The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is preparing to introduce a new luxury rail journey connecting Paris with Monte Carlo, giving travelers an elegant new way to experience the French Riviera. The annual route is scheduled to launch in 2027, combining historic train travel, fine dining, and sweeping Mediterranean coastal views.
Operated by Belmond, the celebrated train will depart from the French capital and travel along the scenic Côte d’Azur before arriving in Monaco’s glamorous Monte Carlo district. The destination will also feature on additional European itineraries connecting with Venice.
The new service holds particular significance for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express because Monte Carlo played an important role in the train’s modern revival.
In 1977, American-British businessman James Sherwood purchased two original 1920s carriages at an auction in Monte Carlo. He later brought together more than 20 additional carriages to create the restored train, which began operating in 1982.
Pascal Deyrolle, general manager of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, said Monaco has long been associated with the style, culture, and sense of occasion that define European luxury travel. He described the new route as a natural continuation of the train’s history.
Returning to Monte Carlo, he explained, offers a chance to reconnect with the place where the journey toward creating the modern Venice Simplon-Orient-Express began.
The Bar Car 3674.Belmond
The overnight journey starts at Paris Gare d’Austerlitz, where passengers board the train’s iconic midnight-blue carriages dating from the 1920s and 1930s.
Accommodation ranges from Historic Cabins to Grand Suites, while travelers seeking an especially private experience can book L’Observatoire. This exclusive carriage features a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, a living area, a library, and a concealed tea room.
Dining is another highlight of the experience. Guests can enjoy dinner in either of the train’s two restaurant cars, Étoile du Nord and L’Oriental, before retiring to the Bar Car 3674 for cocktails and live music.
The following morning, breakfast is served in the cabin as the train passes along the French coastline, providing a memorable backdrop to the journey.
The itinerary includes all meals, wines selected by a sommelier, unlimited soft drinks, and 24-hour steward service.
The itinerary includes all meals with a sommelier’s choice of wine.Belmond
The journey takes passengers past the dramatic red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel before continuing through the Saint-Raphaël area toward Cannes and Nice. The train then travels into the mountainous landscape on its approach to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station.
Once in Monte Carlo, guests can explore some of the principality’s best-known landmarks, including the Monte Carlo Casino, which has appeared in two James Bond films, and the iconic Circuit de Monaco, famous for hosting the Monaco Grand Prix.
The combination of coastal scenery, historic railway carriages, and access to Monaco’s celebrated attractions makes the route an appealing option for travelers seeking an alternative to conventional luxury holidays.
Paris-to-Monte Carlo Tickets and Pricing
The inaugural Paris-to-Monte Carlo journey is scheduled for May 10, 2027. Prices start at $5,461 per person, based on two people sharing a Historic Cabin.
The fare includes the overnight train journey, 24-hour steward service, meals accompanied by a sommelier’s wine selections, unlimited soft drinks, and transfers.
Travelers can find further information and booking details on the official Venice Simplon-Orient-Express website.
With its rich history, attentive service, and spectacular Riviera views, the new route promises to make the journey itself a central part of the travel experience. For the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, it also represents a return to a destination closely connected with its remarkable revival.
