Gare de l'Est Rail Station

Gare de l'Est (East Station) is one of the oldest and most beautiful railway terminals

It is useful for passengers to know that navigation within the station is quite intuitive. The platforms are divided into two main zones: yellow (tracks 2–12) and blue (tracks 13–30), which helps to orient oneself quickly during boarding. The main entrance is located on the side of Place du 11 Novembre 1918. The station features convenient connections to metro stations and is within walking distance of another major hub — the North Station (Gare du Nord).

• Official website: gares-sncf.com (Gare de l'Est section)
• Information phone: 3635 (SNCF unified line)
• Address: Place du 11 Novembre 1918, 75010 Paris, France
• Opening hours: Daily from 05:00 to 01:00
• Luggage storage: Located on level -1 (central hall), open from 07:30 to 22:30
• Accessibility: Accès Plus service for passengers with reduced mobility (meeting and assistance)

Getting to Gare de l'Est is very simple, as it is fully integrated into the city's transport network. The fastest way is to use the metro: lines 4, 5, and 7 stop right at the Gare de l'Est station. You can access the station building directly from the underground passages.

If you are travelling by bus, routes 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 46, 54, 56, and 65 will suit you. The taxi stand is located to the side of the station, on Rue du 8 Mai 1945. Travellers arriving at the neighbouring North Station (Gare du Nord) can walk there in just 7–10 minutes via Rue de Dunkerque or use the underground passage through the RER Magenta station.

The station offers a full range of services for a comfortable wait. In the central hall and galleries, you will find ticket counters and numerous self-service kiosks for purchasing tickets for long-distance trains and suburban commuter trains. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the area (network _SNCF_ GARE_GRATUIT), and zones with power sockets and bicycle generators are provided for charging gadgets.

For the convenience of travellers, automatic luggage lockers of various sizes are available, located on the lower ground floor. The station also features clean paid restrooms, a lost and found office, a pharmacy, and currency exchange points. For passengers with reduced mobility, there is an Accès Plus waiting lounge and dedicated elevators.

There is no shortage of food options within Gare de l'Est and its surroundings. For a quick bite before your train departs, the chain bakeries Paul or Brioche Dorée, located right in the hall, are excellent choices: here you can grab a fresh croissant, a sandwich, and coffee. The average bill will be around 8–12 euros.

If you have time for a full meal, it is worth visiting the Alsatian-style brasseries located on Boulevard de Strasbourg directly opposite the exit. Inside the building, there are also supermarkets (such as Monop' or Marks & Spencer Food), where it is convenient to buy water and snacks for the journey. Most food outlets open early in the morning, around 06:00, and operate until late in the evening.

The history of Gare de l'Est began in 1849 when it was opened under the name "Strasbourg Landing Stage". Initially, it was a modest structure, but as the railway network grew, the building was rebuilt multiple times. Massive reconstructions in 1885 and 1931 gave it its current monumental appearance, doubling its size.

The station played a key role in the history of France, especially during the World Wars, as trains departed from here to the eastern front. In memory of this, a monumental painting "The Departure of the Recruits" (Le Départ des poilus) is displayed in the main hall. In 2007, the station experienced a rebirth with the launch of the high-speed TGV Est line, making it one of the most modern transport hubs in Europe.

Arrive at the station at least 20–30 minutes before your train departs, especially if you need to pass through ticket controls before entering the platform (gates are installed on many TGV tracks). Watch the information screens closely: the platform number is usually announced 20 minutes before departure.

For security purposes, do not leave your luggage unattended for even a minute — suspicious items may cause the evacuation of part of the station. Be sure to attach a tag with your name to your suitcase. If your train departs late at night, try to wait in the central hall, where it is brighter and more crowded.