i have a stopover that's too long to just sit in the airport but may be too short to do anything. I've allowed time for getting to and from the airport, and check in, but what can I do in 4 hours? should i try to venture into such a big city in such a short time? or will i spend my layover getting lost? thanks for responding, and also thanks for responding to my other post. <BR>beth

It would be really difficult. It can take almost an hour to get from the airport to the Eifel Twoer. I don't think that I would riskit. Can you take a different flight that would give you more time?

Are you saying that you have allowed enough time to get in to the city and get back out and check in on time and STILL have four hours left? If so, I think you could go in to the center and just walk around -- see the Seine, Notre Dame, the Louvre (outside), etc. But be sure you have studied exactly how to get there, how to get back, etc.

I have been to Paris twice this year and have tried several ways to get from CDG to the city center(rail,taxi,shuttle,and rental car).A four hour margin would not be enough time. It would be more stressful than pleasant. On my last trip there was a strike by railway workers which gridlocked the expressway. It was three hours from the 9th to CDG. An eight hour layover would be fine.

You do not have enough time to go into Paris without turning around and going right back out. Just reconcile yourself that the time will pass quickly enough at the airport - there are plenty of places to eat, duty free shops, etc. Unfortuantely your layover is too much time to sit and do nothing (eat, shop instead) and not enough time to really go into Paris.

I think Beth is indicating that she's got 4 hours *after* allowing time for getting to and from the airport and for check-in. If I'm correct in this assumption, *and* if the time allotted for getting to and from the airport builds in plenty of fudge factor for delays, I'd say four hours actually *in* Paris would be enough to enjoy a little something. The operative word there is "little"--I wouldn't go for the Louvre, say, or even the Orsay. Pick something small and enjoyable: stroll the Marais, visit the Rodin Museum or the Musee Cluny, visit Ste.-Chapelle, that sort of thing. Enjoy something delectable in a patisserie. <BR> <BR>But if your *total* layover time is anything less than 8 hours, I wouldn't do any of the above. I think 4 hours is the minimum you should allow for travel time to and from the city, checking in, and glitches along the way. With 8 hours or more layover, then I'd give it a shot, but with anything less, stay at the airport.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I meant that my total layover time is 8 hours, so I've alloted an hour to get to and from the city and check in two hours before my flight. So that's four hours actually IN paris. Thanks for helping clear it up.

You've got just enough time to really fall in love with Paris and then have to leave. But...if I only had 4 hours in Paris, I'd go right to the front of Notre Dame, walk around that area and then down the Boulevard St. Germain toward the Eiffel Tower, stopping for pastries at least once, gawk at the tower (without bothering to go up) eat some more pastry and hop back on the train or whatever back to the airport. I personally wouldn't try to visit a museum, or set a really tough agenda - just walk and soak up the feel of Paris - people watch, window shop, check out all of the monuments, architecture etc. and did I mention get some pastry?

Hi Beth: <BR> <BR>Just to back Janice-I would go into the center of Paris. You don't mention which airport you will be at-CDG (Roissy) or Orly, but they are about the same distance from town more or less. Just be careful to mind the time of day in terms of the kind of transport you take. You will be safer to take the RER/metro in from CDG or the OrlyVal/metro from Orly underground rather than street transport (like Air France buses or taxis). With 2 hours transportation time, you should be okay, but you won't have much time to spare. If you stop at Chatelet, which is the stop that is right in the "center" of Paris from the RER/metro line that comes from either airport, you will be able to walk to Notre Dame, and at least see the outside of the Louvre and have a cafe and pastry as suggested.

If you want to see some of the world's best art, but not be overwhelmed. Go straight to the Orsay. Enough time to see it fairly leisurly and have something to eat. If you want a "Parisian" experience, take the Metro to the Bastille, (or a Taxi) and have a great meal in the Marais (the Cafe de Bastille is a great one), right there where all the corners come together at the Place de Bastille.There are lot's of great cafes in the Marais and you're near the Place de Vosges, great shopping, people watching and sight seeing. If you want historical Paris, go straight to the Latin quarter along the Seine. Good long distance views of the tower from the bridges. Have fun!

Don't miss this opportunity; definitely go. 4 hours in Paris is more precious than twenty-four hours elsewhere. <BR> <BR>If it's a nice dry day walk along the seine from Notre Dame to Pont Alma, where you'll have a great view of the Eiffel tower. It's then a very short stroll to the Champs Elysees, where you can plop into a chair at an outdoor cafe and be fascinated by the parade of people while you eat and/or drink. Or you could walk <BR>Tuileries Gardens to Champs Elysees, eat, then take the short walk to Pont Alma for a great view of the tower. <BR> <BR>If it's raining or too cold & you like museums, go to either Orsay or Louvre. Or if you like to eat, pick a great restaurant & spend most of your time there. There are so many choices ... buy a guidebook for help in what you'd most like to do.