- Mr Plane Guy
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 16
Air France Paris Stopover: Turn Your Layover into a Mini Paris Break
By Mr Plane Guy – Travel Blogger, Flight Expert
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying (and fuels my airport coffee habit). Thank you for your support.
Quick Answer Express
Air France now allows eligible passengers connecting through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to turn their layover into a city break lasting between one and four nights.
You can either explore Paris itself or choose a Disneyland Paris package, making it one of the easiest ways to squeeze an extra destination into your holiday.
For anyone already connecting through Paris, it's a fantastic excuse to spend a little longer in one of Europe's greatest cities.
Can anyone book an Air France Paris Stopover?
Not quite. The programme is only available on eligible Air France connecting itineraries, so it's worth checking whether your route qualifies before booking.
Flying Air France from London Heathrow? I've now visited the brand-new Air France Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4 and with runway views, Laurent-Perrier Champagne, French dining and complimentary Clarins treatments, it's gone straight into my top three lounges at Heathrow.
Why This Is Such 'Tres Bien' Good News
Most travellers see a long airport layover as something to survive. Air France wants you to see it as the start of another holiday.
Instead of spending hours wandering around Charles de Gaulle Airport waiting for your next flight, you can now extend your journey and spend between one and four nights exploring Paris before continuing to your final destination.
I've just returned from Paris myself and every visit reminds me why it's one of my favourite cities in Europe. Whether you're wandering along the Seine, sitting outside a café with a coffee and croissant for €50 or watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle after dark worried about nearby pick pocketer's, Paris deserves far more than a rushed airport connection.
What Is the Air France Paris Stopover?
The new Air France Paris Stopover programme allows connecting passengers to add a stop in Paris lasting between one and four nights.
The airline has partnered with Extime Travel to create optional packages including accommodation, airport transfers and sightseeing experiences.
The stopover is available whether you're travelling in Economy, Premium Economy, Business or La Première, provided your itinerary is eligible. Unlike booking two completely separate holidays, everything remains under one Air France booking, making it much easier to organise.
What Packages Are Available?
Currently there are two options.
Paris Essentials
From €449 per person, including:
Four-star hotel accommodation
Airport transfers
Seine lunch or dinner cruise
Guided visit to either the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre
Hotels currently include properties such as:
Pullman Paris Montparnasse
Mercure Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Disneyland Paris
Also starting from €449 per person, including:
Four-star hotel
Airport transfers
Entry to Disneyland Park
Entry to Disney Adventure World
Participating hotels include:
Grand Magic Hotel
Dream Castle Hotel
Air France has also confirmed more premium experiences, food tours and cultural excursions will be added in future.
How Long Does the Stopover Need to Be?
There are two important conditions.
Your stopover must last at least 27 hours.
It must be booked at least 48 hours before departure.
The stopover can be added to either your outbound or inbound journey, subject to availability.
Is It Worth Booking the Package?
That depends. If you enjoy planning everything yourself, you may find it cheaper to book your own hotel and sightseeing.
However, if you'd rather have everything organised before you travel, the package offers a straightforward, hassle-free way of experiencing Paris between flights.
Plane Honest Verdict
If I were connecting through Paris anyway, I'd seriously consider adding an extra day or two.
Sometimes adding just one overnight stop completely changes a trip.
Instead of remembering Charles de Gaulle Airport...
...you remember sitting beside the Seine with a glass of wine.
Air France Premium Economy: Is It Worth Upgrading?
If you're flying through Paris, there's a good chance you'll be travelling on Air France itself.
I've recently reviewed Air France Premium Economy, covering:
seat comfort
food
entertainment
legroom
whether it's worth paying extra.
If you're deciding between Economy and Premium Economy, it's well worth reading before booking.
Where Should You Stay in Paris?
If you're extending your journey, you'll obviously need somewhere to sleep.
One hotel I'd happily recommend is citizenM Paris, which offers modern rooms, excellent technology and a fantastic location without the eye-watering prices of many central Paris hotels.
Read my full review here: citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées hotel review
You can also find plenty more inspiration in my complete Paris Travel Guide, covering attractions, neighbourhoods and tips for first-time visitors.
PlaneTip: If your itinerary already includes a long connection in Paris, compare the cost of adding an overnight stop before booking.
Sometimes the fare increases by surprisingly little, meaning you can enjoy an extra city break without paying for another return flight in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport during a layover?
Yes. If you meet France's immigration requirements, you're free to leave the airport and explore Paris before your onward flight.
Does Air France offer stopovers?
Yes. Eligible passengers can now book stopovers lasting between one and four nights through the Air France Paris Stopover programme.
Does Air France include hotels?
Yes, if you purchase one of the official stopover packages through Extime Travel.
Can I book my own hotel instead?
Absolutely. The Air France package is optional. You're free to organise your own accommodation and sightseeing if you prefer.
I genuinely like what Air France has done here. Too often we treat airport connections as wasted time, when they can actually become one of the most memorable parts of a trip.
Whether you're visiting Paris for the first time, returning to a favourite café or finally ticking the Eiffel Tower off your bucket list, extending your connection by a day or two could completely transform your journey. You'll remember watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle with a glass of French wine in your hand thinking oh la la!
Search the latest Air France fares
Flying Air France from London Heathrow?
One of the biggest Heathrow mistakes people make is leaving transport planning until the last minute. If you’re travelling from central London, the:
Heathrow Express
is still the fastest option overall and if you book tickets around: 30 days in advance
…you can often save a surprising amount compared to last-minute fares.
Let's be honest, very few of us remember to book Heathrow Express 30 days in advance. However, doing so can reduce the fare from around £26 to as little as £10, making it well worth setting a reminder.
Read my full guide here:
✈ More Plane Guides
The 5 Best Lounges at Heathrow Ranked: From Champagne to Chaos
Air France Lounge Heathrow, Coming Soon
Air France Paris Stopover: Turn Your Layover into a Mini Paris Break
The PLANE Smart Way to Take Off
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