At a Glance
BRAG International’s Loire Valley bike tour begins in Tours, not Paris. You fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG), then make your own way to Tours for Day 1 check-in, bike fittings, and the welcome dinner. Spending 24 hours in Paris the day before gives you time to beat jet lag and see the city without rushing.
| Fly into | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) |
| Arrive | The day before the tour starts |
| Stay | One night, ideally near Gare Montparnasse |
| Next morning | Train from Montparnasse to Tours (about 1 hr 15 min) |
| Tour hotel | Château Belmont Tours |
Not interested in the big city? Skip Paris entirely and arrive a day early in Tours instead.
Getting from CDG into Paris
Pick one of three options based on your luggage and budget.
Official Taxi (Easiest)
- Cost: Flat rate of €56 to the Right Bank or €65 to the Left Bank. Montparnasse is on the Left Bank.
- Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Tip: Use the official taxi line outside Arrivals only. Ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.
- Best for: Couples or anyone with a week’s worth of luggage.
RER B Train (Best Value)
- Cost: €14 per person.
- Time: About 35 minutes to central Paris, plus a Metro connection to your hotel.
- Heads up: Expect stairs, turnstiles, and crowded cars. It’s tough with large suitcases.
- Best for: Solo travelers packing light.
Ride-Hailing (Uber, Bolt)
- Cost: Similar to a taxi in normal conditions, higher during surge pricing.
- Tip: Follow signs to the designated pickup zone.
Note: The Roissybus to Opéra no longer runs. If an older guide recommends it, skip that advice.
Where to Stay for 24 Hours in Paris
Here’s the key decision. Trains to Tours leave from Gare Montparnasse, so staying nearby makes the next morning simple. The Montparnasse and Saint-Germain areas are also lively, walkable, and full of cafés.
For a Splurge
- Hôtel Lutetia (Saint-Germain): A landmark Left Bank hotel with a beautiful bar and spa. About 10 minutes by taxi to Montparnasse.
- Hôtel Le Six (near Luxembourg Gardens): A boutique hotel with a spa and a quiet, residential feel. A short walk or ride to the station.
- Pullman Paris Montparnasse: Modern and polished, right next to the station. Upper floors have big city views.
Affordable and Central
- Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse: Reliable rooms and a short walk to the trains.
- Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse TGV: Practical and comfortable, steps from the station.
- Timhotel Paris Gare Montparnasse: Directly across from the station. Ideal for a one-night stay.
- ibis Paris Gare Montparnasse 15ème: A simple, budget-friendly base with easy Metro access.
Near the Airport (If You’ll Take the Train from CDG)
Some travelers prefer to skip central Paris and catch a direct train to Tours from the airport the next day.
- Sheraton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel: Inside Terminal 2, directly above the TGV station. You can walk from your room to the train.
- citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: Compact, modern rooms connected to the terminals by the free CDGVAL shuttle.
Tip: Many older Paris hotels have limited air conditioning. In June, confirm your room has A/C before booking.
Things to Do in 24 Hours in Paris
Most flights from the U.S. land in the morning. Check-in usually isn’t until mid-afternoon, so drop your bags at the hotel and go. This plan keeps you on the Left Bank and along the Seine, so you walk more and commute less.
Afternoon: Ease In
- Luxembourg Gardens: Grab a green chair by the fountain and let the jet lag settle. It’s a short walk from Montparnasse.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Wander the side streets and stop for coffee at a classic café.
- Île de la Cité: Visit Notre-Dame, fully reopened after the 2019 fire, and Sainte-Chapelle, known for its floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Book Sainte-Chapelle’s timed entry in advance.
Evening: The Classic Paris Night
- Dinner: Keep it relaxed (see Where to Eat below).
- A Seine river cruise: An hour on the water covers the major landmarks without any walking.
- The Eiffel Tower after dark: The tower sparkles for five minutes at the top of every hour once night falls. In late June, sunset is close to 10 p.m., so this is a late one.
Next Morning: Slow Start
- Pick up pastries at a neighborhood bakery.
- Enjoy a café breakfast and an easy walk.
- Head to Gare Montparnasse with time to spare.
If You Have More Time
- The Louvre: Book a timed ticket (€32 for non-EU adults). Closed Tuesdays.
- Musée d’Orsay: Impressionist masterpieces in a former train station. Closed Mondays.
- Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur and village-style streets, though it’s across town from Montparnasse.
Where to Eat
- La Coupole: A historic Art Deco brasserie on the Boulevard du Montparnasse. Seafood platters and classic French dishes.
- Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse: Traditional French food at very fair prices in a beautiful old dining room. Expect a line at peak hours.
- Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots: Famous Saint-Germain cafés. Pricey, but ideal for a coffee and people-watching.
