On a 1901 April day in , at the time of La Belle Époque--that post-depression, pre-war Ǯbeautiful ageǯ of over-the-top luxury living, dining, and travel for the privileged few--French President Loubet officially opened the Le Bleu restaurant at the Gare de amid flourish and fanfare.

Over a century later, 500-global celebs and regular folks alike still dine at daily, to absorb its décor, savor the cuisine, and reminisce about its historic link with grand travel.

Originally erected for the Universal Exhibition, the très riches eatery was classified as a historical monument in 1972 by Franceǯs Cultural Minister, André Malraux, in honor of the high- society ǮBlue Train.ǯ A strictly First Class overnight run from the north of down to the . First called the Calais-Mediterranée Express--the colloquial term Ǯle train bleuǯ derived from the royal blue and gold interiors and was adopted into formal use after WWII.

The maiden journey on December 8, 1922 originated in CalaisȄ the ancient port overlooking the Straits of Dover where the très riches docked--having crossed the with their Louis Vuitton steamer trunks, hat boxes, ladies maids, and petitschiens in tow. The Prince of Wales, Chanel, Chaplin, , F. Scott Fitzgerald, Evelyn Waugh and Somerset Maugham were among those who eventually sauntered aboard at the Gare MaritimeȄas white-gloved porters paraded behind juggling gilded-age accouterments.

Champagne and bon mots flowed as the opulent land yacht rolled through the French countryside towards the and in Paris. There, the crème de la crème of Paris and additional coaches joined the tour that left Paris in early evening for stops in , Châlons, and Lyon as tony revelers feasted on 5-star meals then slept on finest linens in plush compartments with discrete attendants at hand to assure their every wish.

By dawn, the train steamed towards MarseilleȄwith following stops along the resort route at St. Raphaël, Juan-les-Pins, , , , , and -the famous lemon capital of France.

In the 1980s, the high-speed TGV cut the journey from Paris to Nice from 20-hours to fiveȄand Le Train Bleu that had also played a role in ballets, books, a French TV mystery series, and posters, became a memory enshrined at the noble restaurant in the Paris-Lyon station.

For more photos and a link to Le Bleu Train restaurant site, please see:http://www.frenchheart.com