CDG to Montparnasse -- 630AM on Sunday -- what to do??

[luigisdad]

Hi:
My wife and I are landing at CDG at 6:30AM on Sunday morning and have time to kill until 11AM in Montparnasse at the Le Meridian hotel where we'll be meeting friends.

It looks like the Air France Bus is our best way to get to Montparnasse from CDG. Please confirm.

Also, what recommendations do people have regarding what to do on an early Sunday morning?

1. Tour Montparnasse -- I think it opens at 9:30AM
2. La Coupole -- opens at 8:30am

Are there any markets that are nearby or on the way?

Any other ideas? Given the time, it could be any where in between CDG and Montparnasse.

Thank you very much.

Roy

[souphie]

AF bus is the best way indeed. But I don't think it stops anywhere on the way.

On sunday morning, organic market on bd Raspail, between rue de Rennes and rue de Sèvres. Great food and people watching too. While at it, visit Christian Constant for exceptional pastry, chocolate, icecream (Assas@Fleurus) and you can hang out in the Luxembourg park.

Best charcutier in town at the corner or Rennes and ND des Champs (Vérot).

Breakfast at Le Coupole is decent, and I'd be surprised if you were there before it opens. Le Select, la Rotonde, la Closerie des Lilas are also quite acceptable.

[luigisdad]

Souphie:
Thank you very much for your reply. As a side question, what are your thoughts regarding eating/buying white truffles in Paris or Beaune? We'll be leaving Paris and going to Champagne and then on to Beaune for a week. Should we wait to buy white truffles in Beaune? We're renting a gite in Beaune and so we'll be able to do some cooking as well.
Thank you in advance.

Roy

[souphie]

I have no idea where to find white truffle in Beaune. I doubt it's easy, I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't any. It's a place to buy wine and chocolates, and they're great.

In Paris, I'd buy them, as we discussed recently, from a good Italian traiteur -- there's one in the Marché des Enfants Rouges with another branch on rue Glacière. 4000€/kg. Pasta della Casa has them too, but generally on order. In gneral, it's always smarter to call ahead, as this is a capricious product.

Another thing: on bd Pasteur is an excellent bakery/pastry shop, des Gateaux et du Pain.

[Busk]

Thanks for the tip on the charcutier. Those at the Richard Lenoir market have been letting me down lately: too many lower-end items dressed up, light scales, etc. Perhaps, there are some new guys in there from the regions with limited ranges of product, maybe some artisinal stuff. It's hit or miss. Now, I just buy what looks good without making a list.

[mangeur]

If you delight in things to cook in, to serve on and utensils to eat with, catch the #95 bus outside Gare Montparnasse (southbound, on the west side of the gare) and get off at the end of the line. You will be at the Vanves flea market where you will find both ordinary and unusual kitchen and dining room accouterments at acceptable prices (for Paris). A fabulous holiday shopping opportunity. The #95 will of course deposit you back at Montparnasse.
We usually arrive at the market around 7am and are through by 9am.

[chocosnob]

I love the Vanves flea market. I've met people up in Saint Ouen that buy there and resell. Vanves feels like the only flea market where you can still get a good deal. It used to be even better, but still...

[Parigi]

This Sunday? Brutal !
You may want to drop off your luggage at the hotel before doing anything.
The earliest you can get to Montparnasse will be 8am; may be as late as 8:30. Before you start you jetlag walk, get a good long rich breakfast. My choice is very similar to fellow hounds', with slight preference for the Select. For people watching, Café de la Place in front of St Sulpice, or the cafés between Vavin and the Luxemburg gardens.
After a hearty breakfast, now it's around 9:30am. You have 1h30 minutes to kill.
If the weather were nice, you could take a lovely walk in the nearby Luxembourg gardens, or do the markets recommended by fellow hounds.
But the weather is going to suck this Sunday.
The musée Luxemboug has an interesting exhibit on Tiffany lamps. One good way to stay out of the rain...

[shortstop]

The exhibit is not just Tiffany's lamps but a retrospective of his work in a variety of media. Worth seeing and can be done in under an hour, even using the audio tour devices. http://www.museeduluxembourg.fr/ (advance purchase not required.)

[John Talbott]

Strongly agree; check out the rug(s) on the floor as well; no lines to get in (no one French recalls that L.C. studied and worked in Paris and Nancy.)
My view of it is at: http://johntalbottsparis.typepad.com/...
John Talbott

[chocosnob]

I like the Café Vavin. I also like the Vanves suggestion earlier. I love the Vanves flea market. I've met people up in Saint Ouen that buy there and resell. Vanves feels like the only flea market where you can still get a good deal. It used to be even better, but still...