Paris has several major train stations leading to the regions, but one of the best for sightseeing is the Gare de l’Est (East Station), which we will introduce here.

As the name suggests, the station serves trains heading eastwards.
Surprisingly, the area around the station is not crowded and there are relatively few suspicious people, so first-time visitors can feel at ease.

There are also many cafés and shops in the station, so you will never get bored of sightseeing.

Of course, the historic buildings are another attraction.

Now let me introduce you to some of them.

Gare de l’Est

Location

Gare de l’Est

Address：Place du 11 novembre 1918, 75010 Paris, France

Access

• RER : line E
• Metro : lines 4, 5 and 7
• Bus: lines 31, 32, 35, 38, 39, 46, 54, 56, 91.

Features

The name ‘East Station’ is not because it is located east of Paris, but because it is the departure station for trains heading to the east side of the city.

It is the fifth largest station in Paris, with more than 35 million passengers a year.

The station was built by architect François-Alexandre Duquesney and engineer Pierre Cabanel de Sermet.

History

Opened in 1849 under the name Embarcadère de Strasbourg.

In 1854, the name of the station was changed to the current ‘Gare de l’Est’.

In 1883, the station became the first station for the Oriental Express to Constantinople.

Extensions in 1885 and 1900.

Additional construction in 1926 and 1931.

source：https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_de_Paris-Est

Security

If you use East Station, you may be concerned about security.

Many people are concerned because it is located right next to the less reputable North Station.

However, as far as the East Station premises are concerned, there is no problem.

Unlike North Station, East Station is not served by the RER B line, so trains coming through unsafe areas are not served.

If anything, it is mainly people heading eastwards or coming back, so it is not too crowded.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it is safe, and if you are as attentive as you normally are in Paris, you can avoid trouble.

Pickpockets etc. are of course present, so please be careful with your personal belongings.

Map of East Station premises

Paris Est plan

A map of the East Station premises was surprisingly hard to find, but I was able to locate it on the SNCF website.

Click on the link above to open the PDF file.

Paris Est plan

The main ground floor is very clearly laid out.

Enter through the main entrance and you will see a line of departure platforms from No. 2 to No. 30 on your left, so head for the platform when your destination is displayed on the electronic board.

Paris Est plan

There is a metro entrance on the basement floor.

It is easily accessible via an escalator.

The station offers a wide range of facilities.

There are many shops and restaurants on the ground floor, as well as luggage storage (coin lockers) and toilets on the basement floor, which are clean and well maintained.

Overall, the station is cleaner and easier to understand than other major stations.

Report

The front of the station is tidy, not too crowded and does not have the dubious atmosphere of the northern stations.

Vehicle access is also restricted, making it possible to use the front of the station in peace.

8 May 1945, street side.

East Station, viewed from rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin.

When you enter the station, you are first greeted by an electronic board.

Please check the destination and departure platform when using the service.

The platforms are quite spacious.

The red glow in the middle is the stove.

In the early hours of the morning and during cold weather, everyone is flocking to this stove.

Of course, this is only available in winter, so if you go during the coldest months, try to warm up.

Very long station turnstiles.

There is also a sense of history in the train stops.

TGVs are standing by.

After all, seeing the train raises the anticipation of the journey.

The open ceiling and the staircase on the left hand side are typical of European stations.

Lots of benches are placed.

SNCF information.

If you want to buy tickets on the day, this is the place to come.

Lots of food shops are open from early in the morning, so there is no need to worry about what to eat on the train.

There are many apparel, grocery and cosmetics shops in the station.

It is a bit like a shopping mall.

Restaurant at Gare de l’Est.

KUSMI TEA shop in East Station.

There is a very large Starbucks.

There are also many shops around the escalators leading to the Metro.

Large windows in the doorways let in light.

This is a historical view.

This is the central entrance and exit.

It can be quite crowded at certain times of the day.

Summary

Even if you don’t go anywhere, East Station is a great place to visit and see for sightseeing.

There are many accommodation options in the area and many people stay here.

Please visit if you have time.

Shops at the station also open around 6am-7am, including clothing and general shops as well as bakeries and kiosks.

