Paris in 8 happy hours :)

Background
On my way to Germany I had 8-10 hours of stopover in Paris. Before going I surfed net to get an exact idea of how to best utilize my time in Paris and which places to visit. I found some information but had to sit down and work my destination rather than getting exact places to visit in this short time. At that time I decided that on my return I will list some places which I visited and would like to recommend to all. One's time of arrival may have some impact on this plan but it should work out for most of you travelling to Paris for short duration.

My Travel Plan

Airport Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) --> Crypte Archeologique (around 34mins) --> Eiffel Tower (around 33 mins + waiting at interchange)--> Shanzelize Street (10 mins by train)--> CDG

How to go?

From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) terminal 1,2,3 look for **Paris By Train - RER** sign similar to the one highlighted below



This will lead you to the terminal from where you can get the train. There will be ticketing machines placed before going down to the station but my recommendation for the first timers is to go to ticketing office near by and ask form tickets there. One way train ticket to Eiffel tower for an Adult would cost around 8.4 Euros and 16.8 Euro return. However its better to request for whole day unlimited pass for central region which will cost you around 18.5 Euro. At this point just remember to grab a time table for RER B and RER C tracks.





Take RER B (blue Line) train from "AEROPORT" station to reach to station marked as "Saint-Michel Norte Dame" where you will need to go out of the train station to go to Crypte Archeologique.This will take you around 30-40 minutes to reach this station. If you are in rush to go to Eiffel then you do not need to go out and instead follow the mark for RER C to transfer yourself to metro station.

If you decide to go out then go ahead 100m or so from the elevator and turn left and you will see the building. I went to this building because I saw it in so many pictures and because of its antique touch. You can spare around 30 minutes to visit this building.

After visiting this you can go down to the station and then follow the sign for RER C that goes towards Eiffel. One at the metro station for RER C you will need to go up stairs as indicated by signs to reach to the platform. Open up your schedule and find the next train. Get out at "Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel" on RER C. When you get out of the station you will see the Eiffel Tower. From this station there is 5-10 mins walk towards Eiffel and I would recommend all to have it.

One at Eiffel Tower you will see Ticket booths to get upto Eiffel tower. I went up from EST gate which had highest number of people waiting in queue.



You can find the ticket rates easily on the net.

You can spare around an hour to visit the tower and surroundings. Once over with this you can cross the bridge to go visit the parliament building. However your next focus should be Shanzelize Street. You will need to go North-East or better ask any one there for metro station. And by now if you are good at asking for little help then find out the train station for Shanzelize Street. Its just 2-3 stations away but I don't remember the name. Your same day pass ticket will work. If you are in real hurry better take taxi here.

Once out of station/taxi you will be much amused to see the hustle and bustle and the feeling to be on one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. You can walk all your way on the street and looking for things that you promised people to bring from Paris or just doing window shopping. You can have economical lunch form Quick - fastfood and have Haggen-Dazs ice cream after that. Take a walk down the road and feel good.



Once you reach at the end you will need to go down through underpass to reach the centre of the Shanzelize monument. On your way you will find ticket booth but that is just for going up the structure. If you have already gone up the Eiffel and want to skip it this time then you don't need to buy a ticket you can just roam about there.




On your way back from the monument there is Metro Station right there you can go down to metro station and look for RER B line. Just get onto this line and it will take you to the airport. Be aware that this may take upto an hour or mroe to reach back to airport so make your that you save yourself enough time.