France is the most visited country in the world, and once you’ve travelled there solo, you’ll understand why. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited France alone, and it never gets old.
It is safe, easy to navigate, packed with culture and history, and the food and wine are a very good reason to go in themselves. Whether you are planning your first solo trip or your fiftieth, this France solo travel guide covers where to go, when to visit and how to get around.
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Is France Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes, France is considered safe for women travelling alone. I’ve never had any problems on my many solo visits.
As with any destination, personal safety is worth thinking about. Violent crime is rare, but pickpockets are active in the big cities.
Keep your valuables secured, use an anti-theft bag when out and about, and stick to familiar streets after dark. Trust your instincts.
Why France is a Great Solo Travel Destination
France is one of the best solo travel destinations in Europe. Here’s why:
- Food and wine – France has a deserved reputation as one of the foodie capitals of Europe. If there was ever a country to try wine-tasting, this is it.
- Rich culture and history – Home to almost 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the Palace of Versailles to Chartres Cathedral. Whether you want to gaze at the Mona Lisa or catch a festival in Provence, there’s something for every traveller.
- Diverse landscapes – From vertiginous canyons to salt flats, jagged mountain peaks to sand dunes, France packs an astonishing variety of scenery into one country.
- Excellent transport – France has the most extensive rail network in Western Europe, making it easy to explore without a car.
- Easy for English speakers – English is widely spoken, though a few words of French always go down well.
Where to Go: Best Places for Solo Travel in France
All thirteen of France’s regions have something to offer, and you could spend a lifetime working through them all. Below are the top solo travel destinations, the most popular alongside a few personal favourites.
1. Paris
I have a love-hate relationship with France’s capital. It’s busy, traffic-clogged and expensive. But spend a morning in a favourite museum or an evening in a Parisian bistro, and all is forgiven.
Paris is stuffed with iconic landmarks from the Pantheon to the Eiffel Tower. But I like the lower-key activities such as wandering along the Seine, watching kids sail their boats in Jardin du Luxembourg or walking the Paris Highline.
It’s also a great base for a day trip to Chartres, the Palace of Versailles and Amiens, to name but a few places.
2. Champagne region
Wine-tasting is one of the best solo activities in France, and the Champagne region – 100 miles east of Paris – is one of the finest places to do it.
I recommend staying overnight in Reims rather than rushing through on a day trip. That way, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Reims Cathedral or take a side trip to Epernay.
I’ve written a guide to a DIY champagne tour of Reims if you want to do it independently.
3. Alsace
Alsace wines are criminally underrated, but there’s more to this region in eastern France than tasting the nectar of the grapevine (although that’s not a bad start). Hugging the border with Germany, Alsace’s exquisite architecture is a legacy of the region yoyoing between the two countries over 200 years.
With its cobbled streets and pastel-hued, half-timbered houses lining small canals, Colmar is a feast for the eyes. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Strasbourg historic centre is also picture-book pretty, and its cathedral is the second-most visited in France.
4. Normandy
Normandy is often overlooked by travellers heading south, which is a shame. From its spectacular coastline to the D-Day Landing Beaches, there is a lot to see.
Honfleur makes an excellent base. A car helps in this region, but you can visit Normandy on a day trip from Paris that includes the D-Day beaches.
5. Brittany
Brittany juts into the Atlantic like a pointing finger, and like Normandy, a car is your best friend here. St. Malo on the rugged coast has a rich seafaring legacy. But my favourite spot is the medieval riverside town of Dinan, with its narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses.
6. Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is the stuff of fairy tales. Located on the frontier between northern and southern France, and a short rail journey from Paris, it’s easy to include in most itineraries. Its main hubs are Orléans, Blois, Tours and Angers.
This is where the nobility established feudal castles and pleasure palaces, and the river valley is dotted with some of France’s most sumptuous aristocratic estates. The Loire wines are among the best in the country too.
