Paris by Eurostar + more questions

[03_179]

Morning all,

My trip to Brussels looks like being subverted by SWMBO and now Paris is a likely destination.

I am probably travelling with the wife and daughter so not a lot of chance for dedicated 'spotting' apart from travelling there and back and maybe a bit of time on the Eurostar platforms. So can anyone advise if there is a fair amount to see en route in France/Belgium?

What is 'spotting' like at Brussels Eurostar platforms> Can you see other SNCB locos/units? from there?

Thanks in advance.

Similar questions:

What can be seen enroute to Paris (what to look out for spotting wise)/
Can I seem much in the way of SNCF from the Garde De Nord station eurostar platforms?

Also what is the best tickets for the Metro to buy. We're probably going to see "the sights" but as it is a day trip may need to jump the metro from place to place.

How easy is it to get these tickets?

ANy other tips for Paris (and Brussels metro if we end up there as originally planned).

Thanks everyone for help.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What can be seen enroute to Paris (what to look out for spotting wise)

Can I see much in the way of SNCF from the Garde De Nord station eurostar platforms?

Also what is the best tickets for the Metro to buy. We're probably going to see "the sights" but as it is a day trip may need to jump the metro from place to place.

How easy is it to get these tickets?

For the first, except for the sidings and depot just south of Lille, you won't get much spotting wise until you are off the LGV for the last 10 miles into Paris. Everything would be out the right hand side as you look towards Paris. Mostly Z20500 units on RER D, but then you go past Le Landy TGV depot... there's also the stabling yards at St Denis, where there should be some loco hauled stock parked up, most likely with BB22200s attached. Below St Denis you'll also see a lot of the new Z50000 units.

Entering Gare du Nord, everything will be on the left. You can't see much from the Eurostar platforms at all, but after checking in on the way back there is a decent view from the waiting area. Not much good for numbers, though, but you'll certainly see a lot of trains.

For the ticket, if by "seeing the sights" you mean you'll be going into them as well as just looking from outside, you'll want a Paris Visite one day ticket. For a day trip the three zone one will do. That won't cover Versailles - you need the five zone for that - but you probably wouldn't have time for that on a one day trip anyway. The Visite ticket gives discounts on entry fees to most of the museums etc. If you're not likely to actually go inside anywhere, the Navigo ( I think that's the name? ) is basically a cheaper version of the same ticket but without the discounting feature.

The Visite can be easily purchased at Nord from the RER ticket office on the next floor down - look for the stairs just inside the main entrance to Nord, go downstairs and then straight ahead a bit.

Oh... if you need a quick feed before checking in on the way back, I can recommend the Cadran du Nord directly opposite the main entrance to the station. Not exactly traditional French food as it's omelettes, lasagnes and similar, but it's reasonably quick and good quality plus the decorative ceiling they have is spectacular...

 

[03_179]

Thanks Peter,

I'll be taking my camera so maybe able to zoom lens something maybe even a pair or Binoculars.

By "seeing the sights", I'm not sure we'll have time to go in to things just have a look, photo graph and then move on.

Thanks for the Cafe tip ... I'm sure we'll need to eat (and drink LOL)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'll be taking my camera so maybe able to zoom lens something maybe even a pair or Binoculars.

This is where I should clarify that except for the nearest few platforms, which tend to have only TGVs in them, all you'll be seeing is the roof lines so binoculars or zooms won't get you any extra numbers I'm afraid...

 

[03_179]

Ahh ok ... Maybe just take my 17-70mm lens only then.

Thanks Peter,

Neil.

 

[edwin_m]

I think the ticket you want is Mobilis - isn't Navigo the smartcard thing that's only really relevant to residents or long stayers? Last time I had one you had to write a passport number on it for it to be valid - didn't notice for most of the day but luckily I wasn't inspected.

You ought to be able to see quite a few trains from the platform-level concourse at Nord but it has a certain reputation so watch your back especially if using an expensive camera.

 

[03_179]

Thanks Edwin,

It's a DSLR so yeah it's a bit good. I'll have the family with me but always careful with my camera gear.

 

[IanD]

The Mobilis ticket only requires you to add your name and the date you are using it. Only 7.50 Euros, it's not bad value. Paris seems much more compact than London so walking is not so arduous between some of "the sights". The stations on the Metro are often very close together so the Metro map can be misleading at times.

My favourite close-up view of the Eiffel tower is as you cross the Seine on the Bir-Hakeim bridge on Metro Line 6 travelling from Charles de Gaule Etoile (for Arc de Triomphe) to Bir-Hakeim. Sit on the left. Once you've crossed the Seine go back 2 stop to Trocadero if you want to see the tower from the ground up. Of course, the view over Paris from Mont Martre/Scare Coeur is also superb, particularly after dark and much cheaper (i.e. free) than going up the Eiffel Tower.

 

[03_179]

Thanks Ian.

THe wife and daughter want to see the sights ... I'd rather stay on the platforms LOL

 

[IanD]

My last visit including seeing all "the sights": Gare Du Nord, Gare de L'Est, Gare du Lyon, Gare St Lazare, Gare d'Austerlitz etc.. Visited some of the other stuff to keep the OH happy but she was impressed by the stations anyway. I was impressed that there was no charge to look round Notre Dame.

 

[eastwestdivide]

...THe wife and daughter want to see the sights ... I'd rather stay on the platforms LOL

Combine the two at the Musee d'Orsay? Former station converted to art gallery.

 

[MarcVD]

Combine the two at the Musee d'Orsay? Former station converted to art gallery.

Must see, indeed.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thanks Ian.

THe wife and daughter want to see the sights ... I'd rather stay on the platforms LOL

The Parc St Cloud has excellent views over the whole of Paris from the west, and would also give you an excuse to get one of the dwindling Z6400 units in off St Lazare. If you do that, make sure you sit in one of the DMs... fantastic noises. The Parc St Cloud is about a 10 - 15 minute walk from, not surprisingly, St Cloud station which is just past La Defense.


Edited: Typo. Couldn't spell "cloud" in one place... D'oh...

 

[03_179]

Thanks everyone for the ideas ... will be running them by the girls tonight