Please sign in to post.

Paris for a day

Hi all, we are a family of four (all over 18), and will be in Paris for one full day and night on December 20th. We will be spending Christmas in Normandy.

I am confused about the day passes for Paris. Do any of the passes include CDG to the city center? I would like to be able to travel around that day to various points.

Would appreciate any suggestions/help.

Posted by
5188 posts

Ginger,

The day ticket is known as "Ticket Mobilis" (€7.30pp for travel within central Paris) & it's good for unlimited rides on the Metro system only, however, it doesn't include travel to CDG.

There is a "Paris Visite" pass & does include transportation to CDG but it costs €24.50pp for one day.

You may consider getting the Ticket Mobilis plus a separate RER ticket (€10pp) to travel to/ from CDG (via RER B train)

You can read about all the different tickets & passes available here:
http://parisbytrain.com/paris-metro/#mobilis

Enjoy you trip!

Edit to add... You may consider getting this app for your smartphones to help you navigate through Paris:http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_91041/ratp-launches-visit-paris-by-metro-an-app-dedicated-to-tourists/

Posted by
19659 posts

With 4 people, you might think about taking a taxi direct to your hotel. Fixed price of 50 EUR to the Right Bank or 55 EUR to the Left Bank.
http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/taxi/paris-cdg-taxi

In Paris, if you buy two carnets (book of 10 tickets) at 14.50 EUR each, that will cover each of you for 5 trips on the Metro or city bus. So assuming you are arriving on the morning of day 1, and going to St Lazare station on day 2, they would also cover a Metro or bus ride to the station on day 2.

Posted by
491 posts

Thank you both for the informative responses.

I am trying to narrow down the things we want to see and do, and also take in the Christmas markets.

Posted by
491 posts

Any recommendations for boat trip on the seine? A particular company?

Is Laduree worth going into? Or perhaps another recommendation for Macaron?

I found a few recommendations on GF bakeries in Paris. Helmet Newcake Patîsserie.

It's a bit overwhelming trying to see so much in such a short time, but we will try!

Posted by
5188 posts

Ginger,

We wanted to take a boat cruise on the Seine when we were there in June, but the water level was too high due to all the rain & the boats were not running then...

Anyway, RS recommends this company:http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home

You may enjoy looking at this website for best pastries, best chocolate, etc, etc...http://parisbymouth.com

Enjoy!

Posted by
4684 posts

I personally prefer the macarons from Pierre Herme and think that the Laduree ones are too crispy. If you want to go to Laduree, go to the original one by the Madeleine and not the one on the Champs-Elysees, which is often overrun by tourists and unpleasantly crowded.

Posted by
491 posts

Thanks for the macaron tips.

What about chocolatier? Who do you all like best?

Posted by
4684 posts

Maison du Chocolat is a good reliable that has several different branches. One of my personal favourites is Richart at 27 rue Bonaparte or 258 boulevard St Germain, which specialises in themed assortments like "herbal" or "citrus". I like the chocolates at Jacques Genin at 133 rue de Turenne but the last time I went there I was left waiting to be served for a very long time, and the way other customers in the shop were being treated made me suspect that it was because the staff thought I wasn't wealthy or hip enough to be worth noticing. Jean Paul Hevin (four branches) is very good as well.

Posted by
491 posts

As my departure date approaches, still a good idea to take a taxi or Bus, or should we go for the metro instead? I'm asking because of all the news about pollution and traffic issues coming out of Paris. I have no idea if some of this is exaggerated, like all other news we get these days.

Posted by
9404 posts

I've been to Ladurée on the Champs-Elysées many times for macarons. Wasn't too crowded and their macarons are delicious imo.

Posted by
7981 posts

With 4 people, I'd use a taxi to and from the airport; you save so little by taking the train.

And then get carnet for around town as noted.

