In the southeast of the centre of Paris, the Gare de Lyon is one of Europe's biggest and busiest railway stations. The grand 1900 building stands in the XII or Reuilly district of the French capital and is easy to spot, thanks to its distinctive Victorian-Gothic clock tower constructed in a similar style to London's Big Ben. If you pick up a hire car at Gare de Lyon you'll find it is handily placed for driving into the heart of the city or escaping to the Périphérique ring road via the trunk roads along both sides of the River Seine.
Paris is one of the world's great cities to visit, thanks to its largely intact historic centre. If you collect a hire car at Gare de Lyon, for example, you'll find all the major sights are within easy reach; the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre and Montmartre are all within a few miles. Before you leave the south-eastern quarter of Paris though, it's worth looking at the ornate architecture of the Gare de Lyon itself. Its lavish ‘Train Bleu' restaurant has been a classic place to dine for over 100 years. This area on the ‘right bank' of the Seine is also home to the modern landmark cultural venue, Opera Bastille, and the Bois de Vincennes, Paris' largest park.