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Women Traveling Alone: France

June 2021.

In this soon-to-be post-COVID world that we live in you may now have the urge to travel and to see places you've been yearning to see for years or even decades. And if COVID ruined your relationship status during the past year of being quarantined, chances are likely you are single right now and "not really looking" either.

Thus traveling alone and taking a trip by yourself isn't such a big deal, and furthermore France is one of the safest countries in the world for women to travel alone. (As opposed to say... New Zealand, the country which as of 2018 has the highest kidnapping rate in the world! Wow! Other countries to avoid are Pakistan, Luxembourg, Germany, and Ecuador.)

There are benefits to traveling alone too.

  • It is cheaper.
  • You get to choose your own route.
  • You will make new friends easier.
  • You will get to know yourself better.
  • It will get you out of your comfort zone.
  • You will learn how to rely on yourself.
  • It will boost your confidence.
  • You reflect on the experience better.

    Another trick to traveling alone is your plane tickets. If you are bringing children with you suddenly the trip you've been dreaming of suddenly got a lot more expensive just for the plane tickets, to say nothing of food and accomodations. However on the plus side, plane tickets to France right now are pretty reasonably priced.

  • Flights from Montreal to Paris are about $800 to $1000 currently.
  • Flights from Toronto to Paris are about $1000 to $1200 currently.

    So if you drive (car rental) or take a bus to Montreal you can probably save about $200 on airfare. If you were traveling with someone they might not be so willing to drive the extra mile just to save $200.

    France is one of the most well-touristed destinations on the planet and a safe and easy country for travel. Women traveling solo will generally feel safe nearly anyplace they go. As long as you're an independent person at home, you won't have any trouble getting around France by train, bus or rental car.

    Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone in France

  • Avoid unwanted attention. Eg. Avoid untrustworthy men.
  • Dress like the locals (French women tend to dress a bit conservatively).
  • Avoid getting lost (and/or confused).
  • Use actual taxis. Avoid Uber and Lyft. If you do use Uber/Lyft, make sure the driver has a good rating.
  • When renting a car drive during the day and avoid driving after dark.

    If you get assaulted in France, call France's national rape crisis hotline (0 800 059 595) toll-free from any telephone. It's run by Paris women's organisation, Viols Femmes Informations (9 villa d'Este, 13e, Paris; Porte d'Ivry).

    Once you are in Paris there are lots of things to see...

  • Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower.
  • Musee du Louvre. Louvre Museum.
  • Cathedrale Notre-Dame.
  • Avenue des Champs-Elysees.
  • Musee d'Orsay.
  • Palais Garnier, Opera National de Paris.
  • Place de la Concorde.
  • Arc de Triomphe.

    And things to do... Rent a bicycle and explore the river banks. Hungry or thirsty? Stop at a cafe and drink! Explore! Go shopping!

    When it comes to purchasing things here are several important tips:

  • #1. Avoid buying more clothes than will fit in your suitcase. Or better yet, just don't buy new clothes.
  • #2. When it comes to souvenirs, don't buy anything that is too big to fit into the palm of your hand.
  • #3. If your primary goal was to buy clothes in the first place, wear cheap clothes on the way to Paris, throw them out (or donate), replace with clothes you purchased.

    Why? Because the rates airlines charge for extra baggage are ridiculous! Traveling light is your best friend.

    Remember to read up and research where you are going. I recommend watching all of Rick Steve's Europe videos on the subject of Paris and France in general. I also recommend the Lonely Planet series of travel guides.


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