You can travel to the French Riviera by luxury sleeper train next year

There are few travel experiences more synonymous with glamour than the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. The luxury sleeper train has announced a flurry of new services over the last couple of years. The latest? A jaunt to the French Riviera, lauching spring 2027. 

That’s right – from May 10, a route ferrying passengers from Paris to the French Riviera will become part of the train’s annual schedule, according to CN Traveler. Here is everything we know so far.

It’s set to begin in the French capital before elegantly trundling south overnight and reaching the Mediterranean by morning. It’ll traverse the Côte d’Azur and sweep over the red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel, and pass Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Nice before reaching Monaco-Monte Carlo station. 

On board, passengers will enjoy the full Belmond experience. Accommodations come in the form of classic ‘Historic’ cabins, suites, Grand suites, or even the sparkling L’Observatoire. 

It’s an exclusive carriage designed by French street artists JR, the same team behind La Caverne du Pont Neuf, the huge outdoor art installation we named the best thing to do in the world this year. Along with the bedroom and en suite (which, yes, has a bathtub) there’s also a library, living room and – get this – a secret tea room. 

On board there are also two restaurant carriages – Étoile du Nord and L’Oriental – as well as Bar Car 3674, which promises expertly mixed cocktails and even some live piano. 

‘Introducing the destination feels like a natural continuation for the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, bringing the romance of luxury rail travel to a locale that has always understood the art of arrival,’ says Belmond’s Europe area managing director for trains, Pascal Deyrolle. 

How much is a ticket?

As you might expect, a ticket on this fabulous journey doesn’t come cheap. Assuming you and one other person travel in a Historic Cabin, rates (which include the overnight journey, all meals and unlimited soft drinks, plus some selected wines, steward service and transfers) start at €4,870. 

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