Paris-Lyon in executive class on Trenitalia: as good as usual

Trenitalia’s Executive Class is the most comfortable way to travel between Paris and Lyon despite a somewhat irregular service.

Invited to attend a Euroleague basketball game in Villeurbanne on a Friday evening, I took the opportunity to spend a weekend in Lyon. Delighted by my previous experience, I booked my trip on Trenitalia in Executive class without hesitation.

Here is the list of posts concerning this trip

Review #	Type	Post
1	Train	Paris-Lyon, Trenitalia, Executive Class
2	Hotel	Marriott Lyon Cité Internationale – Executive Room
3	Restaurant	Le bouchon des cordeliers – Lyon
4	Train	Lyon-Paris Trenitalia, Executive Classe

Booking

I booked this trip two weeks before my departure. On Trenitalia the Executive Class prices are fixed regardless of the date of travel, booking or train occupancy. 139 one way so 278 return.

Boarding

I arrive at the Gare de Lyon more than an hour before departure.

A mistake due to bad habits on flights where I take the opportunity to relax in the lounge. No lounge for Trenitalia gare de Lyon so I’m left to wait in the hall.

I can see the train coming from Milan, I think. All I have to do is wait until the cleaning is done before leaving.

The boarding is finally announced and I join coach 1, at the beginning of the train.

The stewardess greets me with a big smile and welcomes me. I immediately go to my seat.

The cabin

No surprise I find the traditional Trenitalia cabin in the executive class of its Frecciarossa (there are three classes on Trenitalia: Economy, Business and Executive).

The 8 seats rotate 180° to face the direction of travel or to face your neighbour for a chat if you are travelling together.

The seats recline, have USB and power sockets, a reading light and a tray table in the armrest.

As on my previous trip we will be only two passengers.

The journey and the service

We leave on time and the menus for the meal (included in the fare) are distributed.

The staff once again gave us a very warm welcome. This time the person in charge of our coach will be French.

The service starts quickly.

For starters I chose the sausage and cheese and for the main course the osso bucco.

To my surprise and contrary to my previous trip the two dishes are brought on the same tray and not one after the other. This will force me to eat the starter quickly so that the dish doesn’t get cold. Shame.

So here is the sausage and cheese.

Very good and the sausage is a bit spicy as I like it. However, the bread is a bit hard.

Then the osso bucco.

Compared to my previous experience the dish is served much hotter and this is a good point.

It’s good but lacks pepper and salt.

For dessert I will have a lemon tartlet followed by a real espresso.

Having had a really dry dessert last time I’m a bit apprehensive….but it will be smooth and very good.

I had some wine to go with it but whereas last time I had a bottle which the stewardess kept in the galley so it wouldn’t spill but which she would use to refill my glass regularly there I had a glass and no refill.

To finish I will have a prosecco to end the trip. No bottle either.