Are you interested in traveling to Brussels, London, or Frankfurt? To get to any of these places or others in France and northern Europe, there are trains making departures from the Gare du Nord in the 10th Arrondissement that can get you there.
Considered one of the busiest train stations on the continent, the Gare – of Paris’ six large terminus stations on the SNCF network –teems with life.
Each year, statistics indicate that approximately 700,000 travelers pass through the station daily and 222 million per year.
In serving Northern France along with other international destinations including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, this form of transportation is serviced by the Metro, the RER (Regional Express Railway), Eurostar, and hundreds of high-speed trains.
In terms of its design, the 19th-century mammoth iron-and-glass structure is framed with a classical façade and finished with statues representing destinations from Calais to Arras.
Gare du Nord, which can be found in the 10th Arrondissement of Paris, is considered a hub of local and international travel.
Connecting the Metro, the RER, and local buses with intercity trains, commuters and travelers alike pass through this location to get to various highly sought-after locations in Europe.
Having luggage storage in Gare du Nord gives you the freedom to move through Paris and fully enjoy the capital of France, which is also its most populated city, by using this guide to Gare Du Norde in 2022.
Connecting to Paris
Another benefit of Gare du Nord is that it is well connected to the RER urban trains – and it is those trains, namely the RER Line B that runs every 7-15 minutes between the hours of 5 AM to midnight, that gets travelers to Charles de Gaulle airport in less than thirty minutes.
Travelers also have the option of Line D, which provides them with a rapid link to Paris’ next busiest station, Gare de Lyon.
In terms of Paris Metro, Gare du Nord connects travelers directly to Lines 4 and 5. And if you need to get to Line 2, thankfully, it is only a short walk away. You can also opt to use Bus 65, which takes travelers to Gare de Lyon, Gare St Lazare, and Gare de l’Est.
Gare du Nord History
Beginning in the mid-19th century, train travel was growing rapidly. As a result, the original Gare was completed in 1846 – though even at that time, it was already too small.
By 1860, planners began building a new and bigger station. To do so, the façade of the 1846 station was dismantled and moved to Lille while the rest of it was demolished.
The construction of this Parisian Gare has been replete with disruption and renewal. Beginning in 1884, there were more tracks added; then, in 1889, the interior was rebuilt. By the 20th century, the Gare was renovated each decade.
Finally, by 1994, the Eurostar launched its high-speed train service that traveled between London and Paris – though even this service required renovations.
These days, travelers can enjoy traveling via the Gare du Nord as its neoclassical exterior is lit up and brings life to this chic/shabby district of Paris.
High-Speed on Eurostar
Part of the reason the Gare du Nord is so popular is in part because it helps move millions of passengers a year between some of the biggest centers in Europe.
Among some of the most famous of the high-speed trains that come in and out of Gare du Nord is the Eurostar – the train has direct and rapid access to London.
Thanks to the Channel Tunnel, passengers can always travel in absolute comfort and arrive in a record two hours to their destination.
Gare du Nord high-speed train destination highlights:
Amiens
Amsterdam
Brussels
Cologne
Essen
Lille
London
Gare du Nord Amenities
In addition to the Gare du Nord itself, it also contains a series of shopping options. Among the range of options, travelers can chocolatiers, florists, fashion outlets, grocers, and even wine and cheese shops as they walk along.
This is a special treat – especially for those who love chocolate which seems to be among the more well-represented options.
Fans of this delectable treat might consider visiting Jeff de Bruges and Le Chocolate by Alain Ducasse, which is only accessible to passengers traveling to London on the Eurostar.
If possible, we suggest arriving at the station a little early so that you have the option to peruse the shops.
Experts suggest that travelers should arrive approximately forty-five minutes before departure time to maximize the time to walk around.
While moving about, travelers can view the sandwich options at a number of kiosks, choose their preferred fromage beurre, or even pick up a quick bottle of water en route to their next destination.
Eating Close By
Terminus Nord Brasserie
When looking for an option to eat that is close by, consider visiting Terminus Nord Brasserie, which provides a mix of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and rock and roll as part of its vibe.
This bustling brasserie, a staple in the City of Gares since 1925, is approximately a one-minute walk from Gare du Nord and features Mucha decorative mirrors complemented by soaring ceilings, chandeliers, and colorful stained glass.
Incoming visitors can enjoy a wide variety of delicious dishes, including fresh oysters, seafood platters, smoked Atlantic salmon with blinis and sour cream, and escargots in garlic butter, authentic bouillabaisse.
If you are also in the mood for French desserts, treat yourself to baba au rhum, crepes Suzette, or profiteroles with Valrhona chocolate sauce.
Address: 23 rue de Dunkerque, 75010
Chez Michel & Chez Casimir
Although the immediate neighborhood tends to be a bit scruffy and the traffic around the station a bit of a nightmare, you can find good, traditional French food in close vicinity to Gare du Nord.
If you have some spare time prior to your departure, or if you’ve arrived in the evening, we recommend Chez Michel or Chez Casimir. They’re side by side, a seven-minute walk from the station.
CHEZ MICHEL
Address: 0 Rue de Belzunce, 75010
01 44 53 06 20
CHEZ CASIMIR
Address: Rue de Belzunce, 75010
Making use of this guide to Gare Du Norde will get you out there making the most of your trip to France while keeping your luggage safe.
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