If you are staying in a place where you can walk to East Station, and you get up early in the morning but can’t think of anywhere to go, why not take a walk and visit?

Note, however, that many shops are closed on Sundays.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this issue.

This time, I would like to introduce Navigo, an unlimited ride ticket for ile-de-france.

This is a great ticket for those who are visiting Paris for the second time or plan to stay for more than a week.

The attraction of this is that you can ride the metro and buses as much as you want for a predetermined period of time by paying a fee.

In addition, it is an excellent card that can be used on the Roissy bus and RER B lines that connect Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris city.

In this article, I would like to introduce this Navigo in detail so that you can use it correctly and safely.

La carte Navigo Découverte

Practical information

La carte Navigo Découverte

Target audience: Non-residents of Paris (sightseeing tourists)

Card issuance price: 5 Euros

Fee: Varies depending on the period of use (see below)

Expiration date: 10 years from the last use of the card itself. To use the card, you need to charge it for the period of use.

Required documents: None, but you will need a photo (25mm x 30mm) to start using the service.

Where to buy: Metro and RER stations, also available at Charles de Gaulle Airport (station, manned counter)

Charging location: Same as above

Available area: ile-de-france

How to buy

Where to buy

If you want to purchase a Navigo, you can do so at manned counters at any Metro or RER station.

If you don’t have a transfer to your hotel, your best bet is to buy one at the manned counter at Charles de Gaulle Airport, RER B line.

How to buy

Whether you are buying at the airport or at a train station in the city, just say

Navigo Découverte s’il vous plaît. 

If you want to buy more than one, such as two or three, just add the numbers you need.

(２＝deux 、3＝trois)

You don’t have to say anything in particular, but if they ask you something, just say semaine and they will charge you for a week.

For the counter at the nearest station, it seems to be a case by case basis.

If you are only charged 5 euros, it is only for the unit, so you can recharge it and use it in the way I will show you later.

You may be asked to buy a ticket for the Navigo itself at the ticket machine, which costs 5 euros.

The photo shows the manned ticket office at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

There will probably be someone in line, so get in line and wait your turn.

Many people may think that it is nerve-wracking to speak to someone in French when buying a Navigo.
However, in France these days, especially in Paris, most people are willing to talk to you in English, so I don’t think you need to worry too much about the language.

Also, when making a purchase, as long as you can say Navigo, the other person will understand your intentions.

There is also a card for French residents called Navigo personnalisée, but if you don’t speak French well, you don’t need to worry about it because they won’t recommend this card.

Charge Fee

You cannot use Navigo just by purchasing it.

To make it available, you have to charge it.

The following is the usage period and charge fee.

(As of 2021)

(For more information on zones, see below)

Travelers use the top line, which is in red.

This means unlimited access to the entire ile-de-france area, which includes zones 1~5.

The range used to be a bit more detailed, but since central Paris is now in Zone 1, travelers are basically left with no other area to choose from.

I think most people will buy Navigo Semaine, as they are unlikely to stay for a month during a normal trip.

Available Area

Below is a map for all the zones, although it is a bit confusing.

Network maps

The white area in the center is Paris City, Zone 1.

Each color change toward the outside is a zone 2 to zone 5.

If you have a Navigo, you can take all the trains and buses in the area, so you can see how much you can save.

The main tourist attractions are listed below.

• Paris Disneyland
• Palace of Versailles
• Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Fontainebleau Castle
• Provins
• Saint-Germain-en-Laye
• Giverny

There are so many things to see and do that it would be impossible to visit them all in one trip.

If you were to buy a regular ticket for every single place you visit, it would quickly exceed 100 Euros, so you can see how much of a bargain 22.8 Euros is.

Period of validity and timing of purchase

When you hear Navigo Semaine, a ticket that is valid for one week, most people think that the ticket is valid for one week from the day it is processed.

If it says one week, of course you will think this way.

However, a week in the sense of Navigo Semaine is considered to be a week of seven days, Monday through Sunday.

(It’s easier to understand if you think of it as tickets that are valid from Monday to Sunday.)

