuileries Garden where you can sit for an hour or so, enjoying the warm sun while people watching.
Day 3
The day starts at the Louvre. An incredible museum hosting some of the worlds most famous art and sculptures. Although you may not have time to see everything, make sure you check out the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Nike, and the Liberty Leading the People painting.
If you have time afterwards, head to the Panthéon, the resting place of many philosophes and revolutionaries. And/or walk to Luxembourg Gardens for some more people watching and evening sun bathing.
Day 4
Versailles! Take the train to this beautiful must-see palace. You may get lost a few times wandering through the never-ending enchanting gardens (known to be one of the largest gardens in the world). Life at Versailles would have been very relaxing and opulent – no wonder there was such discourse between the aristocracy and the lower classes.
Day 5
You may have to wait in line for 2 hrs to eventually go underground and explore the Catacombs but it is no less worth it. Within these dark and damp tunnels lays 6 million skeletons. If you are claustrophobic, avoid it!
Afterwards catch the metro to Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre. Spread across a block are artists, whom paint and sketch portraits for paying tourists.
Your final visit for the day is to be Montmartre Cemetery where many famous people are laid to rest including Alexandre Dumas, Dalida, François Truffaut, Gustave Moreau, Berlioz, and Sacha Guitry.
Day 6
Today, make the long journey to Giverny located in the region of Normandy (about 1 hour drive from Paris). The train trip is long but it is great seeing the countryside and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once at Vernon-Giverny Station you can take a short bus ride to Monet's Garden and House.
This place is truly magical. It's clear why Monet spent all those years painting this marvellous property. The colours within his house and from the garden are stunning, in every direction there are bright floral blooms in season. You can even walk among a number of places Monet depicted in his paintings: the Lily Pond, the Japanese Bridge, and the pastel pink entrance.
We absolutely recommend a visit to Monet's Garden for anyone who loves art or even if you're looking for a day adventure out of the city.
