9 Hr Layover in Paris, Any suggestions for a quick look at the city?

Question

I have 9 hour Layover at Paris, Charles de Gaulle on my way to the USA. Do I require visa to get into the city? Any suggestions for a quick tour at the city?

Answer 1

Two words! Effiel tower!

Answer 2

C'est pas vrai gave a good itinerary.  He's right, definately use the rail service.

Figure an hours time to get to the city plus how ever long it takes you to get off of the plane.  Then you'll have to be there at least two hours in advance because you are going through security again for an international flight plus you will need to factor in an hours time travel to the airport.  

So you are left with between 4 and 5 hours to actually do something.  I hope you are the kind of person that sleeps well on planes.  That way you can be somewhat rested for your time there.

If you are really in to museums you'd have time for just one.  If you pick a museum like the louvre - you won't possibleybe able to see it all with just 4 hours, but you could get a taste of it.  Something like the musee Rodin would only be 2 or 3 hours which would leave you time for a meal somewhere.  Or hang out at Notre Dame and do a boat ride as was suggested.  Or maybe go to Notre Dame and then Mont Martre.  Or you could do a quick bus tour and then hang out in an area that appealed to you.  If you are in to gardens go to jardin du luxembourg and les tuileries.  If you want shopping to champs elysees.  You could browze, go up the arc de triomphe and grab a meal somewhere.

Your passport will be all you should need.

Answer 3

you're not gonna get alot done in 9 hours (big city, and very busy around this time of the year, it's tourist season again!), but you can probably see one or two things.  Take the RER B (underground train) from the airport to the center of the city (maybe get off at "Chatelet Les Halles"), and then from there, you can connect to a bunch of other metro lines that will take you to go see the eiffel tower, Notre Dame (actually, if you want to see this, there's a metro stop called "notre dame" right on the RER B before chatelet), Les Invalides, Les Champs Elysee, etc.

My big advice is DON'T take a taxi from CDG to the center of the city.  It will cost you 40-50.00 euros ($90.00 USD!), and the train is just as quick and will cost you like, 1.25 euro for one way.

Make sure to head back to the airport on the RER B fairly early, as it can take up to 45 minutes to an hour or more to get from center city back to CDG.

Now that I think about it, the best thing you could do with only 9 hrs is to probably take the 'B' train to the "notre dame" stop, get out there, and then take a boat ride along the Seine (they load up right there by the cathedrale).  It's a little "touristy", but it's still amazing....and you'll get a really nice quick view of almost everything (from the outside anyway).

If you wanna go a different way and skip all of the super traditional stuff, you could go visit my favorite area, which is Montmartre/Sacre Coeur...breathtaking....

ps = Oh...and no, you don't need a visa to enter the city.  You can stay in France for up to 3 months with just a valid passport.  After that though you must have a visa or you must leave (and you can't work there).

Answer 4

All excellent suggestions from posters.  I did the quicky tour on a Saturday:  Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre in about 6 hours (my feet HURT!).

The RER (and Metro) is the best way to get around; a word of warning (if you take the Metro to the Tower - depending on your metro line - Bir Hakeim station may still be closed.  You will go a bit out of your way).

I, personally, would do the Louvre in record time.  WONDERFUL!

Answer 5

Hiya,

If you are not from the E.U then you shall need a visa to leave the airport. They shall not let you out. 9 hrs is too short a time to visit Paris. But then if you are from E.U, you do not need a visa. You can catch a RER and have a quick "dekho" at the Eiffel Tower and then just relax by the Trocadero, opposite to the tower.

Bon voyage!