7. Provence
There is something for every solo traveller in Provence. The Palais des Papes in Avignon, the Calanques near Cassis and acres of lavender fields are just the beginning.
Better still, it’s easy to explore Provence by train. You’ll need to join a day trip to see the famous lavender fields, as public transport doesn’t quite reach them.
8. Bordeaux
UNESCO-listed Bordeaux on the Garonne River in southwestern France is the hub of one of the world’s most famous wine-growing regions. The city has a spectacular museum dedicated to wine – Cité du Vin – and hosts a famous wine festival every summer.
Use Bordeaux as a base to visit Saint Émilion (and maybe go wine-tasting), or Arcachon and Dune du Pilat. Both day trips are doable by train.
9. Occitanie
One of my favourite regions in France, Occitanie stretches from the Rhône Valley to the Spanish border. Nîmes has superb Roman remains, Albi has an immense red-brick cathedral, and Carcassonne needs little introduction. For R&R, head to Collioure on the Roussillon coast.
10. French Riviera
Also known as the Côte d’Azur, the French Riviera is all about glamorous resorts. If you are a solo beach bunny, this could be the region of France for you.
So, don that sunhat and those sunglasses, and an air of sophistication, and people-watch on the beach of Nice or stroll the boardwalks of Cannes and Monaco. But I prefer the lower-key town of Menton. It equals – or exceeds – the beauty of the better-known coastal towns, but attracts a fraction of the crowds.
11. Lille
Featuring grand cobblestoned squares lined with exuberant Baroque buildings, Lille is one of France’s best-kept secrets. And thanks to its excellent rail connections, it is easy to take a day trip to Lille from other major cities, including London via Eurostar (I’ve done it a few times).
The city is also home to Palais des Beaux-Arts, a Fine Art collection second only to the Louvre, and the wonderful La Piscine Museum in Roubaix, a modern art gallery in a former Art Deco swimming pool.
When to Visit France
France works as a year-round destination. Climate shouldn’t be your main concern – but timing should.
Avoid mid-July to the end of August if you can. This is when much of France goes on holiday itself, meaning higher prices, fuller trains and busier sights. Paris at Easter is overrun with school groups, and the February half-term brings the same to ski resorts.
Broadly speaking, northern France shares a similar climate to the UK – wet and unpredictable. Head south and you’ll find longer, hotter summers and short winters.
Getting Around France
By train
France has the most extensive rail network in Western Europe. I’ve travelled around the country by train many times; it’s fast, efficient and generally comfortable.
The headline act is the TGV, capable of up to 300kph, with compulsory seat reservations. Intercité trains cover intercity routes not yet on the high-speed network, and is modern and comfortable, with restaurant cars. Regional TER trains cover the slower, scenic routes.
If you’re booking in advance and can commit to dates, point-to-point advance tickets are often the best value. I’ve also used an Interrail pass in France, which saved me money, though you’ll still pay a reservation fee for TGV services.
By day tour
For places that trains don’t easily reach, a day tour is a smart solution. They’re also one of the best ways to meet other people while travelling alone. I book mine through GetYourGuide, which is easy to use, and usually offers a reliable free cancellation window.
Small group tours
Although I have been an independent solo traveller for many years, I am a fan of small group tours. There’s a strong case for them if you want someone else to handle the logistics, or if solo travel loneliness is a concern.
Check out my favourite group tour companies for solo travellers for ideas.
Where to Stay
France has accommodation to suit all budgets, from budget hostels to boutique hotels. Outside peak season (mid-July to end of August), you can usually find rooms on arrival, but it’s worth booking ahead, especially in Paris, where choosing the right place to stay can make or break a trip. Paris hotels can be eye-wateringly expensive, so factor that into your budget early.
More Useful Reading
- 17 Essential Safety Tips for Travelling Alone
- The 25 Best Ways to Beat Solo Travel Loneliness
- 20 Easy Ways to Meet People While Travelling Alone
- The Secret to Successful Solo Dining: 21 Tips To Make Eating Out Alone Fun
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.