BEWARE PARIS TRAIN STATIONS!!!

joeyb1b: Sorry to hear of that experience. I have never been to the Gare du Nord but I was recently at Gare de Lyon and the TGV station at CDG airport and the Gare Part Dieu at Lyon. All these stations were first class. Very crowded but clean and well patrolled by police and army folks. There were quite a few "foreigners" (including my wife and I) and we had no problems whatsoever. Regardless, your suggestions are good as one should be very vigilant when in crowded areas. Donerail

‘in America it doesn’t matter what language you speak, if you are robbed the police will help you. ‘

Dude, what America do you live in ?? A few months ago I had to ask a cop for some help in Jackson, Tenn. Now, he was the nicest man and did a great job helping me out, but I doubt the outcome would have been the same if instead of ‘Excuse me officer, but could you please show me the way to downtown ?’ I would have asked ‘pardon M’sieur l’agent, c’est où le centre-ville ?’. See what I mean ??

But, I agree with you : Gare du Nord is a shameful freaky rat hole.

CRC

The heading for this thread was "Beware Paris Train Stations." That implicates all Paris train stations. In all honesty, I’ve never been to Gare du Nord, but we have used the Metro and RER all over Paris and environs and never had a problem. Some stations are cleaner than others but I’ve never felt threatened in any of them. Certainly, we’ve never had anything stolen and we’ve been on some very crowded trains.

I do wear my purse (with camera) slung across my body but I do that at home too. It just makes sense. Cities everywhere have problems and it’s best to err on the side of caution. Someone else on this forum suggested taking the express trains to and from the airport as being safer since pickpockets can’t easily hop on and off. We do that and appreciate the advice. I don’t think I would go to a train station two hours early either. It would be more fun to wait two hours at a nearby café watching the world go by.

Your advice in the last line is excellent and should be followed in any major city, including in Tennessee! I’m so sorry you had the problem, but please don’t avoid all Paris train stations because of one bad experience. Just be a bit more cautious the next time . . . wherever you are.

Thanks for posting.

I agree, Le gare du nord is a mess. Very strange people to be found there. When a female friend was in the bathrooms, she was approached by lesbians who told her in french that she wanted to have sex with her. Weird, eh?

TerrapinWarrior: I have never been to the Gare du Nord but it seems to be picking up a lot of negative votes. Donerail

Donerail, last time I was in Gare du Nord I saw Amero-franc carrying the Chinese Baby in his arms, and running way below the speed limit.

CRC

I’ve been to Gare du Nord and I must admit it’s not the best place to be in Paris. Don’t judge all train stations/metros of Paris as the Gare du Nord. Most are much nicer. Gare de l’est is (in my opinion) a very nice, organized train station. The departure/arribals postings are easy to read. The ticket area is easy to navigate. And YES! The police here are helpful!

However, it DOES help to know some French

crc95, You are a wonderful person!

crc95: SalB taught amero-franc well. I’m surprised he wasn’t running around in circles. By the way, why are so obsessing so much on amero-franc? Donerail

Though the Gare du Nord isnt the nicest in Paris, most other stations are quite nice. I was very impressed by the TGV station at CDG and also the Gare d’Austerlitz. You gotta love that TGV

TerrapinWarrior: The TGV (both from CDG and Gare de l’Est) are so fantastic that Americans have to experience it. They cannot fathom our explanations. Donerail

Gare du Nord was only scary at 4AM, when it was totally closed and dark. I got there early for my sidetrip to Munich. I just stood with my bag in the light of a sidewalk Cafe that was still going until 5AM when the Station was opened. I found that all the Stations in Paris were quite safe. I had no problems.

Message to Forum admin : this guy is obviously in dire need of psychiatric help. Are his posts really relevant ?

CRC

crc95: He or she probably just finished a ride on the NYC subway system. You see a lot that there. Or maybe its Southern Californian… As you can surmise, its raining here and I can’t go out to play. Donerail

donerail: I’m sure the Harley can use a weekends rest in the garage while it’s raining

I figured it out. danairozo IS Tom Robbins. He’s using us to get material for a new book. The clue was when he mentioned Haiti.

SalB: You have analyzed danairozo much more than you should have. Donerail

No analysis. I once read Jitterbug Perfume. Seems like something you might enjoy!!!!!!!!!

