8:00 in the morning in Paris and nowhere to go
Apr 11th, 2015, 05:01 PM
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8:00 in the morning in Paris and nowhere to go
Hello all - I'm looking for some creative ideas and I am betting that you Fodorites will have some.
Here's the story - my flight time was changed and now my sister and I will be landing in Paris at 6:45 am on a Saturday morning. Assuming we land on time, I'm estimating that puts me into the city at around 8:00 am. Of course, we can't get into our apartment until later in the day (I'm guessing at least not until after noon). So...what to do?
Right now, I am thinking of hanging out at the airport for awhile as it would be less awkward hauling our suitcases around CDG than it would be hauling them through the streets of Paris (we could have petit déjeuner at McDo's, what better way to start our trip?). I tried to book the apartment for the previous day so that we COULD get in early, but the apartment was not free.
Ugh. Any other ideas? We're staying right off rue Cler (rue de Grenelle) so I know we could maybe park ourselves at a café on rue Cler for awhile, but for 4 hours? I would guess no.
Any suggestions would be most welcome, and thank you all in advance.
Debra
Here's the story - my flight time was changed and now my sister and I will be landing in Paris at 6:45 am on a Saturday morning. Assuming we land on time, I'm estimating that puts me into the city at around 8:00 am. Of course, we can't get into our apartment until later in the day (I'm guessing at least not until after noon). So...what to do?
Right now, I am thinking of hanging out at the airport for awhile as it would be less awkward hauling our suitcases around CDG than it would be hauling them through the streets of Paris (we could have petit déjeuner at McDo's, what better way to start our trip?). I tried to book the apartment for the previous day so that we COULD get in early, but the apartment was not free.
Ugh. Any other ideas? We're staying right off rue Cler (rue de Grenelle) so I know we could maybe park ourselves at a café on rue Cler for awhile, but for 4 hours? I would guess no.
Any suggestions would be most welcome, and thank you all in advance.
Debra
Apr 11th, 2015, 05:47 PM
#3
The American Library is in the neighborhood, opens Sat. at 10. So sit in a cafe for a while, then go to the library:
http://www.americanlibraryinparis.org
http://www.americanlibraryinparis.org
Apr 11th, 2015, 08:14 PM
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Here are other ideas to this common issue http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pm-options.cfm
Apr 11th, 2015, 08:27 PM
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I doubt that you will get into Paris by 8:00 AM unless you have no checked luggage and your flight arrives early given that it takes around 35 minutes on the train to get from CDG to Paris and 45 minutes by taxi. If you have manageable luggage, taking the RER B to Gare du Nord and storing your luggage there would be an option. I estimate that you will arrive in Paris at around 9:00 AM. Another choice would be to leave your luggage at one of the ciltylockers.fr location, for example the one near Notre Dame, and then do some sight seeing in the area until it is time to hear to the apartment.
Apr 12th, 2015, 03:58 AM
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Someone posted about their apartment not being able to even drop off early in the day.
No chance you'll be in the city by 8
Inquire about dropping at the apartment. if not, then go to the Gare du Nord and leave luggage there in the check place.
For heaven's sake, don't hang out at CDG!!
No chance you'll be in the city by 8
Inquire about dropping at the apartment. if not, then go to the Gare du Nord and leave luggage there in the check place.
For heaven's sake, don't hang out at CDG!!
Apr 12th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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I've seen quite a few Paris apts that weren't available until mid-afternoon, it isn't unusual. Any many won't let you drop bags, either, which would involve someone having to be there to meet you. They can't predict when the cleaning staff will be there or not, and some probalby won't for liability reasons. So this is common. I would think you might get into Paris around 8:30-9 (8 only if you don't check bags and immigration is particularly quick).
I think this is just a problem you have if you decide to rent an apt and arrive the same day. I solve the problem by flying in the day before and checking into a cheap hotel within walking distance of my apt. I really like that as the first day, you are kind of out of it, anyway, you have time to get metro tickets, etc. And you can check into your hotel whenever you want, and leave your bags there the next day until you need to pick them up, even if in the afternoon. Then just walk to your apt. I pick a hotel within a block or so.
I think the airport actually is about the best idea, as going anywhere, like a museum, involves trundling your luggage around Paris for blocks, and you can't really sit in one cafe for 4 hours at peak time (breakfast) without ordering anything for hours on end. Even if you go to a park to sit, there isn't one that close to that location, which is why that again would involve dragging your luggage around for blocks.
