So you're traveling through Paris and you're wondering what to do on a long Paris layover. Are you looking to actually use the time rather than waste it eating overpriced airport food and playing the waiting game? You’re wondering, could I leave the airport and see Paris?
The answer is yes, assuming you have enough time. We did the math for you, and tested it out, and now we’re here to recommend the perfect Paris layover itinerary.
We’ll break it down for you into four choices:
- Easy Mode Itinerary: 3 hours / 5 hour layover
- Medium Mode Itinerary: 4 hours / 6 hour layover
- Hard Mode Itinerary: 5 hours / 7 hour layover
- Expert Mode Itinerary: 6 hours / 8 hour layover
Itinerary difficulty: Medium, not accessible, lots of walking
Important Note!
This itinerary is planned for morning/mid-morning with lunch included. It can be modified for other times of day, but double check the hours of the places we recommend.
BEFORE YOU GO:
But before we get started, you'll want to: make sure your layover is long enough, check for strikes, purchase your metro day pass and your Arc de Triomphe tickets, grab your E-Sim (5% off with code: SPECIAL5), and download CityMapper. Too much to remember? Download our itinerary here to receive a proper "before you go" checklist!
LET’S GET GOING
Phase 1: How to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris city center
If you’re coming from Orly, you can bypass Gare du Nord by taking line 14 to metro stop Madeleine, and then changing to line 12 and getting off at Pigalle. You’ll be right around the corner from our first stop, Pain Pain. This whole ride should take just under an hour. If you need to store your luggage, you can find that information here.
If you’re storing luggage, you’ll need Terminal 2 just above the RER station. If you’re landing in Terminal 1, you’ll want to dedicate an additional 30 minutes to changing terminals to store your bags on the CDG navette. You can find all the answers to your luggage storing questions here, including pricing.
Once you’ve dropped your luggage, you’ll just need to look for RER signs (example pictured above). They’ll be blue signs with white writing and say “Paris by Train.” All you need to do is scan the pass on your phone and you’re in! The RER is about a 45 minute ride into town.
Nervous about finding your way out of the airport? We have a full article devoted to Charles de Gaulle in our guide to Paris. Go ahead and grab yours today, even though you’re only passing through. You’ll have access for life, and we update it regularly.
Phase 2: Coffee, Croissant & Sacré-Coeur
Our first stop in our Paris layover itinerary is Gare du Nord. Phase 2 is the perfect Montmartre Itinerary.
PAIN PAIN (30 min walk): It’s time for a croissant (or whatever pastry your heart desires!). To get here, walk out the front doors of Gare du Nord and hang an immediate right. The best route is to head to rue Dunkerque head straight, as we’ve highlighted on the map just below.
THE WALL OF I LOVE YOU’S (5 min walk): When you have your croissant in hand, leave a flakey trail of crumbs behind you as you make your way to Square Jehan Rictus for a photo here.
CLOVE (5 min walk): It’s coffee time - this is a must do in Paris during a layover. Clove is an amazing specialty shop. Get your coffee to go! You've got a lot to see, so it's best to keep moving.
Clove Hours
Note: Clove is closed for vacation until the 6th of September 2024. We suggest instead that you head to Beans on Fire on Rue des Trois Frères which is open daily until 6 PM.
SACRE-COEUR (10 min walk): Be sure to go inside the church! There’s usually a line out the door and around the front, but it goes quickly. Don't forget to turn away from the church when you're up here and enjoy one of the best views of Paris. Grab a few shots, take a few happy breaths, and as soon as you’re finished soaking it in, you’ll start the hike back down the hill towards lunch. You can walk down any way you like, but through Place du Tertre is nice.
DIZEN (20 min walk): While you’re here, why not stop for a delicious lunch on the fly? Dizen is one of our favorite go-tos for a quick and delicious lunch. Either take your Pita to go, or nab a seat on the bench they have just outside of the shop, but don’t linger for more than 10 minutes or so.
Dizen Hours
Dizen is open daily from 12pm to 2:30pm and again from 7pm.
THE MOULIN ROUGE (5 min walk): Head to Metro Blanche for a great shot of the Moulin Rouge. There’s also a Starbucks across the way if you’re looking for a toilet.
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of Easy Mode!
Getting back to the Airport
You have about a 30 minute walk to the train station. Once there, you’ll hop back on the RER B towards CDG or Metro 4 to Metro 14 (change at Châtelet) to get to Orly.
Phase 3: Arc de Triomphe
If you’re continuing on, you’ll be getting on line 2 at Metro Blanche in the direction of Porte de Dauphine. You’re heading for the stop: Charles de Gaulle - Étoile. To get to the Arc de Triomphe there's a tunnel under the roundabout. The entrance to the tunnel can be found across from the wide face of the Arc, on either side.
ARC DE TRIOMPHE (15 min metro): Welcome to the stunning Arc de Triomphe! And we’re not just here for a photo. Assuming you booked your ticket ahead of time with Get Your Guide, you’re headed to the top. To get there look for a tunnel off the Champs Elyées to cut under the traffic circle. Please don’t try to cross the traffic circle, it’s 100% not allowed and very dangerous.
This is one of our personal favorite views of the city, because the Eiffel Tower is in it.
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of Medium Mode!
Getting back to the Airport
If you’re headed back to the airport, you’ll go back into the metro here. Hop on the RER A and change at Châtelet. For CDG, you’re changing to the RER B. For Orly, you’re changing to Metro line 14.
Phase 4: Palais Garnier
PALAIS GARNIER (10 min RER): You’ll want to head back underground at Charles de Gaulle - Étoile and pop on the RER A to Auber/Opéra. All you’re doing here is admiring the gorgeous architecture of the Palais Garnier, and taking a few photos.
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of Hard Mode!
Getting back to the Airport
If you’re headed back to the airport, you’ll go back into the metro here. Hop on the RER A and change at Châtelet. For CDG, you’re changing to the RER B. For Orly, you’re changing to Metro line 14.
Phase 5: Boneshaker Donuts
BONESHAKER (10 min metro): Then you’re hopping on line 3 at Opéra and to ride just a tiny way to get off at Sentier… which basically lands you in the lap of Boneshaker Donuts. Grab a donut and get ready for a final walk through Paris!
Bonshaker Hours
Boneshaker is closed for vacation until September 2nd!
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of Expert Mode!
Getting back to the Airport
You have about a 12 minute walk down to Châtelet les Halles to get on the RER B towards CDG or line 14 towards Orly. It’s best not to be in a huge rush for this portion of the trip, because Châtelet can be big and daunting.
You did it! In a long layover, you’ve seen Montmartre, including Sacré-Coeur and the Moulin Rouge. You’ve hopped across town and climbed the Arc de Triomphe, and got your photo in front of the beautiful Opera Garnier. You’ve had all the good food. Your Instagram is going to look like you had an entire Parisian vacation in one go.
To download this itinerary so you can print it and have it on hand: click here. Also included are two checklists - one for before you go and another for after you’re finished!
And next time? Plan about a week in the City of Lights to get the full experience. With our guide at Paris in My Pocket, you’ll need that much time to do Paris like a local. We promise you’ll love it.
Written and Edited by: Jay Swanson and Emily Guernsey
Researched by: The Paris in My Pocket Team
