Gare Saint-Lazare: An Iconic Train Station in Paris
The Gare Saint-Lazare is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, on the right bank of the River Seine. It is situated in the northwest part of central Paris, near the border with the 9th arrondissement.
The exact address of Gare Saint-Lazare is:
Gare Saint-Lazare
13 Rue d’Amsterdam
75008 Paris, France
The station is well-connected to the rest of Paris via public transportation, including buses, metro lines, and RER (Réseau Express Régional) trains, making it easily accessible from most parts of the city.
Quick History of the Gare Saint-Lazare
The Gare Saint-Lazare is one of the six large train stations in Paris, France. Its history is intertwined with the development of the French railway system and the urbanization of Paris.
The Gare Saint-Lazare traces its origins back to 1837 when the first railway line in France, the Paris-Saint-Germain line, was inaugurated. However, the Gare Saint-Lazare as we know it today was not built until later.
The current station was constructed between 1842 and 1853 by architect Juste Lisch. It was inaugurated on August 24, 1837. The station was named after the nearby Saint Lazarus Street, which itself was named after the Christian Saint Lazarus.
The Gare Saint-Lazare underwent several expansions and modernizations to accommodate the increasing demand for railway transportation. It became a major hub for trains heading towards Normandy and other destinations in northwestern France.
In Popular Culture
The Saint-Lazare train station gained further prominence through the works of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Monet was fascinated by the bustling atmosphere of the station and painted a series of paintings depicting the station and its surroundings. These paintings are now considered masterpieces of Impressionist art.
The Gare Saint-Lazare features in various works of literature and culture. It appears in Émile Zola’s novel “La Bête humaine” (“The Beast Within”) and serves as a setting for key scenes in other literary works.
During World War II, the Gare Saint-Lazare played a significant role in transporting troops and supplies. It became a site of resistance activity against the German occupation.
In modern times, the Gare Saint-Lazare continues to be one of the busiest railway stations in Paris, serving millions of passengers every year. It underwent renovations and modernization projects to enhance its facilities and capacity.
Where You Can Go from The Gare Saint-Lazare
As one of the busiest railway stations in Paris, the Gare Saint-Lazare serves a wide range of destinations, both within France and internationally. Here are some of the main destinations served by trains departing from Gare Saint-Lazare:
Normandy: Gare Saint-Lazare is a major hub for trains heading to various cities and towns in Normandy, including Rouen, Le Havre, Caen, and Cherbourg.
Western France: Trains from Gare Saint-Lazare also connect passengers to destinations in western France, such as Brittany and the Loire Valley.
Suburban Paris: The station serves as a hub for Transilien, the suburban rail network of the Île-de-France region. It provides commuter services to numerous suburbs of Paris, including Versailles, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and Cergy-le-Haut.
International Connections: While primarily serving domestic destinations, Gare Saint-Lazare also offers some international connections. These may include trains to cities in neighboring countries like Belgium or Switzerland, though direct international services are less frequent compared to other Parisian stations like Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon.
Inter-City Trains: In addition to regional and suburban services, Gare Saint-Lazare also serves as a departure point for some inter-city trains, including TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) services to cities like Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, though these are less common compared to stations like Gare de Lyon or Gare Montparnasse.
Gare Saint-Lazare provides extensive connectivity for travelers, both within the Île-de-France region and beyond, making it an important transportation hub in Paris!