The American LIbrary, for example, is quite far from that location by my terms, if you are talking about dragging luggage around Paris behind you (and it isn't near any metro stop). Maybe 5 long blocks. But if you are willing to do that, might as well just go sit in the park which is actually a bit closer (Champ de Mars). I personally wouldn't go to the trouble of checking bags into a locker at Gare du Nord to wander that neighborhood for a couple hours or something like that. Many people have baggage around train stations, actually, it wouldn't be unusual to go to gare du Nord by RER, then sit at some cafe there a couple hours with your bags, then go on to the apt. You wouldn't have too much extra time that way.
I think this is just a problem you have if you decide to rent an apt and arrive the same day. I solve the problem by flying in the day before and checking into a cheap hotel within walking distance of my apt. I really like that as the first day, you are kind of out of it, anyway, you have time to get metro tickets, etc. And you can check into your hotel whenever you want, and leave your bags there the next day until you need to pick them up, even if in the afternoon. Then just walk to your apt. I pick a hotel within a block or so.
I think the airport actually is about the best idea, as going anywhere, like a museum, involves trundling your luggage around Paris for blocks, and you can't really sit in one cafe for 4 hours at peak time (breakfast) without ordering anything for hours on end. Even if you go to a park to sit, there isn't one that close to that location, which is why that again would involve dragging your luggage around for blocks.
The American LIbrary, for example, is quite far from that location by my terms, if you are talking about dragging luggage around Paris behind you (and it isn't near any metro stop). Maybe 5 long blocks. But if you are willing to do that, might as well just go sit in the park which is actually a bit closer (Champ de Mars). I personally wouldn't go to the trouble of checking bags into a locker at Gare du Nord to wander that neighborhood for a couple hours or something like that. Many people have baggage around train stations, actually, it wouldn't be unusual to go to gare du Nord by RER, then sit at some cafe there a couple hours with your bags, then go on to the apt. You wouldn't have too much extra time that way.
Apr 12th, 2015, 06:45 AM
#10
I assume that visiting a library is not at the top of everyone's list, but the American Library in Paris is as much a community center as a place to pick up a book to read, as a glance at their website will show. Libraries of all kinds are at the top of my list and I assume I'm not completely alone in that. Christina's, apparently not, with her discouraging choices of words.
I continue to wonder why some members here find it necessary to disparage others' suggestions as often as they offer their own, apparently not realizing that there's a wide range of tastes and ideas about what constitutes fun. I generally read such posts as deficiencies of the critic's and less of that which they criticize.
I continue to wonder why some members here find it necessary to disparage others' suggestions as often as they offer their own, apparently not realizing that there's a wide range of tastes and ideas about what constitutes fun. I generally read such posts as deficiencies of the critic's and less of that which they criticize.
Apr 12th, 2015, 07:45 AM
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I would go to a hotel with a spa near the apartment, put the luggage in the storage room, have an anti-jet lag massage, then a walk and lunch at a cafe. Large hotels will not care about storing the bags for a few hours as long as you're using their spa facilities.
Apr 13th, 2015, 05:10 AM
#13
What a shame to have chosen such a boring neighbourhood. If you were staying in one of the outer areas, you could spend hours in one of the great parks like the Buttes Chaumont, Montsouris or the Parc de la Villette.
You can always go and investigate "Les Berges" and cross the river to the Tuileries.
One of the worst ideas that sounds good at first is to take one of the cruises on the Seine -- nothing will put you to sleep faster after a night on a plane.
You can always go and investigate "Les Berges" and cross the river to the Tuileries.
One of the worst ideas that sounds good at first is to take one of the cruises on the Seine -- nothing will put you to sleep faster after a night on a plane.
Apr 13th, 2015, 11:15 AM
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I am moved to respond to Kerouac's dismissive remark about the 7th. First of all, we know nothing about the OP--her age, her interests, whether this is her first or her twentieth trip to Paris. It may be that the 7th suits her very well, even if it isn't one of the liveliest parts of Paris. I'm leaving in a couple of months for my sixteenth visit to Paris, and we'll be renting an apartment for a few weeks in the rue de Verneuil, right on the border between the 7th and the 6th--so anathema to a certain type of visitor (does it help that Serge Gainsbourg lived on our block?). The reality is that while I love to stroll along the Canal St. Martin and poke around the upper Marais, I'm not interested in the night scene and the trendy bars that others run to. How about chacun a son gout (sorry, no accents)? In any case, such a condescending tone really does no one any good and certainly doesn't help the OP.
As for no parks, I vaguely recall this tall metal structure with a lovely park behind it. You can find secluded parts of the park up near the Ecole Militaire to enjoy in peace and quiet and even a small playground where real French children play. Maybe not as interesting as the Buttes Chaumont, but c'mon, please.
