Take the shuttle or metro to airport in Paris?

It seems that the post above missed the question. As I understand it, you're concerned about getting from the hotel back to the airport.

There are two Hotel Turennes in Paris, one in the Marais and one down toward the Eiffel Tower.

Regardless of which one you're in, you'll have to take the metro to St Michel - Notre Dame and then switch to the RER. Figure fifteen minutes to ride the metro, make the switch, and wait for the train. Add another forty-five to get to the RER statio at Terminal 2 at CDG. That's an hour, more or less, but it should be enough.

You mention an early flight.

Metro and trains start at about 5:30, but it's a while before they're at all stations. I figure they're not in full swing until 6:00 am.

My best guess is that you could not be at the CDG RER station before 7:00 am. Metro and trains are reliable, there should not be an issue with schedule or crowds.

Regarding the shuttle: First, I would assume that it's not dedicated to your hotel, so you'd have to consider stops it makes before and after yours. Second, in a zillion years of driving in and out of Paris, I can't count the times I've been tied up in surface traffic. But, I've never ridden a shuttle, so they might have a secret path. I'd also check that the shuttle will actually be available as early as you need it.

Hard call, but it's the best I can offer. Price is a wash, RER/metro is about nine euros per person each way.

What time does your flight leave? I'll check to see if the Metro line closest to your hotel starts running early enough for you to take the Metro + the RER B to CDG. It sounds like your hotel is the Hotel de Turenne near the Eiffel Tower. Am I right?

Thanks for your help. Yes, the Hotel de Turenne near the Eiffel Tower. Our return flight departs at 7:30am out of CDG, so, we have to leave pretty early (used airline miles for the flight and that was the only time available unfortunately).

Unless Tim can come up with his magic, you have two alternatives:

spend the night at one of the hotels at the airport

use a taxi -- no idea of the cost, but have the hotel arrange it -- don't try to do it yourself

Best guess is that you' have to walk out the hotel door at 3:00 - 3:30 am if you stay in town.

Then again, the shuttle might have the magic answer, if it is running.

Hang in there.

For such an early departure I definitely would move to an airport hotel the night before.

I think you guys are right on. I guess I've been spoiled by growing up in NYC, where you could always get to the airport at anytime! I'm going to look into getting a hotel at the airport for the last night. The good thing is those hotels are inexpensive it seems. Now I just have to find a good one!
Do Paris hotels generally let you keep your luggage in the hotel after you check out? Say we had to check out by noon on Friday, but wanted to hang out in Paris until Friday night.

The first RER B train to CDG originates at Gare du Nord. It leaves at 04:56 and arrives at 05:30. Metro trains don't start running early enough for you to connect with the RER B at Gare du Nord so you would have to take a taxi there from your hotel.

An alternative would be to take a taxi to Gare de l'Est in time to catch the 03:40 Noctilien (night bus) N140 to CDG which arrives at Terminal 2 at 04:52 and at Terminal 1 at 04:59.

When all is said and done, staying at an airport hotel probably is your best option. The Accor chain has several hotels near CDG. For your early departure the best one that is reasonably priced probably is the Ibis Charles de Gaulle Airport/Terminal. It is located next to Terminal 3 and a stop on the free CDGVAL driverless shuttle train that runs 24/7 between the terminals, making it easy to get from the hotel to either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.

Yes, the Hotel de Turenne should be willing to keep your luggage for you after you check out.