Planning trip to Paris mid May 2025. I was in Europe 40+ years ago - not France - and none of us speak French. No plane tickets yet but Expedia shows we could arrange arrival for early on a Sunday. Main focus of trip is Normandy not Paris. But thought we might be able to get in a quick visit to see specific things in the Louvre (doesn't include Mona Lisa), St Chappelle, and Notre Dame.
1. Is that too aggressive?
2. Also, thought we'd stay near these in an AirBnB. Any specific suggestions about specific area-closer to these sites, metro stations (we will need to take a train out of Paris the next day), not safe, etc? Based on posts thinking we would take a taxi from airport to accommodations - thoughts?
3. If we cannot check into AirBnB early enough any suggestions where to stash our luggage and where to have the taxi drop us off?
4. What else am I not thinking about at the moment that I should be asking about?
These posts have been very helpful and I'm planning to make other posts for help - trying to corral certain parts of the trip into separate posts. Many thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
And AIRBNB is a bad choice for one night. We have been stayiing in apartments in Europe for nearly 40 years now from when you had to find them in catalogues and rent several times a year BUT if we are in a place for fewer than 3 nights, we choose a hotel. AirBNBs not only make luggage management difficult, but there are lots of things that can go wrong that tie up your time. What if your luggage is delayed. With a hotel it can be delivered to the hotel; with an AIRBNB you have to sit around and wait. What if there is something wrong with the apartment and you need to be available while they come to repair it? What if your greeter is late or doesn't show and you have hassles getting in? We have had all such situations over the years. And also had a place with no hot water for a week. Plus you pay a huge cleaning fee which spikes the cost -- spread over two weeks, it is minor, but it is a big hit for one night.
Get. a hotel and if you must have a kitchen then get an apartment hotel for one night which functions like a hotel and can manage your luggage etc. Just look for hotels near the Louvre which is close to all these sites or if you are leaving for Normandy by train, find a hotel near the station you will be using. If you are driving find a hotel near your car pick up point.
You need timed tickets for the Louvre and there will be a line regardless. We only waited about 15 minutes for security at the Carousel entrance a couple of weeks ago. St. Chapelle usually involves very long waits even with pre-booked tickets. Both Louvre and St. Chapelle require pre-booking. I haven't visited Notre Dame since the fire -- it hasn't been open when we were there, so can't advise you there, but you can certainly view it from outside.
Posted by
915 posts
You could do all 3 in one long day. But are you planning to do these things on the Sunday you arrive, because all that makes a difference on timing; or are you seeing all 3 the next day on Monday, which would be easier. You never know how long it will take to get through immigration and on your way. But, we got lucky this past spring. From landing to arrival at our hotel was exactly 2 hours.
Yes, take the taxi from the official taxi at CDG to your airbnb or hotel. Hotel is a way better choice. They will hold your luggage. I would reserve an airbnb for the night prior, letting them know you'll be arriving the next morning, so that it's ready when you arrive; drop off your luggage and go. But less than ideal.
Research all the times that these 3 places are open and strategize a plan. They are all within walking distance of each other. Louvre to St Chapelle about 15 min walk. Less than 10 min walk from St Chapelle to Notre Dame.
You definitely need to reserve a timed entry for St Chapelle. Are you planning to do any specific tour at Notre Dame, or just visit? Since it's still closed, who knows what kind of rules are involved with visiting, but lucky you that it will be reopened for your visit.
You definitely want to get advanced timed tickets to the Louvre as well. Too much time you don't have, wasted standing in line. So you'd have to figure that out.
You also don't say where you are flying in from. We fly in from the west coast and feel beat to a pulp when we arrive. I couldn't do those 3 on day of arrival. If you are flying in from the east coast, you probably have more stamina on arrival day.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6447 posts
I've gotten away from AirBnBs because of all the fees (and they can be inconvenient because of fixed check in times) For one night, I think the cleaning fees and other fees would double the price. Also, when we travel in Europe, especially if we are in a less familiar place, I like to have someone to suggest restaurants, logistics, etc. Often with an AirBnB, you do not see anyone.
How would I structure this trip? Well, I'd immediately take a train to Caan on arrival. Stay a night or two (they have a great WWII museum) Pick up a car and explore Normandy for the number of days you have. Hopefully, at least two, beyond Caan. I'd stay in Arromanches or Bayuex. After Normandy, return the car and take the train back to Paris. Hopefully spend at least two nights, preferably at least three. Going to Paris at the end of the trip means you can go to museum and not be dragging because of jet lag, and maybe you could catch a refreshing nap on the way to Caan. And if Paris is at the end of your trip, you can buy some of your tickets in advance. (I would never advance purchase tickets for my arrival day and would think twice about doing it for the second day, on the chance you plane is cancelled or delayed.
Also, as an FYI, there are many services, some with apps, that will store your luggage for the short term.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3984 posts
Just to clarify for me because I am a little confused by your first paragraph: do you plan to visit the places mentioned on your arrival day and then head to Normandy on Monday? If so, that will be a slog of a Sunday which I think is doable but not fun but YMMV. Let's say that you are in Paris with your luggage dropped off by 9 AM you have until 5 PM to get into the Louvre and until 6 PM to get into Sainte Chapelle. Notre Dame should be open by the time you get there so if you want to go inside that is possible. If we say that each of these places will take you 2.5 hours including getting from one to the other, you need 7.5 hours to get all three done and you have 9 hours to get them done. That does not give you a lot of extra time during the day for lunch or delays, etc. Plus these places have timed entries so you many not be able to schedule them in the most ideal way. As to your question on whether you are not thinking about something, I wonder how much or if you are factoring in the effect of jet lag if you will be traveling from the United States.
I agree that an AirBnB is not a great idea for a one or two day trip unless need a kitchen for your one or two nights in Paris. I suggest you stay in a hotel where you can drop your luggage off and get started on your day. I like Hotel La Tamise on Rue d'Alger -- 10 minute walk to the Louvre. If you do decide to go for an AirBnb, there is luggage storage near Notre Dame at the City Locker location on Rue des Bernardins. I prefer luggage at places that specialize in storage oner places that have contracts with Nannybag, etc.