How to Make Friends in Paris

Traveling solo or with the same company as always? Either way, it is always nice to meet new people on the way and make new travel stories. We are here to give you some useful tips and ideas on how to meet new people and, in the best scenario, make real friendships. In this edition, let’s have a look at How to Make Friends in Paris! And yes, it is possible to make friends even without speaking French.

Apps for meeting new people

It is possible to skip going out and hoping to run into someone by downloading an app. Even dating apps are no longer just about dating but also work for finding friends. Of course, apps are not for all of us, especially for those who prefer a natural environment and rely on being at the right place at the right time. Whether you are outgoing or love staying in, this could be an option to consider for both. It offers some benefits that you could only wish for in real life. Create a profile that complements your personality, set preferences for the people or events you are interested in, and see if you feel ready to meet in person or head to the event chosen.

Just to avoid misunderstandings, especially when using dating apps for only friendly connections, we suggest clarifying that in your profile or upcoming conversations. This could help avoid unpleasant surprises, in case you and your match have different intentions in the app. Above all, don’t forget to be safe while chatting, as well as when meeting in life. Protect your personal, financial, and other sensitive information. When meeting in real life, meet in public places and stay alert.

a) Meetup

This app is about joining and creating local groups of interest. On this platform, you can find workshops and educating seminars to apply for, explore sports activities, or join game nights with locals, expats, and travelers. The app is very convenient to use because it is possible to choose such preferences as meeting time, type (online/ in-person), distance, and topic category. In Paris, Meetup is a very popular platform used by internationals, as well as locals.

b) Bumble

Originally a dating app, Bumble now offers three modes to choose from: Bumble Date, Bumble BFF, and Bumble Bizz. In case you’re wondering, Bumble Bizz is designed for business networking, connecting entrepreneurs and professionals across various fields. Although Bumble provides a mode specifically for making friends, it’s not as widely used as the dating mode. So, while you’re being open about your intentions, feel free to use the dating mode as well.

c) Tinder

The top dating app is primarily used for finding dates but also offers options for making friends. Similar to Bumble, it lets you choose people you want to match with by prioritizing your preferences. A convenient feature is the ability to add prompt questions to your profile, which serve as great conversation starters.

Sports groups

Not much of an app fan? Join sports groups for regular training or even a one-time experience, and meet like-minded people there. Paris is a big city, so the range of activities is wide. In the summer season, it is nice to enjoy the weather and try outdoor sports, while in the winter there are plenty of great options for indoor sports. 

First things first, if you want to start with finding your sports partner instead of heading to training, we suggest checking out the Sportpartner website. There are around 250,000 members, all looking for sports partners.

But now, let’s get into the most popular activities in Paris:

a) Running

We would say that this is the most suitable activity for spontaneous travelers who don’t like to make strict plans ahead. To join, you can be any level runner or jogger. Choose any time of the day, and head to one of the parks or run along the Seine River, there always is someone running. If you want to ensure that you will have company, join one of the Meetup running groups, which are full of local and international enthusiasts. 

b) Cycling

Paris is a very friendly city for cycling, in fact, it even could be the best way to explore the city and discover new paths. Groups for cycling can be found in Meetup App or join other public training groups by searching on Google or Facebook. In case you are in Paris during the winter season and want to cycle, we suggest joining a cycling club. For example, Storm Cycling Club organizes indoor cycling training.

c) Full-body fitness and yoga

If you are more into cardio, pilates, or yoga, you can check out any gym in your area. Most gyms offer such group classes, and there it comes very naturally to meet new people. As an option, take a look at OLY Be offered classes, where a wide range of disciplines are available. Additionally, prices are reasonable.

Click here to discover LGBTQ+ sports clubs in Paris.

Extra tip you should know when in Paris

As Paris is a very popular city for students, it has a huge ESN group (Erasmus Student Network). Even if you are not in the city for studies or an Erasmus internship, you can join their activities. They organize different types of events, from chilled evenings to all-night-long parties and trips around France. The only thing to keep in mind is that mostly there will be people around student age, as it is focused on Erasmus students.

For useful information that may not even come to your mind, it is very beneficial to join the city’s Facebook expat groups. In these groups are locals and other foreigners who use it as a platform to ask questions, talk about common problems, share suggestions, and help each other with anything.

Europe’s Famous Hostels suggestions

Let’s take a look at our top picks for How to Make Friends in Paris and explore the city all together at once!

a) Walking tour

Join a free walking tour and explore the romantic city of Paris with other travelers. It is a great way to have a guided excursion around the city and learn more about its history and culture. It is a perfect setting where you can naturally make new connections while spending quality time.

b) Pub Crawl

Change the city’s romantic vibe to something more fun! In Paris, there are plenty of clubs to suit every music genre lover. Join the Best Pub Crawl and you will have the company for further nights. The Pub Crawl includes visits to bars in the Latin Quarter of Paris, special drink offers, and fun games along the way!

Click here to discover the Top Things to do in Paris.

Hostel – the best option for staying

Regarding accommodations, the best option for meeting new people and creating the funniest memories is staying at a hostel. There is a very big possibility that you won’t even need our tips for making new friends because hostels are the perfect environment for finding travel buddies and making new friendships.

To make your stay in Paris as enjoyable as possible, we suggest staying at St Christopher’s Inn Canal Paris. Perfect location for being close to tourist must-see places while experiencing local Parisian everyday life at the same time. The hostel has a wide range of comfortable rooms for every budget and a great spot on a waterfront terrace overlooking Canal Saint-Martin, where you can start your day with a morning coffee and Pain au Chocolat.

Safe travels and be sure to travel smart! Like this article? Check out our Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok and Youtube.

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