Paris Gare de Lyon (Train Station): Departures and guide

Travel from Paris city center to Paris Gare de Lyon train station

Paris is one of the most iconic cities to visit in Europe, located in the northern region of France. Paris is known for its multiple art galleries, chic sense of fashion and fine gastronomy. One way of getting to the city is taking a train to Paris. One of the six main train terminals in the French capital is the Paris Gare de Lyon station. This particular terminal is known for the station building and its clock tower. It’s located near the Seine River in the Quinze-Vingts district, southeast of the city center of Paris. The 1st Arrondisement is considered the central district of Paris, between the famous Louvre Museum and the Opéra of Paris. To get to this train station in Paris from the city center, it’ a direct transit on either the Yellow 1 Metro Line from Tuileries near the Louvre Museum, or the Purple 14 Metro Line from Pyramides.

How far is it from Paris city center to Paris Gare de Lyon train station?

The city center within the 1st Arrondisement of Paris is practically a straight route parallel to the Seine River. Starting near the Place Vendôme square, the distance to the Paris Gare de Lyon is slightly more than 3 miles (5 km). Make your way southwest on the Rue St Honoré for about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) until you reach an intersection with Rue du Louvre. Heading south on Rue du Louvre, it becomes Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny as you drive along the rear façade of the Louvre Museum. The road will end at the Seine River. Head southeast following the river. You will pass the Notre Dame Cathedral on your right, as well as the Saint-Louis Island. Continue until the Charles de Gaulle Bridge where you will take a left. A couple blocks northeast you will see the Paris Gare de Lyon on your right-hand side. This drive takes about 32min with traffic.

What is the best way to get to Paris Gare de Lyon train station from Paris city center?

The best way to get to travel from the Paris city center to the Paris train station is by metro. This method of public transportation is a great way to avoid getting stuck in traffic, especially when you have to make it to a specific train time in Paris. The routes going through the city center with connections in the Paris Gare de Lyon, are the Yellow 1 and Purple 14 Metro lines as well as the Red RER A train. Take the Yellow 1 Line from Tuileries station on Rue de Rivoli by the Tuileries Garden. The Paris Gare de Lyon is seven stops away on the track heading towards Château de Vincennes. The Pyramides station is just three stops from the Gare de Lyon station on the Purple 14 line. Both of these routes take about 10min.

Tourist in a train with the view of Eiffel Tower. Source: Shutterstock

Where is the airport in Paris and how to get there?

The major Paris airport is the Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). It’s about 19 miles (30 km) northeast of the Paris Gare de Lyon train station near the city center. The trip can take about an hour during rush hour. However, the B train switching over to the A or D trains can take you to the Paris Gare de Lyon station in about 45min.

How accessible is Paris train station for those with limited mobility?

Here is some information about the train station in Paris regarding its accessibility for travelers with reduced mobility or handicapped. Firstly, the entrance to the station from the street is barrier-free. Since the station doors and entrance are at street level, it is both wheelchair accessible and step-free to get inside. Once in the station, the hallways are equipped with guide lines for visually impaired travelers to maneuver the Paris Gare de Lyon station. If you enter the station through the northwest entrance, there is an information office in the right corner of the train hall where it’s possible for passengers with reduced mobility to request assistance.

This assistance service is available free of charge for whomever may need help getting through the station with their luggage, as well as assistance for boarding and deboarding the train. Book the service in advance to make sure there is staff available to assist you. The station also has wheelchair accessible restrooms and elevators.

Night trains to/from Paris Gare de Lyon

There are multiple night trains operating in and out of the Paris Gare de Lyon train station between Paris and generally Italy. For instance, Thello operates routes from Paris Gar de Lyon to Milan and Venice, and the Venice Simplon-Orient Express is an overnight cruise train between Paris and Venice or Verona.

Traveling by train in Paris: Sustainable journey

Nowadays, the goal for a lot of transportation companies is to find a way of traveling sustainably. In this case, SNCF, the French national railway ensures traveling by train to be the most sustainable option. They are currently working towards reducing their carbon emissions and using more energy efficient power, such as biofuel and electricity.

Local tips: Paris train station points of interest

Arriving at the Paris Gare de Lyon train hall will put you at a station somewhat close to the city center. The building is known for its characteristic clock tower. This station has connections mainly to cities all over France, however, there are also routes offered between other European cities such as Milan and Turin in Italy, Geneva and Zurich in Switzerland, and Barcelona in Spain. The Paris Gare de Lyon is equipped with a wide variety of services such as restaurants, souvenir shops as well as retail stores and pharmacies. Near this station in Paris, you can visit the Bastille Square facing the canal or start making your way along the iconic river that runs through Paris, the Seine. Heading northwest towards the 1st Arrondisement in the city center, along the Seine, you will pass the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Pont des Arts bridge.

• Go up the Eiffel Tower
• Take in the views from the Sacred Heart Basilica in Montmartre
• Sit at a Parisian café to people watch
• Shop at the boutiques along Champs-Élysées
• Warm up with some French onion soup

The view of Paris street. Source: Shutterstock

What to do in Paris

Seeing Paris is a must if you’re visiting France or Europe. Also known as the City of Love, Paris has become an icon for romance and fashion. There are a few attractions that you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Paris. For instance, the most characteristic structure of the city is most likely the Eiffel Tower. You can get a good view of it from across the Seine at the Place du Trocadéro. The Arc de Triomphe is another famous structure of the French capital city. Located at the end of the wide Champs-Élysées boulevard, this vast arch commemorates Napoleon’s victories.

Explore the art district of Montmartre where you can sit on the steps at the Sacred Heart Basilica or enjoy street music and the art galleries. Make sure you also leave some time to indulge on some typical Parisian dishes. Paris is known for its gastronomy, so you should definitely try some French onion soup or a steak tartare, and some croissants and macarons for something sweet.