Introduction

Today I’m on my way from Geneva to Brussels. The first part of the journey from Geneva to Paris is just about the same duration as from Basel to Parie, at three hours and 14 minutes. In Paris I have three hours to make my connection to the Eurostar at 15h22 from Gare du Nord to Bruxelles Midi. A shorter connection in Paris would have been available in Paris, but why waste an opportunity to have lunch at the fabulous Train Bleu, eh?

Sunday Lunch at Le Train Bleu

I have a reservation at the Train Bleu for 12h00, just before the lunchtime rush begins. Although, having said that, the service at the restaurant is amazing – mainly because of the huge armada of waiters they have, who ensure that you never have to wait for anything, even when the restaurant is crowded.

For the amuse bouche we have a bavarois of butternut, which is refreshing and quite fluffy.

For the first course, I have the tartelette of artichoke and estragon, which is served with fresh bread rolls with a crispy crust. This is the second time I’ve had this dish, and it certainly is very nice.

For the main course, I have the potato pie with creamy veal jus and black truffle, served with a small frisée salad with a mustard vinaigrette dressing. This dish is absolutely sublime and a true delight.

And then for dessert, it looks as though I have sold my soul to the lord of hellfire. Although it’s actually just the head waiter preparing my crèpe Suzette the traditional way. This is what I normally have at the Train Bleu when I’m not having their seasonal soufflé. The crèpes are a true delight. Words cannot describe the sweet, buttery goodness of caramelized sugar and Grand Manier. So, so good!

To finish the meal, I have a café au lait, which is served with a small plate of friandises, just to make sure I really do end up in a sugar coma.

It’s just gone 14h00 when I exit the Train Bleu to make my way to Gare du Nord. I take the grand staircase from the restaurant down to the main concourse level, and then from there two escalators to take me underground to the station of the green RER line D which runs directly from Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord in eight minutes.

By the time I reach Gare du Nord it’s just gone 14h15. I’m busy looking for the Eurostar lounge when I see on the departures board that there is a train to Bruxelles leaving in seven minutes, one hour ahead of my booked train.

Boarding

I approach the train attendant standing at the entrance to coach two, and ask him if it’s too late for me to rebook. He tells me I have a fully flexible ticket. He also informs me that boarding for the Premier cabin is completed, so I can just take any one of the vacant seats I prefer.

The Cabin & Seat

In keeping with the funky red exterior of the train in its original Thalys livery, the cabin is decked out is shades of opulent, plush red. Seating is in a 2+1 configuration with forward and rear facing seats. Each seat has its own power outlet and a good recline.

The Service

The journey from Paris to Bruxelles is eighty minutes and runs nonstop. From Bruxelles the train will continue to Amsterdam Centraal. There is one cabin attendant serving the Premium cabin. The service starts with the distribution of the menu and a packaged towel.

The Meal

The meal is served on a single tray and consists of an amuse bouche, a vegetarian and non vegetarian option, and dessert. I’m obviously still full from lunch, so I just ask for something to drink. Soft drinks are served in cardboard cups. The guy in front of me orders champagne, which is served in a proper glass.

Arrival in Bruxelles

The journey to Bruxelles is surprisingly quick. Right on time, at 15h42, we pull into the station. From what I can tell, most passengers disembark here. I take the escalators one floor down and follow directions to the station for tram lines four and ten, which both head into the centre.

Conclusion

I rather enjoyed the trip by TGV and Eurostar trains from Geneva via Paris to Bruxelles. All in all, and with taking the earlier train from Paris, the journey took seven hours and twenty minutes. The even earlier train from Paris to Bruxelles would also have been possible, which would have shortened the journey by another hour.

The first part of the trip from Geneva takes you through a gorgeous landscape across the southern tip of the Jura mountains. The stop for lunch in Paris was obviously not necessary, but certainly very pleasurable. I also like about travelling by train that you don’t need to go through security and you can arrive at the station just a short while before departure and simply hop on.