North Train Station

The Gare du Nord (or North Station in English) is one of Paris’ large terminus style stations. It is far and away the busiest train station in Europe. It is the point of origin for train lines servicing all of northern France, not to mention Belgium, the Netherlands, and even England. It was designed by famous architect Jacques Hittorff, and built in the early 1860s. The Gare du Nord is a huge and imposing structure, with beautiful classic lines inside and out. The support pillars inside the station itself were cast in England, because at the time England was the only country with a foundry large enough to do the job. Inside the station are sculptures, which represent many of the famous foreign cities, serviced by the rail lines that originate there; there are also smaller statues which represent similar cities within France. Both the interior and exterior of this beautiful station have been featured in countless motion pictures, most recently in the high profile, action packed “The Bourne Identity” starring Matt Damon.