We arrive July 31 at 8AM at CDG then plan to stay nearby at a hotel before heading out the next day to meet with family in Burgundy. Before we leave the CDG area, we are thinking of spending the afternoon and evening in Paris. Could anyone suggest the best transportation to take from CDG to Paris. Also, what would the best use of our 7 or 8 hours be while in Paris (probably including supper).
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Look at this recent discussion thread:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/paris-in-9-hours
Especially Dick's post.
A taxi is faster (except during surface street commuting hours), and more expensive.
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
797 posts
If you stay at the Ibis or one of the other hotels near Terminal 2 the RER trains to Paris are easy to get to and you can-get off close to Notre Dam and walk down the Seine towards the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower or head up through the Latin quarter to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon. You will be in a target rich environment and I would suggest looking at the Paris section of Rick's France guide book to decide which of the sights in the area appeal the most to you. Walking in Late July will be on the hot side but it is such a beautiful city and is best absorbed at a walking pace.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3695 posts
If you are planning to spend time in Paris and then head to Burgundy, why don't you spend the night in Paris? If you are planning to take the train to Burgundy, you can easily leave from Gare de Lyon (in fact, there are more trains from Gare de Lyon to Burgundy than here are from VDG) and if you are planning to rent a car, you can pick up a car in Paris. It seems like a waste of time to spend 20 minutes or so to get to your hotel and then 45 minutes heading south into Paris and then spend 45 minutes heading back to the CDG area to then turn around the next day to head south east to the Burgundy region. If you are staying at a hotel at CDG, then the RER or a taxi are the way to go. If you decide to stay in Paris, then there are other transportation options, including the Air France bus if you decide to stay near Gare de Lyon.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1369 posts
From CDG take the RER-B to Saint-Michel RER/Metro station. From here you are w/in walking distance to Notre Dame, the Pompidou Center, the Louvre and St. Chapelle.
RER-C is also at the Saint-Michel stop, you can take this heading West towards Invalides to see Pont Alexandre III, Grand or Petit Palias, Napoleon's Tomb or Rodin Garden/Museum.
Continue on RER-C to Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel stop and walk to the Eiffel Tower.