Gare de Lyon front entrance
and clock tower
Inside the station's Hall 1
Wiki
Hall 2
ShowMeTheJourney
Gare de Lyon is one of Paris’ biggest railway stations, with Gare du Nord & Gare Saint Lazare. The station was named after the French city of Lyon, an important stop for many trains departing from Gare de Lyon. And this railway station was also a departure station for many high speed trains going to Southern France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. Built in 1849, the first station was a relatively simple building designed by François-Alexis Cendrier, important mainline railway termini in Paris. The Second Station handled increased traffic and managed by Compagnie des chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée.
Sadly Gare de Lyon was completely burnt in the Paris Commune 1871. The first station was completely rebuilt in 1899 in time for the World Exposition of 1900, with 13 platforms. The station was built in the highly decorative Belle Epoque style, with sculptural reliefs & iron lacework. Toulon architect Marius Toudoire redesigned this landmark building, designed to showcase the power of rail travel. He used a French Belle Epoque style with allegorical carvings decorating the façade and a 67 ms tower-clock. The clock was a classic example of the architecture then, by architect Charles Garnier that offered a panoramic view of the capital. The new 13-track Gare de Lyon was ready on time, launched in 1901 by Pres Émile Loubet of the Third Republic.
Sadly Gare de Lyon was completely burnt in the Paris Commune 1871. The first station was completely rebuilt in 1899 in time for the World Exposition of 1900, with 13 platforms. The station was built in the highly decorative Belle Epoque style, with sculptural reliefs & iron lacework. Toulon architect Marius Toudoire redesigned this landmark building, designed to showcase the power of rail travel. He used a French Belle Epoque style with allegorical carvings decorating the façade and a 67 ms tower-clock. The clock was a classic example of the architecture then, by architect Charles Garnier that offered a panoramic view of the capital. The new 13-track Gare de Lyon was ready on time, launched in 1901 by Pres Émile Loubet of the Third Republic.
Le Train Bleu restaurant
including Big Ben Bar
ornate decorations, chandeliers and frescoes
The Petite Cook
First called Buffet de la Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu was reinaugurated in 1901 and decorated with Belle Époque frescoes and gilded details, honouring the famous Venice Simplon Orient Express train. It was a place with the most representative restaurant in the City of Lights, a palatial restaurant had several dining rooms, each decorated by the art representing different cities & regions in France, made by famous artists. Drink coffee & see opulent chandeliers, gilded plaster mouldings, polished brass & 40+ travel themed art on walls & ceilings. The buffet restaurant also had gilded ceilings, chandeliers & wall murals of railways
The station is divided into three main halls. Hall 1 is the station's historic hall, dominated by the iconic restaurant Le Train Bleu, a true Parisian institution that is worth a visit in itself. Its large forecourt is pleasant in the summer with outdoor terraces & shops. Hall 2, modern and bright, welcomes passengers for the TGV highspeed trains and offers a wide range of dining options. Hall 3 underground provides access to OuiGo trains and fast food options. These 3 halls are connected by two shopping arcades.
The station underwent huge renovation in the 1980s to contain high speed TGV trains, while preserving its historical façade. This restaurant was renamed Le Train Bleu in honour of a luxury French night express train which operated from 1886-2003 connecting Calais and the French Riviera. In 1980 the creation of 11 new images and the renovation of the old ones were done by Jean-Paul Letellier. The Train Blue was listed as a French Historical Monument in 1972. In Dec 1984 the facade, roof of the main building and large frescoed hall were listed as French Historical Monuments.
shopping arcade
Wiki Commons
So Gare de Lyon was an architectural gem that stood as a witness to Parisian elegance, not just a transportation hub but a cultural landmark. A 100m long mural in Marseille artist Jean-Baptiste Olive’s ticket-office shows the main destinations from this Paris terminus.
Linking domestic & international destinations, it hosts TGV & Intercity Express trains. Its historical significance, coupled with the bustling atmosphere of the neighbouring suburb, makes it a quintessential Parisian experience for both travellers and locals. Whether boarding a train or simply admiring the station, Gare de Lyon offers a captivating blend of history, architecture and urban life. The station's interior exudes an old-world charm with its ornate details, glimpsing into the city's rich history. Gare de Lyon boasts fine dining options, making it perfect to dine before alighting.
Summary In the 12th arrondissement, Gare de Lyon welcomes millions of visitors each year with trains serving E and S.E France. But stations are not merely points of departure and arrival; they are doors to history, culture and special architecture over time. Instead of just waiting for a train, appreciate the architectural and historic gems that remain, proof of enduring train travel romance. Then climb aboard, and admire the luxury inside the train.
The train journey from Paris features fine dining from a Michelin-starred chef.
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26 comments:
Walking down Rue de Lyon from the Gare de Lyon, reach the impressive Place de la Bastille where, until the French Revolution, the infamous Bastille prison stood. In the centre of the square is Colonne de Juillet, celebrating the “Three Glorious” days in late July 1830, an uprising which saw the abdication of Charles X. Victims of the uprising are buried under the column. You can also admire the modern Opéra Bastille by architect Carlos Ott, inaugurated in 1989, commemortaing the storming of the Bastille two centuries prior.
