The new route from will officially roll out in March 2027
You will soon have a luxurious new way to journey from the French capital to the French Riviera.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will travel from Paris to Monte Carlo for the first time in early 2027, with the new route set to be offered annually.
The legendary train, operated by Belmond, will depart Paris, roll along the breathtaking coastal railway of the Côte d’Azur, before stopping in the perennially glamorous Monegasque district. It will also stop at Monte Carlo on additional European routes to Venice.
“Monaco has long held a special place in the story of European travel, with generations drawn to the Côte d’Azur by its distinctive sense of style, culture, and occasion,” Pascal Deyrolle, general manager of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, said in a statement. “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.”
It marks a full-circle moment for the train, as American-British businessman James Sherwood acquired two of the original 1920s carriages in Monte Carlo in 1977, then combined them with more than 20 others to launch the fully restored Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in 1982.
“There’s something rather special about coming back to Monte Carlo, given the role it played in the train’s history,” Deyrolle adds. “In 1977, two original carriages were acquired here at auction, setting in motion the journey that would become the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express we know today.”
The overnight jaunt begins at Paris Gare d’Austerlitz station, where guests board the historic midnight-blue carriages from the 1920s and ‘30s. Inside, accommodation ranges from Historic Cabins to Grand Suites to a private carriage, dubbed L’Observatoire, which features a bedroom, en suite, living area, library, and even a secret tea room. Once settled in, guests can head to one of the train’s two restaurant cars—Étoile du Nord or L’Oriental—for dinner, then enjoy cocktails and live music in the famous Bar Car 3674. The next morning, breakfast is served in the cabin with the sparkling Gallic coastline acting as a spectacular backdrop.
The route itself runs from the dramatic red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel, through Saint-Raphaël towards Cannes and Nice, then cuts into the mountainside before arriving at Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. A stone’s throw away are the Monte Carlo Casino, which starred in two James Bond films, and the legendary Circuit de Monaco.
The first trip from Paris to Monte Carlo is scheduled for 10 May 2027. Prices for the route start from US$5,461 per person based on two guests sharing a Historic Cabin. All itineraries include an overnight stay, 24-hour steward service, meals with a sommelier’s choice of wine and unlimited soft drinks, and transfers. For more information or to book, visit the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express website.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Belmond
