Paris city guide

In 2013, a very cool initiative was taken by some train stations (in Paris, but also in some other French cities): a piano was installed in the public area where the travellers wait, and it is accessible to whoever wants to practise.

Since I live in the suburbs, I regularly pass by the station Saint-Lazare to go home, and it is a real pleasure, when I have to wait for my next train, to stay around the piano listening to the improv artists. Especially, late in the evening, when the station is nearly empty, and most people around are lonely or tired, but find better vibes to finish the day in these piano sessions …

I also like the fact that there’s no specific rule for those who want to play, no list, no queue, but a general agreement between the piano players, and sometimes singers too who ask the pianists to play their favourite songs.

It seems that every major train station in Paris (except maybe Gare du Nord) has its own “À vous de jouer” piano (it literally means: it’s your turn to play): Saint-Lazare, Montparnasse, Austerlitz, Gare de Lyon and Gare de l’Est. The pianos are located near the Transilien (suburban train network) platforms (upper levels), and not at the metro or RER underground levels.

So, if you miss a piano to practise on while travelling in Paris, or if you simply want to share a warm spontaneous atmosphere, look for a train station!