The Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France is the hub of Air France and is France’s main airport. The city center of Paris is located just 15 miles from the airport, making it perfect for travelers who have a layover and want to explore the city. Paris is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world, and is also France’s capital and largest city. It is home to the world-famous, iconic Eiffel Tower, and the picturesque city has a lot to offer, whether they’re there for vacation or just a day on a layover.
Top 7 Things To Do On Your Layover In Paris
1. Inside the airport
We’ll start with inside the Charles De Gaulle International Airport. If you have a shorter layover or aren’t comfortable venturing into Paris, there is plenty to do to keep you busy inside the airport. There are even hotels inside the airport, and plenty more nearby if you need some rest. There are plenty of restaurants and bars as well as shopping in the three terminals. For children, there are play areas and areas with TVs and video games. In terminal two, you can find the Be Relax Spa where you can treat yourself to a massage, manicure, pedicure, facial and other relaxation services. The Sheraton Paris Airport is located inside terminal two if you want to get some sleep, and the Hilton Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport Hotel is a short walk from terminal three.
To get out of the airport and into Paris, you can take the RER B Train from terminal one or two to downtown Paris, which takes about 45 minutes. You can also get there via the Roissybus, which takes about an hour to get to downtown Paris.
2. See the famous Eiffel Tower from the top
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, recognized globally, and is the biggest tourist destination in Paris. The tower is almost 1,000 feet tall, and you can take a trip up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to experience the best view of Paris that is possible.
3. Experience The Louvre
The Louvre art museum is the largest museum in the world and is a central landmark of the city. Take a guided tour of this stunning art museum in order to save some time and experience the best of its 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art. The Louvre is a vast museum and it welcomes over 15,000 visitors per day. Don’t miss it!
4. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral is a medieval Catholic cathedral located in the heart of old Paris, and is one of the most recognized cathedrals in the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this landmark of France and take in the stunning French Gothic architecture. What makes this destination even better is that the RER train from the airport stops directly at the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station, so you can go straight from your flight to this architectural wonder.
5. Visit the legendary Orsay Museum
The Orsay Museum, or Musee d’Orsay, is another stunning museum in Paris that features French impressionist paintings. It is a must-visit when in Paris. The museum is best known for its Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. Take a tour and experience the culture and history of France at this beautiful museum.
6. See the Luxembourg Garden
The Luxembourg Garden was created in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici, the widow of the late King Henry IV of France, and planned as the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and one of the most-visited places in Paris. You will love walking past its lawns down tree-lined promenades while admiring a wide variety of flowers and the iconic Medici Fountain.
7. Take a cruise down the Seine River
If you have some extra time during your Paris layover, a great way to see the city is to take a river cruise down the Seine River, which runs through Paris. During this hour-long cruise, you’ll get to take pictures of some of the most beautiful sites of the city with views of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and more.
This article was written by Cameron Lafontaine.