13.30 - The Grand Train Stations of Paris: how much do you know?
There are seven major train stations in Paris. Do you know the oldest, prettiest, busiest, the converted/reinvented? AND listen to the 'Gare du Nord soundscape'. It will transport you, guaranteed!
Gare de Lyon is possibly Paris' most beautiful railway station, the current station was built for the 1900 World Exhibition. The building is known for its beautiful 67-metre-high clock tower which is reminiscent of that of Big Ben – but smaller!
Which is the oldest train station in Paris?
Saint-Lazare was the first station to be built, in 1837, soon followed by the Gare du Nord, the Gare de l'Est, and the Gare de Lyon.
The seven major train stations in Paris
Gare du Nord. Let’s dive deeper into this station:
The largest and busiest railway station in Europe is Gare de Nord with 220 million travelers passing through every year. Also the hub for trains arriving and departing Paris on the Eurostar. ...
Did you know? - The façade of the building is the architectural highlight of the entire structure, topped by a large number of allegorical sculptures. The 8 biggest sculptures are allegorical representations of destinations outside of France. The 9th sculpture in the center of the façade represents Paris. On the lowest tier, are 14 sculptures that represent various cities in France & all across Europe. - The most remarkable feature of this building was the cast-iron pillars were used as drain pipes so the water could directly flow into the city’s sewers. 2. Gare de l'Est 3. Gare d'Austerlitz 4. Gare de Bercy 5. Gare de Lyon 6. Gare Montparnasse 7. Gare Saint-Lazare.
Converted train stations in Paris worth knowing
Let’s look at these old Parisian stations which have been saved by becoming restaurants, brasseries, concert halls, or museums. In their heyday, these stations welcomed and farewelled millions of travellers, and then for lack of profitability or attendance, were abandoned, before being reinvented and living a new life today.
a. NOW a Museum - THE GARE D'ORSAY
Built between 1898 and 1900, the primary purpose of this station was to welcome visitors and foreign delegations to the Universal Exhibition of 1900. The station was going to be the first glimpse that travelers would have of the capital and therefore had to be majestic, at the height of the image that we wanted to give of Paris and French know-how. Architect Victor Laloux designed a huge building with an audacious glass roof with a metal structure, completely closed and hidden behind a limestone envelope.
At the start of WWII, its function was limited to suburban traffic. After the war, the vast majority of the building was abandoned. Saved in 1971 from destruction, it was in 1977 that President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing decided to transform this huge abandoned building into a national museum. Inaugurated in December 1986, the Musée d'Orsay is now the second most-visited museum in Paris, after the Louvre.
Musée d'Orsay - 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, Metro: Solferino (line 12), Musée d'Orsay station (RER C)
b. NOW home to Associations - REUILLY STATION
This former station located at 181 avenue Daumesnil carried, from 1859 to 1969, millions of travelers on the Vincennes line. Superseded by the RER A, the line closed in inner Paris at the end of the 1960s.
Maison des associations du 12e arrondissement - 181 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris, Metro: Dausmenil (lines 6 and 8)
The old stations of inner Parisian suburbs ("Petite Ceinture," or "Little Belt") are reborn: this railway line, a jewel of Parisian heritage, that once encircled Paris has about 30 stations. Destroyed or abandoned, the city of Paris has decided to “put them back on track!" Artsy, eco-responsible, jazzy or gourmet: here's a quick tour of these cool new places,” according to Explore France.
-Le Hasard Ludique — 128 avenue de St-Ouen - 75018 Paris - La Recyclerie — (former Ornano station), 83 boulevard Ornano - 75018 Paris - La Gare — 1 avenue Corentin Cariou - 75019 Paris - La Station — 29 avenue de la Porte d’Aubervilliers - 75018 Paris - Andia — (formerly Restaurant La Gare), 19 chaussée de la Muette, 75016 Paris - Le Poinçon — Avenue du Général Leclerc - 75014 Paris - Le Hasard Ludique (former Avenue de Saint-Ouen station), 128 avenue de Saint-Ouen, 75018 Paris, Metro: Porte de Saint-Ouen (line 13) And finally, Brasserie Auteuil (former Gare Auteuil-Boulogne) - 78 Rue d'Auteuil, 75016 Paris, Metro: Porte d'Auteuil (line 10)
“This book series is written through a Parisian lens; however, it is not meant to give you the impression that all of the information is uniquely French. Whilst some of these suggestions may be tending towards the French cliché, I found them to be very helpful and practical” says author Michelle Mason. Discover more
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Hi Judy, the restaurant Lazare Paris at the station was really good, but I noticed they changed name to Brasserie Lazare. It's the same 3-Star Michelin chef who still runs the place (Eric Frécho). Prices are normal, food is really excellent.
And then there's obviously Le Train Blue... but I think everyone knows that one...
I remember going to Gare du Nord to collect my daughter who had come to England and wanted to spend the weekend in Paris with me. What an adventure! I enjoyed listening to the video with sound of trains coming in.
Hi Judy, the restaurant Lazare Paris at the station was really good, but I noticed they changed name to Brasserie Lazare. It's the same 3-Star Michelin chef who still runs the place (Eric Frécho). Prices are normal, food is really excellent.
And then there's obviously Le Train Blue... but I think everyone knows that one...
I remember going to Gare du Nord to collect my daughter who had come to England and wanted to spend the weekend in Paris with me. What an adventure! I enjoyed listening to the video with sound of trains coming in.