Im not sure if this thread belongs in the AF forum. On my way back from Mumbai I have a 24 hr layover in Paris. I am flying AF (SEA-CDG-BOM) return.

Since ive never been to france can someone give some tips and pointers on any good hotels in Paris? Sites I can see in a day? Also what is the preferred mode of transport from CDG to Paris? Train / Taxi? Mercie Beaucoup

well indeed if you are flying business class, AF will provide you the room.

I am using Delta miles for this trip. I don't thnk AF will put me up in a hotel

Please continue the discussion in the France forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
Air France moderator

I am sure there are plenty of possibilities however it would help to know your priorities, e.g. are you looking to control costs or are you traveling on an expense account?

If you are traveling on a budget, I would suggest the following, keeping in mind that "budget" is a relative term considering the weak dollar against the euro:

- At Mumbai request for your bags to be checked all the way through to SEA (it is allowed to check bags through as long as your connection flight departs CDG before 12:00 the day after you arrive). Take just a carry on with the items you will need for 1 night in Paris

- Upon arrival at CDG take the train (RER line B) to Paris St. Michel Station. Cost is 8.20 euro and takes about 30 minutes. From here you'll be in middle of Latin Quarter/St. Germain area, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc. Great areas for walking and plenty of restaurants. Plus you are right at the Seine and can take a nighttime boat ride (touristy but worthwhile to see some sights lit up at night, including Eiffel Tower). Champs Elysees and the Louvre Museum are easy 10 minute metro ride from St. Michel. I would also suggest any of the bus tours (approx 25 euro) as you will have a chance to see a lot of sights and maybe pick one or two to explore in more detail.

- Choose a modest hotel close to the St. Michel Station. I have stayed at Hotel de Suez, Le Saint Severin, Hotel Abbatial and Hotel Agora which are fine for your needs (Suez and St Severin are closest to the station, about 3 minutes walk...the other 2 are maybe 7 minutes walk). You should be able to get something around 100 euros per night single (check their web sites and/or be sure to ask if they have any promotions).

This is a start. If you have specific interests or questions, post them so you can get the best possible response.

PHLFlyer's post is full of good advice. I'll add that the train station is right below the Terminal 2 building at CDG, so it's super-convenient. Unless the situation has changed in the last few moths, it's impossible to use a US credit card in the ticket machines at the RER station at CDG, so if you're US-based you may have to stand in line to buy your ticket from an attendant.

I've stayed many times at the Agora St-Germain (the last hotel PHL Flyer mentioned). It's lovely. The same people own the Abbatiale, so I'd trust that to be good also..

That really is the best neighborhood for a one-day Paris experience. Aside from Notre Dame (which you'll see as soon as you come up from the Metro station), the Sainte-Chappelle, the Louvre and the Orsay, there's the amazingly good ice cream from Berthillon on the Ile St-Louis. I especially like cacao amer (bitter cocoa) and agenaise, which is flavored with armagnac and prunes.

For dinner in that area, I still love Brasserie Balzar after many years of visits. They make a wonderful roast chicken with frites, and equally wonderful steak tartare. Despite being very popular with tourists, it still fills up with locals a bit later in the evening.

If you want to eat at one of the major. pricey temples of gastronomy, book well in advance--and see if they have a prix fixe lunch. That can often be had for a fraction of the cost of dinner.

If you'll be in Paris on a Sunday, definitely walk along the quays of the Seine, which are closed to car traffic for much of the day. It's fun.

If you like very mainstream classical music (lots of Vivaldi), I'd suggest taking in a concert at the Sainte-Chappelle. The concerts are only about an hour long, so you can fit one in before a late-ish dinner or after an early dinner. The building is an astonishing gothic masterpiece, and the acoustics are super. In summer, the sun will still be up for the start of the early concerts, so you'll be able to experience the windows properly.

Finally, when walking around Paris I always stop to read the many plaques all over the city (but particularly plentiful around Notre Dame) which read "ici est tomb� pour la patie..." They mark the spots where resistance fighters were shot by the Nazis during the liberation of Paris. To stroll through that beautiful, civilized city and imagine it as the sight of deadly street battles is a profoundly moving experience.

Thanks for the pointers PHLFlyer and MJLogan I was planning on spending around 150 Euros (max) for a day to do the sight seeing / dining etc.

Thx again. Mercie.