Paris MEtro and RER question
 

I will be traveling from CDG airport to the metro stop Les Gobelins (on the Villejuif line).
I plan to take the RER from CDG to Chatelet Les Halles and there to transfer to the Villejuif line. Can I make that transfer at Chatelet Les Halles? I cannot quite tell from my Metro map if this is possible. THanks, Melissa

Yes, you can do it, but it is the very longest transfer at Châtelet-Les Halles, requiring two different moving walkways and a fair number of corridors. Just keep following the signs for line 7.

thanks for the info. Do you know if there are many stairs involved (as I will have 2 bgs on wheels)? THanks Again, MElissa

i hate that station when I don't have bags...better keep the bags light!

A related question ..

What about taking the RER from CDG to the St. Michel metro stop? We don't need to change trains, we will just leave the station at that point. Will this be doable with luggage?

Celia

The Chatelet-Les-Halles station is the worst esp after an overnight flight. There are a lot of steps and the distance to transfer seems long.

There are very few steps on that transfer -- all moving walkways and escalators. It's fine to do just once. It would be horrible to have to do it every day. People here seem to be very weak and incapable of accepting even the most minor inconvenience. Perhaps their travel days are over.

Kerouac, are you answering my question about St Michel stop or Melissa's about Chatelet Les Halles?

I don't understand your second sentence. Are people "here" people in Paris, or people on this forum? Or someone else?

hmmm...interesting response by kerouac. I take it the "weak" comment as people on this Fodors thread which sure is assuming a lot about us... No one said it can't be done, or that they don't do it, just that its a pain.

To address the original question... if your metro map is not up to it why not use the interactive planner at http://www.ratp.com?

You have only to left click your departure station and choose the green arrow. Then choose your destination station and click the red arrow. It will plan your trip for you.

Don't let Monsieur Kerouac's little digs offend you... he believes his way is the best way but would defend to the death your right to do otherwise! ;^)

Sorry... meant to say green and red flags, not arrows!

I was replying to Melissa.

Yes, I stand by my "weak" statement. The transfer at Châtelet takes maybe 15 minutes at normal walking speed, so I am really sick and tired of seeing people here refer to it as though it was like crossing the Gobi Desert. Jeez, I would never leave home if I could not handle a 15 minute transfer!

Well, it's a matter of doing it after being up all night on an overnight flight. I live in a city and walk all the time and walk miles & miles everyday while in Paris. I don't think twice about staying in apts without elevators (this trip we're on the 5th floor), but that transfer is not something to which I look forward.