Paris in the Spring

I will be traveling to Paris this Spring for the first time...as a woman alone. I am looking for guidance regarding which month would be best, ie. least crowds v. enough daylight for evening walking. I need a safe, economical one month rental in central Paris, hopefully with some ability to prepare, store food. A decent view would be wonderful. I need a bath tub. Recommendations on which travel books to buy. Which airline from Pacific Northwest USA? Any safety tips, guidance any kind souls have to offer. We have a lovely ocean front vacation home on the rocky, lush Oregon coast in Yachats...anybody want to do a swap? Answers to questions I don't even know enough to ask. Though the daughter of an airline pilot, I have never been to Europe, due to school and then work. Come hell or high water, I am walking the streets of Paris this Spring.

Hi Isabeau, I've grown up speaking French, and lived and worked in Paris. Hands down I recommend A Food Lover's Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells. When I was in Paris, I went to just about everyplace recommended in the book. It turns out there is now an app on iTunes for this guide, and when I go back to Paris next year it will definitely be on my phone! The French live by their stomachs and this book will give you an insiders perspective on how the French dine and think about food. For flights, look at Air France. They have direct flights and great prices right now out of SFO. You can use Delta Skymiles for upgrades or flights. I've been booking through Expedia but just got a great fare directly through Air France. You do need to be careful as a women alone in Paris. I would recommend staying in the 16th or 1st Arrondisements or somewhere near the Jardin de Luxembourg. Avoid taking the metro at night -- take taxis -- since some of the metro stations can be a bit iffy at night. If I think of anything else I will let you know. Bon voyage!

I'm also planning a trip to Paris and plan to go the middle of June. I don't know about Seattle, but there are no direct flights from my city, Vancouver, BC. Hence, I'm flying through Toronto and am flying with Air Canada. I, too, am dreaming about the things I want to do and see in Paris. I'll check out the book you mentioned, Lisa. Bon voyage, Isabeau; et merci, Lisa.

Diana - I'm flying driect from Vancouver (YVR) to Paris (CDG) on Air Transact. there is one stop in Calagary but no changing planes. Flights start in Mid May. Lisa - is the 17th Arrondisements safe for a woman traveling alone?

Interesting. My travel agent likely used Air Canada because it has flights more convenient for me (I was unaware of Air Transat's direct flight). Looking at Air Transat, I see that it would cost a little less for my trip, I'm not sure why. The price I paid includes my airport transfers. I also plan to cross the Channel and fly home from Lodon; Heathrow is likely a more expensive airport than is Gatwick. Going to Paris, I land in Toronto and change planes; I will need to get a second boarding pass, but my luggage should go right through for me. Air Canada takes one hour longer to get from YVR to CDG than does Air Transat, and both leave YVR at the same time. Coming home, Air Canada leaves Lodon one hour later than the comparable Air Transat flight, but gets to YVR half an half hour faster. I don't yet have my hotels booked for Paris, but have a tour of Normandy and Brittany. I also have time on my own in Paris and am still dreaming about what I want to see besides the Louvre and Versailles. Any suggestions? Oh yes, I'm also a woman travelling alone.