My husband and I have eight hours at the airport before leaving for Athens. Two years ago we spent 4 hours at the airport and were afraid to leave. We would like to see something - even if for only 2 or 3 hours. We arrive back in Paris at 3 pm on our return trip and will stay the night. We have an 8 am flight out of CDG. Will do the evening sights in Paris. We are leaning towards staying at the airport. Any suggestions?

Check in to a hotel at the airport.

Go to the RER station in Terminal 2. Buy a 5-zone <i>Paris Visite</i> card to get you to town and back and pay your transport all around town. Go downstairs and get on the next train (they all go to Paris).

Watch the clock. The last train to the airport leaves Gare du Nord at 23h30 (there's actually one at 0h15, but it stops in some crummy suburbs on the way).

A possible sightseeing by bus itinerary might be (see map): http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...aux&amp;fm=pdf

RER B to Gare du Nord (30 min)
42 to Rond-Point des Champs &Eacute;lys&eacute;es (28 min)
73 to Arc de Triomphe (6 min)
73 to Porte Maillot (6 min)
82 to Eiffel Tower (16 min)
82 to Luxembourg (34 min)
27 to St-Michel (6 min)
27 to Louvre-Rivoli (8 min)
67 to Pigalle (18 min)
Montmartrobus around Montmartre to Sacr&eacute; Coeur and back to Pigalle (30 min)
54 to La Fayette-Dunkerque (14 min)
26 to Gare du Nord (2 min)
RER B to CDG (30 min)

As you can see, there is plenty of slack in this itinerary to allow you time to jump off and have a closer look when something intrigues you. If you can schedule a Seine cruise at sundown, that would be a nice extra. The onboard food is expensive and ordinary.

(If you don't care about seeing Montparnasse and the Luxembourg Gardens, take the RER C from Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel to St-Michel Notre-Dame and pick up from there.)

Have fun.

Sure, this is possible.
I might lean towards a hotel at the airport, so you will have easy trip to CDG next morning. You could get one in Paris, but with getting to airport 2-3 hrs before your flight, it would be a very early morning. A hotel in Paris could arrange a shuttle or taxi for you if you go that way.

For you 8 hrs, store luggage, then take the RER train to St Michel stop, it is direct from airport, with no transfers. When you exit, you will be across the Seine from Notre Dame and its island, standing on the Left Bank. I'd go west from RER (follow river away from front of Notre Dame). Check out the bouquinistes (book sellers) along Seine. At Pont Neuf bridge, cross over to the island. On your left will be Square du Vert Gallant, which you go down steps to reach, Very nice views of Louvre,Seine,etc. This would be place you could catch a Seine River cruise (on your way back perhaps). From there walk to Notre Dame along the Left Bank side of the island. When you get to the bridge across from your RER station, turn left towards the centre of the island. On your left will be entrance to St Chapelle, magnificent stained glass, go in if no lineups. Carry on, at main entrance gates of Justice Palace, turn right and head towards front of Notre Dame. Tour Notre Dame, when done, carry on towards back of cathedral and cross over bridge to Ile St Louis island, a very nice,compact place to browse, nice main street. At end of street, turn right and cross over bridge back to Left Bank. Walk either street above Seine, or go down steps to walk along river with views of back of Notre Dame. You are walking back towards your original RER station. If time permits you could go to St Michel square, down blvd St Michel to blvd St Germain. Allow time to get back to airport and be 2-3 hours early

take the RER to the city and walk by the river for several hours ( don't try to go into a museum or on the top of a building)
Just get some air and look around.
On you way back, I would stay in the city
and get a cab to the airport in the morning.

Thank you Michel_Paris. Your suggestions sound great! I have printed out your directions so we will know where to go!