Paris - Dijon TGV question

You will never be able to predict if your plane lands on time or how long it will take to clear immigration. And then there's getting to Gare de Lyon. Taking a cab in Paris during morning rush hour would be unpredictable.

I would definitely opt for the 11:23 TGV. If you have enough time, you could save more € by taking the RER and Metro to Gare de Lyon. Most likely you'll even have time enough for a cafe and a brioche.

Jp,
It's usually not recommended to book train tickets in advance for your arrival day due to possible unforeseen delays ( plane, passport control or baggage claim).

You may consider taking the TGV to Dijon directly from CDG.

I've only visited the Louvre during the day, so can't comment on the night visits.
If you plan to visit other museums and monuments while in Paris, you may also consider buying the Paris Museum Pass, which also includes the Versailles Palace.

I'd suggest you get the Navigo Découverte pass for all your transportation needs while in Paris.

Enjoy your time in PAris!

Edited to add...
You don't mention when your trip will take place, but if you plan to go up the Eiffel Tower, make sure you book your tickets up to 90 days in advance! These tickets sell within seconds when they become available online, so don't delay! ;-)

The Louvre is less crowded at night. There will also be some collections that are closed. Last year two of the main things we came to see were closed; on another occasion the Egyptian collection was closed. These are usually posted in the lobby -- probably also on line.

I would not book a train from Gare de Lyon sooner than 4 hours after ETA to give you room for a slightly late plane or a very long immigration queue.

The Navigo Decouverte is your best transportation choice -- very convenient and you would probably at least break even.

You don't need to go to Paris Gare de Lyon because there are trains from CDG train station to Dijon almost every hour.

As for the Navigo, though two other well-informed travelers have suggested it, I'm not sure it will be worth it to you considering how centrally you'll be located near the Gare St. Lazare. You'll be able to walk to a lot of sites you'll want to see. You may do just as well with a few carnets (books) of ten tickets.

The Louvre is less crowded at night. As Janet said, some wings close, different ones on different nights, so it might depend on what you want to see. If you have a Museum Pass, you could check out the Louvre both Wednesday and Friday nights.

When are you going? That is important as the RER A to Gare de Lyon will be shut down July 28 to Aug 26. Yes, since you are getting a nice discount, go with the 11.53, and use the RER to save some cash. If things go sideways. If the RER A is not running, change to the RER D at Gare du Nord. Then you will have reserves to buy new full fare tickets to Dijon if you land really late.

Returning to Paris, you can get Navigo Decouvert passes. All zone one week pass is 22.80 EUR pp plus a 5 EUR set-up fee, and bring a 1" by 1 1/4" passport type photo. It can be a selfie on plain paper. That will cover all transport until Sunday night. You might get them while killing time at Gare de Lyon waiting for your Dijon train. That way you will have them when you return and they will be valid. Best way to St Lazare is the No 14 Metro line with elevators and/or escalators at all stations. Then spring for the taxi to CDG Monday morning

You don't need to go to Paris Gare de Lyon because there are trains from CDG train station to Dijon almost every hour.

There are no direct trains from CDG to Dijon. The trains you referred to in your post are correct.

I would buy tickets on the 11:23 for 36€. I spent most of the summer of 2013 in a small town just south of Dijon and it drove me crazy that my flights back from New York arrived just after the sole direct train from CDG to Dijon. Taking the train to Lyon and doubling back from there is okay if you don't want to deal with going into Paris and are not pressed about how long the trip will take. I used to take either a taxi or Le Bus Direct (FKA the Air France Bus) to Gare de Lyon and catch the first train that was scheduled to leave four hours after my ETA. That never failed me even the time when we were 3 hours and 45 minutes late leaving Newark and arrived at CDG almost 2.5 hours late -- carryon luggage, access to the Access No 1 line, and a super taxi driver were the cause of that bit of luck. By the way, I would not chance making the 9:53 from Gare de Lyon unless you are flying in business class or otherwise have access to the Access No 1 line through passport control. On the plus side, traffic should not be an issue on a Sunday morning -- one of the reasons I used to fly out from Newark on Friday or Saturday was to get to Paris on a weekend morning and avoid rush hour traffic. The general advice I give and have seen is that you should plan on 4 hours between ETA at CDG and departure from a train station in Paris.

For your transportation question, I would buy a carnet of ten tickets and see how that works out and buy more tickets if needed. You will need separate tickets for Versailles.

You didn't say when your trip is.

Are you aware of the rolling strikes on the trains this summer? Have you planned around around them?

Thank you, everyone for your kind advice!

We will be traveling from August 11th (arriving on the 12th) to 20th.

I am somewhat aware of the strike, but know nothing about the specifics (the time, duration, what routes are affected etc.) On that note--does anyone recommend the CDG direct bus to Gare De Lyon instead? Would that solve for the potential strike issue? Another reason I ask, is because I think United Airlines flights usually arrive in Terminal 1 while I hear the RER is at Terminal 2.

Merci!

The bus is an alternative, luggage stored under the bus. A bit more expensive and a little slower due to traffic.
The RER station for Terminal 1 is accessed by the CDGVAL shuttle train. 2nd stop on this map.
http://www.parisaeroport.fr/docs/default-source/passager-fichiers/acces/plan_masse_cdg.jpeg?sfvrsn=9bd907bd_4

For once I disagree with my learned colleagues.

Buy tickets for BOTH of the cheap trains (total cost 66 EU for 2, a good deal) and try to make the 9:53. Chances are very good that you will, but if not you will have plenty of time to make the 11:23. Foolproof.

Background: I once caught an 8:30 train to Dijon with a 7 AM deGaulle arrival. And, I had checked baggage.

(And, I took the bus! So don't rule it out, but if you find you've just missed it take the RER, which runs more frequently.)

The cautious note is entirely appropriate, but I really think you'd make the earlier one. You can have lunch in Burgundy! Isn't that worth a few more euros?

I also recommend staying in Beaune, not Dijon. The transfer in Dijon is really easy.

Another vote of optimism for making the earlier train. Most of my cross- Atlantic flights to Paris have arrived earlier. If you're risk averse, your idea of buying both cheap tickets is worthwhile to do for insurance, and is still cheaper than full-fare.

And I vote against the Navigo Découverte, and for the carnet of tickets. First, the Navigo is only good for Monday through Sunday. So you'll still need something for Monday to get you back to the airport. Secondly, as pointed out, you are walking distance to many sights—and you can always get another book and share them if you take lots of transportation. Consider the buses too. Once you figure them out, I find it much more enjoyable to actually see the city when going place to place, rather than tunneling underground. There are tons of buses leaving from arouns Gar Saint-Lazare.

Thank you, everyone! May I ask if the carnet of tickets work for any public transit (bus, RER, trams, etc.)?

Yes, the carnet of t+ tickets works for buses, Metro, and RER, but you cannot transfer from bus to RER/Metro or vice versa. You will need to purchase separate tickets to/from Versailles.