You’re at CDG or ORY airport and have some spare time before your next flight? I have selected a few activities that you can do to quickly discover Paris during your 7-12 hour layover.
Things to Consider Before Leaving the Airport
- Always check the time! You can register until 1 hour before departure time for most flights.
You can board up to 40 minutes before the flight. So you have to be back at the airport before these deadlines to go through security, pass the immigration checks (if flying outside Schengen) and be on time for your flight. - The RER B from CDG airport takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour to reach Chatelet station in the center of Paris.
- From ORY airport, public transportation (Orlyval + RER B) or the bus takes between 30 minutes to 50 minutes to reach Chatelet station in the center of Paris.
- To be able to leave the airport, make sure you have a Schengen visa if you don’t live in the European Union (EU). If you travel between countries belonging to the Schengen Area and live in an EU country, you won’t need a visa. Otherwise, you can get one online before you leave or in the embassy of the country you want to visit (in this case, France).
- If your luggage is checked through to your final destination, you won’t have to pick it up in between your 2 flights. However, if they’re not or if you have booked 2 different flights, you will have to pick them up. But you can leave them in the lockers available in the airport and re-check them in for your 2nd flight when you come back.
- Please note from which terminal your second flight will leave. Indeed, for instance, the Paris – Charles de Gaulle airport has 2 different RER stations: one for terminal 1 and 3 and another for terminal 2).
- If your second flight is to an EU country, you won’t have to go through immigration when boarding that flight. If it is not an EU country, you will have less time for yourself as you will have to go through immigration in addition to security.
For more information: http://easycdg.com/passenger-information/connecting-flight-connections-paris-cdg-airport/
Visits I Recommend for Your Layover
First, let’s locate these places on a map:
⚠️ Warning: You won’t be able to do all of these suggestions, so pick a few of them you want to do while taking into account the time you have between your flights. Be mindful of transportation duration. Trains and metro are often late in Paris.
Notre-Dame-de-Paris
The beautiful cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous monuments of Paris.
The visit to this monument won’t take more than 2 hours. The occasion for you to come here and leave with an amazing visit.
⚠️ Update March 31, 2023:
Unfortunately, on Monday, April 15, 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral was severely damaged in a fire. As a result, it is currently under renovation and visits are suspended until further notice.
The building is expected to reopen in 2024 thanks to the many restoration works underway: the stone vault of the north transept has been rebuilt, the cleaning and restoration of the interior walls is well underway, stone carvers have begun work on the façade, and many other works are completed or well underway. The spire is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2023.
Time needed: around 1h
How 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
Price of the activity: free
Eiffel Tower
Don’t miss your chance to see the Eiffel Tower!
Depending on the duration of your layover, you might not be able to climb up since the waiting line can be long (up to 3h). But it’s Paris symbol that is not to be missed!
You can admire it and grab something to eat on the Champs de Mars while waiting to get back to the airport.
Time needed: around 1h30
How 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
Price of the activity: €52 for a ticket that will allow you to skip the line!
Champs Elysées
Want to do some shopping outside of the airport? Explore the Champs Elysées!
The most beautiful avenue in the world has many shops and restaurants to relax in and walk around a little before going back to the airport.
You can do some shopping, admire the Arc de Triomphe or just enjoy the atmosphere of this iconic avenue of Paris.
Time needed: around 2h
How 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
Price of the activity: free (unless you decide to do some shopping)
Louvre Museum
The Louvre museum offers many exhibitions lasting 1h30 at most. Take a few pictures in front of the pyramids and enjoy beautiful works of art.
It would take days to discover the entire permanent collection of the museum, but in a few hours, it is always possible to see the most famous works or a temporary exhibition, often much shorter.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
How 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. Walk (10min) to the Louvre museum
Price of the activity: €17 for free access to all the permanent collections of the museum. Book your e-ticket online (no need to print it).
Jardin du Luxembourg
How about a stroll in the Jardin du Luxembourg?
In the 25 hectares park, you can admire the Medici fountain or some of the 106 statues that are in the park.
The garden has a French-style part in front of the Luxembourg Palace (seat of the French Senate) and an English garden. The Musée du Luxembourg, the Orangerie, and the greenhouses are also worth your time.
Time needed: around 2h
How 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. Walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg (only a few minutes)
Price of the activity: free
Sacré Coeur Basilica and Montmartre
The Sacré-Coeur and the Montmartre district will please curious people!
Even if you don’t visit the basilica, the area is charming and deserves your full attention. There are many small cafés where you can have a drink on the terrace, many souvenir shops and many charming little streets where you can stroll quietly.
Time needed: around 2h
How to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 50min, RER B to Paris Nord, then M4 to Barbès, then walk to Anvers station (6 minutes) which is at the foot of the Montmartre hill
- From Orly airport: 50min, Orlyval to Antony, then RER B to Gare du Nord. Walk to the M3 La Chapelle station, to go to Anvers, at the foot of the hill.
Price of the activity: free
Bateaux-mouches tours
A good compromise to see a lot in a relatively short amount of time.
And without getting tired!
Boat tours (such as the Bateaux-Mouches or other similar companies if the Bateaux-Mouches are not available) will enchant you with stunning views of the main monuments of Paris while enjoying a stroll on the Seine.
Highly recommended.
Time needed: around 1h30
How to get there:
- From Charles de Gaulle airport: 1h, RER B to Châtelet-les-Halles then M1 to Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, then walk to Port de la Conférence
- From Orly airport: 1h, Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau, then M6 to Trocadero, M9 to Alma-Marceau and walk to Port de la Conférence
Price of the activity: €15 for a cruise on the Seine (buy your e-ticket online – no need to print it)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
