Le Train Bleu Restaurant Gare de Lyon

A Veritable Initiation to travel…

It was upon the occasion of the Universal Exhibition in 1900 that the

Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean (PLM) Company built the restaurant. In the

beginning, it was called the “Buffet de la Gare de Lyon” (Lyon Station

Buffet).

It was renamed “Le Train Bleu” in 1963, in tribute to the celebrated

“Paris-Vintimiglia” service, then granted historical monument status in

1972 by André Malraux.

The establishment also owes its renown to the forty-one paintings on its

walls and ceilings - the most famous amongst them represent the

landscapes traversed by the trains of the PLM network – and its waxed

parquet flooring, wood panelling, the patina of the long, leather-upholstered wall-seats, white tablecloths and logotype crockery.

Since its inauguration by Emile Loubet, the President of the French

Republic, on 7th April 1901, customers have been flocking to the

restaurant. Regulars have included Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Jean

Cocteau, Salvador Dali and Jean Gabin.

More recently, Luc Besson immortalised the restaurant in his film “Nikita”.

The restaurant is still as popular as ever: some 500 diners are served

every day at the Train Bleu.

History and Philosophy: A legendary

establishment

The Gare de Lyon was part of the colossal town-planning initiative that

accompanied the Exhibition in 1900 and which gave us the Grand Palais,

the Petit Palais, the Alexander III Bridge etc. From the outside, it evokes

the Belle Epoque fairly discreetly. However, it is inside that the best-

preserved and most stunning examples of 1900 style are to be found.

Emile Loubet, the French President, inaugurated the Lyon Station Buffet,

with its immense rooms, crammed with sculptures, gilt and vast paintings,

on 7th April 1901.

It is the paintings that capture one’s attention right from the start. There

are 41 paintings depicting, naturally, rail network sites and also events in

1900.

They plunge the visitor into a happy and optimistic atmosphere, perhaps

overly exuberant for some tastes, but which captivates and charms all

who gaze on them, tourist and Parisian alike, before returning to the

streets.

It is not by mere chance that Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Jean

Cocteau, Salvador Dali, Jean Gabin, Marcel Pagnol and many others

have been regulars here.

The restaurant also inspired Luc Besson, who filmed a scene from “Nikita”

on site, Nicole Garcia in “Place Vendôme” ,Pierre Jolivet in “Filles Uniques”

or again Steve Bendelack in « Les vacances de Mister Bean ».

Restaurant and Bar: An alliance of

French Gourmet cuisine and the spirit of the

brasserie

Made-to-measure for taking a break :

On the Train Bleu’s menu: traditional French cuisine with a choice renewed twice per year.

Find our famous dishes like our Charolais beef tartare prepared at table to

your taste, home-cooked duck foie gras, home smoked organic salmon,

knckle of lamb served on a Cristofle trolley, rum baba and iced vacherin…

In order to follow the seasons, our chef proposes you some other month

suggestions.

Hence, a compromise between the typically Parisian

brasserie and the gourmet restaurant: made-to-

measure for taking a break. Last orders are taken

shortly before 11 o’clock at night, every evening of

the year.

Tasting Menu 98€

Menu served with Pommery brut royal champagne (37,5cl per person)

Appetizer: Our home-smoked organic salmon with lemon condiment

Saffron fish soup cappuccino Lobster bisque sauce

_

Home-cooked duck foie gras, red onion preserve

_ White flesh of scallops à la plancha, puréed tarbais beans in black truffle

_

Mandarine Impériale Iced

_ Medallion of Foyot veal, snow peas and chanterelles

_

The pastry chef’s inspiration

_ Coffee and chocolates

Served only at dinnertime for a whole table, until 10 p.m.

Menú Réjane 56 €

Lyon pistachio sausage in brioche, Périgeux sauce

or

Saffron fish soup cappuccino, brandade (mashed flaked salt cod) on toast

Slab of organic salmon à la plancha, morel sauce, preserved parsnips

or

Braised ox cheek in Balsamic vinegar, buttered green cabbage in coriander

Cheese platter

or

Rum baba

or Ices and sorbets

or

The pastry chef’s suggestion

Wine (37,5cl) : Gaillac white Château Adélaïde or Côtes de Bourg Laroche Joubert

or Mineral water (50 cl)

Sarah Bernhardt Menu 68 €

Pan-fried duck foie gras and sautéed Rethel white sausage, mushrooms in layered pastry

or

Home-smoked organic salmon : in strips and a lemon condiment, in organic scrambled eggs with creamed sorrel

Baked cod, Sault wheat and chorizo risotto

or

“Straight from the market” or “Seasonal fare”

Choose your “indulgence”

Coffee

Location and access map

Situated at the heart of the Gare de Lyon, upstairs, looking down the rails, the

Train Bleu considers itself a “must” for foreigners and travellers alike, but also a

benchmark restaurant for Parisians: in particular, the denizens of the Bercy and Bastille quarters, and the residents of the Port de l’Arsenal area.

Well served by public transport and with easy access (several underground car

parks are available), it is the ideal address for business lunches, and a one-stop

rendezvous for lunches and dinners, with family or friends.

Contact:

Le Train Bleu 1st Floor Lyon station 75012 Paris

Phone: + 33 (0) 01 43 43 09 06 Fax: + 33 (0) 01 43 43 97 96

E-mail: reservation.trainbleu@ssp.fr