Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Gare de l'Est



Gare de l'Est


Gare de l'Est resembles the Belle Époque generation of train stations, 
and the west wing is the original building of 1847.   
An interesting note: On October 4, 1883, 
the Gare de l'Est saw the first departure 
of the Orient Express bound for Istanbul.


On this day I was not venturing nearly that far, 
but there is nothing quite so pleasant as traveling by train.


Gare de l'Est
Place du 11 novembre 1918
75010, Paris

17 comments:

Jack said...

When I click on a photo like this to admire the architectural details, I experience a range of emotions. The starting point is pleasure at the fine detail work, At some point, I get a bit sad that work like this just is not and cannot be done today.

William Kendall said...

Exquisite is the first thing that comes to mind seeing this. The architectural details are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

It is rare that there is so not much world.

martinealison said...

Bonjour ma chère Génie,
Les gares ont ce je ne sais quoi qui peut rendre joyeux ou triste...
J'aime l'architecture de celle-ci !
Une très belle photo.
Gros bisous

Joe said...

The wonderful architecture, the arches and the light black and white exposure combine with your mention of the Orient Express and Istanbul to create another world Genie. Bravo! Ciao J.

Malyss said...

I agree with Jack. And add that the words "Orient express" have a scent of adventure to me. And an Agatha Christie's mood! :o)

Alain said...

Je vois qu'elle a fait peau neuve. Un patrimoine et un lieu de mémoire de la guerre 14.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Genie:

How splendid to see this picture for it was from the Gare de l'Est that we departed on our very first trip to Budapest many, many years ago having travelled from London to Paris. Such memories this brings back!

At that time, incredibly, after we left Vienna, we were handed a piece of paper which stated: "We cannot guarantee Western standards beyond this point". Now how about that?!!

M said...

I agree with Jack ... These magnificent architectural details are just not possible today but your camera magic bring them to us!

Jeanie said...

I do love train travel -- and this is such a magnificent spot from which to depart!

Paulita said...

I love that they include the little apostrophe at the top -- I know, it's part of the spelling. Love these arches. Wish I was walking in there right now.

Rosemary said...

My son and his family have recently returned to Paris from Norway having left 5 years ago. I can't wait to visit again - your photos have whet my appetite.

JudyMac said...

I am looking forward to getting acquainted with the Gare de l'Est as I will be staying close by in the Fall. I understand a post office is located there, and it's also where one picks up the Metro and several bus lines around town. Thanks to your picture, I will know what this jumping-off point looks like ahead of time.

Alexa said...

Agree with you about train travel, Genie—and even more so when you get to depart from (or arrive at) a station that's this elegant.

Randy said...

Beautiful building. I like the arches.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

There is a definite emotion to travel by train, and not something that is a regular part of my daily routine. The first time I saw Venice, stepping off the train and walking through the station, I thought that I had stepped into a dream world.

Gare de l'Est is magnificent and I hope that we are stirred to preserve (and restore) the architectural heritage.

Jane and Lance - what a wonderful story about your passage to your new land... really? Leaving the Western standards?

Rosemary, I do hope that you will be visiting Paris soon.

JudyMac, there are some wonderful discoveries to be made near this station and a bit off the tourist map.

I do enjoy reading all of the comments, particularly for all that you add to my postings. Merci beaucoup,
Genie

Starman said...

I love Gare de l'Est'and have been there many times on my way to other French destinations.