Le Train Bleu, Belle Époque restaurant in Gare de Lyon, Paris, France
Le Train Bleu is a restaurant housed in Gare de Lyon station, featuring two grand dining rooms decorated with 41 painted ceiling murals depicting different French cities and landscapes from the early 1900s. The spaces are characterized by ornate details including carved wood panels, leather banquettes, and crystal chandeliers throughout.
The restaurant opened in 1901 for the Paris World Fair and initially functioned as a luxury buffet for passengers boarding trains to the French Riviera. It was created specifically to serve affluent travelers during their departures.
The dining rooms display ornate gilded decorations, carved wood panels, and crystal chandeliers that reflect French craftsmanship of the Belle Époque period. Visitors can observe how every surface was designed to impress travelers preparing for journeys to coastal destinations.
The restaurant is located on the first floor of Gare de Lyon station and can be accessed without leaving the main train station building. Visitors are encouraged to spend time observing the painted ceiling details and wall decorations while dining.
The restaurant holds dual designation as both a historic monument and twentieth-century heritage site, a rare combination that reflects how completely it has maintained its original appearance. This classification acknowledges its importance beyond merely serving food.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.