At the tail end of my fall trip to Europe, I spent some time at the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Paris. Not only was this my first time at the airport, but it was also the only lounge available to me prior to my flight, as there weren’t any other Star Alliance lounges in Terminal 2A.
After a leisurely morning run by the Eiffel Tower and a gluten-filled breakfast at Le Metropolitan, Paris Tour Eiffel, I navigated through the labyrinth of Paris’s main airport and eventually found the Maple Leaf Lounge.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Paris – Access
After a smooth check-in at the Super Elite lane, I made my way through security and then followed a seemingly endless number of signs to wind up at the Maple Leaf Lounge. I’d heard that Paris Charles de Gaulle was a a bit of a maze, but this was the first time experiencing it for myself.
The lounge is located at the very end of the “A” gates in Terminal 2A.
You’ll first pass through a number of duty free shops, restaurants, and gates, before winding up at a separate walkway to a satellite terminal that hosts Gates A37–A39.
Once you’ve arrived in the satellite building, head down a set of escalators and then ring a bell to be summoned into the lounge. Finding this Maple Leaf Lounge, and then being granted access, is a bit of a mission, but it might just make you feel like you’re entering a secret spy lair.
On this occasion, I enjoyed access through a variety of means, including my Super Elite status with Air Canada, and my ticket in Signature Class. Other passengers with Aeroplan 50K Elite status or above also enjoy access to the lounge, as does anyone with Star Alliance Gold status travelling on a same-day flight on a Star Alliance airline in any class of service.
The lounge is open from 7am–2:15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and then from 7am–10:15pm on the other days of the week.
Feeling relieved that I finally found the lounge, the friendly agent scanned my boarding pass and welcomed me in, and I then took stock of my surroundings.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Paris – Seating
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Paris has two flanks, which are separated by the check-in desk in the middle. To the right is a quieter seating wing, featuring clusters of lounge chairs with a strong recline and a surfboard-shaped table in between.
Further to the back of this area is a business centre, where there are a dozen classy, private stations with a checkered wall, red carpet, and tall lamps.
The space to the left of check-in is where you’ll find the restrooms, food, and bar, as well as a range of seating options. This area was much busier than the other during my visit, but I also found it more convenient for the purposes of dining.
Along the windows, you’ll find large alcoves of seating, with a total of nine chairs alongside some tables. They are arranged in a format whereby most seats can make use of a table.
The curved bar and buffet area forms the centre of the area, with the classic Maple Leaf Lounge stools facing the bar and world clocks hanging above the food and drink area.
Close to the bar and buffet area are a few tables for two, and a rack where magazines used to be placed prior to the switch to the PressReader app.
Tucked away in the back corner is a quiet seating area with a number of leather armchairs. There is a circular fixture that helps to illuminate the area, where a few people were napping during my visit.
The restrooms are tucked behind the main food and bar area, along a circular hallway, with interiors that are a mixture of marble and wood. Unfortunately, there are no shower facilities in this lounge.
Being on the ground level, part of the lounge overlooked the nearby gates; however, there wasn’t a lot of action during my stay, and most of the windows were obscured by windows and drapes, as they face a hallway.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Paris – Dining
My flight was set to depart in the early afternoon, and I didn’t want to spoil my appetite too much in the lounge. However, the hot food items were enticing, and I decided to help myself to a small meal alongside a glass or two of rosé.
The buffet area featured several food stations, with some cold items such as sandwiches, cold cuts, and yogurt, as well as pastries and desserts. The hot buffet items during my visit featured beef daube à la provençale alongside some scalloped potatoes.
Furthermore, there were some pancakes and sausages leftover from the breakfast service, which I opted to avoid.
The combination of beef and potatoes was delightful, and it was a perfect snack to tide me over until the main meal service on my flight.
The bar area featured a variety of self-serve options, including a number of French wines and liquors. An automatic coffee machine serves up caffeinated beverages, and there’s a fridge with other cold drinks at your disposal.
Overall, the food and drink selection was quite modest, but I enjoyed everything that I sampled during my stay.
Conclusion
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Paris is a quiet place to relax and enjoy some French wine before a flight. I was pleasantly surprised by the hot food item during my visit, and overall, I found the space to be inviting and just fine for a couple of hours.
Without a shower facility, and lacking a dedicated bartender, the lounge doesn’t necessarily offer a full experience, which can be found at other Maple Leaf Lounges. Since it’s a bit out of the way, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Paris is also a bit of a trek from the main part of the terminal.
Paris Charles de Gaulles Airport is surely a unique place, and should you be able to navigate your way to the Maple Leaf Lounge, you’ll be rewarded with a handful of seating options, French wines, and a few extra calories burned before your flight getting to and from the lounge.
