ADVICE NEEDED: 17 y.o. solo travel to/in France

I'm really interested in spending some time in France in the Summer, immersing myself in the language and culture in order to improve my understanding of both. I live in England, and I'll be 17 at the time I'm hoping to go over there. I speak the language to a good level (possibly intermediate?) as I'm halfway through my first year of French A Level. I'd like to go by myself - it's easier to meet new people that way. I don't have much money, and want to do this as cheaply as possible. Any ideas? Is it even possible for me to go alone? Where would be the best place to go? Are there any schemes that allow you stay places for free (or close to free). Thanks in advance, please let me know if you need more details!

This sounds sooo like me. I love meeting new people and want to do it as cheap as possible. But, don't really have the balls to go alone lol. I've been to Nice, its really nice No but it really is.

Come with me!!

Hi! I've also been considering visiting France alone aged 17! I think France's relatively easy for solo travel as they'll allow underage people in most hotels and stuff! Paris is very nice I think . I know of a bookstore called Shakespeare and Company, where you can stay for free in exchange for helping out in the shop for a few hours per day (https://shakespeareandcompany.com/51/shakespeare-and-company/56/tumbleweeding), so maybe you could consider that. Other than that I think the south is really nice, like Marseille, Nice, Montpellier, etc. Just depends on what kind of trip you want honestly, but I think the south's a nice combination of culture, nature and beaches so there's something for everyone there really

Hi! I've also been considering visiting France alone aged 17! I think France's relatively easy for solo travel as they'll allow underage people in most hotels and stuff! Paris is very nice I think . I know of a bookstore called Shakespeare and Company, where you can stay for free in exchange for helping out in the shop for a few hours per day (https://shakespeareandcompany.com/51/shakespeare-and-company/56/tumbleweeding), so maybe you could consider that. Other than that I think the south is really nice, like Marseille, Nice, Montpellier, etc. Just depends on what kind of trip you want honestly, but I think the south's a nice combination of culture, nature and beaches so there's something for everyone there really

Thank you so much - it looks great! I've sent them an e-mail. How did you come across the bookstore?

Eat as the locals do, stick to public transportation and stay in hostels or even consider Couchsurfing. I'm from the UK also and I travelled to Japan on my own when I was 19 and had the most incredible experience.

I haven't travelled on my own to France before so I can't offer any specific advice there, but let me know if you need any help with travelling in general.

I want to couch surf but unsure I'd do it on my own lol

I haven't either but I really wanted to when I was in Japan - it was really busy at the time. Going solo opens you up to many experiences and it's easier to find a Couchsurfing host if you're on your own too.

The Couchsuring community also offers meet-ups so you can meet like-minded travellers and locals too, so it's worth installing the app if you're in the area and arrange meet-ups with other people. I've also heard Tinder is also a good option for meeting people in other countries too, so I'll also add that to the mix.

You’d get to meet so many people!! Helpaway looks like a good site for volunteering in France in return for accommodation and food.

Do you mean Helpstay? Just checked out that website and it looks amazing. This actually gives me so much hope, to do something really interesting this summer.

Yes, that’s the one!! I’m reluctant to pay for a membership, but I can’t find anywhere that lets you do it for free...