A friend of mine from work was recently planning an ambitious European adventure – 2 countries, 3 cities all in just 4 days. Her plan was to fly into Paris, spend the day, catch an evening flight to Nice, spend 24 hours, catch a morning flight to Amsterdam, spend the day, then fly back to the States the following afternoon.
Sounds kinda crazy, I know, but when you work for an airline you can do these kinds of things! She reached out to me before her trip for hotel suggestions and travel tips including how to spend her layover in Paris. I managed to come up with what I thought was a pretty good itinerary in just a few short minutes, and I figured, why not share it with you!
So, here it is, my tips on how to spend a layover in Paris.
STORE YOUR LUGGAGE
The key to enjoying a layover is not being bogged down by baggage. Luckily, there are lockers where you can store your belongings while you’re out expiring he city.
According to the Air France website, you can securely store your luggage at the central lockers located at the CDGVAL station’s exit, near the RER train station. This service is available 7 days a week, from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
GETTING TO PARIS
The next step is getting into the city. In my opinion, the train is your best option. A one way ticket on the RER B train line costs 10.30€ and takes approximately 50 minutes.
You could also take the Roissybus, which costs 11.50€ round trip and takes approximately 80 minutes. Or a taxi, but it could take longer depending on traffic and would run you no less than 60€ each way.
VISIT A MUSEUM
Many of the museums in Paris are grand and overwhelming and take days to fully explore and aren’t practical when you’re pressed for time. The Musée de l’Orangerie located in the Tuileries Garden is small and manageable and well worth a visit. The museum is my personal favorite, filled with large scale Monet’s which are permanent fixtures as well as some exquisite temporary exhibits. Tickets are 9€ and the museum is open daily from 9a-6p (closed Tuesdays!)
ENJOY A CREPE IN THE PARK
After the museum, take a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. This expansive green space features gardens, fountains and several small eateries throughout!
GRAB SOME SWEET SOUVENIRS
The original location of the famous macaroon and pastry shop, Laudurée, is located between he Tuileries and the start of the Champs-Élysées at 16 Rue Royal. But you’ll also find several others throughout the city. Their oh-so-cute boxes make the perfect souvenirs! Don’t worry if you run out of time, they also have several locations at the airport!
SQUEEZE IN SOME SHOPPING
If shopping is your thing, Paris is the place for you. Take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées where you’ll find all the high end boutiques. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Hermès…you get the picture!
GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE CITY
The Champs-Élysées runs into the Arc de Triomphe and one of the busiest intersections in Paris. Go to the top of the Arc if time allows for some beautiful views of the city! The terrace is open daily from 10a-10p and tickets are 12€.
HIT UP A ROOFTOP BAR
There are 2 rooftop bars not far from the Arc de Triomphe located at the the Hotel Raphael & The Peninsula. Pricey drinks, but pretty views!
VIEW THE EIFFEL TOWER AT SUNSET
No trip to Paris, no matter how short, is complete without paying a visit to the Eiffel Tower. You’ll get the best views from Place du Trocadéro, especially at night when the glittering lights come on. It’s truly magical!
HEAD BACK TO THE AIRPORT
After spending the day exploring, it’s time to hop on the Metro and make your way back to the airport. Just be sure to give yourself enough time for the commute, retrieving your luggage and making it through security!
Now, I know this is a lot! And you may not be able to squeeze everything in to just one layover, but hopefully it gives you some ideas for how to spend a layover in the city of light. The beauty is, you can’t go wrong. I mean, it’s Paris!
Have you ever had a long layover while traveling abroad? How did you spend it? Share your comments below!
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