16 hour layover at CDG
 

I will have a long layover in Paris in February and I was wondering what would be the best way to spend my day. I land very early one morning and then my flight to South Africa leaves late in the evening. I've already seen most sights years ago but it would be nice to walk around and catch up. I'm also wondering if there is a reasonable hotel near the airport or in town where I could stay for the day to shower and leave my bag while I'm out exploring.

The Sheraton @CDG is offering a day package. Maybe this would be an option?

I just had a 12 hour layover in CDG. Flying AF business class, I had access to their Arrivals lounge to shower and have a light breakfast. Non-business class passengers (unclear if you have to arrive on AF) can pay to get in -- EUR 50 before 10am, 35 after. It's a bit of walk from 2E where AF flights arrive, more info in the AirFrance forum.

The Yotel is airside in terminal 2E, Hall L (non-Schengen zone). OP should have access to it with the onward boarding pass, but then I'm not sure how easy it is to exit the terminal afterward, for which you'd have to clear passport control.

In terms of the CDG Sheraton, I think day rooms are 8am - 6pm, and ~$200. So kind of pricey and the checkout time would severely limit your time in Paris.

There are storage lockers on-site at CDG, but I believe they close at 9pm; this was too early for me (my flight was at 11 or 11:30pm), so I used the lockers at the Gare du Nord for my carry-ons (a laptop backpack and small duffel). My suitcase was checked through to my final destination. Note that the GdN lockers are at the other end of the station from the Metro and RER, probably a 5 minute walk, so make sure to allow enough time on your way back to the airport to get to the lockers and back to the RER. The locker facility also closes at night, but I think 10 or 11pm. You can Google for info.

There's no shortage of actual things to do in Paris though!

I believe that any of the numerous CDG hotels offer day rooms based upon availability.

Yes, I imagine they'd be less expensive than the Sheraton, but still probably >$100, and definitely more inconvenient as you'd have to shuttle back and forth. And I don't know how flexible the hours are. 6pm checkout would kill half the layover as the JNB flight is 11:30pm.

If OP really just wants to shower the Yotel is probably the best option, subject to being able to leave the airport afterward. Otherwise I'd go for the Air France arrivals lounge (I assume he's arriving on AF, but you could probably even show a same-day departing BP, if they even require you to be flying AF or SkyTeam, which is not clear).

I'm thinking of waiting until before my flight to JNB to shower if I'm gonna use the Yotel. Maybe even just skip it all together. My flight to Paris was supposed to be with Air Canada but I just noticed I've been switched to a flight on Air France somehow...

Trying to figure out what to do during my day in Paris though. Thinking of taking the RER to St-Michel and make my way around the city from there. I'm just worried about the weather in February and being limited in terms of walking around. Might have to stick to indoor places.

Depending on what your interests are, there are plenty of options in Paris for a day. February is indeed not the best time in terms of weather, but the coffee houses and people watching actvities are a good thing to do. I think going to St Michel is a good idea, you are close to Notre Dame, if you would like that, and also St Germain des Pres which is just wonderful for sitting at a cafe (Cafe de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and many others not so famous) and people watching. What is it that you'd like to do? The cathedral of St Germain des Pres is the most ancient one in Paris, and you can also walk from St Michel to St Sulspice which has a lovely cathedral, and wonderful book stores and boutiques all around; it's a wonderful area for strolling around. You can also visit the Luxembourg garden and its museum, they host wonderful exhbitions all year long, and across you will have the Patheon with many cafes and restaurants around with a view of the Eiffel tower, being that this area is elevated. A little bit farther in, and you will be in the Mouffetard Quartier with its famous street market and lively atmosphere. Hope that helps somehow! :)

Personally, I'm a zombie after a redeye flight until I can take a shower, so for me, it's imperative to try to get one upon landing. Since you are flying AF, you could definitely pay to use their arrivals lounge at the far end of terminal 2C, before 2A.
But if you don't do that, then definitely take a shower at the Yotel before the JNB flight, your seatmates will thank you! :)

Well tomorrow is the day. I plan on taking the RER to St-Michel, check out Notre-Dame and Ile-St-Louis, wander around and slowly make my way to the Eiffel Tower. Depending on time left, maybe take the hop-on hop-off bus and then make my way back to CDG for my 11:30PM flight.

Looks like you're going to have nice weather anyway! Enjoy your day in Paris.

Thanks! I fly out tomorrow night so I'm arriving in Paris at 7am on Tuesday. Will put this on the list. The weather forecast does look pretty good for February!

Good news, the Sainte-Chapelle opens tomorrow morning at 9.