Main train stations in Paris
The main train station in Paris is Gare du Nord, a hub for trains departing and arriving in Paris on the Eurostar from London, Brussels, Lille, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. There is access to the Metro, RER and national trains across north of Paris from this station.
The second railway station in Paris is the Gare de l'Est, just a short 10 min walk from Gare du Nord. Gare de l'Est is the oldest railway station in Paris, accessible via metro or bus. Trains at this station mainly serve eastern points, including Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin.
Gare d'Austerlitz, formerly known as Gare d'Orléans, is one of the oldest railway stations in Paris. The train station is the gateway to central France, the Pyrenees, the Toulouse region, and even the Mediterranean coast. The train station was completely revamped into a modern station.
Gare de Lyon railway is a hub for passengers heading to the south-east regions of France . The train station is famously known for Le Train Bleu restaurant, a historic restaurant which was built for travelers visiting Paris for the Universal Exposition of 1900. Gare de Lyon is the gateway for trains to Provence, Rhone Valley, and the French Riviera. The train station is a also serves Switzerland, Italy, and Languedoc-Roussillon.
Gare Montparnasse serves trains going from Paris to Madrid, and western and south-western France, including Tours, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Rennes. The railway station also has trains running to the western suburbs of Paris. The train station is on Metro lines 4, 6, 12, and 13.
Lastly, Gare Saint-Lazare, has trains traveling to Normandy and Paris’ south-western and western suburb areas. The train station is ideal for departing for Dieppe and Mont-St-Michel. Gare Saint-Lazare is accessible on Metro lines 3, 12, and 13.
Paris by Train: Discover Paris’ Arrondissements
The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (administrative districts) each with their own generous share of personality and charm. Le 1er (first arrondissement) sits at the beating heart of the city and is home to impressive sites including Le Musee du Louvre, the imperial gardens of Tuileries Palace (Les Jardins des Tuiliers) and the covered shopping quarters of Les Halles. From there the arrondissements number outwards in a curling snail pattern. To get in and around the city, Parisians use the integrated public transport system operated by RATP, which includes the underground Metro system and regional RER trains.
To Paris by Train – Must See Landmarks by Arrondissements
With so much on offer in Paris, it’s hard to cram everything in a single trip. But planning a visit around each arrondissement is not a bad way to hit as many spots as possible. If you’re ever unsure of where you are or which area you’re heading to, check the zip code – all Paris zip codes start with 750 and end in the arrondissement you’re in. Destination the Pompidou Centre. Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004. You’re heading to the 4th arrondissement. Et voila! Here’s a list of top things to do by arrondissements in Paris.
Head to Pompidou Centre to take in some modern art. The building itself is an architectural wonder with its bold primary colors and its zigzagging metal escalator, fondly called the caterpillar. The Pompidou Centre is in the 4th arrondissement, so while you’re there you can visit the famous Notre Dame cathedral and have a spot of lunch in the hip streets of Le Marais – known as the LGBTQ+ district of Paris
- Climb the Eiffel Tower: A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Eiffel tower. Visitors can choose to see it from the ground or climb the stairs and take in the breathtaking views from the top. The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th arrondissement where the Musee D’Orsay and Rodin’s Museum are also located.
- Take a food tour around Saint -Germain-des-Prés. The 6th arrondissement was once the stomping ground for world reknowned writers and artists (Ernest Hemmingway often frequented these streets) and today famous coffee houses such as Café de Flore or Café Les Deux Magots still attract a heady mix of artists and visitors. There are plenty of boutique shops and artisanal food joints in the area, as well as the grand Luxembourg Gardens.
Discover more things to do in Paris with the Omio travel magazine, the Window Seat.