Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets
On the other hand, 4 hours is a really good period in which to indulge in a wonderful French lunch or dinner at the restaurant just inside the entrance to the Sheraton (I've forgotten the name of the restaurant, and the Sheraton is part of the airport -- just above the train terminal), or failing that at the airport branch of the Brasserie Flo (or is it another famous brasserie that has a branch there?). It's a good way to experience some of the magic of Paris, and the heart palpitations will come only from the clogged arteries rather than the stress of trying to make it back to the airport on time.
It is indeed Brasserie Flo, landside, in CDG2F, a few meters after entering the terminal when walking from the TGV station (and the Sheraton).
Your LO flight should be arriving in CDG2B, which is a non-Schengen terminal. You could remain airside and use the airside shuttle to get to CDG2A, where AA flights depart. This would be the most secure solution and does not involve two immigration checks. But there is nowhere to have a decent meal airside in CDG2.
If you go landside, you will have to go through immigration to enter the Schengen area and again when you come back. Going through immigration in CDG2B can take up to half an hour, depending on the time of day, although it can take as little as 2mn ....
You can then have a 10mn walk to the TGV station and the Sheraton hotel, and an additional 5mn to reach CDG2F and Brasserie Flo. You can have a decent meal in Brasserie Flo and in the standard restaurant of the Sheraton, as well as pleasant snacks in the lobby bar of the Sheraton. The upscale restaurant of the Sheraton, to the right after you enter the restaurant area when coming from the hotel lobby is somewhat pricey, the food is of good quality, but it is definitely not the best price/performance ratio in Paris (but you are in CDG, not in Paris).
Getting to and from Paris by suburban train (RER) would require, on average, 1h30 mn for a round trip, which, added to the immigration queues, could leave you with less than 2 hours in Paris. So you definitely need to do some advance planning regarding your travel and activities once you are in Paris. It is by no means impossible, it depends a lot on whether your incoming LO flight is delayed or not.
Hope it helps and enjoy Paris
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