A Guide To Train Stations In Paris

In addition to the extensive Paris metro system, there are six grand train stations, or gares in French, that take passengers to destinations throughout France and to the rest of Europe. They are Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon, Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare Saint-Lazare.

Each station can be reached easily by metro, and their names and locations provide hints to the destinations they serve. This well-developed railway system in France is safe, affordable and convenient, making it easy to see why so many travelers choose to use trains over planes or cars.

Gare du nord

Gare du Nord is the busiest train station not only in Paris, but in all of Europe. It was built in 1864 and sits just north of the city center in the 10th arrondissement. This station serves northern France with destinations including Lille, Boulogne, and Calais, as well as cities north of France such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, and London. It also holds the RER B for access to and from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. On Gare du Nord’s facade, there are nine statues crowning the building. Eight of these represent cities outside of France, and the ninth statue in the center represents Paris.

gare de l’est

Gare de l’Est was built in 1849 and is also in the 10th arrondissement, only a ten minute walk from Gare du Nord. From here, you can take a train to eastern France, including Nancy, Strasbourg, Metz, and Reims. Gare de l’Est also hosts trains to Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg. The very first Orient Express left from Gare de l’Est in 1883, and the station still has these luxury trains. If you need to refuel, you can head up to the rooftop bar, called Le Perchoir de l’Est.

Gare de Lyon

Gare de Lyon sits on the right bank of the Seine, in the 12th arrondissement. It is France’s 3rd busiest train station, and the northern terminus of the Paris-Marseilles railway. It was built with classic architecture for the world exposition of 1900, and has a clock tower similar to Big Ben. Trains from here run southeast via Lyon, with destinations such as Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, Nice, Montpellier, and Dijon. You can also take the RER A line from this station to Disneyland Paris. If you get hungry, Gare de Lyon hosts the famous restaurant Le train Bleu, serving classic French food in a luxurious setting.

Gare d’Austerlitz

Across the river from Gare de Lyon, on the Seine’s left bank, is Gare d’Austerlitz. It was built in 1840 and originally called Gare d’Orleans. Its current name comes from Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Trains run from here to the south, including Orleans, Vendome, Chateaudun, Tours, and Cahors, with connections to Toulouse.

Gare Montparnasse

Gare Montparnasse is situated in southwest Paris, just next to the Montparnasse Tower. It was originally called Gare de l’Ouest when it was built in 1840, and is famous for an 1895 derailment when a train crashed out through the building! Trains from here will serve southwest France, with destinations including Bordeaux, Chartes, Le Mans, Rennes, and Toulouse. Gare Montparnasse was updated in 1969 with the modern look you’ll see today.

gare saint-lazare

Gare Saint-Lazare is Paris’ second busiest and oldest train station, having been built in 1837. It sits in the northwest 8th arrondissement and hosts trains to Normandy, Rouen, Caen, Cherbourg, and other northwestern destinations. Art lovers would love to know that the station was beloved by local artists during the Impressionist period, and was painted by both Manet and Monet.

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