Gare de Lyon — Attraction in Paris

The station is nice, but it is pretty dated. My wife and I are on vacation in France and we traveled by TGV from Paris to Marseille. We took the expensive Premier tickets on the upper deck because we had too much luggage for lower class. The train ride started well, but ended very badly. While on the train in our seats, someone robbed my wife's hand bag, we believe firmly that it was done by the passengers sitting behind us, because the only possible access to the bag on the floor between our feet was under the seats from the back. That would explain how they had the time to unzip the bag, to open a separate interior compartment within the bag, take out my wife's wallet, grab only one bank card and all of our cash, close back everything and disappear from the train at the first stop at Aix en Provence. We found out about the fact that we were robbed as late as an hour later when we arrived to Marseille and received a text message from our bank that my wife's card got 5 suspicious charges. This is where our shocking experience started to become a nightmare. Talking to our ICCU bank in Idaho, USA was the only helpful experience. They blocked the stolen card, initiated the dispute of fraudulent charges and ordered a replacement card to be shipped. We asked our French friend in Marseille to call the complaint office of SNCF, but the lady there just listened about our problems and said that SNCF had no responsibility for any crimes on their trains and referred us to police. We called police and they said that we can file a robbery report, if our bank needs it for disputing of fraudulent card charges, but they don't see a probability of catching the thieves and recovering the stolen cash. So we'll file the report to police, ut we have no hope for a positive outcome. Now our special recommendations to our fellow tourist and other travellers on SNCF: Keep your handbags with valuables safe and in your hands, not on the floor when you are seated in TGV. The thieves are well organized, they pay for expensive tickets to be in the premier class and close to their victims. They also have other accomplices who observe targeted victims. I wouldn't be surprised if they had access to seating plans of SNCF and know who exits at which destination station. Especially critical are these open gaps under the seats between the rows. One can reach under the...

I had holiday alone with my little daughter in North Italy and Paris for 2 weeks . We stayed at a hotel near Gare de Lyon on the last day of the trip. We had to go back to Japan from Charles de Gaulle airport on 9 Dec 2019 . I thought going by bus is easier way to the airport then I bought Le Bus direct tickets on line . I waited for the bus for about 1h 30mins from 13:40 .While we were waiting ,3 buses arrived and some passages got off .But they never accepted passages to get on . I could not understand ,even if the time table shows the bus is every 30 minutes . We were likely to miss our flight if we waited further more. I gave up to catch the bus then I went to Gare de Lyon to get RER. Unfortunately, due to the strike from 5th Dec , RER trains from Gare de Lyon were not working . I had to decide to get on the busy and uneasy metro with my little daughter and 2 big luggages . I hoped there were escalators or lifts to go up and down with luggages but I could not find those . I was about to walk down the metro stairs . A sweet gentleman from Norway offered to carry our luggages . He was also about to go to CDG.How kind he is ! He always helped us whole the way to Terminal 2 . We had to change metros 3 times . We took M 14 at Gare de Lyon and change to RER B at Châtelet and change to the another RER B at Gare de Nord. Gare de Nord is extremely busy station. I nearly missed the gentleman and my daughter while we were moving to another platform. When we arrive the platform for RER B to the terminal, there was a train already but there was no space for us to fit with our luggages, but only him would have been ok . I said you can go ,you do not need to care about us so much . But he was kindly together with us and waited for a later train . It was really complicated journey. We just followed him then we arrived the airport safely . We must have lost the way if we did not meet him . I participate his kindness so much . I bought a bottle of soft drink and a pack of gummy from a vending machine at the platform to gift him. I wish I could have offered him something more. We just said thank you and had to walked away from each other for different flights. I do not know even his name. We stayed silence on the crowded trains . I wish him a very happy , lucky and...

Paris Gare de Lyon is nothing short of a traveller’s dream. A stunning blend of architectural grandeur and historical resonance that draws you in from the moment you set eyes on it. Opened in 1849, this magnificent station isn’t just a place to catch a train; it’s an iconic symbol of Paris, a gateway to France and beyond. As you approach, its majestic clock tower and beautifully ornate façade stand as a testament to a bygone era, a time when travel was as much about the journey as it was about the destination.

Stepping inside is like entering a grand theatre of movement and energy. The vast concourse buzzes with a constant ebb and flow of travellers, the air thick with the excitement of departure and arrival. The soaring ceilings, delicate ironwork, and sweeping arched windows evoke a sense of old-world charm, transporting you to the mid-19th century while modern amenities ensure that the experience remains effortlessly comfortable and efficient. It’s a thrilling mix of the past and present, a station that serves as both a functional transport hub and a tribute to the city’s rich architectural heritage.

But Gare de Lyon is not just a railway station; it’s a living museum. The clock tower, standing proud against the Paris skyline, is an iconic emblem of the Belle Époque, a reminder of the city’s timeless allure and sophisticated history. For those with a taste for the finer things, the legendary Train Bleu restaurant within the station is an absolute must-visit. With its opulent decor and refined gourmet menu, it offers a journey into Parisian elegance that feels like stepping back into the golden age of travel.

More than just a transit point, Gare de Lyon is an emotional crossroads. It’s a place where countless stories unfold—whether you’re saying goodbye to a loved one, or embarking on a new adventure. It’s the heartbeat of Paris for many, a place that speaks to the spirit of exploration and the promise of far-off lands. Here, in this monumental station, the very essence of travel comes alive, embodying the endless possibilities that lie just beyond the...