Paris - Gare du Nord facilities

[Passerillage]

I'm going to a wedding in Paris soon, and taking the Eurostar. We have to leave the house at an ungodly hour, and I'm wondering when the best time to do my hair and makeup might be. I can change into my dress in the loo in GdN easily enough, but I'd love somewhere with a plug socket so I can curl my hair and nice bright mirrors like the ones in the ladies loos in Paddington to put on a bit of makeup etc. (yes, I know the "look" in Paris is minimal and not try-hard!).

Is there somewhere like that at Eurostar arrivals in Gare du Nord?

Been about 5 years to be fair but the loos at gdn used to be grim and very crowded. Would avoid or do at St Pancreas.

I would not do this at Gare de Nord. The loos are cramped and not very clean. I can't remember seeing anywhere with enough space or sockets to curl your hair, do make up etc.

Eurostar has plugs under each seat UK and European. The plugs are in between the em seats and underneath

You can make sure your seats are at one of the tables to do your makeup on the euro star.

Each seat has a small table like on an airplane which will give you more than enough space to do your makeup

There are a couple of buffet areas which have lots of space so maybe go there if you desperately want more space to spread out

So where the seats join together the plugs are in that column under the seats

Yes, you'd be better off doing it towards the end of your Eurostar journey after a nap! Then when you arrive in Paris you can while away the spare time at a lovely cafe.

I went on it a couple of months ago and saw the man behind me putting his plug in. I could see on the train video they had plugs but couldn't work out where they were till I saw him plug them in by chance.

As for mirrors make sure you choose a window seat for each side of the tunnel but I think it's bright enough to be applying make up. They have lights etc

You know you can choose your seats yes ? I chose mine via the app

If your going with someone choose a table and get them to sit opposite you so you have that whole half of the table. There is a bit you can pull out towards you from the table

Gare du Nord is horrid - it is super busy and a bit grim - it is nothing like the calm spaciousness of St Pancras.

There isn't really a Eurostar arrivals areas as such - you just get dumped on an main platform and you walk straight in to the main departure hall (which is 9 times out of 10 an absolute mad house).

I second getting ready on your Eurostar train or finding a decent hotel for a cup of coffee and using their loos. Although I am not sure you will be able to use heated hair tongs on the Eurostar!

Nasty station honestly I wouldnt rely in being able.to.do those things there. where is the wedding and where are you leaving your.luggage ( which presumably isn't coming to.the wedding with you?) i'd be more.inclined to get changed and ready closer.to.the wedding especially if.youve.got.to go on the Metro to get there as its OK but not the cleanest place on earth.. also voice of.very bitter experience there are pick pocketing gangs operating on the Metro and just outside Gare de Nord so best not.to call attention to yourself

Is there somewhere near the wedding you can get changed - a hotel or something? It's been a while since I was in gare du Nord, but unless it's improved dramatically, it's not somewhere I'd consider stopping to do hair and makeup and get dressed up before getting on the metro. It's a very busy domestic train station with (what used to be) grotty toilets - there are likely to be very few plug sockets available. And the metro itself can be a bit grubby - I think it would be better to get changed and dressed up at the other end, if at all possible...

Gare de Nord is a shit hole. Don’t assume it’s anything like St Pancras.

Gard du Nord is a total dump of a station. I've done my make up in the loos there but it's not fab. As others have said, see if you can do it at the venue when you get there.

And on your way home remember to allow LOTS of time at Gard du Nord to check in - takes at least three times longer than at St Pancreas.

Agree with not doing it in Gare du Nord. We were there a few weeks ago and loos are awful. I would get ready on the Eurostar...also avoids the pickpockets ready to pounce!

Oh god and the guys that hang out the front selling dodgy cigarettes.

Was there a couple of weeks ago. They've branched out into fake Apple Products.

It's a shame that this station has to be the gateway to France!!

Gare du Nord is horrible. Just turn right and get in a taxi ASAP.

Thank you so much - enormously helpful!