Picture drifting off in Paris and opening your eyes to the Mediterranean. That’s the idea behind a new trip for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Next spring, the train makes its first run to the French Riviera, an overnight ride from Paris to Monaco.
- The first departure is scheduled for May 10, 2027, from Paris Gare d’Austerlitz.
- The route follows the Côte d’Azur through Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Nice before it reaches Monaco the next morning.
- Belmond’s published fare is €4,870 per person, based on two people sharing a Historic Cabin.
A Riviera First for a Legendary Train
Belmond operates the train, and it plans to run the Paris to Monaco journey every year once it starts. The first trip leaves Paris on Monday, May 10, 2027, and pulls into the Principality the following morning. It will be the first time the train has ever stopped in Monaco. The new itinerary adds a vintage-train arrival to a Riviera holiday.
The date also carries some history. The 2027 debut comes fifty years after the 1977 auction in Monaco that helped bring the train back to life. So the Orient Express is heading back to the place where its comeback started.
The new route follows Belmond’s first trip from Paris to the Amalfi Coast, which made its first run in May 2026. One sunny coastline led to another, and now the Riviera gets its turn.
Red Cliffs, Blue Water and Famous Resort Towns
The journey starts at Paris Gare d’Austerlitz. Guests board midnight blue Art Deco carriages that look straight out of rail travel’s golden age, and the train heads south through the night.
Once it reaches the coast, the line runs through the Massif de l’Estérel. This mountain range is known for its reddish cliffs that drop right into the sea. Red rock against blue water makes a great view from a train window.
Next, the train passes through Saint-Raphaël, Cannes and Nice, three resort towns with plenty of their own history. Then it rolls on to Monaco, the end of the line.
If you’ve driven or flown along this coast, you know how much of it you miss from a highway or a plane seat. A slow train lets you watch it all go by, with nobody fighting for the armrest.
Inside the Art Deco Carriages
This train is famous for some of the most beautiful interiors on rails. Accommodation ranges from Historic Cabins up to Grand Suites. Marquetry and Art Deco detailing define the interiors, while sleeping arrangements and amenities vary by cabin category. It feels like a moving museum, except you’re allowed to sit on everything.
Bar Car 2674 is the place for a drink. Guests can sip cocktails or Champagne there as mountain ranges give way to the shining Mediterranean coast.
Meals are served in the dining cars, where seasonal dishes come out on crisp white linen. The route announcement highlights dishes such as foie gras, lobster and potato gratin dauphinois, though travelers should confirm menus for their departure. Rich food, a gorgeous room and scenery rolling past outside. It’s a hard combination to beat.
What the Fare Covers
Belmond’s published price for the trip is €4,870 per person, based on two people sharing a Historic Cabin. That number applies to that cabin type. If you’re eyeing one of the larger suites, ask the reservations team for current rates instead of assuming they match.
The fare includes meals, wine, transfers and steward service. The published inclusions bundle dining, wine and accommodation with the journey; confirm any drinks or services outside those inclusions when booking. Booking inquiries go through the reservations team on the Belmond website.
Is it worth it? That depends on you and your budget. It’s a lot of money for one night. But plenty of travelers want to do this kind of trip once, and few routes beat Paris to Monaco for pure glamour.
Start Planning a Spring 2027 Riviera Getaway
Keep in mind that this route hasn’t started yet. The first departure is still months away, set for May 10, 2027. If you want to be on that first ride, reach out to Belmond early and ask about availability and cabin options.
It’s also smart to plan a few days on the coast once you arrive. You’ll reach Monaco in the morning, and the train will have already rolled through Nice and Cannes on the way in. You could treat the ride as the opening act of a longer Riviera trip. Book your hotels early, pack something nice for dinner in the dining car, and save room for the lobster.