And, OP, please don't stay at CDG. If your luggage is light enough, you can wander around the neighborhood, have a cafe creme along the avenue de la Bourdonnais or the rue St. Dominique, and begin to get acclimated. Up near the Ecole Militaire there are zillions of cafes, or you can walk along the avenue de la Motte Picquet. Take your pick.
As for no parks, I vaguely recall this tall metal structure with a lovely park behind it. You can find secluded parts of the park up near the Ecole Militaire to enjoy in peace and quiet and even a small playground where real French children play. Maybe not as interesting as the Buttes Chaumont, but c'mon, please.
And, OP, please don't stay at CDG. If your luggage is light enough, you can wander around the neighborhood, have a cafe creme along the avenue de la Bourdonnais or the rue St. Dominique, and begin to get acclimated. Up near the Ecole Militaire there are zillions of cafes, or you can walk along the avenue de la Motte Picquet. Take your pick.
Apr 13th, 2015, 11:18 AM
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I should note that the first thing I"d do is ask the owner or manager for ideas about the luggage. There may be a spot in their office where you can stash your stuff until the p.m., freeing you up to do as you please!
Apr 13th, 2015, 11:29 AM
#16
I'm not saying that the OP will die of boredom while waiting to get access to the apartment. But it is still one of the worst places to stay in Paris, in my own opinion. We all have our own opinions and it would be a bit ridiculous to censor them, because then nobody would ever say what they think.
Apr 13th, 2015, 11:39 AM
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I don't object to your opinion, Kerouac, and you're quite right. As the possessor of numerous opinions, I cherish the right to express them--as I just did. I do object to the condescending tone and the implication that no one in his or her right mind might choose--actually choose--to stay in the 7th. "What a shame" goes beyond saying "You've picked a quiet, bourgeois neighborhood that's not close to the most attractive parks to hang out in for a few hours. So your choices may be limited." It's about tone, not content.
Apr 13th, 2015, 04:38 PM
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I can't imagine that you will be in the center of Paris at 8 from a 6:45 arrival time unless absolutely everything falls into place perfectly. Often on the Delta flight from PIT we have had to depart the plane to a bus to get to the terminal, for example.
Apr 13th, 2015, 07:51 PM
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Dear All,
Thank you for the ideas and may I add that I enjoyed the friendly debate that was provoked by my inquiry.
Kerouac, I did anticipate that if you responded to this post I might receive some gentle ribbing on my choice of neighborhoods. I respect your opinion immensely, and you are right, the 7th is sedate, but it was my first "home" in Paris and thus it is where I return to each time I visit (I do think this is my 11th trip to Paris in the last dozen years or so). I am a "nester" and so having a familiar base brings me great, great pleasure when I travel.
I really like the idea of going to a hotel/spa, having a massage, and then heading over to the apartment later on in the afternoon, and will look into that. I also like the idea of heading to the library, but once again, I wish to minimize the distance/time I will be hauling my suitcase (carry on size though it will be) through the streets. I wonder if the George V will let a couple of bedraggled travelers in...it's just down the street and might be a nice start to our trip (if I can afford the price of entry).
My sister (who is making her first trip to Paris!) suggested to me that we pack some mime clothes, head to the Champs de mars, and try and make a few euros before check-in time. Thankfully, since the dollar is up against the euro that idea is losing its attraction for her.
Thank you, thank you all for your advice and your knowledge.
Thank you for the ideas and may I add that I enjoyed the friendly debate that was provoked by my inquiry.
Kerouac, I did anticipate that if you responded to this post I might receive some gentle ribbing on my choice of neighborhoods. I respect your opinion immensely, and you are right, the 7th is sedate, but it was my first "home" in Paris and thus it is where I return to each time I visit (I do think this is my 11th trip to Paris in the last dozen years or so). I am a "nester" and so having a familiar base brings me great, great pleasure when I travel.
I really like the idea of going to a hotel/spa, having a massage, and then heading over to the apartment later on in the afternoon, and will look into that. I also like the idea of heading to the library, but once again, I wish to minimize the distance/time I will be hauling my suitcase (carry on size though it will be) through the streets. I wonder if the George V will let a couple of bedraggled travelers in...it's just down the street and might be a nice start to our trip (if I can afford the price of entry).
My sister (who is making her first trip to Paris!) suggested to me that we pack some mime clothes, head to the Champs de mars, and try and make a few euros before check-in time. Thankfully, since the dollar is up against the euro that idea is losing its attraction for her.
Thank you, thank you all for your advice and your knowledge.
