Anjan

Hi, <BR> <BR>I am comming into paris by air-france flight at morining 7:00 am.My exit flight out of paris is at 7:00pm.What is the best way to spend these 10 hrs i will have with me..how best can i see the city.What mode of transport should i use to do so??And if i have a VISA debit card can i get french currency at the airport ATM...is it recommended?? <BR> <BR>thanks in anticipation! <BR> <BR>Anjan

Leslie

Anjan, I posted a similar question and I don't think anyone ever replied. Our layover was for 8 hours. However I didnot let that stop me. It took us a little time to get thru customs and then we took the metro into the city. The map for the train was a little overwhelming, but just don't try to do too much. We had some lunch and went to the Eiffel Tower. Had we not taken the tour of the Eiffel Tower we would have been able to see more. The train ride was longer than I expected, so once again I will say just make sure you don't try to do too much and allow enough time to get back to the airport. You can email me if you need more info. Oh yeah I exchanged money at the airport but I had some cash on me. Plan how much you want to exchange very carefully so you don't loose money on the exchange. Use credit cards when you can.

Kristi

Hi Anjan. A couple of good web sites for you-for public transportation and how to get into Paris from the airport try www.ratp.fr. There a link for airport access that will tell you the best way to get into the city. For general Paris info, try www.parisvisite.tm.fr. <BR> <BR>Personally, if I was going into a city for just a day, I would try to make the most of it although jet lag might slow me down some. If you want to try to see a lot, you can buy a one day Paris museum pass and see a little of everything. The pass includes most of the sights in Paris, except the Eiffel Tower, and it allows you to bypass the long lines for admission. <BR> <BR>Or if you want a more leisurely day, pick a couple of places you want to see and then stroll the city. Instead of waiting for a ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, you might consider seeing the city from the top of the Samaritaine department store (free!)or from the Tower of Notre Dame.

David

If I had a few hours only I would take Bateau Mouche cruise on the Seine and make reservation to have a lunch at Jules Verne (at Eiffel Tower). Or I would go to Les Deux Magots cafe, get a cup of coffee or have a lunch and set there as long as I want and watch people. What a great spot to be especially if you are going to be tired after your overnight flight. Walk around and see Paris. Fall in love with this amazing place and start planning your trip to Paris. I wouldn't recommend trying to go to museums because your feet will be too tired to do lots of walking, you need to have a few days to enjoy at least some museums, and you will have a great reason to come back to Paris. Whatever you decide to do take your time to walk, look around, and enjoy it. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get back to the airport.

PJ

The adp.fr website for the Paris airports gives good information on getting into the city. Are you flying into CDG Airport? We used the Roissy Bus to get from the airport into the city (it drops off at the Opera, which is currently getting a face lift so there's not much to see from the outside). The bus left CDG airport every 15 minutes and is about a 45 minute trip for 48FF. You'll see a few sites on the way in if you go by bus. I'd skip the museums, too (unless it's miserable weather). Just go for what you can see outside. The river boat trip is a good idea, or maybe even a city bus tour to get a glimpse of major sites. If you prefer walking around to get a feel for neighborhoods, try Ile St. Louis across from the back of Notre Dame - a neat little island. Then maybe the left bank or Marais area. Have a great day!

andy

I would get into the city as quickly as <BR>possible (a shuttle or cab, if you can) <BR>and go down to the area by Notre Dame <BR>and sit down and have a cup of cafe .. <BR>You could also, as a second choice, go <BR>up to Monmarte, check out Sacre Cour and <BR>view the city from there. OR ... just <BR>go to Champs and sit and have coffee...

elvira

Catch the RER (shuttle bus takes you to the RER station, buy a round trip ticket to St Michel stop) and get off at the stop St Michel (direction Fontaine). You are at the top of Boul' Mich' - the fountain behind you, the Seine straight ahead. Cross to the right and head toward the river. Look right - there's Notre Dame. Visit it and the Deportation Memorial. Cross over to Ile-St-Louis and sit outside at a cafe for a cup of coffee, then stroll through its streets. Cross back over to the Left Bank and walk along the Seine by the bouquinistes. At the St Michel stop, get on the Metro direction Porte d'Orleans and get off at Montparnasse and go up the tower for a great view of Paris (not nearly the lines you'll find at the Eiffel Tower - and you don't have time to stand in line). Back on the metro line 13 direction Gabriel Peri or St Denis; get off at Les Invalides and visit Napoleon's Tomb; walk south (away from the river) and start heading west. Find a restaurant for lunch. You'll see the Eiffel Tower ahead. Near the tower on the quai are the Vedettes, which tour the Seine. Take the boat tour. Pick up the RER line C at Champs de Mars, change at St Michel for RER line B to Aeroport (either CDG or Orly) and you'll be at the airport in plenty of time.

wes fowler

Anjan, <BR>Elvira's posting just above is the best advice you'll receive. I'd suggest one embellishment to her itinerary. She suggests visiting Des Invalides then walking away from the river to find a restaurant. Instead, exit Des Invalides from the dome, turn left to the street (Boulevard des Invalides) cross it, walk left to the corner and the entrance to the Rodin Museum where you can lunch in its garden cafe.

Jerald

I left Paris this past Friday & had a great time. I have done what you hope to do & its tough with the jet lag etc. The Paris metro is wonderfull but my knees still hurt from the steps. I recommend a cab from the airport to the city, have the cab driver take you to a bus stop for the RED open tour bus. they are double deckers like London. For $20 they will drive you by all the sites, Louvre, tower, Invalides etc. & you can get off at any stop & catch the next bus by showing your ticket. It is relaxing & won't tire you out like some of the other suggestions which I feel would be better with more time. As suggested find out from your airline your check in time & allow travel time back to the airport. Like I said I have done it in the past, & it is hard on the body, but there again who wants to sit in yhe airport for 12 hours? Have fun!

Sharon

Anjan, I just returned from a five day trip to Paris. It took up a lot of time taking the bus into Paris from CDG, and you don't have much of that. It also took me 45 min. to get my luggage, so hopefully you won't need to do that.I recommend a taxi. About 250FF one way, but it is fast and you can ask the cabbie a lot of questions if you get the right one. I like Jerald's idea of the RED line bus combined with the cafe/coffee drinking ideas. However you do it, you'll be back.

Peter

Check bus tours like <BR>http://www.cityrama.com/ <BR>which offer 2 hour City tours. Also there is one that allows you to get 1 day ticket and takes you to all the sights, you can than get out and grab the next one. Similar is offered by the boat tours. You can see a lot in 10 hrs. Just get specific addresses where the tours meet (mostly at major sights (Louvre, Eiffel, etc. Metro can waste your valuable time esspeccially if it's your first time (it takes a little to get use to, and time is not on your side). Taxi or airport transfer offered by tour people maybe better way to go.

Myer

Just the type of person I would like to meet. When you get back please send a description of what you did. I am planning a web site for the independent traveller (those who plan their own trip) who needs information on walks and day trips (vacationwalks.com). <BR>I would take the Rossy bus from the airport to the Opera building. With you back to the Opera turn slightly right and walk down Rue de la Paix. You will go through one of the great squares, Place Vendome (Ritz Hotel)(3 minutes). Continue walking (2 minutes) to Place de Concord. From there the view is the Eiffel tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe (to the right) or Louvre, Notre Dame, etc (15 minutes to the left), or the D'Orsay (10 minutes just accross the river). Nothing wrong with walking a while in each direction and then taking a cab. They're not very expensive. That way you can see the major sights in each direction without walking all day. <BR>Let me know how it works out. Send to [email protected] <BR>