Train Stations

Major Train Stations in France

Train travel in France is by far one of the most popular ways to get about the country, and the network is considered the second largest in Europe. Among the thousands of stations found in France, the Paris train stations are clearly distinguishable in terms of traffic, however the popularity of train travel sees many stations throughout France handling great numbers of passengers. The Gare du Nord, St. Lazare and Gare de Lyon each host more than 100 million passengers per year. Although its traffic is less than its Parisian sister-station, the Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu is also of great importance because of its central position within the country and for the numerous connections possible here.

Paris Gare du Nord Station

Opened in 1846, the Gare du Nord Station is the busiest railway station in Europe and the second in the world with 200 million passengers passing through the station in 2013. It is also one of Europe’s most recognised train stations, having appeared in literature, art, tv and film time and time again. Although it provides numerous regional and national connections, it also has an international link with the lines from Paris to Brussels and London provided by Thalys and Eurostar. There are also connections to local urban transport including the Paris Metro, RER and buses. High-speed TGV and InterCity trains operated by SNCF offer regional and domestic connections across the north of France and to destinations further afield. Like all major railway stations, Gare du Nord has vending machines, ATMs, Wi-Fi, a choice of shops, toilets, facilities for travellers with restricted mobility, as well as multiple bars and restaurant inside the station or nearby.

Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu

Built in the early 1980s to replace the Brotteaux train station, the Gare de Lyon Part Dieu quickly became one of the busiest train stations in France. It is the main train station in Lyon, and the services are operated by France’s national train provider SNCF on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway line. Some 26 million travellers pass through each year, this is in part due to the station being located in the business district of Lyon and built as part of the Part-Dieu neighbourhood project, with the hall also operating as one of the main streets. It serves a large number of regional, national and international destinations including Basel, Geneva, Brussels, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Turin and Milan. Standard facilities found here include shops and restaurants, toilets, information points, Wi-Fi and services for disabled passengers.