In other words, if you charge on Monday, the weekly rate is until Sunday.

If you charge on a Thursday, the weekly rate will be the same until Sunday.

One is 7 days and the other is 4 days, so it seems quite unfair, but it is the French quality that is inflexible.

Let’s just give up on the idea that this is how it works.

And there’s one more big problem.

That is, you can only make charges that are valid for that week until Thursday.

For example, this means that you cannot arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport on a Friday, charge your Navigo on the spot, and use it right away.

(You can recharge at the machine, but it will only start on the following Monday, so be careful not to make a mistake.)

It is a great advantage to use Navigo for transportation from Charles de Gaulle airport, but if your arrival day is Friday to Sunday, you cannot use Navigo at all during that time.

It depends on your travel schedule, but if you are traveling for 4 to 5 nights and arrive on a Friday, there is little point in using Navigo, so be careful when deciding your itinerary.

Charging Method

Now let’s see how to charge Navigo.

In this article, I will show you how to recharge your card at a Metro station using a machine.

The basic procedure is the same no matter which machine you use.

Also, if you are not good with machines, they will probably process you at a manned counter, but be aware that some people may ask you to use a machine.

The ticket machines in the Paris Metro are lined up like this.

You can charge at any ticket machine as long as it says “Navigo” on it, but for the first time, I recommend using the one on the left side of the picture, the one with the purple round stand.

First, choose a language.

I don’t think you will have any problem choosing French, but just in case, choose English.

First, place the Navigo unit on the circular purple platform.

The orientation is not particularly relevant.

First, choose the time period you want to use.

• Monthly　
• Weekly　　
• One day　　

Buy the Weekly one in the middle, but make sure you don’t make a mistake because it has a small expiration date on it.

Next, choose a zone.

First, choose one.

Then choose 5.

The price will be displayed on the right side of the screen, so if you see 22.8 Euro, you are good to go.

Next comes the payment.

There is a place beside the ticket machine where you can insert your credit card, IC chip side up.

When all is said and done, take away the cards.

At this point, you need to be careful.

“Pick up your Navigo pass “

Do not take the card away until you see this sign.

If you take it away in the middle of the process, it may not be charged properly, so be careful.

Utilization Method

Precautions before use

If you have successfully recharged your Navigo, you can use Navigo as soon as possible.

However, there is one more important thing to do before that.

It is to put a picture of your face on it.

写真、右側の下の部分に顔写真を貼る場所がありますので、こちらに必ず写真を貼りましょう。

The size of the photo should be 25mm x 30mm.

It is better to prepare them in advance.

And don’t forget to sign your name in the white space next to your portrait.

If you forget these two items and use the system without them, you will be charged an exorbitant fine if you are checked by the ticket checker, so please do not forget them.

In the unlikely event that you are caught at a ticket checkpoint using a Navigo without a photo or signature, you will be fined around 100 Euros. (It can be much higher.)
The police will never let you off the hook even if you say you are a tourist or didn’t know about it, so be careful.
The French police are not very flexible, so if you find yourself in such a situation, just give up.

How to use it in practice

Using Navigo is easy.

Touch the Navigo symbol to use it.

The three ticket gates from the left are for Navigo only.

Metro and RER trains usually have gates like this.

Please note that regular tickets cannot be used.

For buses, there is a machine like this at the boarding gate.

If you hear a sound, it’s OK.

Points to note when using

Navigo allows unlimited rides up to zone 5 for the duration of your purchase, but be sure to go through the ticket gates when taking the train or metro, and touch the machine when taking the bus.

In rare cases, you can get on a bus without touching it, or if you are in a hurry or in a crowded situation, you can get on a bus without touching it.

This is especially true for buses, so be sure to touch it after the bus has departed.

If you run into a checkpoint or other checkpoint, you may be fined a large amount of money if you do not have a record of your entry, so please make sure to touch in under all circumstances.

Common Problems

A common problem when using Navigo is that sometimes you touch it, but can’t get through.

In fact, to prevent fraudulent use of Navigo, once you have passed Navigo, you cannot touch it again immediately to use it.

