The imposing facade of Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare stretches before you. Its grandeur hints at a rich history.
Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare opened in 1837. It was the first train station built in Paris. It primarily served the western suburbs. It also connected Paris to Normandy. Today it is the third busiest station in France after Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. It handles an impressive 290000 passengers each day.
The current building you see dates from 1889. Architect Juste Lisch designed it. Eugene Flachat was the general contractor. The station underwent significant renovations in 1936 and again in 2012. The 2012 renovation saw the creation of a three-level shopping mall. This mall runs the entire length of the station. It features a wide array of shops and restaurants. Find a Starbucks at the far east end. This is near the platforms used by intercity trains to Normandy. For a more upscale dining experience try the Lazare brasserie. It is located roughly halfway between the east and west ends of the station.
Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare boasts 27 platforms. Platforms 1-4 handle local trains to Versailles-Rive Droite. These trains depart every 15 minutes. Intercity trains to cities like Caen Rouen Dieppe Le Havre and Cherbourg leave from platforms 18-27. The main ticket office is at the far east end on the street level of the shopping mall. There are also self-service ticket machines throughout the concourse.
Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare isn’t just a transportation hub. It’s a place captured in art and literature. Impressionist painters like Claude Monet and Gustave Caillebotte lived nearby. They found inspiration in the station’s bustling atmosphere and its unique industrial aesthetic. Monet created a famous series of paintings depicting the station. These capture the fleeting effects of light and steam. His work showcases the beauty even within seemingly mundane industrial settings. The Gare Saint-Lazare is also mentioned in Emile Zola’s La Bete Humaine and appears in the film French Kiss.
Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare is more than just a railway station. It’s a living testament to Parisian history and culture. It’s a place where art meets industry where the past merges with the present. It is a symbol of both Paris’s industrial evolution and its enduring artistic spirit. As you depart Gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare remember the countless stories it holds. Each one woven into the fabric of this iconic Parisian landmark.