- Poilâne: A legendary bakery near Saint-Germain. Pick up bread or apple tarts for the train.
Tip: Parisians eat dinner late. Many restaurants don’t open until 7 or 7:30 p.m.
Getting to Tours on Day 1
From Paris (Gare Montparnasse)
- Time: The fastest direct trains take about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Stations: Book a ticket that ends at Tours (the city-center station). Some trains stop only at Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, a few miles outside town, but a short connecting train takes you into Tours.
- Aim for: A late-morning or midday train. Hotel check-in opens at 4 p.m., bike fittings follow in the late afternoon, and the welcome dinner is that evening.
From the Airport (CDG)
- Time: Direct TGV trains run from CDG Terminal 2 to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Frequency: Only a handful of direct trains run each day, so book early.
Booking Tips
- Book on SNCF Connect, the official French rail site and app.
- Tickets are usually cheapest when booked well in advance.
- Download your e-ticket to your phone. No printing required.
- From Tours station to Château Belmont: BRAG shuttles you from the Tours train station to the hotel on Day 1. Arriving early? The hotel will hold your bags, so you can explore Tours before check-in.
Prefer to Skip Paris? Arrive a Day Early in Tours
Paris isn’t for everyone after an overnight flight. For a quieter start, go straight to Tours and settle in at the tour hotel a day early.
How It Works
- Land at CDG and take the direct TGV to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps from Terminal 2 (about 1 hour 45 minutes).
- Take a taxi to Château Belmont Tours (about 10 to 15 minutes, roughly €25). The BRAG shuttle runs on Day 1, so you’ll handle this ride on your own.
- Book an extra night at Château Belmont on your own, directly with the hotel.
- Important: Tell the front desk you’re with the BRAG group arriving the next day. That way, the hotel can keep you in the same room and you won’t have to move.
Why It Works
- Less travel on your jet-lag day. One train, one taxi, and you’re done.
- No hotel change. Unpack once and stay put for three nights.
- More rest before riding. The hotel has a heated indoor pool, sauna, and spa, all set in a quiet 2.5-hectare park.
Things to Do in Tours
- Walk across Pont Wilson: This 18th-century stone bridge is now car-free and leads straight from the hotel side of the river into the old town.
- The Guinguette at Pont Wilson: An open-air riverside bar with music and food at the foot of the bridge. It’s a perfect spot for a sunset drink (open roughly May through September).
- Vieux Tours and Place Plumereau: Half-timbered medieval houses, cobbled lanes, and a lively square lined with café terraces. It’s the heart of the old town.
- Cathédrale Saint-Gatien: A Gothic cathedral with remarkable stained glass.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts gardens: Right next to the cathedral, with a huge historic cedar tree.
- Les Halles de Tours: The city’s covered food market. Try local rillettes and a glass of Vouvray.
Things to Know and Be Aware Of
Safety
- Pickpockets work the Metro, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and crowded trains. Use a zipped bag worn in front, and keep phones out of back pockets.
- Street scams: Politely ignore anyone with a petition clipboard, a “found” gold ring, or a friendship bracelet.
- Taxis: Use official taxis or apps only. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the airport.
Tickets and Timing
- Book ahead: Timed-entry tickets are essential in June for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Sainte-Chapelle.
- Closure days: The Louvre closes on Tuesdays, and the Musée d’Orsay closes on Mondays. Everything is open on a Thursday arrival.
- Strikes: French rail and transit strikes do happen. Check the SNCF Connect app the day before you travel.
Money
- Cards: Contactless credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Carry a few euros for small purchases.
- Tipping: Service is included in the bill. Rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is plenty.
- Card fees: Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees, and always pay in euros when a card machine asks.
Weather and Packing
- June weather: Usually warm and pleasant, but heat waves are possible. Bring a light layer for evenings.
- Pack smart: Train stations and the Metro involve stairs and escalators. Rolling luggage you can lift yourself makes the trip much easier.
Etiquette
- Say “Bonjour” first: Greet shopkeepers and servers when you walk in. It makes a big difference.
- English: Widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas. A simple “merci” goes a long way.
Ready for the Loire Valley
Your 24 hours in Paris sets up everything that follows. You’ll arrive in Tours rested, check in at Château Belmont, and meet the group for bike fittings and a welcome dinner. From there, the week unfolds along the Loire à Vélo trail: the gardens of Villandry, a canoe beneath Chenonceau, wine tastings, and a final stretch at Chambord.
Whether you choose 24 hours in Paris or a quiet extra night in Tours, arriving early is the best way to start a week of riding in France.
Explore the Loire Valley itinerary and reserve your spot →
Questions about travel logistics or early arrival? Contact the BRAG team or call 404.382.7747. We’re happy to help you plan.