Of course, that doesn’t happen very often when you are using the system normally, but when it is crowded, on rare occasions, the system reacts to what the person in front of you went through as if it was your Navigo.

Also, the door and the rotating bar are heavy, so if you don’t push it well, the machine may decide that you have already gone through.

Furthermore, if you go through the ticket gate once, but come out immediately and try to enter again from the same place, you may not be able to use it.

It can happen for a variety of reasons, so it’s best not to worry too much about the reasons.

If you suddenly find yourself in this situation, it can be quite frustrating, but the solution is actually quite simple.

Wait for five minutes.

This is the solution.

If you wait for a while, I don’t know if it will be unlocked, but you will be able to use it again, so don’t panic and take some time to go through it again.

I think I can get through without any problems.

Please do not expect a good response if you talk to someone at a manned counter in this situation.

It will be passable after some time, and I think most people will not do anything about it.

Points to note when purchasing at Charles de Gaulle Airport　

Points to note when purchasing at Terminal 2

Navigos can be purchased at Charles de Gaulle airport.

However, there is a slight problem if you try to purchase at Terminal 2, which is used by Air France.

That’s because the purchase window is located far away from Terminal 2E, the exit.

The center of the diagram is the exit, but to get to the Navigo purchase window, go out the exit and walk to the left.

(On screen is the right side.)

Continue to the end of the hall and take the escalator or elevator to the first floor.

Go straight ahead. (Go beyond the diagram.)

After crossing the moving walkway, you will arrive at the SNCF RER B terminal, take the escalator down to Level 0.

The counter is located here, so it would take about 10 minutes to actually walk there.

If you are taking the RER B line to Paris city, you can go down to the underground platform without any problem, but if you are taking the Roissy bus to Paris city, you will have to go back the way you came.

As you can see from the first map, the Roissy bus stop is a straight walk from the exit.

Considering the time it takes to get to the purchase counter and back, and the crowd at the counter, it may take more than 30 minutes to board the Roissy bus, or even an hour if it is crowded.

If you are thinking about how to use Roissy buses to get around Paris, please allow plenty of time.

If you already have a Navigo, you can recharge it at the bus stop, so please head straight to the bus stop.

Summary

How was it?

If you want to see Paris efficiently, you need to use Navigo.

It is also very convenient because once you have purchased it, you can use it again within 10 years when you visit again.

However, as I explained, it is not a good deal and convenient for everyone.

If any of the following apply to you, you may want to consider using this service for your travel schedule.

• If you are not traveling from the airport by Roissy bus or RER B line.
• If you are not going to Versailles, or you are taking a tour.
• Those who will be touring the city.
• Those who do not go out of the city.
• People who like to walk
• Those arriving on a Friday
• Those who are staying in Paris for a short time
• Those who do not plan to come to Paris in the future

If you are considering a trip to Paris with the above schedule, there is no need to force yourself to use Navigo in most cases.

The first time you use Navigo, it will cost you 27.8 Euros (5 Euros per unit), so please consider your itinerary carefully before using it.

If you have a schedule that works for you, please take advantage of Navigo to expand your range of activities and enjoy Paris to the fullest.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.

If you’ve ever traveled to Europe, you’ll want to experience a train journey at least once.

Within the EU, various countries operate various types of trains, but the most popular is the red-bodied Thalys.

The Thalys, which connects the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, is a highly recommended train that can be easily used by those who have never traveled by train before, and is also a great sightseeing option.

In this article, I would like to introduce Thalys in detail.

About Thalys

Basic information

The Thalys is a high-speed train that connects four countries: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Currently, Talis is operated by two joint companies.

One is Thalys International.

It is operated mainly by the railroad companies of France, Belgium and Germany.

The project is also supported by a Dutch railroad company.

（SNCF 62％、SNCB 28％、DB 10％）

The other is the railroad company THI Factory.

This one is operated by a French and Belgian railroad company.

（SNCF 60％、SNCB 40％）

The Thalys, with its trademark red body, was built in 1996 based on the French TGV.

They are constantly adopting various innovative approaches, introducing wifi in 2008 and a train management system called ERTMS in 2009.

