For the new solo traveler, European cities are the perfect place to make your debut into the world of traveling alone. You can play it safe and try out some cities within English speaking Europe by visiting the United Kingdom. Or be a little bolder, and head somewhere you don’t speak the language, like France. France is a staple among international travelers for many reasons. The beautiful sights, exquisite meals and historic destinations, make the short list.  If you’re ready for the challenge, consider visiting one of these five French cities on your next solo trip.

Paris

The thing that makes Paris a great place for solo travelers is that it’s a huge capital city filled to the brim with tourists. This makes communication easier for those who don’t speak French. You can also find solace in the fact that with so many people living in Paris, you won’t feel quite so lonely while exploring the city shoulder to shoulder with natives and fellow travelers alike.

See the most famous sites in the city from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre to the Catacombs. Feel like a local and stop in at a sidewalk cafe for coffee or a classic French meal. End the day by climbing the many stairs at the Arc de Triomphe for a stunning sunset view of the city. Book a day stay at one of our partner hotels in the city of light. Stay in the heart of Paris at the Louvre Richelieu or in the fifteenth arrondissement at Hotel Eden.

Lyon

Lyon is special in that it’s a French city with a very young population due to being home to several universities. This fact makes it a very cool, hip city with lots of things to do and see. It’s perfect for the solo adventurer because it’s still one of the largest French cities (ranked at number three) but is much smaller than Paris. All the while, it maintains the coolness of some of the artsy districts of Paris. Lyon’s views galore with staircases leading to treetop parks, sky-high cathedrals and more. Much like Paris, Lyon is divided into arrondissements and is separated by a river (the Rhone). Spend a day wandering the Old Town or hit up boutiques and coffee shops in the hipster Croix Rousse area.

Bordeaux

Lovers of wine can rejoice because Bordeaux is a quintessential French wine spot as the region produces several wines from Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon. Book a day stay at our partner hotel in Bordeaux Hotel Nad. Here, you can enjoy a tasting at the famous Bordeaux Castle while sipping on the locally grown vino.

Cannes

Known for its annual film festival, Cannes is admired as one of the classiest and prettiest cities on the French Riviera. While booking a day stay at our partner hotel, Hotel Splendid, you can explore the beaches of the city or get starstruck and visit the Cannes Film Festival location at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes.

Porquerolles

Porquerolles is an island off the coast of Hyères, France. Its relaxing and untouched beaches will make it your favorite spot. Take a short boat ride from Tour Fondue (the tip of the peninsula on the mainland) to reach this tropical paradise. Rent a bike and ride around the small island, stop in at one of the gelato shops for a quick treat. Here, you can see many of the overlooks and admire the well-preserved beauty found in the nature of the island. Next, bike over to Plage Notre Dame for a seemingly private beach. You can visit this spot following a day stay at our Cannes partner hotel, Hotel Splendid.

Which French city are you most excited to plan a solo trip to? Let us know in the comment section down below. For more information on any of our partner hotels, visit our homepage. And for additional daycation ideas in France, click here.