The rehabilitation of the Gare du Sud in 2019 brought new appeal to the Libération district and attracted new arrivals.
On the cultural front, Pathé has set up a large, modern multiplex cinema. It includes a 201-seat auditorium with comfortable reclining seats, offering a Dolby cinema experience with Dolby Atmos quality sound and Dolby Vision image, in addition to 3D. In the cinema’s entrance hall, you can grab a bite at Starbucks, the famous American brand. However, the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream stand has since disappeared.
Right next to the multiplex, there is the gourmet hall. It has just been acquired by “Enchanté, the French specialist in festive food halls.” The closure of restaurants between 2020 and 2021 led to the bankruptcy of many, according to restaurateurs. In fact, if there were 25 counters until last year, now there are only six left. However, five new stands have appeared since the reopening in late June, and there’s more to come.
The asset of the Gare du Sud lies in the diversity of the gastronomy available. You can come with several people, with friends, family, and each person can taste different cuisine. You can travel around the world on your plate with world cuisine, like in Argentina with the newcomer Cantina, or enjoy Niçoise specialties at Mad A Nice. There’s something for everyone. Not Dog notably offers vegan hot dogs, an originality without animal suffering. The problem is that you can’t make reservations. Therefore, you must manage to find a free table.
The new owner decided that the hall should have a makeover. He wants to attract a more festive clientele. A weekly program is now available, offering daily musical or comedic evenings. Various music groups and DJs take turns. You can dance or even sing karaoke on certain nights. Since July 28, every Wednesday is humor night, allowing the discovery of various comedians. A new cocktail menu has appeared to hydrate the party-goers. Good vibes are thus required. The program intensified this summer, but the atmosphere was already cheerful before the closure. Evenings known as “l’apéro des Frenchy” already existed and made a strong comeback due to their success.
The arrangement of the tables has also changed. Gone are the large, convivial tables in rows, now replaced with the classics. They are now staggered to facilitate movement and air the place. Their number has increased to accommodate more food enthusiasts. The terrace is now shared among the different stands.
The hitch is that the gourmet hall will close again in the autumn. It will undergo another transformation to reopen in 2022. There are still many empty stands at the moment, so the current choice is limited. Note that it is no longer possible to eat or drink on site without a “health pass.”
