During the 1960’s and 70’s a large part of the Montparnasse area was rebuilt. This included the Gare Montparnasse and the Tour Montparnasse. None of these are probably considered to be any architectural master pieces; it has even been seriously suggested to demolish the Tour, which is one of the few skyscrapers in Paris with its 56 stores. (The Paris skyscrapers are in the suburbs.) Today's rules include that no buildings in Paris must exceed 37 meters (120 ft) - even less in some areas, but this is now under discussion. We may in the future get some towers in the outer parts of Paris. 
Not only the railway station and tower were built, a large surrounding area was completely transformed. This is probably not what you at first hand would include in a tourist visit to Paris, but there are some interesting aspects to know.
This is the approximate area where most of the new buildings are situated.
If we start with the railway station, Gare Montparnasse, it differs thus considerably from the other Paris stations which have kept their 19th century architecture. (I have already made posts about Gare St.Lazare, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon. Remain Gare du Nord and Gare d’Austerlitz.)
I show you what the old station used to look like and also a photo of a famous accident which took place in 1895 (Wikipedia photos).
Gare Montparnasse is the station you would use if you leave for the west or south-west of France (Loire valley, Bordeaux, Brittany...) including by the fast TGV trains (see top photo), but it’s of course also a station for more local traffic. It’s a large station, actually divided in three, one of them replacing the old smaller Gare Vaugirard. 
There is a surprising park on top of the station - which you can reach by some direct stairs – surrounded by high modern buildings. It’s called Jardin (Garden) Atlantique, created in 1994. It’s an astonishly calm place if you consider the busy life in the area. When I was there last week, I was alone! As you can see from the photos, it’s of course not the best period to nicely illustrate a park.
At one end of the park, still on top of the station, there is a memorial to Field-Marshall Leclerc who as a general led the French troops participating in the Liberation of Paris in August 1944 and also a Jean Moulin museum. Jean Moulin was a high-profile member of the French Resistance during WW II. It can be noted that it was at Gare de Montparnasse (August 25, 1944) that the German governor of Paris, von Scholtitz, who disobeyed Hitler’s order to destroy Paris, surrendered to General Leclerc and Rol-Tanguy, the French resistance leader.
To finish today, a few pictures from the surrounding area including some modern hotels and shopping malls, one of Paris’ leading jazz clubs, “Le Petit Journal” ... and also of Place de Catalogne, surrounded by buildings by Ricardo Bofill.
Not only the railway station and tower were built, a large surrounding area was completely transformed. This is probably not what you at first hand would include in a tourist visit to Paris, but there are some interesting aspects to know.This is the approximate area where most of the new buildings are situated.
If we start with the railway station, Gare Montparnasse, it differs thus considerably from the other Paris stations which have kept their 19th century architecture. (I have already made posts about Gare St.Lazare, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon. Remain Gare du Nord and Gare d’Austerlitz.)I show you what the old station used to look like and also a photo of a famous accident which took place in 1895 (Wikipedia photos).
Gare Montparnasse is the station you would use if you leave for the west or south-west of France (Loire valley, Bordeaux, Brittany...) including by the fast TGV trains (see top photo), but it’s of course also a station for more local traffic. It’s a large station, actually divided in three, one of them replacing the old smaller Gare Vaugirard. There is a surprising park on top of the station - which you can reach by some direct stairs – surrounded by high modern buildings. It’s called Jardin (Garden) Atlantique, created in 1994. It’s an astonishly calm place if you consider the busy life in the area. When I was there last week, I was alone! As you can see from the photos, it’s of course not the best period to nicely illustrate a park.At one end of the park, still on top of the station, there is a memorial to Field-Marshall Leclerc who as a general led the French troops participating in the Liberation of Paris in August 1944 and also a Jean Moulin museum. Jean Moulin was a high-profile member of the French Resistance during WW II. It can be noted that it was at Gare de Montparnasse (August 25, 1944) that the German governor of Paris, von Scholtitz, who disobeyed Hitler’s order to destroy Paris, surrendered to General Leclerc and Rol-Tanguy, the French resistance leader.
To finish today, a few pictures from the surrounding area including some modern hotels and shopping malls, one of Paris’ leading jazz clubs, “Le Petit Journal” ... and also of Place de Catalogne, surrounded by buildings by Ricardo Bofill.
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