Paris Saint-Lazare was the first French train station, built in 1837 right in the heart of the capital's business district. It is now used by 450,000 travellers every day making it Europe's second largest station in terms of passenger numbers.
The station had not been renovated since 1970 and was therefore not meeting modern requirements for quality of services and welcome in a Parisian station. This is why an ambitious renovation team began the 'Coeur Saint-Lazare' project in 2003. This reconstruction work is currently the largest such project in Paris.

Initial phase - 2003-2007
From 2003 to 2007, the renovation work focused on the platform entrance area. We were able to pave the whole of the platform surface with the same flagstones. The station's heritage was valued by restoring the stained glass windows and cleaning the façade. New traveller information screens were installed.

Second phase - 2006-2008
The access to the Rue d'Amsterdam was enlarged, creating a second entrance and making this area safer and more accessible. New information screens were installed. Cour d'Amsterdam was renovated. Finally a new sales area for mainline services was created.

Third phase - 2009-early 2012
The project's current phase involves reviewing passenger movement around the station in order to make it flow better, to encourage passengers to use the previously under-used 'Salle des pas perdus' and to free up the central platform.
A large concourse will soon be accessible on the same level as the former 'Salle des pas perdus' which will connect the 3 levels - the métro, the road and the platforms. This will be the place where passengers walk between their trains and the urban transport network An interchange hub is currently being built for the metro, connecting lines 3, 12, 13, and 14 and line E of the RER.
250 underground parking spaces will soon be available as well as 10,000 sq m of retail and service units. More than 80 shops, services and restaurants will be open to the public by early next year. The station's commercial area will provide travellers and visitors with extra comfort and services.

2012-2013 - project conclusion
The final phase will be the renovation of the Rome and Havre forecourts, as well as the road between them. Large bay windows will give a view inside the station from the forecourt. The forecourts will be refurbished to make movement around the stations easier and to make it more accessible to pedestrians, particularly people with reduced mobility.
Finally, the connections with urban transport will be improved. A new bus terminal will serve four lines and the taxi service will be improved to make transfers easier on the Rome forecourt.

Find all the information about the station's changes on http://www.coeurstlazare.fr