If you ask me what is the best restaurant in Paris, in terms of food quality, I would be hard pressed to give you an answer, but if you ask me what is the most beautiful, I'll give you an answer straight away—Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon.
Our train from Geneva arrives and departs from this station and to finir en beauté, we treat ourselves to lunch at Le Train Bleu as the final parting treat before leaving Paris.
Built in 1900 by the PLM (Paris Lyon Marseille) railway company for the Universal Exhibition, Le Train Bleu is an historic landmark.
Forty-one paintings by the most preeminent painters of the day adorn the walls and ceilings with scenes representing the cities and countrysides PLM passengers would have seen from the trains, not only in France, but Northern Africa.
Every surface—including the ceiling—seems to be covered in gilt, moldings, carvings and frescoes. The original chandeliers are still in use.
It's just recently had a sprucing up; it was closed in July and August 2014 for restoration. You can see video showing what the restaurant looked like during renovation here.
It's such a beautiful restaurant you could easily go there just to gawk at the decor, but make no mistake, its food and service live up to its visual grandeur—it's French dining at its very best.
Exiting the restaurant, tummy full and looking forward to a nap on the train, we return to the current century and our return trip home.
This is indeed a beautiful restaurant, not at all what I would expect to see in a railway station!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that no-one feels the need to create such grandeur in this day and age.
Clare x
Wow! That looks spectacular!
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
Yes, it is a beautiful restuarant. I was there quite few years ago. Thanks for sharing your photos and reminding me of this extroadinary place.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I was just in Gare de Lyon a few weeks ago and was admiring the exterior ... I had no idea the interior was like that!
ReplyDeleteSo stunning! I don't think I would ever leave-haha. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePeux-tu croire que je ne suis jamais allée? Et ce n'est par manque d'information! C'est décidé il faut réparer ça!! ;o)
ReplyDeleteA très bientôt!
wow what an amazing place - how I wish I didn't have my problems so I could travel and see these wonderful places for myself
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that I never knew of this place! Thanks for sharing -- it's definitely going on my to do list for my next trip to Paris. I would be looking at the ceiling more than my food, that's for sure. And taking annoyingly many photographs...
ReplyDeleteAnett | Tall Girl's Fashion
Do go! It's beautiful and the food is a perfect match. It's really not touristy either. Most of the clients eating there are business people at lunch, or French train passengers who know about it. They have a small area set aside as a less fancy café where you can grab a snak and something to drink while you wait for your train.
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