Paris is connected to the major cities of France and the rest of Europe by the country’s state-of-the-art, high-speed train network. The Train à Grand-Vitesse, or TGV, carries millions of passengers every year on lines that radiate from Paris’ five main train stations. Each station serves a region of France and European capitals beyond its borders, including London, Amsterdam, Geneva and Madrid. Within Paris, these five stations are also linked to the city’s Métro system and RER suburban commuter train network.
The Gare du Nord, a classic 19th century terminal in Paris’ 10th arrondissement, provides TGV service to destinations in northern France, including Lille and Calais. Via the Thalys line, also at Gare du Nord, passengers can travel to Cologne, Germany; Brussels and Amsterdam. The Eurostar train, linking London and Paris, arrives and departs from Gare du Nord.
Sometimes called Paris Est, the Gare de l’Est is located in Paris’ east side and serves destinations in eastern France and central Europe. Trains leaving Gare de l’Est usually pass through Strasbourg on their way to Vienna, Munich or several cities in Switzerland. The TGV Lyria luxury train also connects Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Interlaken and other Swiss destinations.
As the name implies, Gare de Lyon is the main station for catching trains to southeastern France by way of Lyon. Passengers can take a scenic train to the wine regions around Dijon or venture further south to Provencal and Mediterranean destinations, including Avignon, Marseilles and Nice. A regional TGV line departing Gare de Lyon extends through the Alps to Geneva as well.
Intercités trains linking Paris with cities in south-central France depart from and arrive in Gare d’Austerlitz. Though these trains are local and slower than the express TGV trains, they are useful for getting around smaller cities and towns. Destinations from Gare d’Austerlitz include Tours, Orléans and Toulouse. Overnight trains to destinations in Spain also depart this station.
A hub for trains serving cities in western and southwestern France, Gare Montparnasse is located on Paris’ south side. One artery links Paris to cities in Brittany, including Brest, Quimper and Rennes. Another line travels southwest to Poitiers, Bordeaux, Biarritz and Toulouse. This line offers connections to Madrid and other cities in northern Spain.
