Glorious Gare du Nord
Saturday, July 24, 2010 Publié par Eric Tenin
There are 7 active train stations in Paris (they are listed here, if you're interested) and I must say I'm not too fond of these places (I don't know why there are always full of drunks and weirdos!), but last evening I had to pick up someone who was traveling from London with the Eurostar at the Gare du Nord. It had been a while since I'd been there and I was really amazed to see how beautiful it is now. I know you don't see much of it in this photo, but, hey... C'est la vie ;-)
July 24, 2010 12:54:00 AM GMT+02:00
its nice now that all the scaffolding has been removed! Just wish they could get rid of the 'speak English' people from the outside (and now they seem to have spread to Notre Dame).
It is an impressive building.
Eli
July 24, 2010 1:36:00 AM GMT+02:00
Speak English people?
Lovely pic, Eric :)
July 24, 2010 1:55:00 AM GMT+02:00
Sorry Lynn - they are people (mostly women) who approach people arriving at gare du nord and ask 'Speak English?' If you admit you do they thrust a bit of paper in front of you with a sob story about how their mother/child etc is dying/seriously ill etc and requires money for treatment. As I always reply 'Non' I haven't encountered the apparently threatening behaviour that can accompany this 'request'. About 10 years ago they were on the streets of London - but seem to have moved to Paris!
Eli
x
July 24, 2010 4:49:00 AM GMT+02:00
All I've seen is Gare de Lyon and I think it's so photogenic. Maybe another trip I'll find the other stations. Not sure i"ll get my nerve up to try the RR! I have heard so many horror stories. As you say , c'est la vie!
V
July 24, 2010 5:11:00 AM GMT+02:00
Maybe you don't see much of it in the photo, but you see enough to tell that it IS beautiful (like so much of Paris). And I love your composition. Sorry about the drunks, weirdos—and "Speak English?" people, but hey, comme tu dit . . . c'est la vie!
July 24, 2010 5:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
My first "hood" wasn't far...Reuilly Diderot in the 12eme. Le Train Bleu...Miaammmm!! We have "Speak English" people here in San Francisco as well..but they are natives!
July 24, 2010 6:18:00 AM GMT+02:00
I've arrived at Gare du Nord several times via Eurostar from London.
I agree with Anon about the "speak English" we were approached while waiting in the taxi queue. They were 'moved on' by several people whom I don't think were even officials!
She is Glorious Gare du Nord in this photo thank you Eric!
July 24, 2010 9:56:00 AM GMT+02:00
Thanks Eli. Not heard of them before! .. but then, I'm in the English countryside lol what a sheltered life I do lead.
July 24, 2010 3:41:00 PM GMT+02:00
Interesting comments, particularly about the 'speak English' folks. Transit areas, parks and libraries always attract the transients since they're public places. Sad. Nice photo, Eric. Thanks for the post, as always.
July 24, 2010 3:58:00 PM GMT+02:00
C'est magnifique! 'Tis very beautiful and I would love to someday visit and take the Eurostar between London and Paris. Lovely.
July 25, 2010 12:05:00 PM GMT+02:00
I encountered the "Speak English" people in the square in front of Notre Dame when I visited over a year ago. I was quite taken aback...once I had my wits about me, I was of course sure it was a scam: after all, why come to a French speaking country then try to beg off the English folk? ;)
July 25, 2010 2:28:00 PM GMT+02:00
I get a chuckle out of seeing a flag pole with the French flag protruding from the head of the statue!
Wonder what bureaucrat ordered that!
Stef, in slightly less hot and humid Chicago. A slight relief! Hope Paris is the same after hearing the weather reports as I watch the Tour de France.
July 26, 2010 6:26:00 AM GMT+02:00
Not at all the idea I kept from Gare du Nord and I knew it well ;) Glad they're cleaning up all these places.
July 26, 2010 6:29:00 AM GMT+02:00
Oh, yeah, the "speak English people" Got caught once or twice. Told them to f.. off in French. These guys are professionals, don't fall for it.
July 27, 2010 3:40:00 AM GMT+02:00
I was at the Gare d'est in the spring for the train to Troyes and my mouth dropped open at the beauty of the place--huge painting of turn-of-the-century travelers over the glass doorways that was enthralling. And I marvelled at the flower shop and all the bakeries--couldn't help but buy a treat for lunch at each of them. Nothing bad to say about that place!
July 28, 2010 9:07:00 AM GMT+02:00
Did a departure and arrival from Gare de l'Est, a departure from Gare Montparnasse and an arrival at Gare Saint-Lazare in May. Gare de l'Est was very nice (viewed awfully early in the morning). Montparnasse I remember by having hauled my suitcase up a lot of stairs in the metro stations (thank goodness for a friend who relieved me part of the way), traveling on an absolutely jammed metro train with a lot it running above ground, then still going upward on long flights and flights of escalators once inside the station. I think it was a nice enough station. Gare Saint-Lazare coming back could use a bit of a makeover.
But the trains, once you get your luggage and yourself settled, are very nice and the TGV is fabulous. I have no reservations about being on the trains, even the local runs. So give it a try, Virginia.
September 30, 2010 2:41:00 AM GMT+02:00
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