Aaron S.
Yelp
Gare du Nord is the world's largest train station outside of Japan, considering that the state of this station is so sad to see, it's swarmed by homeless people and drug addicts, and the sketchy, smelly streets around the station surely is the worst welcome to Paris anyone could get, especially considering this is the main station used for Eurostar services and international services from countries such as the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. The beautiful city of Paris isn't given any justice through Gare Du Nord, and the state of this station means the whole city and country should be ashamed of such a major station. You'd never see that in Amsterdam or London or even Germany, which is home to half of Europe's top 20 busiest stations by passenger number.
There were a small number of places to grab food, souvenirs or drink before travel, mainly your huge chains including Paul and Five Guys who also have many places around the city if you are travelling via the Eurostar please remember once you go through security there is literally nothing and you can't leave to nip to the shops etc, you can get to the Eurostar platforms by the lift/staircase at the entrance opposite Burger King, again this isn't signposted at all and it seems every sign around the station seems to have forgotten Eurostar.
Lack of staff around the station too, especially considering how hidden the Eurostar is if heading from the bus terminal, makes it hard to navigate.
The main concourse of the station and the ceiling is stunning, buses going into the station via a bus interchange also makes it easy to get to but that seems to be where the positives end as far as I'm concerned.
2* - I wouldn't feel safe letting a young person or lady walk around the station on their own, I don't even feel too safe myself, it just makes me sad to see the state such a major station not just for Paris, but the whole of Europe has become.