With the slogan “Welcome to our World,” they are constantly striving to increase customer satisfaction.

The seats in Thalys are ergonomically designed and very comfortable.

Each seat is equipped with a power plug, making it easy to charge your computer or smart phone.

Service

Seat Comparison Table

There are three types of tickets for the Thalys.

• Standard
• Comfort
• Premium

The characteristics of each are summarized in the table below.

Please note that the fares shown are for travel from Paris to Brussels.

From Paris to Brussels

Electrical outlets

Power outlets are located in every seat.

You will need to prepare a C-type power plug in advance.

WIFI

WIFI is available in all seats.

Note that Premium users have access to high-speed communications.

MEALS

Meals on board are included free of charge only in Premium.

There is also a dining car, which is available for all passengers.

It’s called “WELCOME BAR” and serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, waffles, and more.

A detailed menu can be found here.

Thalys WELCOM BAR MENU

Thalys lounges

Only available for Premium users.

• Access to Thalys lounges at Paris-Nord and Brussels-Midi
• Access to NS International – Regus Express lounges at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Schiphol 

(The lounge may not be available due to renovation work. Please check below for the latest information)

Thalys Info & Services

Brussels-Midi

address：Rue de l’instruction 158 1060 Brussels

Opening hours:

• Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 9:30 pm
• Saturday: 7:30 am to 9:00 pm
• Sunday: 8:30 am to 9:30 pm

Paris Nord

address：22 Rue de Dunkerque 75010 Paris

Opening hours:

• Mondays: 7:00 am to 7:30 pm
• Tuesday to Thursday: 7:15 am to 7:30 pm
• Fridays: 7:15 am to 8:30 pm
• Saturdays: 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Sundays: 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Newspapers, Magazines

Only Premium is available.

Luggage storage

The amount of luggage that can be brought into the Thalys is the same for all classes.

Two suitcases are allowed.

However, the maximum size is 75 x 53 x 30 cm.

No more than one piece of hand luggage.

There is no weight limit for both suitcases and hand luggage, but you must be able to carry the weight yourself.

Fare

Fares can be booked at a discount if you book early.

(Tickets can be reserved up to three months in advance.)

In most cases, discounted seats cannot be cancelled or refunded, so please be careful when making reservations.

Depending on the date of travel, Comfort may be cheaper than Standard, so choose Comfort in that case.

Children under 12 years old pay a flat rate for a ride on the Thalys, no matter where they go.

There is a difference in price depending on the seat.

If your child is under 4 years old, it is possible to ride for free.

Youth rates for those between the ages of 12 and 25 are less expensive than adult rates.

Senior rates for those over 60 are also available at a discount to adult rates.

Thalys Network

My trip with Thalys

The Thalys runs through major cities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Travel time to major cities:

Paris – Brussels 1 hour 22 minutes
Paris – Amsterdam 3h 17m
Paris – Cologne 3h 14m

The actual travel time will vary slightly depending on the day of the week and time of day, but being able to travel between several countries in a short amount of time is one of the unique attractions of Europe.

Marne-la-Vallée and CDG (Charles de Gaulle Airport) are new additions to the route, making it even more convenient.

Summary

How was it?

The red body of the Thalys has many attractions not only in its body but also in its interior.

Regardless of which seat you take, the seat is comfortable and comes with a clean toilet.

The dining car is also a counter type that can be used casually, so I recommend stopping by for a memory of your trip.

The Thalys has a variety of attractions, but there are different ways to make reservations.

In my next article, I would like to show you how you can reserve a seat according to your wishes at a lower price than anywhere else.

I sometimes hear people say, “Isn’t it cheaper and shorter to travel by plane?”

Indeed, with the recent increase in the number of LCC (low cost carriers), flying is often cheaper if you consider only the time and cost of flying.

However, in reality, when you consider the cost and time associated with transportation to the airport in each country, and the cost and time associated with transportation in the country of arrival, train travel is overwhelmingly advantageous.

If you are planning to visit several countries in Europe, please consider traveling by train.

And if you are traveling between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, you should definitely take the Thalys.

Thank you again for reading to the end of this article.