Some friends of mine will have a ten hour layover in Paris next month and they asked me how they could spend their time. They have never been to Paris and at a minimum would like to see the Eiffel Tower. Although I have been to Paris I don't feel qualified to give them advice on the best way to get from CDG to central Paris, storage of carryons at CDG, good things to do in a limited amount of time, etc. Any advice? I mentioned that a taxi from CDG would probably be easiest but I don't think they want to spend that much. I am assuming they will only have about four or five hours available when you consider travel time, etc.

Well, if their 10 hours spanned midday, one memorable, slow approach would be to try for lunch reservations at the Jules Verne, a pleasant gourmet restaurant ON the Eiffel tower (roughly 60 euros a person) with a good view of Paris, and then a bit of wandering on the left bank near the Seine.

Hi Boulder,

Re-reading you post, I note the reluctance to spring for cab fare, which likely puts the Jules Verne beyond the pale. The most economical transportation from Charles de Gaule airport is by RER (the suburban-Paris train system) roughly 9 euros. Direct access by foot to the RER station from Terminal 2, go downstairs in the vicinity of the in-terminal Sheraton hotel, or via shuttle bus from Terminal 1. Cab fare to central Paris is roughly 50 euros.

I would take the RER to Gare du Nord and use the storage facilities there. Then walk around to the northeast end of the station and board the #42 city bus, getting off at the Eiffel Tower.

From there I would either get on the Batobus [www.batobus.com], a water taxi making various stops along the Seine; or take a cab. There are always cabs there.

One way or another I would make my way down toward Notre Dame and environs, returning to Gare du Nord on the Metro [unless I came across a cab stand].

The Cite and St. Michel stations are two very easy stations--only one line [direction Porte de Cignancourt].

One could also do my tour in reverse. In the Gare du Nord take Metro line 4 [direcion Porte d'Orleans] and get off on the at the Cite stop. Saint Chapelle is a few steps away, Notre Dame at the other end of the island. Make your way to the Eiffel Tower and then take a cab back to the Gare du Nord. That saves possible confusion getting back to the Gare on the Metro.

1. Buy a one-day, five-zone <i>Paris Visite</i> pass at CDG (or at the RATP boutique at JFK). This will get you to the city and back plus unlimited transport all around it on M&eacute;tro, bus, and train for the rest of the day.

2. Board the regional express train at the RER station.

2. Get off at Gare du Nord and check your luggage.

3. Get on bus #42 according to the instructions here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

4. Wander at will.