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Fireworks in Paris on July 14, then early flight at CDG next morning. Advice?

Posted by on

Hello. Looking for some advice for a first-time traveller to Paris.

Our flight leaves out of CDG at 7:30 in the morning on July 15. We're staying in Montmartre close to the Sacre Couer. We'd love to travel down to the Champ de Mars to see the fireworks on the night of the 14th, but it could take a long time to get back to Montmartre after the show is done at midnight or so. I've heard the fireworks can be seen from the Sacre Couer--would that be a better choice than travelling all the way down to Champ de Mars? Is it going to be insane trying to get back to Montmartre at midnight that night? Is it worth it with an early flight the next day? How early should we get there for either one--websites all say "Make sure you arrive early!" but don't say how early...

As a followup question, we know it's a good idea to be 3 hours early for an international flight, but the counter at CDG doesn't even open until 6:00, only 90 minutes before our flight. Would it still be wise to arrive around 5:00 or 5:30 anyway?
For getting there, would a taxi be better at that time of day, or perhaps the buses? I believe we can do a bus from Montmartre to Gare du Nord, and then the RER B to CDG airport, but how are the buses at 4:30 in the morning? Would it be smarter to do a taxi or use our Navigo passes for the transit?

Any thoughts on these would be incredibly helpful for these first time travellers. Thank you!

Posted by
8166 posts

Pack your bags first then go see the fireworks from the Champ de mars and then just set your alarm clock or get a wake up call

Checkin online 24 hours before. I would still get there at 5 am so you are the first in line of what could be 100's of passengers waiting for the counter at CDG to open. Used the bag drop if you need to check your bags otherwise if you have a bording pass go through passport control and then security and then to the gate. Get the hotel to order the taxi the night before. It is a flat rate 55 euros more or less so if you have more than one you can split the costs.

You can look up the transit times on the Paris Rapid Transit site if you are considering a bus to the RER B:
https://www.ratp.fr/en

Posted by
6713 posts

I'd suggest watching the fireworks from Montmartre, I'm sure they'll be visible, so you can get to bed at a reasonable hour. Have your hotel arrange for a taxi to pick you up at, say, 4:30. The regular fare to CDG will be 50 euros, there might be a surcharge for such an early hour. Traffic won't be an issue then. It will cost about twice as much for two people as a bus and RER, but will be much easier and faster, door to door.

Posted by
2707 posts

If you have never been to the Champs de Mars for the fireworks, you should know that to assist with crowd control, all nearby métro stations are closed. The crowds will take some time to disperse. Given your situation, I would not even consider attempting to go near the Eiffel Tower. If the night is clear, you should be able to see the fireworks from Sacre Coeur.

Given that all transatlantic passengers must be checked in at least one hour prior to departure, I rather doubt that the counter only opens 90 minutes before departure. That really does not leave sufficient time, only 30 minutes to check in all passengers. When I have been at CDG early, before 08h00, passport control lines are not usually very long but I have spent 1+ at passport control only. Then there is security after that.

I would plan on a 04h30 hotel pickup. En route time is probably no more than 30 minutes getting you at the airport near 05h00 but it leaves an important, at least to me, 30 minute pad in event of any unknown. I would not plan on being at the check in desk any later than 05h30 unless you have elite travel status of some type.

Posted by
1450 posts

If it's really important to you to see the fireworks, why not move your flight back a day to July 16?

Posted by
2466 posts

Given that the show is designed to attract those by the river, you'd better get a move on.
I'd get a taxi, personally, if you'll be up all night.
www.g7.fr/en/
I'd get a taxi, and you probably won't make your flight...

Posted by
7889 posts

/ / we know it's a good idea to be 3 hours early for an international flight, but the counter at CDG doesn't even open until 6:00, only 90 minutes before our flight.

It seems like you've done the research, but this is puzzling to me. Are you flying to the U.S.A.? The airlines are under fierce pressure from our government to provide detailed passenger lists well in advance of the plane's touchdown in the U.S. Are you certain that physical check-in time is correct? Could it just be some website boilerplate that doesn't actually apply to your particular flight? What type of aircraft is it, and are you flying coach (the longest lines .... ?)

Posted by
10 posts

Ah, me too! Our flight is around 10:30. I think Champs de Mars is a do-not-miss, but the metro is WILD afterwards. However, they do keep it open until everyone gets home, from what I remember. This was the ONLY time in my travels where we lost a traveler (three twelve-year-old boys with no French) and they still managed to get back to the hotel. Everyone will help if you need help. When I went (about 15 years ago) to the fireworks, we arrived around 8:00 PM and it was empty, but within an hour, things were packed. Wherever you go, take some wine and snacks, and a blanket if you can to mark your spot.

I agree with the recommendation to have your concierge book a taxi, or you can check the price for an early-morning Uber if you roll that way. CDG is an international airport so I can't imagine a situation where the counter doesn't open until 6:00. That sounds like some nonsense. Pack the night before and leave out just your clothes for tomorrow, then get up early.

Posted by
10210 posts

The metro is wild . . and the metro stops the closest to the Champs de Mars are CLOSED. So you have to walk even further to get a metro.

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