You’re at CDG or ORY airport and have some spare time earlier than your subsequent flight? I’ve chosen a number of actions that you are able to do to shortly uncover Paris throughout your 7-12 hour layover.

Issues to Take into account Earlier than Leaving the Airport
- At all times test the time! You possibly can register till 1 hour earlier than departure time for many flights.
You possibly can board as much as 40 minutes earlier than the flight. So it’s a must to be again on the airport earlier than these deadlines to undergo safety, move the immigration checks (if flying outdoors Schengen) and be on time on your flight. - The RER B from CDG airport takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour to achieve Chatelet station within the middle of Paris.
- From ORY airport, public transportation (Orlyval + RER B) or the bus takes between half-hour to 50 minutes to achieve Chatelet station within the middle of Paris.
- To have the ability to depart the airport, be sure to have a Schengen visa for those who don’t dwell within the European Union (EU). If you happen to journey between nations belonging to the Schengen Space and dwell in an EU nation, you received’t want a visa. In any other case, you may get one on-line earlier than you allow or within the embassy of the nation you wish to go to (on this case, France).
- In case your baggage is checked by means of to your closing vacation spot, you received’t have to choose it up in between your 2 flights. Nonetheless, in the event that they’re not or you probably have booked 2 completely different flights, you’ll have to decide them up. However you possibly can depart them within the lockers obtainable within the airport and re-check them in on your 2nd flight once you come again.
- Please notice from which terminal your second flight will depart. Certainly, as an illustration, the Paris – Charles de Gaulle airport has 2 completely different RER stations: one for terminal 1 and three and one other for terminal 2).
- In case your second flight is to an EU nation, you received’t should undergo immigration when boarding that flight. If it’s not an EU nation, you’ll have much less time for your self as you’ll have to undergo immigration along with safety.
For extra info: http://easycdg.com/passenger-information/connecting-flight-connections-paris-cdg-airport/
Visits I Advocate for Your Layover
First, let’s find these locations on a map:
⚠️ Warning: You received’t have the ability to do all of those recommendations, so decide a number of of them you wish to do whereas taking into consideration the time you’ve gotten between your flights. Be aware of transportation period. Trains and metro are sometimes late in Paris.
Notre-Dame-de-Paris
The attractive cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is likely one of the most well-known monuments of Paris.
The go to to this monument received’t take greater than 2 hours. The event so that you can come right here and depart with a tremendous go to.
⚠️ Replace March 31, 2023:
Sadly, on Monday, April 15, 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral was severely broken in a fireplace. In consequence, it’s at the moment beneath renovation and visits are suspended till additional discover.
The constructing is predicted to reopen in 2024 due to the numerous restoration works underway: the stone vault of the north transept has been rebuilt, the cleansing and restoration of the inside partitions is nicely underway, stone carvers have begun work on the façade, and plenty of different works are accomplished or nicely underway. The spire is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2023.
Time wanted: round 1h
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 45 min by RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station
- From Orly airport: 45 min Orlyval bus from Orly to Antony, then RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station
Worth of the exercise: free
Eiffel Tower
Don’t miss your likelihood to see the Eiffel Tower!
Relying on the period of your layover, you won’t have the ability to climb up because the ready line might be lengthy (as much as 3h). Nevertheless it’s Paris image that’s not to be missed!
You possibly can admire it and seize one thing to eat on the Champs de Mars whereas ready to get again to the airport.
Time wanted: round 1h30
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 1h05, RER B to Denfert Rochereau then M6 to Bir-Hakeim
- From Orly airport: 55min, Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau then M6 to Bir-Hakeim
Worth of the exercise: €52 for a ticket that can assist you to skip the road!
Champs Elysées

Wish to do some purchasing outdoors of the airport? Discover the Champs Elysées!
Probably the most stunning avenue on this planet has many retailers and eating places to calm down in and stroll round a bit earlier than going again to the airport.
You possibly can do some purchasing, admire the Arc de Triomphe or simply benefit from the environment of this iconic avenue of Paris.
Time wanted: round 2h
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 55min, RER B to Châtelet les Halles then M1 to Champs-Elysées- Clémenceau
- From Orly airport: 50min, Orlyval to Antony, RER B to Châtelet les Halles then RER A to Charles de Gaulle Etoile
Worth of the exercise: free (except you determine to do some purchasing)
Louvre Museum
The Louvre museum gives many exhibitions lasting 1h30 at most. Take a number of footage in entrance of the pyramids and revel in stunning artistic endeavors.
It will take days to find your complete everlasting assortment of the museum, however in a number of hours, it’s at all times attainable to see probably the most well-known works or a momentary exhibition, typically a lot shorter.
Time wanted: 2 to three hours
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 55min, RER B to Châtelet then M1 to Louvre-Rivoli
- From Orly airport: 45min, Orlyval to Antony, then RER B to Châtelet. Stroll (10min) to the Louvre museum
Worth of the exercise: €17 at no cost entry to all of the everlasting collections of the museum. E-book your e-ticket on-line (no have to print it).
Jardin du Luxembourg
How a few stroll within the Jardin du Luxembourg?
Within the 25 hectares park, you possibly can admire the Medici fountain or among the 106 statues which are within the park.
The backyard has a French-style half in entrance of the Luxembourg Palace (seat of the French Senate) and an English backyard. The Musée du Luxembourg, the Orangerie, and the greenhouses are additionally value your time.
Time wanted: round 2h
The right way to get there:
- From Chalres de Gaulle airport: 45min, RER B to Luxembourg
- From Orly airport: 35min, Orlyval to Antony, then RER B to Luxembourg. Stroll to the Jardin du Luxembourg (just a few minutes)
Worth of the exercise: free
Sacré Coeur Basilica and Montmartre

The Sacré-Coeur and the Montmartre district will please curious folks!
Even for those who don’t go to the basilica, the realm is charming and deserves your full consideration. There are various small cafés the place you possibly can have a drink on the terrace, many memento retailers and plenty of charming little streets the place you possibly can stroll quietly.
Time wanted: round 2h
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 50min, RER B to Paris Nord, then M4 to Barbès, then stroll to Anvers station (6 minutes) which is on the foot of the Montmartre hill
- From Orly airport: 50min, Orlyval to Antony, then RER B to Gare du Nord. Stroll to the M3 La Chapelle station, to go to Anvers, on the foot of the hill.
Worth of the exercise: free
Bateaux-mouches excursions

A great compromise to see lots in a comparatively quick period of time.
And with out getting drained!
Boat excursions (such because the Bateaux-Mouches or different related corporations if the Bateaux-Mouches are usually not obtainable) will enchant you with beautiful views of the principle monuments of Paris whereas having fun with a stroll on the Seine.
Extremely advisable.
Time wanted: round 1h30
The right way to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 1h, RER B to Châtelet-les-Halles then M1 to Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, then stroll to Port de la Conférence
- From Orly airport: 1h, Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau, then M6 to Trocadero, M9 to Alma-Marceau and stroll to Port de la Conférence
Worth of the exercise: €15 for a cruise on the Seine (purchase your e-ticket on-line – no have to print it)

I purpose to share my suggestions and suggestions for the attractive nation of France. My purpose is that can assist you plan your subsequent journey, whether or not it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime journey. From discovering one of the best lodges and eating places, to discovering distinctive actions and sights, I’ve received you coated!