Ronda

I have been studying my RER and Metro maps to try and determine the best route from CDG to Ecole Militaire. Which station would be the best to change at? The RAPT site says CDG to Gare Nord by RER, Gare Nord to Strasbourg-Saint-Denis M 4, and then to Ecole Militaire on M 8. We will have carry-on rolling suitcases so please keep that in mind when you recommend a station.

Merci.

Travelnut

That route looks right to me. There aren't many metro lines corresponding with RER-B.
You could stay on the RER to Denfert, then change to Line 6 to La Motte Picquet Grenelle, then change to 8 for Ecole Militaire, but I don't remember what the correspondences look like (stairs or whatever...).

jlm_mi

I have done it twice taking RER-B to St. Michel-Notre Dame then switching there to RER-C to Invalides and from there to line 8 to Ecole Militaire. I honestly can't remember the stairs/escalator situation there, but don't remember a problem in any station with one rolling bag and a small duffle or backpack.

I do know that the Ecole Militaire station has an escalator up to the street. Or at least it did 18 months ago.

I seem to remember recommending this route to someone once before and having one of the local Paris experts chime in that it sounded like a good one with luggage, but I could be totally hallucinating on that one. Hopefully someone who knows the interchanges better will pop in.

PalQ

Note that RER C between St Michel and Invalides i believe has been closed recently for rejuvenation or at least service curtailed but work might have ended - taking the replacement buses would be a hassle.

RonZ

Another option is the Air France Bus to Etoile, and the 92 city bus to Ecole Militaire. The bus stop is on Avenue Marceau about half a block down.

Christina

The problem is Ecole Militaire isn't a metro junction and isn't on an RER line, so it is a little convoluted. The RATP site's suggestions seem as good as any as I don't think you can do it without transferring twice.

In actuality, you could take the RER to St Michel/Notre Dame, get out at the Cluny exit, and then get on the 87 bus that goes directly to Ecole Militaire. However, I think the bus stop going west is about a block away, so don't think that's the best ide3a for someone who doesn't know the city or transportation system.

I would never do what you are planning, to be honest. It sounds like a big pain. If you want to take public transportation, I'd take the Roissy bus directly to Opera and get on the metro line 8 there which goes directly to Ecole Militaire.

Ronda

Thanks for the quick responses and information. We have taken the train/metro before and didn't find it that difficult, however, I couldn't remember exactly where we transferred. Also wondered if their was an easier way I was missing.

MorganB

From a comfort / easy perspective I like Ronz bus idea best. With buses you get no stairs to deal with plus you can enjoy the scenery on the way. Its just a single change which is a plus.

Gretchen

You can take the RER to Gare du Nord and then take a bus to Ecole Militaire. I think it is 42.

Robespierre

The 42 bus is a great idea because it's like a free sightseeing tour! But it crosses the Champ de Mars at Avenue J. Bouvard, about 700m from the Place Ecole Militaire, so you would need to change to an 87 bus at the turn. Here's a detailed map:

<b>http://www.citefutee.com/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php</b>

Click on <i>Bus Paris (avec rues)</i>

Have fun!

RonZ

Bus lines serving Ecole Militaire are
the 28, 80, 82, 87, and 92. From Gare du Nord one could take the 42 to the Alma Marceau stop and transfer to the 92.

For potential bus riders, the following neighborhood maps, organized by Metro station, locate the bus stops and also show the direction:

http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/P...arters_gif.htm

These print out on standard paper and are helpful for places served by lots of lines, where it can be very difficult to find the correct stop, even with a bus guide.

RonZ

The post by R... wasn't up when I made mine, but the thinking is similar.

To make use of the buses, a great way to get around the city, I suggest getting a copy of &quot;Le Bus&quot;...the bus guide available at tourist shops and bookstores. I like the pocket-sized edition. There is a larger one that is easier to read.

Robespierre

Another interesting way is to take RER B to Luxembourg, then the 82 bus to Ecole Militaire. You get the scenic route through Montparnasse.

Ronda

Sightseeing on the bus is a great idea but I don't think I want to change buses with suitcases. Plus I have never taken the bus and think I will try it sans suitcases first. I think I'll go for easy this time.

tondalaya

Bus travel is a wonderful way to see Paris,luggage or not.

Robespierre

Okay, if you're dead set against a bus, you should take RER-B to Ch&acirc;telet-Les Halles, Line 14 to Madeleine, and Line 8 to Ecole Militaire.

But the buses have space for luggage, and the 82 I suggested involves <u>zero</u> overhead, as you come up from the RER once and that's it (which you do at EM anyway when you take the M&eacute;tro). Thus there is the minimum of schlepping baggage around (which there is a lot of when you make two changes in the M&eacute;tro). Your call.

RonZ

Funny if after all this she decides to take a taxi!

jlillberto

I sure would!

Robespierre

By the way, you can put away your RER and M&eacute;tro maps, because there is an excellent public transport routing tool on the web at

<b>http://patriceb.users.mcs2.netarray.com/metro?o=h</b>

It will compute both the fastest routing and that requiring the fewest connections. I have it in my PDA, and can't remember how I got along without it.

jacksonjr

Ronda I have taken your route many times. The Strasbourg-Saint-Denis transfer is easy with little walking. My traveling companion has problems with steps and this route minimizes the number of steps.