Blog, France, Paris, Travel | 16 April 2025 | 10 MIN READ
8 Hour Layover in Paris (CDG): What to Do
2 days ago
So you want to know if you can sneak in a brief view of Paris with just 8 hours?
Maybe you found a good deal on an Air France ticket and figure you can see Paris. Or maybe you’re headed to Mauritius and have an 8-hour layover like I did?
What if I tell you that you can do that and take advantage of the Air France lounge at Charles de Gaulle–especially if you have Delta/SkyTeam status.
If you haven’t noticed–I’m a big fan of layovers. I use them as an excuse to see a new destination or break up long flights cough cough.
The Deets
The first thing that you need to be aware is that time is your limiting factor.
That means time to pass customs, transit time and distance to the center of Paris, and re-scanning your bags. Expect the time to exit the airport to be around 20 mins.
The good news? If you’re on layover, your checked bags are already headed to your destination and you should only have a backpack. What I do is actually carry a Hershel Packable Duffle bag that I picked up from Nordstrom (this one here). That way I can stuff a few extra items and put it in checked luggage.
Steps to leave the airport:
- Determine if you need a SIM card (near the baggage claims). I used my AT&T service.
- Proceed to 2nd level of Terminal 2F: Around Gate 16.
- Get an Uber to the “Arc de Triomphe.” Note: Do not bother with getting an RER train to the center–especially if you’re traveling in a group. It’s more expensive. Uber will cost just $36 euros door-to-door.
Gear Used
Uber to Arc de Triomphe & Grab Breakfast on the Champs Elysées (Time: 37 minutes)
Take a photo around the Arc de Triomphe and proceed to visit the famed Champs Elysées boulevard to do some shopping and buy some croissants (they won’t be the best, but at least you will get a taste).
Note: If you are on your way to Mauritius, see if you can find the Battle of Grand Port of 1810 at the Arc de Triomphe. It’s the only naval battle that Napoleon won against the British.
Walk down the Champs Elysées and maybe stop by Sephora to grab some perfume (parfum) or other fancy items.
Grab croissants and coffee at Paul (a store which you will see throughout Mauritius).
Grab Lunch at Le Petit Vendôme
From the Champs Elysées, go to the George V metro station and take the train to Concorde (technically you can walk there).
This can get you a little used to the Parisian train system. Walk a few blocks to the Le Petit Vendôme restaurant and order a Jambon Beurre Sandwich (ask the server for what cheese they recommend).
Take it to go (they take credit cards but require a minimum). And then head to the Colonne Vendôme (a column erected by Napoleon I for the Battle of Austerlitz) and sit on one of the ledges and enjoy your jambon beurre sandwich while taking in the view.
After you finish, grab a beer at Frog Hop House (a brew pub right around the corner).
It’s no craft beer, but it can at least satiate your thirst and give you a chance to warm up (especially if you’re traveling in the off season).
From here–I would venture to the French department store Fnac near the Saint-Lazare train station.
This shop reminds me of when I used to live in Paris and would always stop by to grab school supplies.
And that’s what I kind of wanted to do here. Stock up on Clairefontaine French writing paper (which is very different from college-ruled US paper and overpriced on Amazon), get a good quality fountain pen, and a small French novel that’s called “livre de poche” which translates to “pocket book.”
Head back to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport (Time: 50 minutes)
After you finish at Fnac, cross the street to the Burger King to pick up an Uber to the airport. Obviously not to eat there! Unless you want to. It’s just a good landmark.
If you notice the drive time–it fluctuates based on rush hour and can heavily impact your time arriving at the airport.
This is also true if you decide to leave the airport for the city during rush hour vs in the morning. And–there can always be protests and demonstrations.
Getting Through Customs & Security with SkyPriority Status (Time: 11 minutes)
This is the part that will differ depending on the traveler. If you are traveling with Air France and have status, you actually can get into a special passport customs line called “SkyPriority / Accès no.1“. Then you also get preferred security screening bypassing other customers.
- SkyPriority Passport Control Time (with my bent passport): 1min 25s
- SkyPriority Security Screening Time: 9 min 40s
- Total Time (Passport Control & Security): 11 minutes and 5 seconds
That’s pretty good time, right? That means…drumroll….time to check out the Air France lounge!!
8 Hour Layover in Paris, France
Tips, Tricks, and Logistics
- Maximize your layover by visiting central Paris: Take a 37-minute Uber ride to the Arc de Triomphe, explore the Champs Elysées, and enjoy a quick breakfast with croissants and coffee.
- Enjoy authentic Parisian food: Stop by Le Petit Vendôme for a Jambon Beurre sandwich and take it to go while visiting the nearby Colonne Vendôme.
- Efficient transit back to the airport: Plan around 50 minutes for the return journey to CDG, factoring in potential rush hour traffic. Opt for Uber over the RER train for a quicker and more comfortable ride.
- SkyPriority for faster airport processes: With SkyTeam status, use the SkyPriority line for a quick passport control and security screening, allowing more time to enjoy the Air France lounge.
