The importance of a metropolis is measured by its transportation network. The more developed the city, regardless of its terrain and architectural structure, the more vital its land, sea, and air transport networks become; such vibrant and convenient connectivity is another sign of urban progress and prosperity. Paris is one of Europe’s most important cities and a major hub in Southern Europe, serving as France’s gateway to other European nations. These networks were built over centuries, with the efficient railway system being a product of the 19th-century Industrial Revolution and one of the key symbols of Western civilization. After nearly two centuries of development, Paris now connects to various European countries: northward to Northern Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia, etc.), reaching Moscow or even Beijing via Siberia; southward to Spain and Portugal, including Madrid and Lisbon; eastward through Switzerland and Italy; and westward across the English Channel to London.
Paris’s extensive transport network features six major train stations located in the city center. Gare de Lyon, on the east side, serves trains to Switzerland and Italy, operating modern high-speed services connecting daily to major cities in both countries. Travelers heading to Venice, Florence, or Rome can take an overnight train each evening, arriving refreshed the next morning.
Gare d'Austerlitz offers routes to central France, with nightly trains departing for Spain and Portugal, allowing passengers to wake up in Barcelona or Madrid, continuing onward to Lisbon if desired.
Gare Montparnasse, to the south, operates high-speed trains toward the Atlantic coast, reaching Tours, Angers, and Nantes in just one or two hours, offering significant time savings and convenience.
Gare de l'Est, to the north, provides routes to Germany, Austria, and other Northern European countries. Various European express trains pass through Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament, while the Orient Express travels to Moscow or Beijing via Siberia.
Gare du Nord is famous for the Eurostar service to the United Kingdom. Passengers can cross the English Channel to London without taking a ship aboard this luxurious train, making it hard to imagine the vast ocean beneath. This station also serves destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Gare Saint-Lazare, located slightly northwest, handles domestic lines only, primarily serving trains bound for Normandy. For example, visitors wishing to see Giverny and pay homage to Monet should depart from this station.
Gare de Bercy functions solely as a freight terminal for Paris.
For information on the Orient Express, visit PullmanOrientExpress.com.
Gare d'Austerlitz | Gare de Lyon | Gare du Nord | Gare de l'Est | Gare Saint-Lazare | Gare Montparnasse | "Orient-Express"
Electronic timetables for departure and arrival schedules.