SalB: I have no idea what you mean by Jitterbug Perfume. From the title, it sounds like I don’t want to, either. Is it an "old folks" thing? Donerail

"Old folks." Not on your life. It’s a college kid thing. Our daughters got into Tom Robbins when they were younger and I read them in self defense. They are great reads albeit somewhat crazy. He’s written some best sellers like "Still Life with Woodpecker" which is about a redhead. "Jitterbug Perfume" is set in New Orleans and Haiti.

His most well known book was "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues." My favorite title of his is "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas."

The reason I thought you might enjoy it is the style is far out and weird, very similar to what danairozo was writing this weekend. Thinking about it though, perhaps you should stick to James Michener.

OK, this whole post has freaked me out. I’m hoping to travel from CdG airport into the city centre to get to my hostel. Is there any other station I could go to? I won’t be carrying any expensive items (disposable camera, old mobile phone, cheap watch). Would I be ok chancing Gare Du Nord? It will be my first time in Paris.

macca: Having done the Metro/RER trip a few times, you have to have your wits about you. Gare du Nord is a little ragged for a first timer. For the first trip, consider taking the Air France bus to Montparnasse or Chareles DeGaulle (Etoile). It costs about 10-12 euro one way. On double up with someone and take a cab. You will undoubtedly be going back and will have more confidence and knowledge of the transportation/metro/RER situation. Donerail

macca : Gare du Nord is only scary if you choose to spend your whole vacation in it, like that poor tourist. Just go through it, catch your train, and basta. Don’t settle camp in it.

What’s scary and to avoid is rather the stations between CDG and Paris downtown. That train stops in the worst Paris suburbs, so you may want to avoid that. I wrote a whole post about how to get to Paris downtown from CDG safe, but I can’t find it. The trick is easy : once you get on the RER platform in CDG, you’ll notice there are trains that go straight to Paris, and some that stop at every stations in between. Hop on the direct train of course. It will take you straight to Gare du Nord, and then on to Châtelet-les-Halles, which is probably where you’ll have to get off since it’s the major RER and metro hub.

CRC

crc is right. Be sure to take the Express train from CDG to downtown. It’s also easier because you don’t have people climbing over your suitcase at every stop. If you stay in the Latin Quarter, you can stay on the train until St. Michel or even Luxembourg station. It’s easier with luggage if you don’t have to change trains.

We always take the RER and have never had trouble. Gare du Nord is not lovely but as crc says, you are not staying there; you are going through.

If you are totally paranoid about it, take the Blue Shuttle which is a LOT cheaper than a taxi. Click on the blue and red France.com at the top of this page and click on Shuttle Service on the right side of your screen. You may have to scroll over and/or scroll down to find it.

Hello all: I edited that Post from way back.. I am very sorry I rambled on there. I am not sure what I was thinking. Again, my apologies for that. Yes, CRC, it was very irrelevant as I read back on it.

danairozo : no problem. I was a bit of a smartass in those days too you know. Luckily, I changed.

CRC

Well I don’t know if anyone knows Paris at all but the place I’m looking for is Rue d’Orsel, 75018 Paris. Would I still have to go through Gare Du Nord?

Have you tried http://www.ratp.fr yet ?

CRC

Yes, but I’m confused as to what Charles De Gaulle Airport is on the site, as a number of places come up to choose from. What does ‘Lycee’ mean?

Don’t bother, yours should be CDG 2 RER.

Lycée means high school. Why ?

CRC

crc/macca: the ratp site and mappy both need one to insert the word "aeroporte" in front of "CDG" or "Charles de Gaulle." Then you will see the right beginning point. Aerogare 1, 2, etc. I presume macca will be coming in from outside of France and therefore it will be aerogare 2. The ratp.fr site is cool. Donerail

macca, You have a pretty easy trip. First of all, buy a ticket to Anvers Metro station. Take RER B from CDG. Exit at Gare du Nord and switch to #4 Metro line in the direction of Porte de Clignancourt. Go only one stop and exit at Barbès Rochechouart. Switch to the #2 Metro line in the direction of Porte Dauphine and go one stop to Anvers.

Rue d’Orsel is a block straight up the hill. You are very near Sacre Coeur. You should have no trouble going through Gare du Nord. Relax.

Thanks Sal B, just booked the hostel and it gives directions from Anvers metro stop. Onwards and upwards…..

