simon tunstall, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56029211

Par kkmarais — Le Train Bleu, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92754628

Le Train Bleu restaurant is easy to miss while you’re waiting at Gare De Lyon train station in Paris.

The Gare De Lyon was built for the 1900 World’s Fair (or Universal Exhibition) by the French luxury train company Paris-Lyon-Mediterranee. Originally named the Buffet of the Gare de Lyon, the restaurant changed its name to the Train Bleu (blue train) in 1963, in reference to the legendary 1900s Méditerranée Express train from London to the Riviera via Paris.

The architect, Marius Toudoire, was a virtuoso of Belle-Epoque exuberance and decorated every decoratable surface (and added the PLM logo everywhere, look carefully). Also of note are the 40 paintings of the landscapes of France you can see with the trains of the PLM company. There were made by then popular painters and are a wonderful snapshot of the taste of the times.

The restaurant aims to give you an old-fashioned experience. Your meal will be served under silver cloches and flambeed at the table.

Go to Le Train Bleu for the menu.

Par bogdan1971, CC BY-SA 3.0,commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56317762

Par Mbzt — Travail personnel, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18204601

Par Schölla Schwarz, CC BY 3.0, /commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54713669