What's the Best Way to Spend a Layover in Paris?


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A view of Paris, France.

Dear Wendy, I am planning a trip to Tunisia and the Seychelles. On the way home we have a seven-hour layover at Charles de Gaulle airport. Do we have time to go into Paris? If so where should we go? We are flying Air France. Can we get into their lounges? Can we purchase a day pass? What are your recommendations? Thank you for your time,

Susan S.


Susan, since you need to be back at the airport two hours before your flight home from Paris, you've really got only five hours. Subtract the time it will take to clear Immigration and Customs and make your way to the airport train station, as well as time spent waiting for the train and riding into and out of the heart of the city, and in actuality you've got maybe three hours for sightseeing in Paris. Which is why, whenever I have a layover in Paris—or, in fact, in any European airport that's an easy train ride from town—I try to schedule it as an overnight. At Charles de Gaulle I stay at the airport Sheraton, which is situated just an escalator ride above the train station, and I try to schedule the layover so that I land in the mid-afternoon at the latest and fly out the next morning. Usually I take the train (the RER Line B) to the Métro and then the Métro to a charming neighborhood, stroll around for a few hours to exercise my legs after the long flight, have dinner with a friend, then head back to the airport.

Susan, since I don't know whether you've been to Paris before or what you're most interested in doing there, nor do I want you to waste precious time getting lost in the Métro, I emailed Paris guru Lily Heise of Context Travel to ask which RER Line B train stop would be easiest and best for first-time visitors to hop off at. She suggests you alight at Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. "It's in the heart of the city and close to many of the best monuments and easy access to the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, and the Marais." On the other hand, if you've been to Paris many times and are looking for new neighborhoods to explore, consider these hidden-gem recommendations from Heise.

If your flight into Paris is delayed an hour or two, though, you'll likely want to stay put at the airport. Air France airport lounge clubs are typically open only to those flying in first or business class or who have elite status. "If you are a Flying Blue Gold and Platinum or SkyTeam Elite Plus cardholder you could use their lounge free of charge," says Heise. "Otherwise, Charles de Gaulle does have a lounge open to any traveler. it's called ICare Lounge and costs €30 per day. It is located in Terminal 1. If you arrive in Terminal 2, there is a free shuttle train between the two terminals."

Does anyone else have advice for Susan? If you had a quick layover in Paris, how would you spend it?

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