Steve007NY

Landing in CDG from Venice at noon with a layover departing for JFK at 845p. Our luggage will be checked through. What options might we have to take dad (76 but in decent shape) on his first visit to Paris? I assume he'll want to see the highlights (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame) that we won't have time to see the Louvre. We've been before a few times, but on a MUCH more leisurely schedule...
Likely an organized tour of some sort would be best (not something we usually do!)

Any suggestions?
Merci/Thanks

TimS

If you buy one-day zone 1-6 Paris Visite passes, you can take the RER to Paris and back to CDG, ride the Metro when you need to get someplace in a hurry, and use the city buses to do your own version of a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to give your dad an above-ground view of Paris. All for €17.05.

If you want to take an organized hop-on, hop-off tour, see www.paris-opentour.com or www.carsrouges.com.

JeanneB

You'll have to be back at CDG by 6:30 at the latest. I would say pick 2 things and enjoy those...perhaps Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

The train into Paris will drop you right near Notre Dame (Saint Michel). Walk over to the island, have lunch, walk through the church. Then catch a bus or metro to the Trocadero. You'll have a great view of the Tower from there. Go up if time allows.

Be prepared with information about how you will get back to CDG. Know exactly how to get to your station from the Tower. There's a RER station near there. I've never done it, but I would think you could use that station to commence your return to the airport.

Sounds fun!

MademoiselleFifi

Take a boat ride for a magical overview of most of the architectural highlights, and then maybe stroll around the Ile de la Cite / Notre Dame area, stop and eat at cafes and bakeries, ....

Don't just rush from one place to another checking off the touristy sites, and definitely don't waste time standing in line to go up the Eiffel Tower-- the view OF it is much better than the view FROM it.

ElleD9

We had 7 hours during a layover in February and followed JeanneB's plan - RER to St. Michel (30 minutes), had lunch, then visited Notre Dame and spent 1 1/2 hours strolling, shopping and visiting the bouqinistes along the Seine. You could probably fit in a quick lunch, Notre Dame and a quick taxi or bus by the Eiffel Tower, provided your flight lands on time and you get out of the airport in short order. Just be sure to have your route back to the airport mapped out and leave yourself some cushion time.
Have fun!

TimS

Adding to my previous post. Since you've been to Paris before, you may not need this reminder; but I'll give it to you just in case. The RER B line divides northeast of Paris. When you return to CGG, be sure to get on a train that is going there.

Michel_Paris

Since the RER to the airport takes you to st Michel, make that your strat/fininsh point. Easy walk from station to the Notre Dame, then maybe a walk over to Ile St Louis, lunch, browse, then walk over to Right bank and catch Metro Line 1, get off at Palais Royal, check out Palais Royal, see (not entre) Louvre, walk thru Tuileries, to Place Concorde.Then, lookat Champs Elysee and Arcde Triomphe. Either take Metro to Arc, or just hoep back on Line 1, and transfer to Line 9 to go to trocadero. Walk between buildings of Palais Chaillot and bam, there is Eiffel Tower. Then metro/cab (depending on time) back to St Michel RER.

OR....get to Rivoli street,near Louvre, and take Parisvision or Cityrama tour of city. PV has 3 PM tour (2 hrs long) with/without Seine cruise. CR has a 2 and 3 PM tour (2 hrs long).