We will have about 4-5 hours on the day before departure back to the US, and would prefer going from CDG to somewhere between Paris and CDG airport. Spending the night at the airport hotel. We have been to Paris many times, loved it, but would prefer not to deal with the crowds in Paris metro by trying to rush to see anything.
Any ideas?
Consider going to see the ancient cathedral of St. Denis, which is not terribly far from CDG.
St Denis is a great idea. Easy access by taxi from CDG (straight shot along the motorway) ; RER B is a feasible but more cumbersome option as you would need to take a bus from the La Plaine Stade de France RER stop.
Another very interesting place to visit if you have not been to the Loire is Ecouen, a beautiful Renaissance palace with the National Renaissance Museum. You would ideally need to take a cab from CDG, and Uber back; it is a 20 minute ride that should cost 30-40€ one way.
Second both ideas too, but if you look for something more modern I can recommend Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace / Air and Space Museum at Le Bourget airport. Housed partly in the original and beautiful Art Deco style terminal it has a diverse collection of aircraft from the pioneering period till this day including also two Concordes, a Boeing 747, an Airbus 380 and much more. Easy drive from there to CDG.
We loved visiting Le Bourget! Great recommemdation, and a change from all the other museums.
The 350 bus that leaves from Terminal 3 goes to Le Bourget.