I would not spend a lot of time finding macarons and chocolates etc etc with only one day in Paris (obviously you do what YOU want to do but that would be my rec) You can get macarons in any bakery, they are not that fabulous and there are so many absolutely uniquely wonderful things you can ONLY do in Paris. Great chocolates are available anywhere but St. Denis, Ste Chapelle, the Louvre, the Orsay, Notre Dame (just walking around it is breathtaking), Pont Alexandre, the Eiffel Tower -- are ONLY in Paris. There are lots of Seine cruises; they are all pretty much alike. If you really want to do it you can do it when convenient near Pont d'Alma, Pont Neuf, the Eiffel Tower for example. I prefer walking in Paris along the Seine to being down in the ditch especially during the day time -- but the option is easy if you want to do it. Obviously you couldn't begin to do all these different things, but with so little time I would try to think what is the quintessential Paris experience for you. Maybe it is sitting in a tea shop eating macarons and if so, go for it.

The Christmas markets are fun at night with street food and music and kids rides and such, the merchandise is mostly overpriced junk. If you are there in the evening then walking up the Champs Elysees market then walking at the Grand Palais across the pont Alexandre gives a lovely view of several landmarks including the Eiffel Tower (we like to time it for the top of the hour when it sparkles) At Concord is the Grand Roue and it is a pretty spectacular view of Paris at night; I was reluctant but my nephews wanted to go and I was so glad we did. I great great pictures from the wheel.

If you are just there for one night another thought is to have a particular nice meal in a place with great ambience or view. Les Ombres has a great view of the Eiffel Tower through its glass ceiling. Bofinger is a beautiful room as is Train Bleu. Chez Dumonet, Josephine was a fun place for boeuf burguignon and grand marnier soufflets.

Have fun -- it will be hard to come up with a short list for 4 people with so little time but it will be fun narrowing it down.

Posted by
6431 posts

Janet gives good advice as usual. The taxi from CDG will be easier than the RER train for just a little more cost. There's another thread nearby on this board re Paris pollution, doesn't seem like a big problem. Anyway, if it is, whether you go by train or taxi won't really matter, you'll be breathing the same air all day anyway.

For what It's worth (less from me than from RS of course), the Vedettes de Pont Neuf does a good job on the Seine. They leave from the Pont Neuf near Notre Dame. Other boats leave from near the Eiffel Tower, farther west. I'd say pick whichever is more convenient to your hotel or how you plan to spend your day. If weather is nasty you might opt for an enclosed boat, or even skip it.

Posted by
8293 posts

There is a Laduree kiosk at CDG, if you are dead set on Laduree, presuming of course that you will leave for home from CDG. As someone else has pointed out, if you have but this one day in Paris, it seems pointless to spend time seeking macarons and chocolate.

Posted by
491 posts

If we happen upon any of these places, and there isn't a long line, we will pass on it. I can always get some good chocolate and macaron in Normandy. And then the airport when flying out. Didn't know this. We will leave from CDG. Trying to find a hotel with free shuttle to airport from CDG.

Appreciate all the help.

Posted by
6431 posts

There are several hotels right at CDG with varying price ranges. You can walk onto the airport's internal shuttle and check in a few minutes later. We liked the Ibis, clean and simple and a good value, perhaps the cheapest of those right at the airport, but there are also Hilton, Sheraton, etc.

There are a lot of hotels in the nearby town of Roissy, I'm sure they're good, but they involve a hotel shuttle ride to the airport. Takes longer, one more element of uncertainty in getting to your morning flight.

With the time you save staying right at the airport you can get the macarons!

Posted by
8293 posts

Ginger, there is an Ibis hotel right at CDG airport , with no shuttle required.

Posted by
491 posts

Thanks. No shuttle necessary sounds like less headache. Was reading some reviews about those with shuttle, and there is always a long wait.

Posted by
8293 posts

Ginger ...... If you take bus No.350 or 351 from Paris to the airport you will end up at the Ibis hotel entrance. And the fare is 3 bus/metro tickets per person. Google the bus routes to see where you could pick one or the other up.

Posted by
1118 posts

Enjoy your trip. I'm curious where you will be in Normandy for Christmas. I have been to Normandy several times, but never in winter. I always imagined it to be very quiet that time of year. Do tell your plans!