Unique Things to Do on a Layover at Paris CDG Airport

Maria DiCicco
6 minutes ago
7 min read

I'm a big fan of planned overnight layovers in European cities, namely because it gives me an excuse to stretch my legs and explore the immediate airport area for a night. More often than not I am spending my well-earned points on the best of the airport Marriott's, then taking a taxi or public transport into the next cutest village to explore.

Admittedly, I am not a fan of huge cities like Paris, so for my layover at Paris CDG airport I decided to venture closer to see what the rest of the Parisian countryside had to offer.

It didn't disappoint.

Here's some of the most unique things you can do near the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport if you have a long layover.

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Short on Time?

Where to Stay

Stay overnight at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at the Sheraton for the most convenience to Terminal 2, or the Hilton for easy access to Terminal 3. Plan for about 1.5 hrs from gate to hotel (including customs, transport on the CDGVAL transfer train and baggage claim).

Where to Eat

Book a table for dinner at Les Saisons on the Sheraton website, or venture to nearby Roissy-en-France for a lovely meal at Brasserie Le Village.

Things to Do

If you have time, go shopping at the spitting distance Aeroville Mall, or venture further to the gorgeous Chateau de Chantilly or the National Museum and Chateau d'Ecouen.

Senlis is a medieval town bursting with cobblestones and charm only 30 minutes away, and the Air and Space Museum in the area cannot be missed.

Learn about all of this and more below!

Go Shopping at Aeroville Mall

If you're short on time, or just love malls like I do, why not take a bus to the mall straight from the airport? The mall is so close to the airport that if you look at it on a map, it seems to be inside the airport!

In fact you will need to get a ride there, but don't fret, it might be worth it! Store your bags and enjoy a few hours of dining, window shopping, and being away from the airport.

If you choose to take the bus, it's exactly 2,50 euros (payable in cash only), versus around 15-20 euros by Uber or taxi, and takes roughly 20 minutes. It was super direct with just a few random stops between the Terminal 3 bus station and the entrance to the mall.

bus tickets — All of these bus numbers go to the Aeroville mall for 2,50 per person.

Inside the mall they have dozens of food options, open and available despite normal European meal times. We had dinner plans later in the day but needed a snack so we sat down and had some delicious traditional crepes that didn't break the bank.

Make sure to stop into Pylones, a favorite store of mine that I first discovered in Montmartre, full of unique and quirky colorful items. All the designs remind me so much of my favorite Spanish brand, Desigual!

Pop into Auchan (which is like a Carrefour or Al Campo) for HomeGoods and snackies for your next flight.

Take the Train 40 Minutes Into the City

I've already expressed I'm not a fan of big cities, but many with a long enough layover will want to cram in some time to see gay Paris.

The train arrives at popular Gare du Nord, a perfect entry point to Montmartre and the 11th Arrondissement.

Try the Montmartre neighborhood for the best tourist vibes in a compact time frame or think about a Seine River Dinner Cruise, which makes the most of your time while siteseeing and getting fed all at once!

Or, Stop Along the RER Route at the Regional Stops

There are 11 stops along the route from CDG to Paris by train. This is a clever little trick of mine for seeing unfiltered France. For instance, the stops below offer some local experiences such as:

Parc des Expositions: Circuit Carole, a weird little kart racing venue. There's an IKEA a 2km walk away too, and if you know my obsession with IKEA, then you'll know this is worth a visit in ANY country!
Villepinte: a lovely green space to catch some fresh air
Sevran Beaudottes: An unpretentious "locals" mall with a giant Carrefour as its anchor store. I find that these types of malls are great for purchasing affordable clothing and shoes! There are a lot of fast food or halal/Turkish/kebab places at this stop, so you might want to head elsewhere for a more 'French' dining experience.
Aulnay-sous-Bois: A mainly residential area with a handful of dining options, including a number of patisseries and bakeries
From Le Blanc-Mesnil to La Plaine – Stade de France you start getting into more industrial and city-ish spots not ideal for walking

Follow signs towards Terminal 3 and the Gare RER for the RER train. We saw it along the same walk towards the Hilton, which took us to the connecting airport train CDGVAL (which is free to ride and comes every few minutes).

Visit the Air and Space Museum

I love a good air and space museum, ever since I ventured to Washington D.C. as a kid. I grew to love the Smithsonian, and as an adult I seek air museums out all over the globe. Most recently the family and I visited the incredible Volandia museum on a layover in Milan, so there's no doubt Paris would have something comparable for a CDG layover.

At Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace just 15 minutes from the airport, find a huge array of aircraft like the Concorde, or even rockets. This one is for all the aerospace nerds out there!

Get Tickets

Venture to Medieval Senlis

With ramparts to walk and cobbled streets to explore, Senlis offers visitors an escape into centuries old France, only 20 minutes from CDG airport. There are plenty of wonderful options for dining, like the atmospheric Le Gril de Barbares.

See the Château d'Écouen at the Musée National de la Renaissance

Can't make it to Versailles? No problem. Admittedly not nearly as grandiose, this beautiful estate has a lot to offer in terms of Renaissance trappings. See the lush grounds, the tapestries and ornate interiors of the castle building, again only 20 minutes from CDG airport!

Both the chateau and the air and space museum are included in the Paris Museum Pass, which includes access to an astounding amount of museums from the catacombs to the Louvre, Orsay, Picasso, Palace of Versailles, and so many others. If you end up having more time in Paris, this pass is a steal.

Get the Paris Museum Pass

For Archaeology Buffs, Visit Archéa

This contemporary museum offers over 750 archaeological artifacts. It's about 15 minutes from the airport, and a nice way to spend an hour or so.

Dine in a Typical French Restaurant in Nearby Roissy-en-France

Also tucked so close to the airport that you'd think the town was inside the airport, Roissy-en-France is a skip away (not actually, you will still need a bus or taxi).

We took an Uber a short 8 minute ride from the Aeroville mall (above) and it cost us 13 euros (with another 13 back to the airport Hilton later). We found the price to be quite reasonable, considering for the three of us we spent 7,50 on the bus to the mall and this was door to door.

Arriving at Le Brasserie, it was clear the Roissy-en-France was one of those towns straight out of a Simon Pegg movie - seemingly perfect until the zombies or something came out. In this case, the onslaught of airport overnighters (I.e. tourists) were the undead, hoping to have a nice post-travel meal at something decidedly "French". The result - a town loaded with hungry English speakers.

Nonetheless, Brasserie Le Village served its purpose well.

We enjoyed starters of bone marrow and charcuterie, a coupe of champagne, and ultimately some steak tartare and a giant ribeye, all affordable and delicious.

The experience was relaxed and certainly better than anything at the airport. Book in advance and request the coveted outside terrace seating. The no-AC restaurant was comfortable, but the terrace was beckoning to all who sat indoors, so note the tip for your trip!

For Historians, Seek Out the Museum of the Great War in Meaux

This museum is about 30 minutes from CDG airport, which equates to an expensive taxi ride, but you can look into area buses and public transport to get here.

With large exhibits and like-like representations of war, it's a must-visit if you are into history the of the Great War. (You'll probably also want to seek out some of my Normandy content before you go too....).

Get your entry ticket for the Great War Museum here.

Visit Chantilly, Home to Chantilly Lace and the Stunning Chateau de Chantilly

Ok, maybe I led you astray before comparing the Chateau de Ecouen with Versailles, because the Chateau de Chantilly - wow. Opulence oozing, gold gilded walls and furniture everywhere, and the garden grounds to surround it...it's a perfectly French day out and away from the airport.

Get your tickets in advance here, and then stay in town to see the Chantilly Lace Museum and the Pavillon de Manse, a unique hydraulic water pumping station great for visits with kids.

While only 35 minutes by car, expect a bit of a haul to get there by public transport.

If You Can't Leave the Airport

Most of these ideas require an airport exit - meaning you've got to go through customs and have enough time to make it back for your next flight. In most cases these attractions and museums are best suited for people like me who have built in area layovers with an overnight stay.

If you have to stay put within the terminal, check out the specially curated Espace Musees, a rotating art exhibit that houses some of Paris' best collections. I wasn't looking for it, but knew it was there...somewhere.

Be prepared for a maze of terminal names from 2F and 2G to 3 and more. Luckily the terminals were well connected by buses, but you'd have to clear customs to transfer...I think. Don't quote me on that!

Before You Go

Don't Forget to Book Your Stay!

Book the Sheraton or Hilton now. Make sure you research access to your next flight's terminal. There are several shuttle buses and transfer trains involved (depending on where you are trying to end up) so follow the advice of your hotel staff or website.