Paris - Charles de Gaulle

1Aérogare 1

De Gaulle does not have any terrace, but Terminal 1 has something like a footway outside the arrivals hall. From this footway, you have an excellent view on the movements at Terminal 1 and a minor view of runway 09-27. There are, however, some disadvantages. First of all, the footway is rather small. Second of all, there is a lot of exhaust fumes as well as traffic passing closely behind you. You must be careful not to get hit by the side mirror of a bus... But, nevertheless, the footway is a good opportunity to spot the airplanes at Terminal 1. As mentioned earlier, Terminal (or Aérogare) 1 is used by all the scheduled airlines, which are no partners of Air France, or being handled by them. For instance, these are Air Dolomiti, Cameroon Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Rossiya and Yemenia.

2Along the Taxiway between T1 and T2

Terminal 2 has no viewing facilities either. You used to be able to make photos of aircrfat on the taxiways between the two terminal areas from some small grass covered hills in the grass. However, construction of buildings and a parking area has effectively made this spot impossible. Still, Concorde F-BVFF is preserved here.
Another raised area can be found next to some advertising boards between the roads that run either side of the Concorde. This spot is high enough to overlook Terminal 3, but you may attract unwelcome attention from security staff. Also be aware there is not parking possibility here.

3Aérogare 2 West Side

You can stand on the road leading up to terminal 2 to see most of the traffic, this is by far the best place if you are only interested in writing numbers, as you can also see most of the traffic at Aérogare 1. But beware: no parking or stopping here, it is strictly and swiftly enforced.

4Aérogare 2 East Side

On top of the TGV station, you have a couple of spots where you can see the parked aircraft, not good for photos, due to a lot of construction work taking place.

5Runways 09 South Side

It is also possible to spot near runway 09-27. Drive from Terminal 1 towards the motorway and head for Paris. Just after exiting the airport ramp and entering the main road, there is a Total gas station. Enter the grounds of the gas station. In the right-hand corner of the site you will find an exit. Drive through this exit and turn left (you see aircraft parked on the buffer of terminal 1). Drive straight on, until you reach a T-junction, and go right. There are several points where you can get to the fence to take pictures, unfortunately the best spot, near the meteo, has been closed. From the fence, you have a view of aircraft on runway 09-27 and aircraft taxiing to and from it, as well as aircraft being towed to and from maintenance facilities. It is preferable that runway 09 is used for landings and take-offs.
The 'official' route to here is by using the exit road and going straight in the direction of terminal 2, instead of towards the highway. After passing under the highway access road, follow the road that bends right. This is the Route des Badauds, it runs parallel to the highway entrance and you pass under it again. Immediately after, keep right and you pass under another ramp of the highway spaghetti. You are now on the road that forms the T-junction mentioned above, go straight to the end.

6The North Side

Along the new runway on the north side, there are a couple of places where you can take some landing shots, but due to the light, it is only possible to stay here during the summer. It is situated along the D165. Do not enter the northbound A1; it has no direct exit to the D165. Instead, follow the route from terminal 1 to spot 5 as described above. Just follow the road along the fence. It bends left and over the A1 and bends further down to a roundabout. Make a left here, the last exit onto the Route de l'Arpenteur / D165. You will now pass under the runways on the west side of the A1. After that, the road turns left and at the roundabout go left again, taking the last exit. You will now turn back over the A1 and you find yourself parallel to and north of runway 09L/27R.

7The East Side

Here you can stand in the landing path of both the 27 runways. You do not have a view on the airfield because of the high embankments around it. But, for landing shots, this is the preferable spot to stay. It is at the border of the village of Le Mesnil-Amelot, use the slip road between Le Mesnil and Mauregard as stopping along the main road is not advisable. From spot 6, continue eastbound, at a small roundabout go right, leaving the D165 for the D212. It follows the perimeter clockwise, aptly called Route Périférique de l'Aeroport de Paris-Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. Just past the thresholds, exit the D212 for Le Mesnil-Amelot.

8The North Side of Aérogare 2

This spot gives you a good view over the north side of Aérogare 2. It is close to the taxiway, so for photography it is not that good. But if you want to see what is on this side, you have to stop here. It can be reached from the terminals by following the signs to Le Mesnil-Amelot on the Rue de New York and take the last right before crossing the taxiway. From spot 7, simply get onto the D212 again and go right at the roundabout past Mesnil-Amelot, pass under the taxiways and take the first left.
This road leads to a long-term parking area, just go round it clockwise and drive on until you are next to the fence.

9The South Side

From this side, the embankment obstructs most of the views, but you can take some take-off shots when they are using both southern 08 runways. Another disadvantage is the distance, only with a large lens it is possible to take good pictures. It is on the Route Périphérique Sud, which can be reached by continuing south on the D212 and exit onto the D84, not onto the N2. You are now driving west along the perimeter on the south side.

10FedEx ramp - roundabout

There is a recent extension to the FedEx ramp which now provides the opportunity to spot the aircraft parked there from the roundabout connecting the D902A to the D317.

11D317 northern ramps view

The construction of the FEDEX ramp extension mentioned under spot 10, meant that a lot of trees had to be removed enabling a clearer view onto the north western ramp, especially from the D317. Coming from the North, the best angle is gained from the start of the exit to Goussainville. Obviously, it is not exactly safe to park you car here... Alternatively, exit towards Goussainville, continue straight over the roundabout on the D47 and make a right into a very small street at the dog club (49° 0'40.36"N, 2°29'3.72"E). Continue until you can not drive further and cover the last meters on foot, scale the highway embankment and have a peek on the ramp.