Where to meet at Gare du Lyon train station
 

Hello
It's been a while since I've been here. Nice to be back

I will be meeting my aunt, who is traveling from Nice, at Gare du Lyon station. I do not speak French and she knows limited English. I am not familiar with the train station and would like this to be as easy as possible for my Aunt (and me). Any suggestions as to where to meet? Is this a huge station --- similar to Penn Station or Grand Central in New York?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.

Why don't you meet at the track where she will be getting off the train? You can check the location of her train when you arrive at the station and then walk to the track. Ask her which train she will be taking.

Le Train Bleu?

Thin,aristocrat 🥢

Most people meet at the front of the platform since every passenger has to pass that way. (There are actually also exit stairs on the platforms that go to the lower level, but most people wouldn't go out that way unless they are already familiar with it.)

Thank you both for the suggestions. I was thinking of meeting at a restaurant or store in the station but meeting at the train itself, is a better idea. Hopefully she will book the train beforehand. Good to know that all trains stop at the same platform.
Thank you!

Maybe we'll all stop at Train Bleu for a drink. thanks!

https://parisbytrain.com/gare-de-lyon-photos/

Yes it is a big station with several halls, on two levels. The huge staircase leading up to Le Train Bleu restaurant is the most obvious fixture in the whole building and can be seen from where the trains from the south arrive. The platform area is often congested, especially now that entrance to the platforms themselves is restricted by security gates. The restaurant is a real eyeful and worth a visit for itself. Here are photos; the entrance, on the mezzaine up the staircase, is the first photo.
https://www.le-train-bleu.com/en/pho...tual-tour.html

Trains arrive at all sorts of platforms and if your aunt's train arrives at tracks A to N (Hall 1), she might be in deep trouble looking for the Train Bleu, which is in a totally different part of the building (Hall 2) with tracks 5 to 23 (only odd numbers). You will do her a service by meeting her train rather than making her find the Train Bleu.

I've been through Gare de Lyon many times but I'm not an expert. However, generally, it's better to select a meeting spot away from the mouth of the security controlled platform and in a slightly less manic location. Just after security when heading off the platform, there are often hustlers and everyone is just rushing to just get out of there. Not a very nice place to try to stand, look for someone, and meet up.

And thus an excellent place to protect one's aunt from hustlers.

Thanks so much for the replies.
When you say "security controlled platform" what exactly does that mean? Is this an area I will not be able to enter? After reading your replies, my feeling is to tell my aunt after getting off the train to walk to the end of the platform and wait for me -- or -- after getting off, just wait there. She is a big woman, no one is going to knock her down! I'm assuming when I arrive at the station, I will be able to find her track information on the arrivals board? Or will the arrival gate information be on her ticket?
Really appreciate the help.

There are turnstile entrances to the platforms now, so you can only wait at the head of the platform, which is the best place anyway. Arrival tracks are listed 10-15 minutes before arrival.

The male prostitutes at Gare de Lyon usually wear carnation-pink-coloured trousers.

I was informed of this by my friend The Countess de Billy of the Rue Varenne. I don't know how she knows these things. 👼

Thin,aristocrat 💡

Thank you for this information.

Thin- thanks for the head up...my friends and I certainly wouldn't want to clash....