Paris in 4 hours. What would you do?

angelil

Do my suggestions above - which involve staying close to Chatelet-les-Halles, which is an RER B station - not cut it then?

opinions4u

angelil wrote: »

Do my suggestions above - which involve staying close to Chatelet-les-Halles, which is an RER B station - not cut it then?

They do with me!

Mrs o4u likes a range of choices before deciding to revert to the first one!

mcc100

opinions4u wrote: »

They do with me!

Mrs o4u likes a range of choices before deciding to revert to the first one!

I think you're wasting your time angelil.

Bob_the_Saver

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Remember that Paris has an excellent bus system, and you can see a lot from a public bus. You could buy a carnet of tickets from any Metro station and use them for bus rides rather than messing about with tour companies.

When they're all not on strike

opinions4u

mcc100 wrote: »

I think you're wasting your time angelil.

The only posters who wasted their time were those who got the impression I'd be in an airport terminal and thought it best I should stay there. And that was my fault for failing to give clearer information about the circumstances.

My other half is keen to do everything you'd do in three days without the risk of venturing away from the same spot! While that is clearly impossible to achieve there may be other alternatives that haven't been flagged up.

I'm grateful for all suggestions, have clicked the <thanks> button for those who've made the effort and I'm sorry for any offence caused by seeking alternative thoughts. It certainly wasn't intended to devalue any other contribution.

We've got a few hours in a great city and we don't know the place. I just want to ensure we maximise our time without missing the train back to the airport.

So thanks to all for the suggestions.

mcfisco

If it's just seeing stuff, those open top buses cover everything and you can hop on and off at will. Le Open (or something)
Not ideal but with only a few hours, you'll see more than you would otherwise.
A few years back we took an elderly relative on one as she wanted to see lots but couldn't get around well, it was surprisingly good, albeit a bit too touristy for my taste.

EDIT: this was the one
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187147-d585912-Reviews-L_Open_Bus_Tour-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Delree

I'd go to Notre Dame because that is on the exact RER line you need for the airport, thus minimising complication and therefore stress if you find yourselves pushed for time.
However it would be wise to heed the advice of those who suggest you get to the airport fairly early if it's as bad as they say, you'd kick yourself if you missed your flight because you hung around in the city a little too long. Paris isn't going anywhere there will be other chances to look around.

sharnad

An open top bus Tour. Drink at a cafe get to airport early. Don't try to do anything big if you don't have a skip the line ticket you will be waiting forever to get in anywhere

signol

For that little time, I'd get to Trocadero metro - there's an excellent view of the Eiffel tower. Then walk up Ave Kleber to the Arc de Triomphe, take a look around, then get the RER back to the airport (one change at Chetelet-les-Halles).

signol

angelil

^^ why, though, when you can have an equally excellent view of the tower from the Pompidou Centre, which is within walking distance of Chatelet-les-Halles? No need to get more trains than necessary.

The HOHO bus idea is not a bad one though.