A MUST-see on my Paris itinerary: Le Train Bleu
Since its inauguration by Emile Loubet, the President of the French Republic, on April 7th 1901, guests have been flocking to this remarkable restaurant. Regular customers have included Jean Gabin, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali, Coco Chanel & Brigitte Bardot! A grand survivor of France's storied Belle Epoque, Le Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon is a stunning reminder of when train travel was an exquisite sort of luxury. Not 1 square centimeter of wall or ceiling space is unadorned in this palatial restaurant, one grand staircase flight above the tracks. Nymphs and gods loll indulgently above tall banks of windows amid miles of gilt embellishment. Massive chandeliers illuminate colorfully painted ceilings and walls, many with scenes of various locales in southern France. - Chicago Tribune