Donerail, it says on the site that I will be flying into Terminal 3, though after yours and SalB’s instructions, I imagine getting to ‘Aeroporte 2’ will be as difficult as it gets. Thanks

ahem…………make that ‘Aerogare 2’

Hi ya all, I’m a big fan of Paris and France in general. I have been to Paris several times and there is also a bus who can take you from CDG or Orly to city center. I found the safest looking train station in Paris to be Gare de Lyon

Hello, Many thanks for you insight into the Gare De Nord. I will be traveling that way on the Eurostar from London on the 15th Oct.05. Can anyone tell me? If possible How far Strasburg Avenue is from the station. Or does one take the metro?

As for the security angle. No matter where you go in the world. You should have your wits about you.

how far is it from the city say the Eifel Tower. I have to pick up a car from there. Thanks

France.com

The train station is located on the eastern part of the city. Depending on where you are going and the hour you are travelling you are about a half-hour trip to the Eiffel Tower by metro.

SalB

The Gare de Lyon and the Eiffel Tower are on opposite sides of the central city but central Paris is fairly compact.  From Gare de Lyon take the Metro #1 direction La Defense and get off at Franklin D. Roosevelt station where you change to Metro #9 direction of Pont de Sevres. Get off at Trocadero, only three stops, and you will be near the Eiffel Tower. There are several other options depending on exactly where you are picking up the car.

 Go to http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php  This is the Metro Web site and you can type in Gare de Lyon, choose station and then type in the address where you get your car and you will get directions in English.

Hi All,

Do you know where is the best meeting place if i were to take the Eurostar from Waterloo to Gard Du Nord? Where should I ask my friend to wait at the station? Many Thanks!
Ozzy

I am planning to travel to paris next week.My hotel is in Dinard so how to reach From CDG airport to Dinard.Pl advise.

Gard du Nord is not that bad, Chatelet Les Halles is MUCH worse! I live near Gard du Nord and travel through it every day. I have never had a problem and I do not speak french either. I must admit I do try to avoid it at night, but if you are smart and keep an eye on your things (as you should in all of Paris as well as any other major city) then you will be fine.

I am courious, if you do not speak frech how dificult is it to not speak french and actually live there?

My wife and I recently stayed in a hotel near the Gard Du Nord.We consider it to be avery secure and safe station. We enjoyed walking through just to experience SNCF stations at their best. Theres a great atmosphere but like any international station or venue, it attracts all sorts of people; you have just got to be careful. The architecture is to be marvelled at and the facilities for the traveller are excellent.

Can anyone tell me the distance from Gard de Nord and Boulevard Saint Marcel (Hotel Les Grand Gobelins) and the approximate taxi fare?

Also, what sort of tip should we give to Taxi Drivers.

We are a couple of OAP’s so appreciate tips on safety at the Station. We will be ultra careful.

Brummie Hattie

We just spent 4 weeks in Paris at the Hotel Concorde in front of Gare Lazare and it was great. My hubby was there on business and I walked all over Paris alone most days and felt very safe.

On our departure we took a taxi to Gare du Nord where we took the Eurostar to London. We thought we needed to be there early like the airports, so we had quite a wait there (we are still learning). We did not feel insecure during our wait. We sat at a table near one of the restaurants and at one point my hubby sent me to look for a cash machine while he sat with all our luggage (which is a lot since we are traveling for a long time for business–we are quickly learning we need to pear down…).

I think I would rate this station as a place you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time and like others have said, you always need to be careful while in any big city, but it seemed clean and I saw quite a few secrity officers.

We are now in Madrid and we feel about Madrid, more like the original poster stated about Paris, because when we got onto their metro (subway) my hubby was pick-pocketed by 3 men. Two grabbed his pants and began shaking them like crazy, while a third took his wallet and he didn’t feel a thing! Fortunately he felt for his wallet and realized what had happended and chased after them and they returned the wallet without question, but it was very unnerving.

This happened during the middle of the day last Saturday with a full train and nobody said or did anything. I think that is what upset us most…everyone acted like all was normal. One man across from us quietly tapped his front pocket to indicate that my hubby should put his wallet in his front pocket, and nodded when my hubby did so–but that was all.

Lesson learned–he now carrys his wallet in his front pocket and I’m looking for one with a chain to attatch to his belt or one that straps around his waist under his shirt.

MAIN LESSON–ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings and mind your belongings. We are re-evaluating what and where we carry our important stuff now. I also intend to get one for myself that goes under my clothes for carrying my passport and such.

Vicki