The RER (French pronunciation: [ɛʁəɛʁ]; French: Réseau Express Régional, "Regional Express Network") is a rapid transit system in France serving Paris and its suburbs. The RER is an integration of a modern city-centre underground rail and a pre-existing set of commuter rail lines. It has several connections with the Paris Métro within the city of Paris. Within the city, the RER functions like the Métro, but as it has fewer stops, the system acts as one of express trains. Since 1999 the network has consisted of five lines: A, B, C, D and E. The RER is still expanding; Line E, which opened in 1999, is planned for westward extension by 2020.
Paris Lyon (or Gare de Lyon) is one of the six large railway termini in Paris, France. It is the northern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway. It is named after the city of Lyon, a stop for many long-distance trains departing here, most en route to the south of France. In general the station's SNCF services run to the south and east of France. The station also hosts regional trains and the RER. It is served by the Gare de Lyon metro station. The station is located in the XIIe arrondissement, on the north bank of the river Seine, in the east of Paris.
The station was built for the World Exposition of 1900. On multiple levels, it is considered a classic example of the architecture of its time. Most notable is the large clock tower atop one corner of the station, similar in style to the clock tower of the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament, home to Big Ben.
The station houses the Le Train Bleu restaurant, which has served drinks and meals to travellers and other guests since 1901 in an ornately-decorated setting.
On 27 June 1988, a runaway train crashed into a stationary rush-hour train, killing 56 people and injuring a further 55.