12 hours in Paris
 

I've been thinking of Paris as our next destination for a long time, but with a 2 years old, the plan has been just a plan for a long time too. Now we have a chance to fly via France, but we can only stay for 12 hours at Paris. Do we have enough time to go to Paris from the airport and take a very short sightseeing? We don't have any big plan for Paris, just wandering and killing some time before we back to airport for the next flight. So if this 12-hour-in-Paris is ok, do you have any suggestions where we can go? If you don't think this plan is doable, please kindly tell me, then we may change the schedule... nobody likes to sit in an airport for 12 hours! Thank for your help!

Our flight will arrive at Paris at 11:50 AM then leave at 11:15 PM on September 13. Thanks for any idea.

For your transportation, I suggest you buy a 5-Zone, 1-Day <i>Paris Visite</i> card. This will get you quickly to and from Paris on the RER (commuter train) and allow you unlimited use of the bus and M&eacute;tro networks. Then do this:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

The <i>Bus touristique</i> map will get you to the most-visited sights in Paris. If you have luggage, you can check it at Gare du Nord. Here's the info:

<b>http://www.parisinfo.com/guide_paris/rub6737.html&amp;id_article=6481</b>

ugh, I hate hanging around airports. With 12 hours, I certainly think it is doable. I hope you don't have to deal with luggage during that time, it is just being transferred for you? I'd just take the RER commuter train straight into Paris from the airport, and get off at the St Michel stop which is right near Notre Dame, or perhaps the next one next to Luxembourg gardens. Then I'd just wander around there until I had to go back, using the same method.

With a young child, spend the day at Parc Asterix, a very nice Disney-style amusement park just north of Charles de Gaulle airport. A taxi or shuttle can take you there. Lots of rides and fun for kids, and so close to the airport that you need not worry too much about getting back in time.

Paris is a lot of hassle for just a few hours; you'd see only just enough to realize that you don't have enough time to see anything. And it would be boring for a toddler.

Be aware that traffic to and from CDG can be tricky and unpredictable. It can be 30 min or 60 min from the city by car. Stick with the RER.

If you <u>don't</u> go into the city, you will have to explain to your friends why you <u>didn't</u> visit a dozen or so of the most famous places on earth when you were a half-hour train ride from them.

It wouldn't be possible to visit a dozen such places in just a few hours. Paris demands a week or more to see properly.

Couldn't you do one of those narrated bus tour deals for a quick overview of the major monuments, sites, and sights?

Hi nw,

You might want to buy day passes on the Batobus.

see www.batobus.com

((I))

I am wondering if there are any city tours, with pick up at cdg?

10 years ago.
The tour company shuttled us to the tour bus depot in the centre of Paris, from cdg for a nominal charge.
It didn't take long and we took a city tour for 4 or 5 hours.

Are these guys still around?

Nwan,I'm wondering the same thing. We have a short layover in Paris both when we leave for Italy and depart. We booked the Sheraton Airport hotel and figured we'd drop our bags off. On the way there, we'll probably be exhausted due to the time change, but are thinking when we fly home we'll try and do a Da Vinci Code tour that starts at 2:30. Our flight arrives at 11:30. Are we crazy for doing for attempting this?

Are you crazy for wanting to see Paris on a layover? I don't think so.

Are you crazy for wanting to lay out good money for a daVinci Code tour? No comment.

How about a Bateau Mouche tour? They're touristy, but you do see some lovely views from the water, and I believe that it's safe enough that your child could move around a bit while on the boat. (I don't have any idea what rules may apply, however.)

Another Parisian child-friendly thing to do would be to hang out in one of the many parks. You'll see other moms (or nannies) and kids, and get a different sense of the city.