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In Pictures: What Paris Gare du Nord will look like in the future

The infamous Gare du Nord in Paris is set for a huge makeover, after plans for a revamp were given the green light. Here's what it will look like in the future according to initial plans.

Published: 17 May 2019 16:16 CEST
Updated: 7 July 2020 23:43 CEST
In Pictures: What Paris Gare du Nord will look like in the future
Shops and services will take their place on the upper floors. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
The Gare du Nord is the busiest train station in Europe, with some 700,000 passengers passing through daily.
 
It has often been criticized as being over-crowded, confusing and dangerous, most famously by John Lewis managing director Andy Street, who provoked the ire of French officials by calling it “the squalor pit of Europe” in 2014.
 
What’s more, the Gare du Nord is oftentimes the initial glimpse of Paris visitors arriving from the north have, giving a grim first impression of an otherwise beautiful city. 
 
 
 
A projection of how the Gare du Nord will look from its main Rue de Dunkerque entrance.  Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
Since a major renovation project was announced in 2015, several projections have been released and local residents have been consulted with the aim of creating a station in harmony with the 10th arrondissement where it is located.
 
 
 
 
 
A projection of what the renovated Gare du Nord should look like from the air to the south  Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
The €600 million construction project was originally slated to be completed in time for the Paris Olympics in 2024, but it's not sure if it will be possible to keep to that timetable.
 
 
Aerial view from the north showing the planned rooftop terrace. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
The renovated Gare du Nord will be significantly expanded, increasing commercial areas from 10,000 square meters to 45,000 square meters and adding 4,000 square meters of green space. The project is intended to improve the flow of traffic and offer more services to local residents as well as commuters, including a post office, a library, co-working spaces, and a rooftop terrace. 
 
 
A 1 km track, to be operated by a private gym, will run along the rooftop. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
 
 
 
A projected cross-section of the new east wing of the Gare du Nord. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
 
Trains will continue to arrive in the historic west wing of the station. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
 
Departing passengers will enter the east wing, while arriving passengers will exit on the west. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 
 
The bus station, on the eastern facade. Photo: Semop gare du nord/Denis Valode architecture/atelier d’architecture SNCF
 

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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