I have a 5 1/2 hour layover in Paris this Monday. Anyone have any suggestions?

Question

I have a 5 1/2 hour layover in Paris this Monday. Anyone have any suggestions? I was told the Air France shuttle goes straight to the Arc de Triomphe in 40 minutes. I figured I'd clear immigration and get straight on the bus to the Arc. That should eat up about 1 hour and 30 min to be safe. Then I give myself 1 and a half hours to look around, get a bite and get back on the bus. This should give me enough time to get back to the airport, non? Any suggestions or alternatives? I suppose there are cafes in the area. Anyone know what rush hour traffic will be like? I should be back on the bus to the airport by 5:30 since my flight leaves at 8:10.

Answer 1

It's going to be grey skies and rain here on Monday so I wouldn't bother climbing the Arc de Triomphe or getting on an open top boat. What I'd advise is that you get off the bus at the Arc de Triomphe and walk all the way down the Champs Elysees (exactly 1km) to Place Concorde where you'll have the best view Paris has to offer. You'll pass all the big fashion houses and walk along the back gardens of the Palais d'Elysees (where the president lives), the American and British Embassy on the left, with Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the right. When you're at Place de la Concorde you'll get to see the 3,300 year old Obelisk, the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs with the Grande Arche de la Defense, l'academie Française, the Eiffel Tower and if you look down rue de Rivoli or stand at the gates of the Jardin de Tuileries (situated on the East side of Place Concorde), you'll see the Louvre.
Take rue Royale and walk past the (in)famous Maxim's restaurant towards l'église de la Madeleine. This is a huge, temple like church built by Napolean - stick your head in the door, it's very impressive inside and it's free to visit as it's still a working church.
Walk around the Place de la Madeleine until you're on Boulevard de la Madeleine and keep walking until Boulevard de la Madeleine becomes Bouvevard des Cappucines (not far, about 400m) - just ahead of you you'll see place de l'Opera, the Opera Garnier is on the left (a magnificient building). Take a left and walk down the left hand side of the Opera building and go left again. You're at Havre Caumartin, you've just walked for an hour through Paris and seen a good handful of the most impressive sites the city has to offer and there's a Roissybus that leaves from Havre Caumartin every 10 minutes - it'll drop you off at whatever terminal you're leaving from at Charles de Gaule, just make sure you get off at the right one. The driver will be able to help you if you show him your ticket.

There are numerous pubs, bars, brasseries on the way and you'll have time to stop in one or two of them but if you end up getting hammered and miss your bus then bear in mind that a taxi is going to cost you roughly 50 euros to get back to CDG.
Enjoy!

Answer 2

Arc de Triomphe isn't all that great. . . I mean, it's neat if you haven't seen it before. And, you can definitely get a great workout by climbing up all the steps to the top. However, how about a nice boat ride down the Seine River? It's very relaxing and you get to see many various Parisian landmarks. Plus, you can get on and off anytime when the boat makes its periodic pit stops along the Seine. A boat ride might be a little more relaxing especially since you'll probably be tired from "half" your trip. . .Just a suggestion. . . Hope you have a wonderful layover in Paris!

Answer 3

Yes be careful about the traffic. The subway is inexpensive and handy but can be slow and routing confusing. Ditto about Arc De Triumph unless
you want to shop for designer brands at designer $500 prices.
If you had/have the time, the bata boat shuttle (hop on hop off) is fun to take on the seine. I think your best bet though is to get off at St. Germain de Pres and have a quick bite before going back. Tips: Buy a Chocolate Molleaux at PAUL (it is so GRAND!) and a quiche if possible. Then spend time at the airport shops.

Answer 4

There is time to leave the airport but you would really be hard pressed to do anything worthwhile if your five hours are between the time when your plane is supposed to land and the time the next one leaves. Added to the actual time of landing you have to get off the plane, go through immigration etc...where there may be long queues. The actual time at your disposal is much shorter than five hours as you have to be back at the airport two hours before take off. The shuttle into town may just have left so you have to wait for the next one which adds to time it takes to get to the centre. Same thing to get back. Your plane may have been kept in a stack and be late landing which also eats into your five hours. If you are unfamiliar with Paris it takes time to get to any place as the town is heaving with people and the underground is not easy to navigate for people who do not speak the language and do not know where the main buildings such as Notre-Dame are in relation to the métro station or how much walking is involved. Forget about the leisurely cup of coffee or glass of French wine: this will take at least half an hour. You will be looking at your watch constantly and worry about missing your flight.

Answer 5

You did not say which airport but I would think CDG - not looking good as you will arrive right in the middle of rush hour - it is a bit risky. The best way is to stay at the airport. CDG is huge with lots of Duty frees and restaurant but the time you check everything out + immigration and everything it will be time again to check in.

Answer 6

enjoy the city and have fun.

Answer 7

bring a clothes pin for your nose france stinks, for real