Solo Travel: Best of Paris

Paris has so many options, so here are several based on personal interest.

For the arts aficionado

No trip to Paris is complete without a trip to the Louvre, which currently houses Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (just follow the longest line in the entire museum), along with 35,000 other individual works. Yes, it’s overwhelming. Yes, it’s worth it. You can break up the visit into a couple of different days. You can also go at night during the days that they’re open until 9:30pm. Start around 4:30pm or 5pm, and you can get through a lot more with the much lighter crowds—but the line to the Mona Lisa will still be long.

If the Louvre feels like it’s too much, try a much smaller but equally impressive D’Orsay, which is very close to the Louvre. Focusing on impressionist art, the D’Orsay can be explored in a couple of hours. The building itself feels like being inside a classical work of art, especially the famous clock that can be thoroughly enjoyed by having lunch at their café.

• Travel tip: If you buy a Paris Museum Card, you can access many museums and points of interest included in the price of the card. The best part is that there are often separate lines or “skip the line” benefits that save time in getting in to these extremely popular attractions.

For the history buff

There isn’t a corner of Paris that doesn’t have a long history. Some of the most interesting history is underground in the Paris Catacombs. The Catacombs house the remains of more than six million people, so it’s important to maintain respect and decorum while exploring the catacombs. To take full advantage of the location, make sure to get the audio guide to learn about the extensive walkways that extend through a large area of Paris. Note that there are many steps going underground and that the environment is dark, damp and much cooler than street temperature.

I’m going to group Saint Chapelle and the Conciergerie because they are next to each other, so it makes sense to visit both of them. Saint Chapelle is a stunning 13th-century chapel with over 1,100 stained glass windows. It’s a small chapel with a lot of bang, including its famous Rose of the Apocalypse, a massive round stained glass window with 87 individual panels of smaller windows. Beyond the impressive stained glass windows throughout, there are also many beautiful decorations, carvings and statues.

Just a few steps away from Saint Chapelle is the Conciergerie, a small royal palace that was turned into Marie Antoinette’s final prison before her execution. The Gothic architecture and impressive arched ceilings will capture everyone’s attention initially, but its place is in the French Revolution. To make history come alive, visitors will get a Histopad upon entry, which is a handheld device that shows you what the space in front of you looked like during the revolution. Point the Histopad to another marked location to read about that spot and watch the background transport you to that time in history.

For iconic landmarks

Nothing screams Paris like the Eiffel Tower, but getting to the top for spectacular city views is no easy feat. Before visiting any other locations, get a ticket to the top since they sell out weeks in advance.

• Tip: Start at the top by taking the elevator to the 2nd floor and work your way down to avoid long lines.

Another iconic landmark that also provides stunning views, including of the Eiffel Tower, is the Arc de Triomphe. In front of the Arc is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which has been continually lit since 1923. Please note that going to the terrace at the very top is not for the faint of heart; there are many steps, no elevators and the stairway is narrow, but making it to the top is worthwhile.

For the fashionista

Paris is the epitome of fashion and style, from the unparalleled shopping to museums that honor the history of the top fashion houses. Two great locations are the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Louis Vuitton flagship store at Champs-Elysées. The YSL Museum is small enough to check out entirely in under two hours and includes an insider's look at the fashion designer's studio. From interviews to footage of the famed fashion shows and commercials throughout the decades, the YSL Museum is sure to inspire.

There are a couple of LV stores in Paris, but nothing as impressive the Louis Vuitton flagship store at Champs-Elysées. Starting with the outside, the expansive building is a work of art. Inside, customers feel like it's an experience rather than a store.

Les Deux Magots

Frequented by Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.

La Closerie Des Lilas

A favorite of Picasso, Sartre, and Hemingway (near Jardin du Luxembourg).

La Palette

One of Anthony Bourdain’s favorites.

La Procope

The oldest café in Paris (opened in 1686).

Café de Flore

Great for people watching; in every list of best cafés.

La Rotonde

Near La Closerie, it appears on paintings and frequented by Picasso and Hemingway.