Well, again looking at my vault of pictures realise that had some not yet posted in my blog! And this was/is my entry point to Paris from my Morbihan breton by train ! I have taken plenty of train rides here and always looking forward to return, eventually, There is plenty in my blog on the train station, but again always worth it bringing back the memories and the excuse of more pictures, Therefore, hope you enjoy the Gare Montparnasse of Paris !!! as I
The name itself brings out the artsy, vibrant, gaiety of the Paris we came to love and enjoy , and still do. I was lucky to worked by this area and enjoy all its splendor and many good restaurants and bars lol! I like to tell you a bit more of the train station I used so much, From my newer train stations first in Auray and later Vannes to Montparnasse !! And several times of the usual train delays that is so famous by now on the TGV Atlantique runs with as much of 45 minutes yikes !!! Welcome to public transports and train travel in France for the regulars that knows.
With 77 million travelers and 550 daily connections, 220,000 passengers per day , it ranks fourth among French stations. And expected to be at 90 millions by 2030, It is the northern Terminus of the TGV Atlantique (mine), and connected to the west and south-west of France as well as to Spain. It has 15 platforms and 28 tracks, it is also served by the TER Normandie, the TER Centre-Val de Loire and the N line of the Transilien, operated by the SNCF. Thus, the Gare Montparnasse is two hours from Nantes, three hours from Bordeaux and six hours from Irun, on the Spanish border. It is also about 3 hours from me at Vannes , The Gare Montparnasse is open 365 days a year, from 04h30 to 01h15, Wifi access is free and unlimited , Automatic lockers are available at Hall 1 on level 2 (wharf 24). You can leave your luggage there every day of the week from 07h to 23h.
The Gare Montparnasse briefly is layout as such Hall 1 Level -1: Main line access, connection to metro line 4, 6, 12, 13, Hall 1 Level 0 : Grand access, bus connection and noctilien (night bus), Hall 1 Level 2 : Exit rue Mouchotte, metro connection, line 13, Hall 2 Level 3 : Outdoor parking, Ile-de-France train access, TGV boarding, Hall 3 Vaugirard Waiting area, group point and access to tracks 1 to 24 (mines).
The Gare Montparnasse is only a 15-minute walk from the Avenue de l’Observatoire and its garden of great explorers. From its imposing Quatre-Parties-du-Monde fountain, designed by Carpeaux and executed by Davioud, a remarkable view of the Luxembourg Gardens opens up. All you have to do is climb above the tracks of Gare Montparnasse. At this place, the jardin Atlantique or Atlantic garden awaits travelers.It is reached by the metal staircase, direction Pasteur car park at the level of the main lines, just before track n°1.
Today the Gare Montparnasse is completely renovated with redesigned spaces and a refurbished shopping mall. The old blind walls have been replaced by large windows open to the city. And in the large Vasarely hall, the yellowed plastic cover has been replaced by a technique of transparent air cushions that let the sun in. To facilitate the flow of passengers, around fifteen additional escalators have been installed, as well as two panoramic elevators. Access to the metro (lines 4, 6, 12 and 13) has been thoroughly reviewed for arriving passengers, although the signage is not yet very clear. It has distribute the 102 screens indicating train departures and arrivals along the entire length of the waiting room, in order to avoid crowds. In fact, the average waiting time is 46 minutes in this station, of which 65% of the traffic is on the main lines, and only 35% on the so-called “commuter”, i.e. the suburbs. Fifteen waiting areas have been set up. The number of seats has therefore increased from 450 to 1,200. As for shops, there are now 120 when there were only 57, and restaurants 40 when there were only 13. There remains the question of toilets. Admittedly, their number has been increased but their access remains chargeable for 1 euro entry. Consolation, the entrance ticket entitles you to a reduction of 90 cents on a bottle of water charged at 1.90 euros.
The main Gare Montparnasse ,11 rue de l’Arrivée 15éme, It is served by the following metro lines: M4, M6, M12, M13, L’Open Tour ,Bus lines 28, 58, 88, 91, 92, 94, 95,and 96. Noctilien night bus lines: N61, N62, N63 , Possible transfer to Gares de Lyon and Austerlitz.
The official SNCF station and connections on the Gare Montparnasse : https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gares-services/paris-montparnasse
The regional Transilien network on the gare Montparnasse: https://www.transilien.com/fr/gare/paris-montparnasse-8739100
The private practical better guide to the Gare Montparnasse: http://:https://www.garemontparnasse.paris/
The Paris tourist office on the Gare Montparnasse: https://en.parisinfo.com/transport/73403/Gare-Montparnasse
There you go folks, my sentimental train station, so many trips, and always looking forward to return, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this newest post on my wonderful Gare Montparnasse of Paris !!!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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