I'll be flying Air France later this year and will have a long layover in Paris, i.e., about 12 hours. I would like to get some rest and maybe even sleep after arriving and was wondering if the Air France lounge to which I'll have complimentary access or some other place would be adequate to accomplish this.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
I'll be flying Air France later this year and will have a long layover in Paris, i.e., about 12 hours. I would like to get some rest and maybe even sleep after arriving and was wondering if the Air France lounge to which I'll have complimentary access or some other place would be adequate to accomplish this.

I don't think any of the Air France lounges at CDG have sleeping facilities, but several have showers. If I rememeber correctly showers are only available in the lounges in the duty free zone, but then again it may depend on the specific lounge within Terminal 2 (such as 2F or 2D, etc). You should be able to get this information from their Flying Blue website. I think all of the Air France lounges close around 10PM, so if you've got an overnight layover you will be best off in an airport hotel.

yES THEY DO AT LEAST THEY DID 3 YEARS AGO. KIND OF HIDDEN. CHECK WITH THE DESK WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
I THINK THEY HAVE 4 IN THE LOUNGE I WAS IN.

when i had a 12 hour layover in Paris 6 years ago, i took the metro directly into downtown Paris from the airport( had a good night's sleep on the 10 hour flight over). arrived about 8 AM and was strolling the Champ Elleysee(sp?)before 10 AM. 8 hours of leisurely strolling, then back on the outbound leg to Joburg. AF has a lot of First/Business lounges in CDG and i am betting at least some have sleeping rooms though.

Thanks guys.

A couple more questions:

1. May I presume there are lockers or some other safe way to leave carryon baggage at the airport while one goes strolling in Paris?

2. Is the metro marked clearly enough that a first time in Paris dummy like myself won't be likely to get lost?

metro signing is easy. as to lockers, not that i saw but there are cubicles at the lounge check desk to stick things in- but i would take anything valuable with me in a small tote bag/backpack. after all you will want your camera/passport, etc. there are several metro trains that run to downtown Paris but i took the one that ends at the Arche de Triomphe( sp?) go online and a google search should give you a map of the various routes and where they end. as an aside, i did the exact same thing 2 years ago when i had a 12 layover at Heathrow. took the express train to Paddington station, got off and walked through Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace, watched the changing of the guard, then off to a pub for lunch and a Guiness. then back on the train to Heathrow. thoroughly enjoyable way to spend time in a beautiful city PROVIDED YOU GOT SOME SLEEP ON THE FLIGHT OVER.

this is a train connected to the metro lines inside Paris.

main connections will be at gare du nord station and notre dame (middle of paris).

avoid any ticket sellers that are not official (even if they pretend to helps) and take the direct trains from CDG to downtown.

just check on the panels and the highlighted stations.

A little pricey but the Sheraton Paris Airport hotel has rooms for the day. Located inside the airport itself.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
Thanks guys.

A couple more questions:

1. May I presume there are lockers or some other safe way to leave carryon baggage at the airport while one goes strolling in Paris?

2. Is the metro marked clearly enough that a first time in Paris dummy like myself won't be likely to get lost?

I wouldn't assume that any lockers are available, at any airport in the world for that matter, since 9/11. I could be wrong about the Paris airport but I have no recollection of ever seeing any.

Can i ask which Class you're flying (Biz, 1st?)? And, are you an FF member on Skyteam?

There are sleeping facilities in certain lounges. I would suggest you call AF directly to confirm. I can help if you provide some detail, no worries.

O

I have a business class ticket purchased with Delta SkyMiles.

;( sorry, you can have a massage until 4pm, but beds only in the 1st class lounge