Helen, I have been to Le Train Bleu restaurant with French friends and thought it looked beautiful. Plus the food was delicious. But do local Paris residents go to a railway station to eat and shop, or does the entire service target mainly train travellers going to another city or country?
Even some of the eastern European countries, not especially wealthy, have some stunning stations, and the US has some very fine stations. We have Southern Cross 😢
railtripping
Gare de Lyon really does blend history, architecture and urban life. The station's interior is full of ornate details, and the exterior views the city's rich history. How perfect that visitors can easily see Place de la Bastile, Colonne de Juillet, Opera Bastille etc
Deb
Le Train Bleu serves both travellers and local Parisians. _Originally built for train passengers_, its luxurious Belle Époque restaurant inside Gare de Lyon is an iconic experience that locals love for special occasions, or to enjoy drinks in the lounge without catching a train.
But it seems most patrons are in fact travellers.
Andrew
I also thought about Eastern Europe when we visited Prague, including the central railway station whichwas first opened in 1871 and is certainly Prague’s main train station. A major renovation recently took place, around the original lofty dome and stained glass windows. However it is not nearly as lush as Gare de Lyon.
Older stations and trains with wonderful decorations and dining areas are nice to remember, the station restrooms were always nice too. My memories of our Adelaide station of the past are vague now and it just isn't the same now a Casino is on the upper floors and the "modern" restrooms always smell funny/weird.
The restaurant was designed to resemble a grand dining hall, with ornate decorations, chandeliers, and frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings. Examine the detailed photos.
River
Adelaide Station was clean, open and modern, but I don't think Australians would have appreciated the lush, over-the-top gold decoration of Belle Epoque taste.
PetiteCook
Your photos are detailed and lush. I have added one here and credited your post... many thanks.
Looks amazing, Hels.
Modern buildings tend to be utilitarian and not much attention is paid to detail. Of course, skilled craftsmen are expensive to hire, and increasingly difficult to find.
I agree. Here in the US it is good to see train stations coming back. Well the new ones aren't much, but some of the old ones have been revamped. The one in Worcester, Massachusetts (my hometown) was falling apart and now it is all fixed up and is quite handsome to see.
Hello Hels, I know that you are so kind that you don't want to hurt anyone, but you have to realize that an anonymous, vulgar comment like the one above (from Anonymous) is spam and probably some includes dangerous viruses or the like. The only possible action is to mark them as spam (Blogger allows this), then to delete them immediately. No real person who has even a remote interest in your subject would leave a comment like that. It is from some kind of harmful bot or web-crawler.
--Jim
Hello Hels, You make a wonderful point here about railways stations and the like. They should be treated as separate destination, like other public buildings, because when traveling through them we are often too tired to admire or interact with them, or trying to make a connection or keep track of our luggage.
However, if the trip is more local, we are less burdened down. When I was in college I often went into New York via Grand Central Station, and since I was not burdened by possessions or urgent plans, I often took some time to admire the building. Cleveland has its magnificent Terminal Tower, but years ago the trains were routed elsewhere into a dismal building. The Concourse and passages in the Terminal are full of shops and the like, and are impressive to visit.
--Jim
They are living monuments where engineering, art, history and the romance of travel meet under one magnificent roof.
Parnassus
thank you. The horrid post has finally been deleted, but alas it took me days to achieve the solution.
Margaret
and I am not even sure my photos did justice to the complete station. It is certainly amazing.
jabblog
The cost to the French economy was greater than the total annual budget of a small East European nation!! But it was seen to be well worth every franc, for the precious materials and the top craftsmen in France.
Erika
MBTA said Worcester Union Station underwent a dramatic renovation, significantly improving the platform & track, and transforming the station by adding a high-level centre island platform and pedestrian bridge. These elements upgraded historic Worcester Transportation centre, improving the station’s function, capacity and safety.
It didn't mention spectacular beauty.
Parnassus
ordinary daily train travellers needed functional, clean and comfortable station facilities.... never dismal, of course. But old Central Stations are renovated, modernised, expanded and made very beautiful... largely for classy travellers and tourists. And for wedding parties.
Cleveland Terminal was very wise spending lots of money on impressive shops and concourses. I am not at all sure that exotic 19th century Belle Epoque architecture and decoration would have been suitable in any case.
roentare
"Under one magnificent roof" is spot on, literally and metaphorically :)
And I would add great beauty, functionality and safety.
Gare de Lyon is a beautiful reminder that some stations are destinations in themselves!
Handmade
I travelled into the centre of town each day, on the way to work and then on the way home. But the tram stop was much closer to home than the closest train station, so I usually travelled by tram.
However you are right. When railway stations like Gare de Lyon Paris, Grand Central NY, St Pancras London, Antwerp etc invite the traveller, it is a pleasure to visit in its own right.
Keifer and ASpeak
thank you for reading the post, but no advertising please
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