I'm flying from South Africa to New York later this year. The 23+ hr flight has a 7hr layover in Paris. I figure just enough time to do ONE thing. Dont want to rush around trying to see it all. Have been to Paris before, so i've satisfied the tourist itch. One, cool, unique, off-the-beaten track activity I can enjoy before I hit the Big Apple. Any suggestions?

Since you've been to Paris before..why not just wander around Montmartre for the day?

Haven't done it myself but I suppose you could go up the tethered balloon for an overlook of Paris..

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...at-balloon.htm

I would take the RER to the Saint Michel stop, visit Notre Dame, get on a BatoBus and stop off at Eiffel Tower, have lunch somewhere and go back. A 7 hour layover really means only 5 since you need to be there 2 hours before the next fllight leaves.

Grande Arche de la Défence.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arche_de_la_D%C3%A9fense
http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Defense/

See the Jacquemart-Andre Museum and pick up some macarons from Laduree.

A 7-hour layover doesn't even amount to a 5 hour layover, as beaubeep estimated. Flights often arrive late or have to wait for gate so passengers can disembark, or there are line-ups to go through Immigration. If you're lucky, you'll have a little over 4 hours, and that includes the time required to travel from and back to the airport. Are you willing to splurge on a taxi in one direction or the other? Although the RER might be quick along its route, it might not take you exactly where you want to go, whereas a cab will deliver you directly to the door of the place you want to see.

I'm afraid I can't help with a specific suggestion, but as you sift through other ideas, keep in mind that you might want to choose a place that is relatively close to the airport (e.g. more toward the centre or east of Paris, and on the Right Bank rather than the Left), so that you're not fighting traffic or a long, crowded ride on the metro on the way back.

I'm thinking that after a 23 hour flight...I might just to go an outdoor cafe and order a nice meal.

Alternatively (but in the same spirit as above) after a long flight...Paris Mosque and go to the hamman there.

a 7-hour layover won't net you very much time at all in town.

Count on at least 2 hours from the time you land til you set foot at any central Paris site - and 3 hours would not be unheard of. Then you need to be back at CDG long before your flight, so w/ travel time to CDG you will only have an hour or 2 actual free time. Make your decision based on that - not "7 hours"

Probably enough time for the self-guided tour of the Opera Garnier, if you haven't done that before. Not off-the-beaten-track or funky-cool...but interesting and pretty.

beaupeep has the right idea. No changing trains- just get off somewhere to walk around, eat a nice lunch, and feel the atmosphere.

I, too, would take the RER to St Michel, and just walk around the immediate area, staying near the river, stretching my legs, and soaking in the view.

Thank you all very much.