Do you have a long layover in Paris and want to make the most of it by seeing the city? This 1-day layover in Paris itinerary is how to get a fantastic glimpse of Paris in a limited time.
Notes:
- Make sure you have a long enough connection (minimum of 5 hours)
- It can take about an hour to/from the airport and the city center
- Allocate time to go through customs and security
- Confirm if your checked luggage will need to be picked up or if it is checked through to your final destination
Stop 1: Notre Dame
If your layover begins at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), navigate to the train station attached to the airport, purchase your ticket, and take the RER B train to Saint Michel – Notre Dame station, which is about 40 minutes. (train map here). Walk about 5 minutes to the famous Notre Dame, admiring the beautiful structure that is still worth seeing after the fire in 2019.
Stop 2: Café de Flore
From Notre Dame, start walking to Café de Flore which is about a 20-minute walk. On the walk, you will stroll through narrow streets with beautiful historical buildings surrounding you. Take your time as walking around Paris is an activity in itself. Once you arrive, enjoy your time drinking coffee and eating.
Stop 3: Louvre
Once you are fueled up, walk about 15 minutes to the Louvre. Walk around the glass structure and soak up the views. If you have time, you can enter the Louvre Museum, otherwise enjoying the surrounding area is well worth it.
Stop 4: Eiffel Tower
End your day at the Eiffel Tower. The easiest way to get to the Eiffel Tower is to grab a taxi and it will be about a 10-minute drive. There are multiple viewpoints, either up on a hill across from it, or right underneath looking up in it. I recommend eating a delicious crêpe while admiring the view!
When it is time to head back to the airport, I recommend taking a taxi part of the way to get closer but avoid a hefty cab fare or traffic. Therefore, from the Eiffel Tower, take a taxi to the Châtelet-Les Halles station and take the train back to the airport to catch your flight.
Although it is very much worth spending a day in Paris, you will definitely want to come back once you get a little taste of it as there is so much more to see!
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