Gare de Lyon station advice

I have a Paris Metro app. If you want to take the Metro, I can help you with a route. There is a big display in Gare de Lyon showing upcoming trains. Be sure you take notice of your departure hall. Be prepared to head toward your gate, have your tickets ready to be scanned when your train is posted.

there are two areas with platforms and to keep the directions simple one group is numbered and the other group uses the letters of the alphabet.

Clear signs take to the two areas. If you get to the station on time, watch for your train and go to the designated area and letter or number you will be fine. If you are too late the walk may be to far to walk comfortably if it is remote from where you are.

jshack,
For peace of mind I would take the metro or a taxi. Sunday morning there won't be as much traffic, but the bus schedule will be different than on a weekday, probably less frequent. For me (who moves slowly) I like to have plenty of time to get to my platform. I would station myself where I could get to either platform equally quickly, about 5 minutes before the platform announcement gets on the board. (That's just me.)

I never take a bus in Paris when time is of the essence. And I agree with Judy -- I'd want to be stationed sort of between the two platforms areas by the sign that shows my train ready to jump when the platform is posted. Gare de Lyon is a bit confusing.

And I'd take the metro or a cab and get there well before the 20 minute posting of platforms. In a strange place I don't understand well, I always want to build in plenty of time even when it means standing around as it will in this case.

You don't need to be stationed between the two platform areas. Before the actual platform is announced the departure boards will tell you to wait in Hall 1 (the lettered platforms) or Hall 2 (the numbered platforms). So trying to wait between the two areas will just make life more difficult for you, not easier.

That departure board also refers to Hall 3- an underground passageway which links Halls 1 and 2- that area has the Salon Grand Voyageur (1st class lounge), ticket machines and left luggage. Hall 3 also provides access to all platforms. But noted here to avoid confusion when you see Hall 3 mentioned in the space between the Departures and Arrivals Boards which are side by side. Those boards are in each of the Halls.

is 31,
Ah yes! I remember now from last year, having to go to "Hall" 3, basically an underground way to get from Hall 1 to Hall 2, and vice versa. We were confused at first. Wish I had your well-explained information last year! Good information for anyone using Gare de Lyon for the first time. Merci!

We made it!! Thanks to all for your advice, was spot on. We took the metro, left the hotel about 90 minutes before departure. We even had time to grab a coffee thank goodness. Definitely needed some extra time to figure out where we were supposed to go.

Glad it all worked out !! Enjoy your time at your next destination! Thanks for coming back to let us know.