I have an overnight flight from the US to Paris, arriving at 10:30am on a Sunday in early August. I was thinking about heading that evening to Nice, on a 9pm flight (I'll be back in Paris again for 2 days at the end of my Europe trip which will not be on a weekend). Since I hear that the Versailles is best on a summer weekend when the fountains are on, I was wondering how doable this would be: arriving into CDG at 10:30am, leave my items in a locker in the airport (is there such a place I can leave my bags??), take the RER from the airport to Versailles, and return to CDG by 7pm or so in plenty of time to retrieve my bags and hop on the flight to Nice. How feasible would this be?
Posted by
vancouver, bc, canada
421 posts
I have researched and there is no lockers in CDG you would have to go to a train station to get lockers.
figure an hour to clear customs
a good hour to hour and a half to get to the train station dump your luggage and then get to versaille I would believe.
long lines at versaille.
I think you could do it but it might be a bit rushed.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
22 posts
We could also fly from Orly to Nice if that makes more sense geographically, but then we'd have to figure out what to do with our bags all day.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Your plan is doable, but you';ll have to stay on the move.
Short-term luggage storage is now possible again at CDG, but the hours are limited, the conditions are strict, and I think the price is fairly high. To see for yourself, go to www.bagagesdumonde.com. If you want to save money, store your bags at Gare du Nord.
It will take an hour and a half to go by RER from CDG to Versailles-Rive Gauche. Be aware that the RER C line divides on the west side of Paris. Trains named VICK go to Versailles-RG. Also be aware that the RER B line divides northeast of Paris, When you return to CDG, be sure you get on a train that is going there. A one-day, zone 1-5 Paris Visite pass (17.05 EUR) will cover all your transportation costs.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
22 posts
Thank you all for your responses so far. It sounds like this might be tricky to do, so I might have to see Versailles on a weekday, or stay overnight on Sunday night in Paris to get the most out of Versailles.
Does anyone happen to know the difference between the gardens and the groves in Versailles? It looks like gardens are open til 8:30pm in August, but the groves are only open 10:30am-12pm, 3-5pm. I've also read that the Grandes Eaux Musicales shows play in the gardens for short periods of time throughout the day; does anyone know how long the shows last for and if it just repeats during the "open" hours listed on the Versailles website, or if it really is one 2 hour long show?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Here is the URL for the fountain schedule: www.chateauversaillesspectacles.fr/gb/accueil.htm.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I admire creative itinerary ideas like this.
Could you possibly solve the baggage problem by checking your bags with your Nice-bound airline when you arrive in the morning?
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
22 posts
That's a great idea, thanks I'll look into it. I assume there is no place at Versailles that I could lock up my backpack for the afternoon?