Paris Gare du Nord

Paris Gare du Nord
Name	Paris Gare du Nord
Caption	The main facade of the station
Address	112 Rue de Maubeuge, 75010 Paris
Coordinates	48, 52, 52, N...
Line	Paris–Lille railway
Platform	36
Code	87271007
Opened	1846 (current building 1864)
Architect	Jacques Ignace Hittorff
Operator	SNCF / Gares & Connexions
Traffic	~214 million (2019)

Paris Gare du Nord is one of the six large terminus stations of the SNCF network in Paris. It is the busiest railway station in Europe by total passenger numbers, serving as a major hub for national TGV services to northern France and international Eurostar and Thalys trains. Located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, its iconic facade dominates the Place Napoléon III.

History

The first station on the site opened in 1846 for the Chemin de Fer du Nord company, but was quickly outgrown by traffic. The current monumental structure was designed by architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff and inaugurated in 1864. It played a crucial logistical role during major events like the Siege of Paris (1870–1871) and both World War I and World War II. The station has undergone significant expansions, most notably for the 1994 opening of the Channel Tunnel and the arrival of Eurostar services, which required new underground platforms and facilities.

Architecture

Hittorff's design is a prime example of Second Empire style, featuring a grand facade adorned with 23 statues by renowned sculptors including Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. These allegorical figures represent destinations served by the Chemin de Fer du Nord, such as London, Berlin, and Warsaw. The vast, cast-iron and glass train shed, engineered by Compagnie du Nord, was one of the largest of its time. The interior concourse and the historic Le Train Bleu restaurant are noted for their ornate Beaux-Arts details.

Services and destinations

The station is a primary gateway for high-speed international rail travel. Eurostar services connect to London St Pancras International via the Channel Tunnel, while Thalys (now part of Eurostar) trains serve Brussels, Amsterdam Centraal, and Cologne. Domestic TGV and TER Hauts-de-France trains operate to cities including Lille, Calais, Amiens, and Arras. The lower level is a major hub for the Paris RER, with RER B and RER D lines providing connections across the Île-de-France.

Passenger traffic

With approximately 214 million passengers in 2019, it holds the record as Europe's busiest station by total footfall. This figure combines users of the mainline SNCF services, the Eurostar and Thalys international terminals, and the underground RER and Paris Métro stations. Its traffic significantly surpasses that of other major European hubs like Gare de Lyon in Paris, London Waterloo, or Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

Connections

Direct underground corridors link the mainline station to the Gare du Nord Métro station, served by Lines 4 and 5. The adjacent RER station is served by lines RER B and RER D. Numerous bus lines operated by RATP Group stop at the station, including the Noctilien night bus network. It also offers connections to other major Parisian termini like Gare de l'Est, which is within walking distance.

In popular culture

The station's imposing architecture and bustling atmosphere have made it a frequent filming location. It features prominently in movies such as *The Bourne Identity*, Ocean's Twelve, and Mr. Bean's Holiday. It has also been depicted in literature, including in Émile Zola's novel La Bête Humaine, and serves as a setting in several video games like *The Saboteur*.

Category:Railway stations in Paris Category:Buildings and structures in the 10th arrondissement of Paris Category:SNCF stations